On the steric contribution to the fluctuations of the Mediterranean Sea level
Abstract
Thermal haline and total steric departures of the Mediterranean Sea level were calculated using the international hydrographic data (210 stations) in winter and summer seasons.
The thermal and haline components are different in magnitude and phase. In winter the thermal departures range between -7.8 cm in the north of the Western basin and 40 cm in the south Levantine Sea. A positive thermal departures exist in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, while the negative departures are found in the Western side. In summer, they are positive all over the Mediterranean Sea and range in winter, they range between -12.8 and 21 cm, while in between 0 and 40 cm. The haline departures in winter and summer are negative in the east and positive in the west summer they vary between -15 and 35 cm.
The total steric departures, in general, are positive all over the Mediterranean Sea, except in the central part of the Levantine Sea in winter. They range between -4 and 21 cm in winter and between 10 and 40 cm in summer. The positive steric departures lead to the increase of the mean sea level in the Mediterranean Sea.
The steric departures are low in winter and high in summer. These departures coincide with the phase of the observed sea level fluctuations in the Mediterranean Sea. I - winter season.
