|
|
A physical and chemical dataset collected in the Jabuka (Pomo) depression area (middle Adriatic Sea) was analysed for seasonal and interannual changes in temperature, salinity, density, dissolved oxygen and nitrates. A historical dataset collected from 1980 to 2008.
The bottom water masses of the Jabuka pits are periodically renewed by Northern Adriatic Deep Water (NAdDW) at 1 to 3 yr intervals. During late winter-early spring, the new water eventually flows into the western pit and then into the central and eastern ones. During 1 yr of residence in the pits, bottom water nitrates increase 3-fold and dissolved oxygen decreases by 28% due to mineralisation processes. Some aspects of recently observed decadal climatic anomalies in the Northern Adriatic Sea, in particular the average winter sea surface warming, are revealed by the analysed dataset.

Time evolution of temperature, salinity, density anomaly (sigma-theta) and oxygen
Saturation at the bottom of western Jabuka pit. Samples taken in January of each
year. R: renewal, x: no renewal
|
|