WARMING AND FRESH-WATER BUDGET CHANGE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SINCE THE 1940S, THEIR POSSIBLE RELATION TO THE GREENHOUSE-EFFECT

Temperature and salinity of Mediterranean deep water have been increas ing, based on observations extending back to 1959. Over the 1940-1995 period, the corresponding changes in heat and water budgets across the sea surface have been estimated to be 1.74 Wm(-2) for the greenhouse effect change, 0.5 degrees C and 0.4 degrees C for mean air and sea-su rface temperature increases, respectively, and an increase of 0.1 m (o r 11%) in the freshwater deficit, which is due partly to human activit ies and partly to climatic changes.