Climate change impacts on sea surface temperature in the eastern mediterranean, levantine basin

Abstract

Increases in sea surface temperatures (SSTs) have been recorded to occur globally, with the Mediterranean SSTs rising about twice as much as those of the global oceans. Here we analyse and compare satellite remote sensing SST data with in-situ data for the period 1996-2012 in the Eastern Mediterranean, Levantine basin. Further, temperature profiles from oceanographic cruises and autonomous underwater vehicles (gliders) in this region, we processed to study the interannual variability at the surface layer (0-10m). These data were collected during the several CYBO (Cyprus Basin Oceanography) oceanographic cruises that the Oceanography Centre, University of Cyprus has conducted over the years, as well as during the missions of the two gliders owned and operated by the Oceanography Centre. We show that the Levantine basin has undergone SST increases, during the last 16 years. The SST variability is characterized by a broad, basin-wide warming occurring at both seasonal and interannual time scales. Further, satellite SST data are correlated with in-situ SST data, especially during the summer months. The driving mechanisms of these changes need to be investigated, in order to understand the future trends and impacts of climate change in the region. © 2013 SPIE.