Sea-level, temperature and salinity change in the Black Sea simulated
for period 2000-2100
Abstract
The Black sea is a deep semi-enclosed dilution basin connected with the
Mediterranean Sea by shallow and narrow Turkish Straits with
hydraulically controlled two-layer water exchange. The simulation of sea
level, temperature and salinity change in the Black Sea in 2000-2100 was
carried out using a chain of models, which includes models of the Black
and Azov Seas, as well as the Kerch Strait, the Turkish Straits
(Bosphorus and Dardanelles) and the Marmara Sea models. The air
temperature, wind, evaporation and precipitation for period 2000-2100
over the Black Sea and its catchment area was calculated from regional
model CNRM-ALADIN (MED-11) modeling data for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5
scenarios. The neural networks were used to obtain components of
freshwater budget from regional model simulations, whereas boundary
conditions (sea level, temperature and salinity) in the North Aegean Sea
were used from CMIP5 model CNRM CM5.1. The calculated trend of the sea
level for period 2000-2100 (3.6 mm/y and 4.6 mm/y for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5,
respectively) is close to the corresponding trends in the Mediterranean
Sea. The steric correction almost compensates sea-level fall due to the
decrease of freshwater influx at 85 km3/y and 99 km3/y in 2100 for
RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively. Increasing the air temperature over the
sea and reducing the inflow of fresh water are the major factors in
changes in the surface layer of the Black Sea. In the period 2000-2100,
water temperature of the surface layer of the Black Sea will increase by
2.7 oC, the salinity by 1.7 for the scenario RCP4.5, while the
corresponding values will increase by 4.1 oC and by 1.75 for the
scenario RCP8.5. These changes in the physical characteristics of the
Black and Azov Seas can have a significant impact on the ecosystem of
these basins, shores and coastal infrastructure.