ALBERT

Description: The spreading of Mediterranean Water (MW) released through the Straits of Gibraltar is studied with hydrographic data, oxygen, nutrients and for the first time with chlorofluoromethane (CFM, compounds F11 and F12) distributions along seven sections in the Gulf of Cadiz, and with measurements in the Western Alboran Sea and west of the Gulf. The properties of MW entering the Gulf are deduced from CFM-salinity correlations east and west of the Straits as well as from property-depth profiles in the Western Alboran Sea. At the time of the survey, the outflow originated from depths above the salinity maximum of the Intermediate Water in the Alboran Sea. It turned out that the F11/F12 ratio of the outflow is equal to the ratios found in the Atlantic water in the Gulf of Cadiz; thus the ratio carries no time information in the region. A model is developed to describe mixing of the MW undercurrent with overlying North Atlantic Central Water (NACW) from different depths. The contribution of each layer to the mixing is parameterized by a weighting factor, which has to satisfy the balances of potential temperature (θ), CFMs, oxygen and nutrients in the MW undercurrent. It is shown that entrainment of water from shallower depths into the undercurrent is important near the Iberian Continental Shelf. Farther west and south, the undercurrent mainly mixes with water from near the salinity minimum of the NACW. For regions where the undercurrent has left the bottom, additional mixing with North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) has to be taken into account. The percentage of MW in the undercurrent decreases from 76% hear the Straits to about 34% at 7°30′W for the lower core (MI) and about 22–24% for the upper core (Mu). Assuming an outflow of undiluted MW through the Straits of 1.0 Sv, the transport of the undercurrent can be calculated by determining an average dilution factor for each section. The undercurrent transports 2.0 Sv just west of the Straits and 3.6 Sv leave the Gulf of Cadiz. At 36°N, 9°54′W, a meddy with unusually high temperatures and salinities below 500 m was found, covering the density range for both cores, Mu and Ml. From the θ−S characteristics and the evaluated mixing scheme of the meddy it appears to have formed near 7°W in the Gulf, a region up to now not proposed in the literature, and moved westward without much further mixing.

Description: The relationship between fisheries and marine spatial planning (MSP) is still widely unsettled. While several scientific studies highlight the strong relation between fisheries and MSP, as well as ways in which fisheries could be included in MSP, the actual integration of fisheries into MSP often fails. In this article, we review the state of the art and latest progress in research on various challenges in the integration of fisheries into MSP. The reviewed studies address a wide range of integration challenges, starting with techniques to analyse where fishermen actually fish, assessing the drivers for fishermen's behaviour, seasonal dynamics and long-term spatial changes of commercial fish species under various anthropogenic pressures along their successive life stages, the effects of spatial competition on fisheries and projections on those spaces that might become important fishing areas in the future, and finally, examining how fisheries could benefit from MSP. This paper gives an overview of the latest developments on concepts, tools, and methods. It becomes apparent that the spatial and temporal dynamics of fish and fisheries, as well as the definition of spatial preferences, remain major challenges, but that an integration of fisheries is already possible today

Description: The origin and the spreading of the shallow Mediterranean water core (Ms) in the Iberian basin is discussed with a quasi-synoptic hydrographic data set enhanced by chlorofluoromethane (CFM) measurements. Its characteristic density level is found to be σt = 27.4. Characterized by high temperature and CFM values, Ms enters the Iberian basin in the region of Cape St Vincent between depths of 500–750 dbar. A heat anomaly of 〉11.8 × 109 J m−2 is chosen as the boundary between the presence of Ms and the background field. The core is found in a tongue-like shape as well as in separate isolated eddies of both cyclonic and anticyclonic circulation. Using the optimum multiparameter analysis (Tomczak and Large, 1989, Journal of Geophysical Research, 94, 16141–16149), the North Atlantic Central Water (NACW), which mixes with the Mediterranean outflow to form Ms, turned out to be in the mean 1°C warmer and 0.11 saltier than in regions with minor Mediterranean influence. This points to the Gulf of Cadiz as the origin of Ms, where the Mediterranean oufflows is in contact with NACW of the appropriate characteristics.

Description: A coupled ice–ocean model is utilized to investigate the transports of heat, salt and water in the Baltic Sea for the years 1986, 1988, 1993 and 1994. The oceanic component of the coupled system is a three-dimensional baroclinic model of the Baltic Sea including the Belt Sea and the Skagerrak/Kattegat area. The model has a horizontal resolution of ∼5 km and 28 vertical levels specified. The ice model is based on the Hamburg Sea Ice model, with the same horizontal resolution. The coupled system is driven by atmospheric data provided by the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI; Norrköping, Sweden) and river runoff taken from a monthly mean runoff database. The thermohaline variability of the Baltic Sea strongly depends on the fluctuations of the atmospheric forcing conditions. Therefore, high demands on the spatial and temporal resolution of the meteorological forcing are required. Besides heat and radiation fluxes, precipitation and evaporation rates have to be taken into account. From the coupled runs, the different components determining the energy and water cycle of the Baltic Sea are identified and estimates of the water, heat and salt transports are given for the different years. Furthermore, the thermohaline variability is investigated with respect to the relevant forcing mechanisms including atmospheric, as well as fresh water fluxes. Besides the heat and water fluxes of the Baltic Sea and the water mass exchange with the North Sea, internal fluxes of heat, salt and volume between the different subbasins of the Baltic Sea are presented. Sensitivity studies on the variation of the net fresh water flux indicate that uncertainties in precipitation and/or river runoff can have a strong impact on the inflow of highly saline water from the North Sea, thus, influencing the thermohaline circulation of the Baltic Sea.

