Mediterranean sea reaches record-breaking temperatures
The turquoise waters of Türkiye's coast are especially illustrious from up high. (Photo by Ali Rza Akkir via Anadolu Agency)
The Mediterranean Sea’s water temperature has soared to unprecedented levels, raising significant concerns among scientists about the potential impact on the region’s ecosystem and biodiversity.
The Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM), based in Barcelona, reported on August 15 that the average water temperature in the Mediterranean reached 28.9°C. This new record surpasses the previous high of 28.7°C recorded in July 2023.
Unprecedented temperature increases
Prior to 2023, the highest recorded temperature in the Mediterranean was 28.2°C in August 2003. However, the past two years have seen consecutive records, highlighting a worrying trend. Data on these rising temperatures is provided by the European Union’s Earth Observation Program, Copernicus, using satellite technology.
Recent measurements have recorded sea temperatures exceeding 30°C in various locations, including Egypt, Monaco, Corsica, and Valencia.
ICM researcher Justino Martinez noted the increasing frequency and duration of extreme heat events as particularly alarming.
Eastern Mediterranean ecosystem under threat
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) identifies the Mediterranean as one of the regions most affected by climate change globally. The IPCC reports significant changes in the Mediterranean’s ecosystem since the 1980s, with a marked decline in biodiversity and the spread of invasive species.
According to IPCC predictions, if global temperatures rise 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, up to 20% of fish and invertebrate species in the Eastern Mediterranean could be lost.
Climate change’s role in extreme heat events
A study by the World Weather Attribution initiative (WWA) has directly linked current extreme heat events in the Mediterranean region to human-induced climate change.
On August 12, the Mediterranean Sea temperature exceeded 32°C for the first time, with readings reaching 32.2°C off the coast of Karatas, Adana, in the Eastern Mediterranean. Other locations, including Mersin, Hatay, Antalya, and Mugla, also reported temperatures above 30°C.
Professor Barıs Onol from Istanbul Technical University‘s Meteorology Engineering Department warned, “The future will be increasingly challenging as we face more extreme temperatures and their consequences.”
Record-breaking temperatures beyond the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean’s soaring temperatures are mirrored in other bodies of water, including the Aegean, Marmara, and Black Seas. August readings showed 29°C in Didim, 28.6°C in Biga, and 28.5°C in Konak.
In the Black Sea, Giresun recorded the highest temperature at 28.1°C, followed by Zonguldak at 27.8°C and Artvin at 27.5°C.
Implications for marine life and ecosystems
These unprecedented temperature increases pose significant risks to marine life. Dr. Erol Kesici, a scientific advisor at the Turkish Nature Conservation Association (TTKD), emphasized that rising temperatures could lead to severe food supply issues for species with increasing environmental resistance.
