Environmental Dynamics and Trends in the Mediterranean Sea: A satellite View

Remote sensing from Earth¿s orbit provides a novel view of the coastal and marine environment, expanding synoptically in situ information. Optical, thermal and structural properties of the sea surface ¿ detectable by observations in the visible, infrared and microwave regions of the electromagnetic spectrum - allow to assess the concentration of water constituents, the temperature of water masses and the roughness of the air-water interface. Such parameters allow to define the main ecological provinces of an entire basin, such as the Mediterranean Sea, and to trace its ecological dynamics, over a wide range of space and time scales. Further, the comparison of current and historical, statistical data can help in the assessment of environmental accidents or in the ensuing remediation practices.

BARALE Vittorio; 

2009-10-27

EARSeL and HAZU

JRC48887