Sea temperatures of around 30°C provide a worrying insight into what is happening in the wider Mediterranean this summer.
So far this summer, Spain has suffered three heat waves, with temperatures that have reached 43ºC in the southeast. But it is the heat of the sea which is especially worrying to some experts.
The Mediterranean “is on fire”, meteorologist Marta Almarcha wrote on Tuesday in an article for the Spanish meteorological portal ‘eltiempo.es’. Last week, a tide gauge from Pollença, Mallorcaregistered a sea surface temperature of 30ºC.
The coastal areas of France and the west of Italia They are also registering very high temperatures for this time of year. In fact, almost all mediterranean basin is suffering a marine heat wave, Almarcha added.
Las marine heat waves are defined as extreme increases in ocean temperature over a prolonged period of time, and are becoming most common worldwide due to climate change.
According to the EU Copernicus service, average sea surface temperatures have been higher for 15 months until July.
Where in Europe is extreme marine heat being recorded?
In recent weeks, the Eastern Mediterranean has experienced rising temperatures, especially near the coasts. On August 5, the average temperature throughout the Mediterranean it was of 27,35°C. That is 1.98°C higher than normalas reported eltiempo.es.
Although it is a little below the highest average temperature ever recorded in the Mediterranean, 28.71 (reached last July), isolated readings paint a worrying panorama of what is happening beneath the waves.
The tide gauge installed by the SOCIB (Coastal Observation and Prediction System of the Balearic Islands) in Pollença (Mallorca) recorded a temperature of up to 30.50ºC.
In other parts of the country there has also been a rise in mercury: a Valencia On Monday it marked 28.42ºC, while a buoy of Barcelona It marked 28.30ºC.
The French meteorological agency points out that these buoys are located at a certain distance from the coast and that the temperature of the water in the playa could be even higher.
Tunisia has also recorded “exceptional” temperatures, including 30.2°C yesterday, coastal scientist Dr. Oula Amrouni posted on the X social network.
What is the impact of marine heat waves?
Sea surface temperatures have also reached 30°C off the coast of Malta, well above the usual average for the end of July and beginning of August. Marine researcher Adam Gauci, from the Marine Oceanographic Research Group at the University of Malta, has warned that these warmer waters can significantly affect to the marine habitats.
Some species may move to colder waters, causing a biodiversity loss on the coasts. “Increasing temperatures also increase the risk of harmful algal bloomswhich can be toxic to marine life and, over time, to humans,” he told ‘Malta Today’. The national news portal noted that the sea had turned green in several Maltese bays at the end of July.
What is the forecast for the rest of August in the Mediterranean?
Spain prepares for its fourth heat wave of summer starting Friday, and the sea will also notice it. Ocean experts at Mercator Ocean International predict an increase in the intensity of marine heat waves in the western Mediterranean basin on August 10.
‘Eltiempo’ says that temperatures will also remain high in the Eastern Mediterraneanin the range of 28 to 30°C on the coasts of Turkey, Egypt and Libya, as well as in southern Greece and Italy. The sea is also expected to warm closer to Valenciathe south of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.
