Middle East Technical University (METU) Marine Sciences Institute and METU Climate Director Prof. Dr. Barış Salihoğlu said that surface water temperatures in the seas surrounding Turkey cause changes in the marine ecosystem, and that a climate-resistant marine ecosystem such as climate-resistant cities should be implemented.
This summer, when the global average temperature reached record levels, record values were also recorded in sea water temperatures.
Salihoğlu, director of the METU Marine Sciences Institute, which has been regularly measuring the temperature values in the seas surrounding Turkey since 1984, made evaluations to the AA correspondent about the data they obtained in the measurements they have made since January this year.
Prof. stated that sea surface waters started January with very high values. Dr. Salihoğlu stated that spring temperatures remained below average, and with the arrival of high temperatures in summer, sea surface water temperatures increased to the highest values.
Pointing out that the highest temperatures ever seen in January were reached in different regions of the Mediterranean, Salihoğlu said, “While the average January temperature in Iskenderun Bay was 18-19 degrees, we entered this year with 20 degrees. The figures are also the same in Mersin Gulf, Antalya and Fethiye. Winter “It started very hot, we saw records around here.” said.
Salihoğlu noted that in the first month of this year, the temperature value was 12 degrees in the Marmara Sea, where the average temperature in January was 8-10 degrees, and 12 degrees in the Western Black Sea, where the average temperature was 8 degrees.
Summer temperature values
Salihoğlu explained that maximum temperatures are generally reached in the Black Sea at the end of July and mid-August, and that there is a situation similar to the Black Sea in the Marmara Sea, and shared the following information:
“Sea surface water temperatures in the Western Black Sea previously exceeded 26 degrees, and this year it reached around 26 degrees. Starting from the beginning of August, sea surface water temperatures have been decreasing due to the influence of the north wind. In the Eastern Black Sea, the effect of the winds is less, as of the end of August, 27 degrees. There are temperatures of 5-28 degrees, we call these anomalies, temperatures above the seen. In the Marmara Sea, the averages continued with 24 degrees in Bandırma and Erdek, 23.7 degrees in the Gulf of Izmit, and the serious north wind seen from the beginning of August caused the waters to cool down and It caused confusion.”
Emphasizing that sea surface water temperatures were at their highest levels throughout August in the Mediterranean and the Aegean, Salihoğlu said, “We expect sea surface water temperatures above the September averages in the Mediterranean and the Aegean. Marmara and the Black Sea have gone through a serious mixing, we will wait and see whether these places will reach temperatures above average.” “If there is no serious heat wave due to El Nino or other reasons, the figures will continue at average values. Temperatures in the Eastern Black Sea region may be above expectations.” he said.
The effect of warming on the seas
Salihoğlu stated that with temperature increases, the seas turn into a more stratified structure, since the warm water on the surface is lighter, this water reduces the mixing in the sea and affects the ecosystem, evaporation increases and the water masses reaching the depths begin to change.
Pointing out that the warming of the Mediterranean Sea causes warming in the deep water of the Marmara Sea, which forms its lower layer, and that the Aegean Sea is the region least affected by climate change due to its wind structure, Salihoğlu said that the Black Sea previously started at 70-80 meters and had a thickness of up to 150 meters. He underlined that the cold intermediate layer that can be removed is no longer visible.
Barış Salihoğlu shared the following details about the changes in the seas:
“Since the density on the surface of the Black Sea is low, mixing with the depths was already low. This has started to increase. With the disappearance of the cold intermediate layer, oxygen-free waters are gradually approaching the surface. This situation is now completely changing the entire ecosystem. Already pollution, fishing and invasive species pressure are intense.” When you add physical changes to the sea, you reduce the entire resistance of the ecosystem. The resistance of the Sea of Marmara has decreased greatly, oxygen has decreased due to pollution below 25 meters, the temperatures on the surface are increasing, confining the ecosystem here and reducing the oxygen. Marmara is currently at a marginal point. It is at a threshold. It may also shift towards a point we do not want. The structure in the Mediterranean is gradually changing, increasing temperatures have caused the Red Sea species to gradually spread to the Aegean and then to the Marmara and Black Sea. While marine productivity increases in some regions, it decreases in others. On the coasts, “We are seeing a gradual decrease in oxygen levels, especially in regions such as Iskenderun and Mersin Bay, due to the effect of climate pressure.”
“Climate-resilient marine ecosystems” proposal
Salihoğlu listed the precautions to be taken as follows:
“We need to take pressures such as pollution and hunting in all our seas under control, plan the seas, and increase protected areas, otherwise we cannot create climate-resistant seas. Just as we say ‘climate-resistant cities’, we need to plan the sea in the same way and implement climate-resistant marine ecosystems. We also need to plan the seas in the Mediterranean.” “Marmara, which reflects the ecosystem of the Black Sea, is already in such a place that a change here will affect other seas, and changes in other seas will also affect this place. We have seen this effect in the past, ‘destruction’ or ‘regime change’ is expected to have a domino effect.”
The opinions expressed herein are the author’s and not necessarily those of News2Sea.
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