Steric and atmospheric contributions to interannual sea level variability in the eastern mediterranean sea over 1993–2019

Sea level trends and their forcing over the eastern Mediterranean basin are investigated by using 27 years (1993–2019) of gridded sea anomalies (SLA) derived from satellite altimetry 9 tide gauge stations, along with surface temperature (SST) salinity profiles. The contributions atmospheric (wind pressure) steric components to interannual variability total SLA were evaluated. thermosteric component represents major contributor linear trend was positive most Mediterranean, a spatially averaged 2.13±0.41 mm/year, accounting for 69% (3.1±0.61 mm/year). In contrast, halosteric effect has negative contribution SLA, mean -0.75±0.19 mm/year. much lower at 0.32±0.24 accounts about 36% overall variability. Steric in account 52% 18%, respectively. strongest observed basin's main recurrent gyres, maximum obtained Mersa–Matruh Cyprus as well North Shikmona eddy, Ierapetra gyre. Over study period, all gauges showed statistically significant trend, ranging 1.47±0.77 5.79±1.32 mm/year after applying glacial isostatic adjustment correction, good agreement reconstructed data.