Long-term production changes in the adriatic

Abstract

Long-term fluctuations and trends in the rate of primary production were observed in the middle Adriatic Sea. Variability in the production rate was caused by oceanographic and meteorological factors affecting the advection of the Mediterranean waters in the Adriatic on long-term scale.

Particular attention is given to a sudden and prolonged increase in primary production that started in 1978. This increase is related to the enhanced advection of the Mediterranean waters (richer in nutrients) into the Adriatic. Increased advection of Mediterranean waters to the Adriatic can be attributed to global climatic changes.