TITLE:
Climate change impact on open and coastal regions of the central Adriatic Sea
FUNDING:
National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021-2026
ACRONYM:
KLIMADRIA
DURATION:
2024-2027
PROGRAM:
National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021-2026
Climate change impact on open and coastal regions of the central Adriatic Sea (KLIMADRIA)
The main objective of the project is to monitor the effects of climate change on the coastal and open areas of the central Adriatic. Since these changes occur on multiyear scale, it is necessary to continue long-term oceanographic research on the Split-Gargano transect and to maintain and expand the existing measurement systems in the coastal areas of the central Adriatic. All this is to be achieved by studying the thermohaline properties on the Split-Gargano transect and by researching the atmosphere-ocean processes that influence the thermohaline parameters, circulation and sea/water level in two pilot areas (Kaštela Bay and Neretva River estuary). The aim of the research in Kaštela Bay is to better understand the circulation and exchange of water masses with the nearby Split Channel. The main objective of the research in the Neretva River estuary is to assess the dynamics of salt input into the river basin in the current and future climate. In addition, the research infrastructure of the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Kaštela Bay will be improved by installing a meteo-oceanographic station near the institute building (measuring meteorological parameters, sea level, thermohaline properties). The combination of in-situ measurements with the results of numerical models will improve the understanding of the processes between the atmosphere and the ocean.
In addition, the research capacities within the Physical Oceanography Laboratory will be expanded through the introduction of new measurement techniques and the further development of the research infrastructure. This applies in particular to the meteo-oceanographic station in Kaštela Bay and (if a suitable location is found and a permit is granted) to the resumption of measurements at the meteo-oceanographic station in Vela Luka. All this will contribute to the scientific and professional development of the younger scientists involved in the project, as well as to the potential involvement of students through data analysis and work on bachelor’s and master’s theses. Finally, the results of the project will be presented to the wider public, which will help to raise awareness of climate change and its impact in the Adriatic.
Project team
News

Exceptionally high sea temperatures at the Bistrina meteo-oceanographic station (Bay of Mali Ston) in July 2024
The meteorological-oceanographic station in Bistrina (Bay of Mali Ston) was established in September 2021. At the end of December 2024, it was three years since continuous measurements of sea temperature and salinity at a depth of about 1.5 meters were started there. During a significant atmospheric heatwave in July 2024, the absolute maximum sea temperature was observed at the station. In the afternoon hours of 22 and 23 July 2024, sea temperatures exceeded 30.0 °C, with the absolute maximum on 22 July 2024 exceeding 30.3 °C. It is interesting to note that the absolute maximum sea temperature at the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service stations was measured in Crikvenica on 18 July 2023 – 30.0 °C. The same value was measured in Dubrovnik on 16 July 2024, but this observation is still being verified and is therefore not considered the absolute maximum sea temperature for Dubrovnik. Sea temperatures of more than 30.0 °C were only measured in closed and relatively shallow areas such as the saltwater lakes in Mljet National Park. Immediately after these exceptionally high sea temperatures were observed in Bistrina, an unprecedented mass mortality of mussels occurred in Brijesta in the Bay of Mali Ston. However, this was not observed in Bistrina, which may be due to the influence of freshwater springs in the Bistrina area, which may have had a beneficial effect on the mussels in deeper layers. Salinity values at the Bistrina meteo-oceanographic station were stable and relatively low, between 32.5 and 32.8, on 22 and 23 July 2024.

Scientific ariticle published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans
As a result of the work conducted on several projects, including the KLIMADRIA project, a scientific article was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans entitled ‘Kilometer-Scale Assessment of the Adriatic Dense Water Multi-Decadal Dynamics‘. The author of the paper is a member of the Physical Oceanography Laboratory Dr. Petra Pranić together with colleagues from the Ruđer Bošković Institute. In this paper, a numerical model was used to quantify the processes of dense water formation, spreading, and accumulation in the Adriatic Sea over a 31-year period. For this purpose, a historical simulation of a high-resolution climate model was employed, enabling a detailed analysis of dense water dynamics – a key factor in many processes in the Adriatic, such as oxygen delivery to the deep layers of the sea.

Completion of monitoring of physico-chemical parameters at four sites along the Neretva River
The continuous measurements of physico-chemical parameters carried out at four sites along the Neretva River (Rogotin, Komin, Opuzen and Metković) with autonomous sensors for temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen were completed in June 2024. Monitoring began at the end of March 2023 as part of the Interreg IT-HR project AdriaClim. It continued until the end of 2023 as part of the research program of the Physical Oceanography Laboratory (IOR). Finally, the research was completed in June 2024 through the activities of the KLIMADRIA project. The time series obtained through this research exceeded one year. During each maintenance of the autonomous systems (data download and battery change), CTD profiles were measured along the river from the mouth to Metković. The field research was carried out in January and June 2024 as part of the KLIMADRIA project, while the meteorological and oceanographic parameters were continuously monitored at the Metković meteo-oceanographic station. The quality control and analysis of these extensive data sets has not yet been completed. The CTD profiles measured in January and June 2024 showed considerable variability in seawater intrusion into the river. The salt wedge reached about 6 km from the estuary on 22 January 2024, while on 7 June 2024, it was observed as far as Metković, more than 20 km from the river mouth.

The KLIMADRIA project has started
The implementation of the KLIMADRIA project ‘Climate change impact on open and coastal regions of the central Adriatic Sea’ has begun. The project is funded through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021-2026 and will last for 4 years. On this page, you will be able to follow our activities and the progress of the project.

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