Oceanographic properties of the Adriatic Sea – a point of view

Abstract

     The development of hydrographic investigation since the end of last century has been presented.

    The most distinguished characteristics of the Adriatic are strong annual and year-to-year fluc­tuations of its basic oceanographic properties, giving the sea clearly a continental aspect.

    The extremes of the surface temperature embrace a large range, from 6 °C to 29 °C. The salin­ity ranges are equally important, though minima are difficult to define due to the influences of rivers in the estuary regions.

    Currents have generally low speed and variable directions. The fluctuations of different param­eters depend, mostly on certain climatic factors over the Mediterranean and therefore on the level of the water exchange between the Adriatic and the eastern Mediterranean.

    Strong year-to-year fluctuations of basic oceanographic properties influence the level of sec­ondary production as well as the fish catch.