A consensus-based, revised and comprehensive catalogue for Mediterranean water masses acronyms

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Published: Dec 2, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.38736
Keywords:
Mediterranean water masses acronyms rules spatial distribution literature review
KATRIN SCHROEDER
CNR ISMAR, Venezia, 30122, Italy
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7991-9121
SANA BEN ISMAIL
INSTM, Carthage, 2025, Tunisia
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9421-8363
MANUEL BENSI
OGS, Trieste, 34100, Italy
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0548-7351
ANTHONY BOSSE
Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO, Marseille, 13000, France
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6968-3805
JACOPO CHIGGIATO
CNR ISMAR, Venezia, 30122, Italy
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0998-6473
GIUSEPPE CIVITARESE
OGS, Trieste, 34100, Italy
FRANCESCO FALCIERI M
CNR ISMAR, Venezia, 30122, Italy
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9759-6714
GIANNETTA FUSCO
University of Naples Parthenope, Naples, 80132, Italy
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1769-2456
MIROSLAV GAČIĆ
OGS, Trieste, 34100, Italy
ISAAC GERTMAN
Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, 3478403, Israel
ELISABETH KUBIN
OGS, Trieste, 34100, Italy
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5182-8025
PAOLA MALANOTTE-RIZZOLI
CNR ISMAR, Venezia, 30122, Italy & Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
RICCARDO MARTELLUCCI
OGS, Trieste, 34100, Italy
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7859-3967
MILENA MENNA
OGS, Trieste, 34100, Italy
TAL OZER
Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, 3478403, Israel
ISABELLE TAUPIER-LETAGE
Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO, Marseille, 13000, France
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1094-2080
MANUEL VARGAS-YÁÑEZ
IEO-CSIC, Malaga, 29640, Spain
DIMITRIS VELAORAS
HCMR, Anavyssos, 19013, Greece
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6919-3734
IVICA VILIBIĆ
RUĐER Bošković Institute, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia & Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation, Split, 21000, Croatia
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0753-5775
Abstract

Addressing the need for clear communication in Mediterranean oceanography, this study presents a revised and comprehensive catalogue of water mass acronyms. Although there is no universal set of standard rules for assigning acronyms to water masses, as these can vary among different research groups, regions, or scientific communities, scientists generally aim for clarity and consistency when naming and abbreviating water masses to facilitate communication within the scientific community. The team of experts, guided by the CIESM (the Mediterranean Science Commission) C2 Committee on the Physics and Climate of the Ocean,  reviewed existing literature and established new acronyms and naming guidelines. This standardized system, emphasizing clarity and consistency, replaces the current variable practices employed by different research groups.

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