WATER EXCHANGE BETWEEN ADRIATIC AND EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

The relation between the Adriatic Sea and the eastern Mediterranean is considered from the standpoint of the interrelation between the smaller, more continental, basin and the larger, more maritime, basin. The stronger continentality of the former results in a specific seasonal rhythm of the water exchange. This rhythm is intensified still more by some meteorological factors. It is also shown that the central Mediterranean possibly passes through a seasonal rhythm of its current system due to the seasonal fluctuations of the meteorological factors. In this region the circulation in summer is such that the surface stream flowing eastwards is compensated by the westgoing stream in the intermediary layer. In winter streams towards the north and northwest in the surface and intermediary layers are compensated by the south and southeast-going streams in the bottom layer. © 1969.