18 Review of the Circulation and Characteristics of Intermediate Water Masses of the Mediterranean: Implications for Cold-Water Coral Habitats

This chapter describes the main features of the circulation and properties of the intermediate water masses of the Mediterranean. Interaction with other water masses is also briefly summarised. Both observational and numerical studies described in the literature are used, as well as some more recent, unpublished data sets. It is shown that the main water mass important to cold-water coral habitats is the Levantine Intermediate Water which forms in the Levantine Sea, Eastern Mediterranean and spreads throughout the entire Mediterranean before leaving via the Gibraltar Strait. This pathway is described as well as the expected temperature and salinity along that pathway. Current speed regimes are estimated from the few studies that exist.