Seasonal and Interannual Variability in Sea Surface Temperature Fronts in the Levantine Basin, Mediterranean Sea

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Akpınar A.

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, vol.12, no.8, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 12 Issue: 8
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.3390/jmse12081249
  • Journal Name: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), CAB Abstracts, Communication Abstracts, INSPEC, Metadex, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: cross-shelf transport, Levantine Basin, Mediterranean Sea, ocean fronts, sea surface temperature, seasonal and interannual variability
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Sea surface temperature (SST) fronts were analyzed in the Levantine Basin of the Mediterranean Sea over a 20-year period (2003–2022) using a high-resolution (~1 km) satellite dataset. Frontal gradients were strongest in regions of freshwater influence and around the Ierapetra eddies and Rhodes Gyre. Seasonally, maximum frontal activity was observed in fall and summer. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis revealed both monthly-to-seasonal variability and interannual variability in frontal gradients. Seasonal frontal variability is partially explained by atmospheric forcing; that is, wind stress curl (WSC) and net air–sea heat flux. The maximum frontal activity was observed in 2006, coinciding with the strongest WSC magnitude. The minimum frontal activity was observed in 2017, which saw the largest winter heat loss to the atmosphere. The highest frontal activity was typically observed in years with mild winters followed by strong Etesian winds. Over the study period (2003–2022), frontal gradients declined in the Levantine Basin. Our results suggest that years with a strong frontal boundary current (Asia Minor Current; AMC) coincide with reduced cross-shelf transport. Subsequent studies are recommended to concentrate on the variability in the frontal intensity of the AMC and associated cross-shelf transports, which are important for the oligotrophic Levantine Basin.