So far this summer, Spain has suffered three stifling heatwaves, with temperatures reaching 43°C in the southeast. But it is the heat of the sea which particularly worries some experts.
This summer, the baths on the Mediterranean coast are becoming less and less refreshing. The Mare Nostrum has been hit by record temperatures Next August, a growing threat looms over coastal communities from Spain to Greece.
Scientists have warned that the daily temperature at the surface of the Mediterranean Sea is reaching 28.9°C, almost 32°C near Egypt. The most worrying thing is the duration of this marine heatwave. The observation program Copernic EU said temperatures exceeded 28°C since August 6“the longest period above this threshold”.
Mercator Ocean Internationala non-governmental organization that conducts ocean studies, said it would get warmer. “Between Greece and Libya, the marine heatwave will reach severe and locally extreme categories,” they warned a few days ago.
Mediterranean heat waves are expected to become more frequent and severe as the planet warms; The oceans absorb the vast majority of the heat produced by human activity.
The Mediterranean, the most threatened
This coastline is experiencing the fastest warming in the world, according to a report from the environmental organization WWF. THE tropicalization of Mare Nostrum, the loss of biodiversity or the degradation of marine habitats are some of the impacts. In fact, warming 20% faster than the global average.
But why especially the Mediterranean? Studies indicate that since it is a closed sea, which has no connection with the oceans except through the Strait of Gibraltar, the flow of water entering or leaving is very low.
It is also more threatened than others because of its geographical location, close to the Tropic of Cancer, and the fact that it is a relatively small body of water.
For his part, Green Peace This brings additional problems to global warming. “The Mediterranean is also threatened by a large number of adverse impacts caused by human activity, including overfishingTHE destructive fishing techniques and the pollution“.
In your report Marine reserves for the Mediterranean SeaThe modification and destruction of marine and coastal habitats due to inappropriate development practices and poor management are also significant problems. These factors are continuously degrading the Mediterranean Sea.
Deterioration of the sea
The most visible consequences are the increase destructive stormsas seen last year when storm Daniel left part of Greece’s most agricultural region underwater.
Hot temperatures are also devastating for marine ecosystemssince they cause the proliferation of toxic algae and make coastal waters inhospitable for many people marine species.
The meadows of Oceanic Posidoniathe populations of gorgonians (choirs) and nacrasamong others, have been reduced across the region, becoming completely extinct in some areas, the report said.
THE jellyfish They are a notable exception, not only do they withstand the change in sea temperature well, but they even enjoy it. So much so that on the Costa Brava (Catalonia) there was a 41% increase in bites requiring medical attention between May and August compared to the same period in 2023.
All this makes the population along the Mediterranean coast more vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and possible loss of income. tourism and fishing be significantly affected as the sea warms.
