Unprecedented warming and salinization observed in the deep AdriaticTerzić, Elena (Avtor) Cardin, Vanessa (Avtor) Le Meur, Julien (Avtor) Dunić, Natalija (Avtor) Vodopivec, Martin (Avtor) Vilibić, Ivica (Avtor) Adriatic Seadense waterglobal warmingGulf of TriesteThe deep Southern Adriatic is a Mediterranean region highly sensitive to climate change, influenced by dense water cas-cading from the northern Adriatic and heat/salt transport from the Eastern Mediterranean. Historical (since 1957) andmodern (permanent and opportunistic temperature and salinity sampling, Argo floats, fixed moorings) measurementsreveal a substantial change since the mid-2000s in thermohaline properties. Historically marked by steady increases intemperature, salinity, and density, with substantial saw-tooth decadal variability, the near-bottom Southern Adriatic hasexperienced unprecedented warming (0.8C) and salinization (0.2) over the past decade, accelerating in time and revers-ing density trends. The inflow of much more saline waters reduced stratification and altered dense water properties atits source in the northern Adriatic. This at least fivefold acceleration of the high-emission regional climate projectionsmay have substantial effects on the Adriatic biogeochemistry and living organisms, changing sea level trends and more.20252026-01-23 12:17:26Neznano25561sl