Evidence for Reduced Black Sea Water Outflow to the North Aegean

Abstract

The Black Sea Waters (BSW) exported into the Aegean Sea largely control its overturning circulation as well as the regional biogeochemical characteristics. Observational evidence from ARGO floats and satellite‐derived sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll indicate a recent drastic reduction of Black Sea Water presence in the surface layer of the North Aegean Sea. This evidence is also supported by the long‐term negative sea level difference trend between the southwestern Black Sea and the northeastern Aegean Sea. The role of the Black Sea in hindering deep water formation processes in the North Aegean seems to be diminishing. The future evolution of the Aegean overturning cell will depend on whether this trend will continue, in addition to the variability of local atmospheric forcing.