Articles | Volume 16, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-16-1475-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-16-1475-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
01 Dec 2020
Research article |
| 01 Dec 2020
| 01 Dec 2020
The winter stratification phenomenon and its consequences in the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea
Taavi Liblik
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Marine Systems, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn 12616, Estonia
Germo Väli
Department of Marine Systems, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn 12616, Estonia
Inga Lips
Department of Marine Systems, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn 12616, Estonia
Madis-Jaak Lilover
Department of Marine Systems, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn 12616, Estonia
Villu Kikas
Department of Marine Systems, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn 12616, Estonia
Jaan Laanemets
Department of Marine Systems, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn 12616, Estonia
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The salinity in the Baltic Sea is not only an important topic for physical oceanography as such, but it also integrates the complete water and energy cycle. It is a primary external driver controlling ecosystem dynamics of the Baltic Sea. The long-term dynamics are controlled by river runoff, net precipitation, and the water mass exchange between the North Sea and Baltic Sea. On shorter timescales, the ephemeral atmospheric conditions drive a very complex and highly variable salinity regime.
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Multiple factors have been accused of triggering coastal hypoxia off the Changjiang Estuary. In situ observations, remote sensing and numerical simulation data were used to study dissolved oxygen depletion in the area. Oxygen distributions can be explained by wind forcing and river discharge, as well as concurrent features in surface and deep layer circulation. If summer monsoon prevails, hypoxia more likely occurs in the north while hypoxia in the south appears if the summer monsoon is weaker.
Taavi Liblik, Daniel Rak, Enriko Siht, Germo Väli, Johannes Karstensen, Laura Tuomi, Louise C. Biddle, Madis-Jaak Lilover, Māris Skudra, Michael Naumann, Urmas Lips, and Volker Mohrholz
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Eight current meters were deployed to the seafloor across the Baltic to enhance knowledge about circulation and currents. The experiment was complemented by autonomous vehicles. Stable circulation patterns were observed at the sea when weather was steady. Strong and quite persistent currents were observed at the key passage for the deep-water renewal of the Northern Baltic Sea. Deep water renewal mostly occurs during spring and summer periods in the northern Baltic Sea.
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Coastal basins with high input of nutrients often suffer from oxygen deficiency. In summer 2018, the extent of oxygen depletion was exceptional in the Gulf of Riga. We analyzed observational data and found that extensive oxygen deficiency appeared since the water layer close to the seabed, where oxygen is consumed, was separated from the surface layer. The problem worsens if similar conditions restricting vertical transport of oxygen occur more frequently in the future.
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An extensive measurement campaign and numerical simulations were conducted in the central Baltic Sea. The persistent circulation patterns were detected in steady weather conditions. The patterns included various circulation features. A coastal boundary current was observed along the eastern coast. The deep layer current towards the north was detected as well. This current is an important deeper limb of the overturning circulation of the Baltic Sea. The circulation regime has an annual cycle.
Andreas Lehmann, Kai Myrberg, Piia Post, Irina Chubarenko, Inga Dailidiene, Hans-Harald Hinrichsen, Karin Hüssy, Taavi Liblik, H. E. Markus Meier, Urmas Lips, and Tatiana Bukanova
Earth Syst. Dynam., 13, 373–392, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-13-373-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-13-373-2022, 2022
Short summary
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The salinity in the Baltic Sea is not only an important topic for physical oceanography as such, but it also integrates the complete water and energy cycle. It is a primary external driver controlling ecosystem dynamics of the Baltic Sea. The long-term dynamics are controlled by river runoff, net precipitation, and the water mass exchange between the North Sea and Baltic Sea. On shorter timescales, the ephemeral atmospheric conditions drive a very complex and highly variable salinity regime.
Taavi Liblik, Yijing Wu, Daidu Fan, and Dinghui Shang
Biogeosciences, 17, 2875–2895, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-2875-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-2875-2020, 2020
Short summary
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Multiple factors have been accused of triggering coastal hypoxia off the Changjiang Estuary. In situ observations, remote sensing and numerical simulation data were used to study dissolved oxygen depletion in the area. Oxygen distributions can be explained by wind forcing and river discharge, as well as concurrent features in surface and deep layer circulation. If summer monsoon prevails, hypoxia more likely occurs in the north while hypoxia in the south appears if the summer monsoon is weaker.
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Short summary
The upper mixed layer, shallower than the depth of the euphotic zone, is one of the preconditions for enhanced primary production in the ocean. In the Baltic Sea, the general understanding is that the upper mixed layer is much deeper in winter. In this study, we demonstrate that wintertime shallow stratification and an elevated phytoplankton biomass proxy, chlorophyll, are common in the Gulf of Finland. Stratification is invoked by the westward flow of riverine water forced by an easterly wind.
The upper mixed layer, shallower than the depth of the euphotic zone, is one of the...
