Sardinia is also part of the "MedFever" project aimed at controlling the temperature in the Tyrrhenian Sea and monitoring the impact of climate change on the marine ecosystem and coastal dynamics processes. For this, 67 sensor-thermometers were placed at a depth between 5 and 60 meters.
After the first year of activity, thanks to Enea, MedSharks and Lush, the results were presented in view of the “National Day of the Sea” which is celebrated on 11 April.
"The temperature profiles have already been published on the SeaNoe open source platform - says Enea - The data and observations collected by MedFever divers will allow researchers to better understand the mechanisms underlying the suffering of submerged ecosystems - in particular gorgonians, coral algae and orange madrepores - linked to the overheating of the waters and the heat waves in the sea, a phenomenon that climate scenarios indicate as increasingly frequent in the future and which can significantly influence coastal ecosystems ".
The sensors are the size of a matchbox and have been calibrated by ENEA technicians to reach an accuracy of 0.1 degrees centigrade and measure the sea temperature every 15 minutes.
18 are the strategic points: the Gulf of Cagliari, Capo Figari, Santa Teresa Gallura, Mortoriotto Island (for Sardinia); the Island of Giglio (Tuscany); the Gulf of Naples, Capri and Palinuro (Campania); the Strait of Messina, Palermo and San Vito lo Capo (Calabria and Sicily); Nettuno and Ponza (Lazio).
Coast Guard diving groups will install five more stations in the coming weeks.
(Unioneonline / ss)
