Nitrogen and aou: useful tools for short-term prediction of end summer hypoxic event in the North Adriatic Sea bottom layer.

During late summer 2002 three oceanographic cruises carried out in the North Adriatic Sea allowed analysis of a hypoxic event in the bottom layer . Physical and chemical parameters (Nitrogen and AOU: apparent oxygen utilization) were studied to define an approach for prediction of hypoxic events in the North Adriatic Sea. A 1D equation was formulated to predict the evolution of bottom dissolved oxygen content. The utilized methodology is supported by the weak circulation in the bottom layer of the hypoxic area during the period.