Mediterranean Sea Hits Record High Temperatures

The Ligurian Sea is currently experiencing an unprecedented marine heatwave, with temperatures soaring to record levels. On August 12, satellite data indicated that water temperatures in the region, spanning from Nice to Corsica and the Gulf of Genoa, were 5 degrees Celsius above the average recorded between 1991 and 2020. Oceanographer Thibault Guinaldo from Météo-France noted that a buoy between Nice and Corsica recorded a temperature of 29.7°C, a significant increase from 28.9°C just a week prior. This severe heatwave, classified as category two, has persisted since mid-July and is attributed to a combination of extreme heat in southeast France and a lack of wind, which prevents the mixing of warmer surface waters with cooler depths. The Mediterranean has been warming at an alarming rate of 0.4 degrees per decade since the 1980s, raising concerns among scientists about the long-term impacts on marine ecosystems. The consequences of this heatwave are dire, particularly for vulnerable marine species such as gorgonians, oysters, mussels, sea urchins, and corals, which are susceptible to high temperatures. The phenomenon also promotes the growth of filamentous algae that can suffocate these organisms. Experts warn that each heatwave in the Mediterranean typically leads to significant marine mortality, with divers often reporting dead specimens by the end of September.