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TRANSMED
Presentation > Rationale

Monitoring the Mediterranean Surface Hydrological Variability


1. Weak (climatological) changes can be detected at the surface :


courbe temperature

Legend: Increase of the sea surface temperature (as deduced from temperature anomalies): +2.1°C / 27 years = +0.04°C / year near the island Medes (Spain). Figure from From Salat et Pascual, 2002. CIESM Workshop Series #16 on: « Tracking long-term hydrological change in the Mediterranean Sea » , time series updated thanks to J. Salat.

    =>Monitor the suface water characteristics : SST and SSS (=> easy and proofed technology)
  • With a fine sampling interval (=> sample extrem events)
  • Over the whole Mediterranean (=> synopticity + southern countries involvement)
  • Along Regular ferry or shipping routes, using time series (=> relevant statistics)
  • During decades (=> decadal variability) up to permanently (=> climate change)
  • Transmit data in (near-)real time (=>forecasts, operational oceanography)


2. Basic hydrological data (SST and SSS) are missing the Mediterranean, especially in central and southern zones :

medatlas

Legend:Availability of salinity data in the Mediterranean, as of 2002 (from Medatlas, 2002 ajouter ref).

    => use
  • Trans-basin routes
  • Autonomous system
  • Low-cost system (equipement cost + little maintenance)


3. Very high variability of the Mediterranean in both space and time.


    =>need for
  • High frequency routes (weekly optimal)
  • Long term (at least over decades)


4. Major advantages of such a strategy:

  • provides synoptic data at basin-sale (limited to the surface)
  • provides data both in coastal and open sea areas (allowing to link both areas)
  • direct and rapid involvement of all riparian countries: system affordable, simple to run, data are sent and shared in (near)real time through internet