Hydrological cycle of the Mediterranean-Black Sea system

Abstract The Mediterranean-Black Sea system consists of two semi-enclosed basins connected by the Turkish Straits. In turn, Mediterranean is to Atlantic Ocean through narrow Strait Gibraltar. hydrological cycle driven fresh water exchanges between atmosphere, continents and oceans, salty mass exchange among ocean basins. Monitoring such fluxes, especially its time evolution, essential understand in region, which very sensitive global climate changes influences variability Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), turn affects climate. this study, we have estimated from time-variable gravity observations performed Gravity Recovery Climate Experiment (GRACE) GRACE Follow-On satellites, precipitation evaporation ERA5 atmospheric reanalysis data for period 2002–2020. Black Sea, rivers introduce an average volume 391 ± 12 km 3 /year, one third escape atmosphere thirds go Sea. latter, 1787 23 /year are lost via net evaporation. runoff (502 27 /year), inflow waters (1020 56 /year; 0.0323 0.0018 Sv), finally restore budget. balance not reached instantaneously, delay introduces a seasonal all fluxes. particular, flux increases up 2660 111 August/September, reverses − 407 140 April/May. On top climatology, mean annual varies significantly 706 1262 /year.