Sea level and temperature extremes in a regulated Lagoon of Venice

• DOI: 10.3389/fclim.2023.1330388
• Publication Date: 2024-01-12T04:20:26Z
• Authors: Christian Ferrarin; Davide Bonaldo; Alessandro Bergam...; Michol Ghezzo
• Keywords: Coastal flood; Marine ecosystem

Increasing sea levels and water temperatures have been detected at several coastal locations worldwide with severe consequences on the communities ecosystems. Coastal lagoons are particularly vulnerable to such changes due their low land elevation limited connections open sea. Here recent future climatic in Lagoon of Venice (Italy) investigated using in-situ observations high-resolution hydrodynamic modeling. Trend analysis was applied observed time series meteorological oceanographic climate essential variables identify significant long-term mean extreme values. The relative level rose a rate 4.9 mm per year combined action eustacy subsidence while air increased average by 1.8 1.1°C 30 years, respectively. These rates, as well projections, were used following pseudo-global-warming approach investigate near (up 2050) evolution lagoon's dynamics focusing temperature extremes. lagoon will amplify expected for Adriatic Sea, especially shallow tidal flats where intensity marine heat waves be more than four times larger that Moreover, model allowed us perform “what-if” scenarios explore which extent flood protection MoSE barriers modify dynamics. According simulations, number floods therefore closure strongly increases rise. In most scenario, close 20% October, November, December resulting reduction exchange exacerbation cold spells. Some considerations implications ecology proposed.