Lecture: Coastal sea surface temperature trends and associated impacts
Speaker:
Entry Fee
Members: Free
Visitors: £5.00
Date and Time
19:30 -
Location
Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HN
Lecture Description
Coastal seawater (and lake water) temperature (SST) adjacent to urban centres is rising up to 10 times faster than the observed global trend of 0.13 degrees C/decade (IPCC, 2007). Much of this trend is linked to upward trends in air temperature due to the heat island effect, which are well in excess of the global trends (Gonzalez et al., 2007). Global models of SST avoid or “homogenize” coastal datasets because of these local effects and thus they are not good proxies for coastal impacts. It is possible that in coastal regions of high urban development, human activity is directly warming adjacent coastal waters and that this contribution is equal to, or greater than, that due to greenhouse gasses or advection/mixing by surface currents (Shearman et al., 2010).
If this is true, then future changes in SST in the coastal zone, especially adjacent to urban regions, are likely to be poorly predicted by global trends. Thus there appears to be a blind-spot in our understanding of future coastal vulnerability that could be addressed by a synthesis of SST change in the coastal ocean. The impact of this on fines sedimentation is three-fold: changes in seawater density (and hence buoyancy); changes in fluid viscosity; and changes in flocculation rates. The sum total of these changes can alter sedimentation patterns profoundly, especially in the silt/clay size ranges. The impact of these effects will be discussed in the context of sedimentation patterns in Venice lagoon.
Attending via Zoom
This is a hybrid meeting: you can attend in person or join online via Zoom.
Bath Geological Society Members: Free of charge. Joining instructions and the Zoom link are sent to members by email prior to the lecture.
Visitors & Non-Members: (including members of the Geologists' Association and affiliated societies) Please book via Eventbrite to receive Zoom access (see the Entry Fee details above).
How to join: Click the Zoom link provided in your email or Eventbrite confirmation. You can join using the Zoom desktop or mobile app, or directly via your web browser without installing any software. The virtual waiting room opens approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, and attendees will be admitted before the talk commences.
For any queries about joining online, please contact [email protected].