The Mediterranean Sea: temporal variability and spatial patterns - 202

Surface, intermediate, and deep–water processes and theirinteraction in time and space drive the major ocean circulation ofthe Mediterranean Sea. All major forcing mechanisms, such assurface wind forcing, buoyancy fluxes, lateral mass exchange, anddeep convection determining the global oceanic circulation arepresent in this body of water. Deep and intermediate water massesare formed in different areas of the ocean layers and they drivethe Mediterranean thermohaline cell, which further shows importantanalogies with the global ocean conveyor belt. The MediterraneanSea: Temporal Variability and Spatial Patterns is acomprehensive volume that investigates the temporal and spatialvariability patterns in the ocean basin.

Volume highlights include:

 Discussions of state–of–the–art physical andbiogeochemical properties of the Mediterranean Sea

 Multiple physical ocean circulation processes, both intime and spatial scales (basin, sub–basin, and mesoscale)

 How different regional phenomena in the sea influencethe biogeochemistry of the basin and the ocean dynamics

 Spatio–temporal variability of the surface circulationin the western Mediterranean

 Deep–water variability of the surface circulation inthe western Mediterranean Sea

 Understanding the link between global oceancirculation patterns and the global climate

The Mediterranean Sea will be a valuable resource forgeoscientists, oceanographers, and meteorologists.