Hydrographic and Oceanographic Characteristics of the Southern Part of the Adriatic Sea

This chapter presents a short summary and a general overview of the Adriatic Sea, particularly the southern part. The Adriatic Sea encompasses the area between Balkan Peninsula and Apennine Peninsula, at geographic latitude 39°45´ N and 45°45´ N, and geographic longitude 12°15′ E and 19°45′ E. The south border in the whole region represents the Strait of Otranto and goes through the line joining Cape St. Maria di Leuca (Italy) – north coast of Corfu island (Greek) – mouth of Butrintit River (Albania). The longitudinal axis measured from the mouth of the River Butrint (Albania) to the Porto di Lido (Italy) is 475 nautical miles and width-axis, perpendicular to the longitudinal, from the Port Omis (Croatia) to the port Vasto (Italy) is 117 nautical miles. Three principal water masses are presented in the Adriatic Sea the Adriatic Surface Water (AdSW), the Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW), and the Adriatic Deep Water (AdDW). The circulation is mostly counterclockwise or cyclonic, with a flow towards the northwest along the eastern side and a return flow towards the southeast along the western side. The cyclonic gyres vary in intensity according to the season and the sub-gyre of the southern Adriatic tends to persist throughout the year. In the Adriatic Sea prevailing mixed type of tides with a relatively high percentage of salinity.