Marine scientists and local weather specialists are sounding the alarm as seawater temperatures within the Mediterranean hit unprecedented ranges, elevating considerations concerning the potential emergence of extreme climate occasions akin to hurricanes in oceanic areas.
Professor Barış Salihoğlu, director of the Middle East Technical University (METU) Marine Sciences Institute, emphasised the Mediterranean’s vulnerability because the area most impacted by local weather change. Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Salihoğlu underscored the numerous rise in floor water temperatures, notably within the Gulf of Mersin and Iskenderun, the place a staggering improve of over 2 levels Celsius (3.6 levels Fahrenheit) has been noticed previously 4 many years.
“This marks a substantial temperature surge for our country’s seas. The Mediterranean, on average, has experienced a temperature increase of 1 degree, with similar increments of 1.5 degrees observed off the coast of Antalya,” defined Salihoğlu.
Highlighting record-breaking figures measured in January, Salihoğlu expressed concern over the escalating sea floor temperatures. He revealed that the typical temperature in January for the gulfs of Iskenderun, Mersin and Antalya, which usually register at 19 levels Celsius, surged to twenty levels this yr. These readings marked the most popular January sea floor temperatures ever recorded for these gulfs.
“In Mersin Bay, the average November temperature, which was historically 23 degrees, soared to 25 degrees last year. Similarly, Antalya, with an expected average of 22 degrees in November, witnessed an unprecedented 24.5 degrees, setting a new record for the month,” added Salihoğlu.
The regarding pattern in rising sea temperatures raises apprehensions concerning the potential penalties for the Mediterranean area, together with the probability of extreme climate occasions corresponding to hurricanes in different elements of the world. As local weather change continues to exert its affect, scientists emphasize the urgency of addressing environmental challenges to mitigate potential dangers and safeguard the fragile steadiness of marine ecosystems.
Discussing the impression of accelerating salinity on the ocean’s floor and its subsequent descent to the depths, Salihoğlu elaborated on the intricate dynamics at play: “As water condenses due to rising salinity on the surface, it descends, influencing the deep-sea environment. The deep sea typically maintains a delicate equilibrium, and even minor temperature shifts can have widespread ramifications. What’s even more alarming is that the Mediterranean, akin to major global current systems, operates in cycles. These cycles, subject to alteration with escalating temperatures, may pose a heightened risk to the ecosystem. The potential consequences involve alterations in the habitats of various species as temperatures rise.”
Addressing the impression of local weather change on ocean acidification, Salihoğlu famous that it prompts structural adjustments or demise in species, notably these wealthy in calcium. Moreover, he highlighted the transformative results on the migration and breeding patterns of fish.
“We currently lack a definitive solution to the physical repercussions of climate change on the seas. Temperatures are on the rise, leading to ocean acidification. In the most optimistic scenario, even if we manage to cap temperature increases at 1.5-2 degrees, the upward trend is likely to persist. Strengthening the marine ecosystem is imperative in such circumstances. The key lies in alleviating other stressors such as pollution, overfishing and excessive construction, while concurrently enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. A crucial strategy is expanding protected areas, emphasizing not only the need to ‘preserve what exists’ but also to ‘enhance the well-being of existing populations’ given the current precarious state,” added Salihoğlu.
Şükrü Turan Beşiktepe, head of the Department of Marine Sciences at Dokuz Eylül University Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology, underscored the essential function of seas and oceans in Earth’s local weather system, emphasizing their capability for local weather regulation. Beşiktepe highlighted that seas soak up roughly 90% of the warmth generated by human actions, redistributing it by way of currents. He famous that whereas some warmth is launched again into the ambiance, the rest is carried to the deep sea, an important course of for sustaining local weather steadiness.
Expressing concern over imbalances which have adversely affected the seas, Beşiktepe identified that the atmospheric temperature is 1.1 levels greater than the preindustrial interval, with the Mediterranean experiencing a better improve of 1.5 levels. He projected a continuation of this pattern, doubtlessly reaching 2.2 levels by 2040. Beşiktepe highlighted regional disparities, indicating warming of 0.35 levels within the Western Mediterranean over the past decade, 0.5 levels within the Eastern Mediterranean and 0.25 levels within the Atlantic Ocean.
Beşiktepe drew consideration to the Mediterranean’s divergence from the worldwide sample, predicting a discount in winter precipitation within the area regardless of elevated evaporation. Dividing the Mediterranean into the west and east, he defined that excessive climate occasions and hurricanes, just like these within the ocean, have gotten extra frequent within the Western Mediterranean. With rising seawater temperatures, he anticipated stronger hurricanes, emphasizing the potential emergence of hurricanes with speeds of 150-160 kph (93-99 mph), already noticed within the Western Mediterranean.
The knowledgeable warned of repercussions on fish spawning seasons and shares, in addition to deteriorating water high quality on coasts, coral reefs and sea meadows. Beşiktepe famous the tropicalization course of within the Eastern Mediterranean, resulting in the extinction of chilly water coral reefs distinctive to the area throughout the subsequent 15-20 years.
Urging the necessity to revamp coastal constructions and infrastructures to mitigate storm and sea flood impacts, Beşiktepe emphasised the significance of bettering forecasting mechanisms in opposition to climate occasions. He underscored the need of adapting dwelling circumstances to coexist with nature within the face of ongoing world warming challenges.
Source: www.dailysabah.com