Modelling the water isotope distribution in the Mediterranean Sea using a high-resolution oceanic model (NEMO-MED12-watiso v1.0): evaluation of model results against in situ observations

Abstract

Abstract. Stable water isotopes (δ18Ow and δDw) have been successfully implemented for the first time in a high-resolution model of the Mediterranean Sea (NEMO-MED12). In this numerical study, model results are compared with available in situ observations to evaluate the model performance of the present-day distribution of stable water isotopes and their relationship with salinity on a sub-basin scale. There is good agreement between the modelled and observed distributions of δ18Ow in the surface water. The model successfully simulates the observed east–west gradient of δ18Ow characterising surface, intermediate, and deep waters. The results also show good agreement between the simulated δDw and the in situ data. The δDw shows a strong linear relationship with δ18Ow (r2=0.98) and salinity (r2=0.94) for the whole Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, the modelled relationships between δ18Ow and salinity agree well with observations, with a weaker slope in the eastern basin than in the western basin. We investigate the relationship of the isotopic signature of the planktonic foraminifera shells (δ18Oc) with temperature and the influence of seasonality. Our results suggest a more quantitative use of δ18O records, combining reconstruction with modelling approaches.