Effects of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea circulation on the thermohaline properties as recorded by fixed deep-ocean observatories

Bensi, Manuel; Velaoras, Dimitris; Meccia, Virna; Cardín, Vanessa

doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2016.02.015

Cited by 24 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Southern Adriatic SALi and Aegean SALi are negatively correlated with a time lag of four year. The latter confirms the results of previous studies that highlight the opposite behavior of the salinity in the two basins (see Bensi et al, ; Krokos et al, ; Theocharis et al, ; Velaoras et al, ) and the importance of the Aegean in influencing the salinity of the intermediate layer in the Southern Adriatic (Amitai et al, ). The Salinity/SSH based indexes in the upper layer in both Southern Adriatic and Aegean have the same time lag (Table ) with the Ionian SSHi, suggesting that variations in upper layer salinity and SSH are connected.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 91%

Unexpected Covariant Behavior of the Aegean and Ionian Seas in the Period 1987–2008 by Means of a Nondimensional Sea Surface Height Index

et al. 2017

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In this work, we use a set of recent multiyear simulations to develop a simplified sea surface height index (SSH). The index characterizes the dynamics of Ionian upper layer circulation and its links with sea surface height and salinity in the Southern Adriatic and Aegean Seas during the period 1987–2008. The analysis highlights a covariant behavior between Ionian Sea and Aegean Sea associated with a mutual zonal exchange of water masses with different salinity characteristics. Our analysis confirms that the variability observed in the period 1987–2008 in the upper layer circulation of the Ionian was driven by the salinity variability in the Southern Adriatic and Aegean Sea. This study supports and reinforces the hypothesis that two observed BiOS‐like reversals reflect the existence of multiple equilibrium states in the Mediterranean Thermohaline circulation in the Eastern Mediterranean and that a complete characterization of observed variability needs to take into account a fully coupled Adriatic‐Ionian‐Aegean System.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 91%

Unexpected Covariant Behavior of the Aegean and Ionian Seas in the Period 1987–2008 by Means of a Nondimensional Sea Surface Height Index

et al. 2017

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“…DWF in one source area creates a circulation mode that reduces salinity in the active area and increases salinity in the other source area thereby favoring DWF in the latter. The salinity anticorrelation between the Aegean and Adriatic Seas has been shown by in situ data in Bensi et al (2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 74%

The Response of the Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean) to the Extreme 2016–2017 Winter

Velaoras

Papadopoulos

Kontoyiannis

et al. 2017

Geophysical Research Letters

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The exceptionally cold December 2016 over the Aegean Sea—one of the most important dense water formation areas of the eastern Mediterranean Sea—resulted in winter heat loss comparable to the peak Eastern Mediterranean Transient winters (1992–1993). Hydrological data sampled in March/April 2017 showed that newly produced dense waters ventilated the North Aegean deep basins up to density horizons of σθ ~ 29.35 kg/m3. The water column ventilation was unable to reach the bottom as the present upper thermohaline circulation of the eastern Mediterranean does not favor the salinity preconditioning of the Aegean Sea. In the southwest Aegean, the Myrtoan basin was ventilated by dense waters traceable farther south to the West Cretan Straits. Export of these masses from the Aegean Sea can potentially have a broader impact on the thermohaline circulation of the eastern Mediterranean.

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“…The market value of the information is related to the extent to which it reduces uncertainty and to the economic resources at stake in the decision ( The benefits provided by ocean observations can be referred to as "network externalities" because the value of an integrated, sustained and comprehensive system is many times that of the value of its scattered parts (Adams et al, 2000, Ozdemiroglu & Townend, 2005. This is indeed the case of the FixO3 network where expertise, best practices and tools are shared among partners to produce higher-impact results, e.g., joint scientific publications (e.g., Bensi et al, 2016). However, the very existence of network externalities means that that while many parties benefit from ocean observations, no one party has incentive in investing into them.…”

Section: Value Of Ocean Observations Such As Those Provided By the Fimentioning

confidence: 99%

Cost and value of multidisciplinary fixed-point ocean observatories

et al. 2016

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Sustained ocean observations are crucial to understand both natural processes occurring in the ocean and human influence on the marine ecosystems. The information they provide increases our understanding and is therefore beneficial to the society as a whole because it contributes to a more efficient use and protection of the marine environment, upon which human livelihood depends. In addition the oceans, which occupy 73% of the planet surface and host 93% of the biosphere, play a massive role in controlling the climate. Eulerian or fixed-point observatories are an essential component of the global ocean observing system as they provide several unique features that cannot be found in other systems and are therefore complementary to them. In addition they provide a unique opportunity for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary work, combining physical, chemical and biological observations on several time scales. The fixed-point open ocean observatory network (FixO3) integrates the 23 European open ocean fixed-point observatories in the Atlantic Ocean and in the Mediterranean Sea. The program also seeks to improve access to key installations and the knowledge they provide for the wider community, from scientists, to businesses, to civil society. This paper summarises the rationale behind open ocean observatories monitoring the essential ocean variables. It also provides an estimate of the costs to operate a typical fixed-point observatory such as those included in the FixO3 network. Finally an assessment of the type of data and services provided by ocean observations and their value to society is also given.

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Effects of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea circulation on the thermohaline properties as recorded by fixed deep-ocean observatories

Cited by 24 publications

References 48 publications

Unexpected Covariant Behavior of the Aegean and Ionian Seas in the Period 1987–2008 by Means of a Nondimensional Sea Surface Height Index

Unexpected Covariant Behavior of the Aegean and Ionian Seas in the Period 1987–2008 by Means of a Nondimensional Sea Surface Height Index

The Response of the Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean) to the Extreme 2016–2017 Winter

Cost and value of multidisciplinary fixed-point ocean observatories

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