The accumulation of anthropogenic CO2 in the atmosphere is affecting ocean temperatures as well as the sea water carbonate chemistry. The unique setting of the Mediterranean Sea makes it an excellent experimental system to study and predict the impact of sea water acidification. The thermohaline circulation creates steep W-E directed physicochemical gradients, with increasing salinity, temperature,stratification and alkalinity towards the east. The generally oligotrophic to ultraoligotrophic offshore waters stand in contrast to eutrophication in certain coastal areas with coral and seagrass ecosystems. In addition, the modern Mediterranean changing climate is characterized by a significant increase in seawater temperatures due to global warming. These anthropogenic changes (sea water acidification and warming) are anticipated to continue and will be substantial, depending on global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. There is considerable concern that the recorded and anticipated changes in seawater temperature and pH will have
wide-ranging impacts on the coastal and marine ecosystems of the
Mediterranean Sea. We are inviting contributions presenting advance in one or several of these topics (e.g response to Mediterranean climate change of single model organisms, especially marine calcifying organisms, or on community or ecosystem level) providing in-depth reviews and guidance for important future research, or show Quaternary paleoceanographic and modeling case studies.