Changes

Being nearly landlocked affects the Mediterranean Sea's properties; for instance, [[tide]]s are very limited as a result of the narrow connection with the Atlantic [[ocean]]. The Mediterranean is characterized and immediately recognized by its imposing deep blue color, especially around the Greek islands.

Being nearly landlocked affects the Mediterranean Sea's properties; for instance, [[tide]]s are very limited as a result of the narrow connection with the Atlantic [[ocean]]. The Mediterranean is characterized and immediately recognized by its imposing deep blue color, especially around the Greek islands.

[[Evaporation]] greatly exceeds [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] and river runoff in the Mediterranean, a fact that is central to the water circulation within the basin. Pinet, Paul R. (1996) Invitation to Oceanography, St Paul, MN: West Publishing Co., ISBN (3rd ed.), p.202 Evaporation is especially high in its eastern half, causing the water level to decrease and [[salinity]] to increase eastward. Pinet, p. 206 This [[pressure gradient]] pushes relatively cool, low-salinity water from the Atlantic across the basin; it warms and becomes saltier as it travels east, then sinks in the region of the [[Levant]] and circulates westward, to spill over the Strait of Gibraltar. Pinet, pp. 206–7 Thus, seawater flow is eastward in the Strait's surface waters, and westward below; once in the open ocean, this chemically-distinct "Mediterranean Intermediate Water" can persist thousands of kilometers away from its source.<ref>Pinet, p. 207

[[Evaporation]] greatly exceeds [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] and river runoff in the Mediterranean, a fact that is central to the water circulation within the basin. Pinet, Paul R. (1996) Invitation to Oceanography, St Paul, MN: West Publishing Co., ISBN (3rd ed.), p.202 Evaporation is especially high in its eastern half, causing the water level to decrease and [[salinity]] to increase eastward. Pinet, p. 206 This [[pressure gradient]] pushes relatively cool, low-salinity water from the Atlantic across the basin; it warms and becomes saltier as it travels east, then sinks in the region of the [[Levant]] and circulates westward, to spill over the Strait of Gibraltar. Pinet, pp. 206–7 Thus, seawater flow is eastward in the Strait's surface waters, and westward below; once in the open ocean, this chemically-distinct "Mediterranean Intermediate Water" can persist thousands of kilometers away from its source.<ref>Pinet, p. 207