The Mediterranean Sea is a midlatitude semi-enclosed basin characterized by a complex thermohaline circulation and significant environmental gradients that characterize the biogeochemistry and the physics of the water masses. In this seminar we will describe how the interplay between atmospheric and oceanic circulation can significantly influence the biogeochemical characteristics of certain areas of the basin in a short time window and how this complex system will respond, during the 21^st century, to RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios.

In particular we will show that the basin, in response to global warming, will become warmer and will be affected by significant deoxygenation, acidification and decline in biomasses phenomena, stronger under RCP8.5 emission scenario. On the other hand, projections under RCP4.5 emission scenario show in the second half of the 21^st century a tendency for several variables to recover the levels observed at the beginning of the century. The results support the idea that the reduction of CO₂ emission could be, indeed, effective and could contribute to the foundation of ocean sustainability science and policies.

Lieu
École normale supérieure – PSL
24 rue Lhomond 75005 PARIS
Aile Erasme – Salle Serre – E509
Accès par la cage d’escalier D