A. Mantziafou

Adriatic Deep Water and Interaction with the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Being a dilution basin, the Adriatic Sea exports a relatively fresh water to the adjacent Ionian Sea. This water obviously must pass through the Strait of Otranto in the surface layer. In addition, the Adriatic loses heat every year, and the resulting buoyancy loss generates a dense water that has to be exported to the Ionian in the bottom layer of the Strait of Otranto. To balance these losses, a compensating flow brings more saline and warmer waters from the Eastern Mediterranean through the surface and intermediate layers. In sum, water exchange through the Strait of Otranto consists in three main components: the outflowing surface Adriatic water, the outflowing Adriatic Deep Water (ADW), and the inflowing more saline and warmer waters of Mediterranean origin.

Climate Variability and Water Mass Formation in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Recent changes of the thermohaline circulation in the Eastern Mediterranean (i.e. the Eastern Mediterranean Transient) and older observations of the thermohaline structure of the Aegean-Levantine region (with events of dramatic changes of deep water characteristics) reveal the very sensitive character of the regional thermohaline circulation pattern. This and the long term variability of seawater characteristics in various Mediterranean basins show that the deep water mass formation processes in the region can be greatly affected by climate variability and the characteristics of the extreme atmospheric forcing events. Theoretical work and modeling experiments point out the effectiveness of extreme events and periods of abnormal atmospheric conditions to produce deep waters of different characteristics and different equilibrium depth. Studying the mechanisms involved in the air-sea interaction under extreme event conditions, with available observations and modeling techniques, and monitoring important sites of water mass formation becomes very important for understanding the regional dynamics of the water cycle and their effect on the climate of the whole Mediterranean Sea region.

Oil Spill Dispersion Forecasting System for the Region of Installation of the Burgas Alexandroulopis Pipeline Outlet(N.E. Aegean) in the Framework of “DIAVLOS” Project

In the framework of the project DIAVLOS, a 48‐hours oil spill dispersion forecasting system was developed and implemented in the Northern Aegean Sea aiming at oil spill dispersion management at the Burgas‐Alexandroupolis oil‐pipe terminal (N.E. Aegean Sea). The system is based on wind, wave and ocean circulation models coupled with the operational systems ALERMO and SKIRON of the University of Athens and an oil‐spill dispersion model. The various components of the system were successfully developed, improved through sensitivity tests and coupled to form an operational oil spill dispersion forecasting system, available at an independent and interactive web‐site (http://diavlos.oc.phys.uoa.gr), in order to be used by interested authorities. The system was also tested against field observations of special drifting floats that monitor the trajection and spreading of oil spills. It gives satisfactory results and in most cases the forecasting error is quite small, allowing the operational use of the system. Add...