Warming and freshwater budget change in the Mediterranean since the 1940s, their possible relation to the greenhouse effect

Abstract

Temperature and salinity of Mediterranean deep water have been increasing, based on observations extending back to 1959. Over the 1940-1995 period, the corresponding changes in heat and water budgets across the sea surface have been estimated to be 1.74 W m-2 for the greenhouse effect change, 0.5 °C and 0.4 °C for mean air and sea-surface temperature increases, respectively, and an increase of 0.1 m (or 11%) in the freshwater deficit, which is due partly to human activities and partly to climatic changes.