Description: Throughout the last decades there has been a world-wide, general warming trend. In this study, we use the example of the Baltic Sea to resolve the overall estimated temperature trend into smaller, meso-scale spatial units. Afterwards, we investigate the spatially resolved potential impact of the temperature trend on larval survival for two important fish species, cod and sprat. We used two different sets of hydrographic data: (i) long-term temporally and depth-resolved data measured in situ originating from one geographic position and (ii) long-term horizontally resolved data, originating from a circulation model. In contrast to basin-wide integrated results, our modelling approach revealed different results related to smaller spatial scales. In shallow and coastal areas non-significant long-term temperature trends were observed. In some cases even decreasing temperature trends were found. Average distribution maps (1973–2010) of cod and sprat eggs and larvae confirmed the higher importance of central, deep basins as nursery grounds. Applying the temperature trends when calculating cod larval window of opportunity values, resulted in decreased durations of 1–3 days (~ 3–13%) in most areas. Sprat larval window of opportunity values mainly increased up to 4 days (~ 45%), indicating a potential reproduction advantage of sprat over cod under anticipated future temperature increase. Highlights ► We resolve the overall positive temperature trend in the Baltic into meso-scale spatial units and investigate the impact on larval survival for two important fish species, cod and sprat. ► In shallow and coastal areas non-significant or even negative temperature trends occurred. ► Cod larval window of opportunity values decreased by 1–3 days (~ 3–13%). ► Sprat larval window of opportunity values increased up to 4 days (~ 45%). ► Sprat will have a reproduction advantage over cod under anticipated future temperature change.

Description: The closing of the water and energy cycle of the Baltic Sea is one of the main aims of BALTEX (Baltic Sea Experiment), which particularily focuses on the exploration, modelling and quantification of the various processes determining the space and time variability of the energy and water budget. On the long-term mean the water budget of the Baltic Sea is determined by river runoff, net precipitation (precipitation minus evaporation) and the in- and outflows through the Baltic Sea entrance area, assuming that the mean sea level remains constant, i.e. the ability of the Baltic Sea to store a huge amount of water is averaged out over the long-term period. For shorter periods, the water storage which can be expressed by the mean sea level plays an important role on the water budget. The objective of the present study is to investigate the variability of the water storage of the Baltic Sea and relate its fluctuations to the different components of the water balance equation. The anomaly of the mean sea level of the Baltic Sea shows a well pronounced seasonal cycle, with negative values between the end of February to the end of June (minimum in the middle of May), and positive anomalies from July to mid-February (maximum in January). There is a high correlation between the mean sea level expressed by the Landsort tide gauge and the local atmospheric conditions over the Baltic Sea. The annual course of the total water balance is controlled by the local atmospheric conditions with the net fresh-water inflow only controls the general outflow conditions. Sea level, precipitation and river runoff have been obtained from observations provided by the SMHI. For the in- and outflow through the entrance area of the Baltic Sea and evaporation over the open ocean, coupled sea ice-ocean model simulations for a 10-years period have been utilized.

Description: Variations in oxygen conditions below the permanent halocline influence the ecosystem of the Baltic Sea through a number of mechanisms. In this study, we examine the effects of physical forcing on variations in the volume of deep oxygenated water suitable for reproductive success of central Baltic cod. Recent research has identified the importance of inflows of saline and oxygenated North Sea water into the Baltic Sea for the recruitment of Baltic cod. However, other processes have been suggested to modify this reproduction volume including variations in timing and volume of terrestrial runoff, variability of the solubility of oxygen due to variations in sea surface temperature as well as the influence of variations in wind stress. In order to examine the latter three mechanisms, we have performed simulations utilizing the Kiel Baltic Sea model for a period of a weak to moderate inflow of North Sea water into the Baltic, modifying wind stress, freshwater runoff and thermal inputs. The model is started from three-dimensional fields of temperature, salinity and oxygen obtained from a previous model run and forced by realistic atmospheric conditions. Results of this realistic reference run were compared to runs with modified meteorological forcing conditions and river runoff. From these simulations, it is apparent that processes other than major Baltic inflows have the potential to alter the reproduction volume of Baltic cod. Low near-surface air temperatures in the North Sea, the Skagerrak/Kattegat area and in the western Baltic influence the water mass properties (high oxygen solubility). Eastward oriented transports of these well-oxygenated highly saline water masses may have a significant positive impact on the Baltic cod reproduction volume in the Bornholm Basin. Finally, we analysed how large scale and local atmospheric forcing conditions are related to the identified major processes affecting the reproduction volume.

