Record-breaking Deep Adriatic sea temperatures have reached levels expected by the end of the century.

In a recent study, Dr. Ivica Vilibić, co-author and researcher, has issued a warning about the potential impacts on biodiversity due to the rapid warming of the Adriatic Sea. This sea, located in the Mediterranean, is known for its role in regulating temperature patterns throughout the basin, acting as a natural "thermostat."

The Adriatic Sea's shallow northern region experiences a unique phenomenon during winter. Cold, dense waters sink to the seafloor and flow through the Strait of Otranto into the deep Mediterranean, driving currents that ensure stability and oxygen supply. However, this process is now undergoing a significant change.

Warm waters are attracting tropical species from the eastern Mediterranean, and the Adriatic Sea is now sending warmer waters that further heat the deep Mediterranean instead of cooling it. This warming is affecting species adapted to life in deep, cold waters, with deep-sea fish being particularly threatened.

Deep-water temperatures in the Adriatic Sea, which were forecast for the end of the century, are already being recorded. The trend of deep-water warming in the Adriatic Sea is accelerating, with rates jumping from around 0.2°C per century to 0.8°C per decade between 2012 and 2024.

The Ruđer Bošković Institute, located in Croatia and participating in the mentioned research project, has been studying these changes in the Adriatic Sea and their effects on the Mediterranean and adjacent coastal communities. The institute's findings suggest that these changes could contribute an additional 3.3 millimeters of sea-level rise per year.

Salinity in the deep waters of the Adriatic Sea has risen by 0.2 Practical Salinity Units over the past decade, and the seawater temperature at a depth of 1,000 meters in the Adriatic Sea has increased 0.8°C over the same period. These changes could alter the entire ecosystem, with deep-sea species remaining stuck on the seafloor and unable to migrate as the climate warms.

Dr. Vilibić states that nature is warning of significant changes happening in the Adriatic Sea. The task of scientists is to understand these processes and help society prepare for the changes ahead. The warming of the Adriatic Sea could have far-reaching implications for the European climate system, making it a critical issue for researchers and policymakers alike.

Record-breaking Deep Adriatic sea temperatures have reached levels expected by the end of the century.