LONG-TERM GOALS To contribute to the understanding of the dynamics of marginal seas such as the Adriatic by collecting and interpreting accurate Lagrangian observations of currents and satellite measurements of water mass properties (e.g., temperature, salinity, chlorophyll concentration). In particular, to study the variability of the surface velocity and temperature/chlorophyll fields in selected basins of the Mediterranean at the meso-, seasonal and interannual scales and to assess the

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... of the wind forcing and fresh water runoffs. OBJECTIVES The main objective of the DOLCEVITA project is to quantify the kinematic and dynamic properties of the northern and middle Adriatic (NMA) Sea. In particular the experimental work includes the following tasks based on data provided by drifters and ancillary remote sensing observations (satellites and high-frequency coastal radars): • Describe the NMA surface circulation variability (Eulerian and Lagrangian statistics, major scales of variability, particle dispersion, etc.) and separate this variability into mean (over 6 months), synoptic (~10 days), mesoscale (a few days) and high-frequency (tidal, seiches, inertial) components; • Describe the spatial structure and temporal variability of predominant mesoscale features, such as the cold filaments rooted of the Croatian coast (NAF and MAF), and the instability of the Po River Plume and WAC; • Relate the mesoscale flow characteristics to the thermal and pigment signatures; • Study the effect of wind forcing (Bora and Sirocco conditions) and bathymetry on the abovementioned mesoscale circulation features; • Determine the contribution of mesoscale circulation to the spreading and flushing of buoyant waters of riverine origin, and to lateral heat transport; 1