Eddy Kinetic Energy Variability in the Mediterranean Sea

This research article investigates the variability of Eddy Kinetic Energy (EKE) in the Mediterranean Sea over a 30-year period using satellite altimetry data. The study aims to assess whether the Mediterranean, recognized as a hotspot for climate change impacts, exhibits intensification in EKE similar to other global regions. The analysis compares EKE trends derived from three different gridded altimetric products: a global product based on a stable two-satellite constellation and two other products that incorporate all available satellites. The findings indicate a general increase in EKE across the Mediterranean Sea, although trends from the two-satellite product are notably smaller than those from the all-satellite products. This discrepancy is attributed to the increasing number of satellites enhancing the spatial and temporal coverage of the all-satellite datasets. The study further evaluates the fidelity of these products by comparing them with along-track data in high-energy regions, revealing contrasting EKE trends in the Alboran Sea and the Ierapetra area. The results underscore the importance of using stable satellite configurations for accurate long-term ocean variability analysis.