The Dynamics of Levantine Intermediate Water in the Mediterranean Sea: A Comprehensive Study of Spatial and Temporal Evolution, Climate Change Signals, and Ecosystem Impact.

The Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW) plays a crucial role in the Mediterranean thermohaline circulation, significantly influencing the regional climate and ecosystems through mixing with under- and above-lying waters.  Our study aims to explore the spatial and temporal evolution of LIW, tracing the journey of this water mass from its formation in the Levantine Basin to its arrival in the western Mediterranean Sea. While previous studies have confirmed some aspects of the evolution of the LIW along its trajectory, our approach stand out by using an extensive in situ database composed by a compilation of different data sets, extending on the entire Mediterranean Sea. This dataset incorporates CTD profiles from ship cruises, gliders, floats, and XBT measurements during 2018-2023 period. This data will be used to map LIW pathways and dispersion patterns, to offer insights into its interactions with neighboring water masses. Furthermore, our investigation focuses on LIW's evolution over years, with a specific emphasis on identifying signals of climate change in particular areas. Preliminary findings indicate notable shifts in LIW properties, encompassing temperature, salinity, and nutrient content, hinting at potential climate-induced alterations.  These observations contribute significantly to our understanding of the broader implications of climate change on Mediterranean water masses and ecosystems.