Articles | Volume 7-osr10
https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-7-osr10-17-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-7-osr10-17-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Insights into exceptional freshening events in the northern Adriatic Sea throughout 2023–2024
Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Roma, Italy
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
Alessandro Coluccelli
Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
Francesco Memmola
Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
Pierluigi Penna
Istituto per le Risorse Biologiche e le Biotecnologie Marine, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Ancona, Italy
Fabrizio Moro
Istituto per le Risorse Biologiche e le Biotecnologie Marine, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Ancona, Italy
Enrico Zambianchi
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Roma, Italy
Pierpaolo Falco
Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Roma, Italy
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Short summary
Between 2023 and 2024, the northern Adriatic Sea experienced extreme surface freshening driven by storms, heavy rainfall and river flooding. Using high-frequency in-situ data, satellite imagery, and Copernicus Marine Service products, this study traces the evolution, causes, and ecological impacts of these events. Salinity dropped to 15 g/kg, triggering stratification, turbidity peaks, and algal blooms. Findings stress the need for integrating autonomous monitoring into operational services.
Between 2023 and 2024, the northern Adriatic Sea experienced extreme surface freshening driven...
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