SOCIB contributes to the 11th issue of the Mediterranean SST report (Summer 2021)

Researchers at the Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System (SOCIB) have contributed to the 11th issue of the Mediterranean SST report (Summer 2021) from the Mediterranean Center for Environmental Studies (CEAM) Meteorology and Pollutant Dynamics department. This seasonal report periodically reviews and updates Sea Surface Temperature (SST) climatology and trends in the Mediterranean basin, as a key indicator of climate change in ocean systems. The 11th issue of the Mediterranean SST report (Summer 2021) is now available at http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.27205.99048.

In particular, the Mediterranean SST report (Summer 2021) showcases SOCIB’s “Sub-regional Mediterranean Sea Indicators” tool, a comprehensive set of sub-regional ocean indicators in the Mediterranean Sea with a focus on the Balearic Islands. These indicators provide estimations of the state and evolution of Essential Ocean Variables, such as sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a concentration or sea level, and key regional derived quantities, using satellite products distributed by the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS) and in situ observations from SOCIB and MetOffice. In addition, an interactive portal (https://apps.socib.es/subregmed-indicators) has been implemented to provide continuous information on the ocean state and variability in the Mediterranean sub-regions at various temporal scales (daily, monthly, annual and interannual/decadal).

Overall, this tool responds to the need for ocean monitoring and transfer of knowledge to respond to the climate emergency and support the sustainable management of the ocean, in line with the priorities of the United Nations (UN) Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).