Description: A three-dimensional physical oceanographic model was used to simulate the temporal evolution of ichthyoplankton distributions in the Bornholm Basin, Baltic Sea. The Bornholm Basin is one of the major spawning grounds for cod (Gadus morhua callarias L.) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus balticus S.) in the Baltic Sea with a large number of historic survey data as well as material from ongoing investigations being available. The aim of the present study was to investigate the quantitative influence of different factors on abundance estimates of early life stages (eggs and larvae) of cod and sprat. Influences under consideration were advective losses, uncertainty due to non-sufficient spatial sampling resolution (e.g. number of stations) and effects of the sampling strategy (e.g. sequence of stations). The numerical simulations were performed for two time periods with contrasting meteorological forcing conditions. Errors in abundance estimates were highest at high wind speeds and when the organisms showed a patchy distribution. Advective losses were highest for the shallowest distributed life stages (cod and sprat larvae). Under strong west-wind conditions, losses due to transport out of the surveyed area reached up to 〉10% after 2 days. Different sampling strategies had no impact on overall accuracy. Errors due to sampling resolution amounted to 2–26% for the standard grid of 45 stations. The results suggest that wind forcing might serve as a first rough approximation for the reliability of historic abundance estimates.

Description: A combined 3-D physical oceanographic model and a field sampling program was performed in July and August 1994 to investigate the potential drift of larval Baltic cod from the center of spawning effort in the Bornholm Basin, Baltic Sea. The goal of this exercise was to predict the drift trajectories of cod larvae in the Bornholm Basin, thereby aiding in the development of future sampling programs as well as the identification of processes influencing larval retention/dispersion in the Bornholm Basin. Distributions of variables (T, S and larval distribution) were obtained utilizing a three-dimensional eddy-resolving baroclinic model of the Baltic Sea based on the Bryan-Cox-Semtner code. Larval drift was simulated by the incorporation of a passive tracer into the model utilized to represent individual cod larvae. Additionally, simulated Lagrangian drift trajectories are presented. For model purposes, initial fields of temperature, salinity and cod larvae concentration for the Bornholm Basin were constructed by objective analysis using observations taken during a research survey in early July, 1994. Outside the Bornholm Basin generalized hydrographic features of the Baltic Sea were utilized with the baroclinic model forced by wind data for the whole Baltic taken from the Europa-Modell (EM) of the German weather service, Offenbach. Verification of simulations was performed by comparison with field measurements of hydrographic variables and ADCP derived current measurements taken during the surveys. In general, most of the hydrographic features observed during the second research cruise are correctly simulated, with variations mainly attributed to the prescribed initial conditions outside the Bornholm Basin. Results from larval sampling during the second cruise could not entirely confirm the modeled larval distributions due to the low numbers of larvae captured. However, the modeled results based on the agreement of the flow fields and hydrographic properties with observed features suggest that predictions of larval distributions can be made with a high degree of confidence if appropriate larval behaviours are included in the simulations.

Description: To better understand recruitment variability in small pelagic fish like sprat, it is important to know when during the extended spawning season the successful recruits are predominantly produced and which environmental factors determine potential survival windows. Here, we inferred the temporal origin of 2-year classes (2002–2003) of western and central Baltic sprat by means of otolith microstructure analysis, and found that in both years recruits mainly originated from the summer months June and July. In both years, this period coincided with temperature conditions in the surface layer of 〉12 °C and peak seasonal abundance of the largest copepod stages of Acartia spp., the major prey item of sprat larvae. The peaks in seasonal sprat egg abundance, however, occurred in April 2002 and March 2003 and therefore about 1–2 months earlier than the long-term mean spawning peak of sprat in this area (end of May/beginning of June). We hypothesize that increased temperatures in the bottom layer of the Baltic, where the pre-spawning sprat stock concentrates during winter months, potentially caused this shift in sprat spawning patterns, although early spring temperatures and feeding conditions in upper water layers were still unfavourable for larval survival. Sprat recruitment, however, was comparatively strong in both 2002 and 2003, suggesting that summer born individuals had high enough survival rates to compensate for the spawning shift, possibly due to high summer temperatures, limited dispersion, and low predation mortalities by Baltic cod as the major predator of sprat. Recruits were on average younger in 2003 than 2002, yet length distributions in October were almost identical, likely because a period of substantially higher temperatures in July/August 2003 promoted faster initial (larval) growth of survivors. Given the strength of the 2003 year class, in spite of lower overall prey concentrations in 2003 than 2002 in the study area, our findings appear to emphasise the paramount importance of summer temperatures as the recruitment determinant in Baltic sprat