J. Para et al.: Fluorescence and absorption properties of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) 14% and 10–12% of the overall total organic and inorganic carbon (TOC and TIC) river inputs to the Mediterranean Sea (Semp r et al., 2000). Remote sensing observations (Forget ee et al., 1990; Devenon et al., 1992; Broche et al., 1998) and modeling studies (Estournel et al., 2001; Arnoux-Chiavassa et al., 2003; Reffray et al., 2004) shown the predominant westward direction of the Rh ne River plume with an exo tent and a thickness depending on its discharge, the meteorological conditions and the surrounding circulation, particularly the Northern Current. A less common orientation of the Rh ne River plume, towards the east as far as 40 km from the o Rh ne River mouth and offshore of Marseilles Bay, has been o recently documented by using the acoustic Doppler current proler (ADCP) measurements (Gatti et al., 2006). Despite its relative signicant role in the Mediterranean carbon cycle, there are only a few studies showing CDOM originating either directly from the Rh ne River or from o by-products of primary production in coastal areas or more generally in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea (Ferrari et al., 2000; Babin et al., 2003; Vignudelli et al., 2004). Moreover, with an annual average of total solar radiation of 162 W m2 (Ruiz et al., 2008), the western Mediterranean basin is characterized by relatively high solar radiation levels due to its weak cloud cover (Vasilkov et al., 2001; Seckmeyer et al., 2008; Cristofanelli and Bonasoni, 2009; The MERMEX Group, 2010). High surface irradiances coupled to a strong penetration of UV and visible radiation (Tedetti and Semp r , 2006 and references therein; Joux et al., 2009) ee could impact the CDOM content as well as primary productivity in the surface waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Here we report CDOM absorbance and uorescence data from a one-year time series in the Bay of Marseilles. This study aims to better understand coastal surface CDOM distribution and dynamics of the Mediterranean Sea. Origins as well as seasonal variation of CDOM are discussed considering the potential inuence of Rh ne River plume. o

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