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The Wood Pigeon, Columba palumbus, is a common diurnal migrant across most of the Europe. The visual observations were carried out during autumn work of the Operation Baltic ringing stations, mainly at Mierzeja Wioelana (54°21'N, 19°19'E) parallely to the ringing of birds. Observations of passing birds were performed 15 minutes per every hour from sunrise to sunset. The autumn observation period was long enough to cover whole pigeons migration at the southern coast of Baltic (14 Aug. - 11 Nov.). Altogether 119,019 Wood Pigeons were observed within 20 seasons of observations. The goals of this work is (1) to describe the course of the Wood Pigeon autumn migration at the Polish Baltic coast as to numbers in long-term aspect and the seasonality of migration, (2) to propose further development in the study on wave structure of the bird passage. The main analysis of this work - description of the seasonal dynamics of migration - was carried out with modified and widened method used for that kind of analysis in earlier publications. In the present paper the wave structure is described by the estimated border days between supposed waves taking under consideration different properties of the passage dynamics. Here are used three groups of parameters: (1) total numbers of birds observed daily during several years, interyear variability (as SD between year number values), and the coefficient of variation (V), (2) number of migration peaks that occurred in that date within years of the study (there were used two classes of peaks - High Peaks and Peaks), (3) numbers of birds passing during recognized peak days. All estimations were done independently of others and only finally summarized using common ranking scheme. Such step by step procedure make estimation more and more reliable. Very high agreement between estimations based on three groups of parameters suggests strongly that the proposed estimation procedure is effective enough. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bugajny, N. and Furmańczyk, K., 2017. Comparison of short-term changes caused by storms along natural and protected sections of the Dziwnow Spit, southern Baltic coast. This paper focuses on a comparison of changes caused by weak storms (significant wave height [ Hs] <2.5 m) along a dune coast on a nontidal sea. Repeated observations were made along two 2 km long sections of the southern Baltic coast; one section is a natural coast, and the other features protective structures. Several real-time kinematic GPS surveys were carried out in 2012. The surveys included cross-shore profiles measured from the dune foot to a water depth of 1 m. The profiles were spaced at constant 100 m intervals. In addition, offshore wave data and water level data were collected. Using statistical methods, three types of hydrodynamic conditions were identified and the data grouped accordingly; these groups had different effects on the coast. The coastal changes that occurred along the natural and protected sections of the coast were compared using two parameters: shoreline displacement and volume changes. The net, total, and maximal values and means of shoreline displacement and beach volume changes were calculated and are discussed in this paper. The analysis confirms that both natural processes of erosion and accumulation take place in relation to the location of shoreline displacement and the volume changes under all hydrodynamic conditions on both the natural and protected coasts. The proportion of these changes depends on the hydrodynamic conditions and the type of coast. The accumulative effect of the groynes is particularly seen under the hydrodynamic conditions of group 2. The ratio of volume changes to shoreline displacement exhibits stronger correlation for the natural coast (group 1, R = 0.82; group 2, R = 0.75; group 3, R = 0.80) than for the protected coast (group 1, R = 0.79; group 2, R = 0.74; group 3, R = 0.61), while the slope of regression is greater for the natural than for the protected coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on bioclimatic conditions in the southern part of the Baltic coast based on universal thermal climate index values. Taking into consideration the observational data from coastline stations as well as reanalysis data from the National Center for Environmental Prediction and National Center for Atmospheric Research (sea level pressure and the 500 hPa geopotential height), the authors attempt to explain which of the synoptic situations are responsible for the occurrence of days with very strong and extreme cold or heat stress. The obtained results confirm that the extreme thermal heat and cold stress conditions are for the most part associated with high-pressure systems. The researched area is usually situated in the western or southern periphery of the anticyclones. The cold stress also occurs during the advection from west or northwest, caused by the direct influence of a low-pressure system whose center is situated over the North Sea, southern Scandinavia, or the southern Baltic Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ports’ activities have a significant impact on the marine environment of the Baltic Sea, as well as on port cities. The environmental performance of ports is all the more important because of Baltic Sea's vulnerability. This unique basin is highly sensitive to the environmental impacts of human activities in its catchment area. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the environmental performance of Polish ports. The paper identifies current top environmental priorities of Polish ports, and highlights the progress in the field of environmental management after joining the EU in 2004. As all ports are obliged to meet the legal requirements, a particular attention is drawn to the policy's aim to improve environmental standards beyond those required under legislation. This paper also focuses on experiences, with the implementation of the environmental management systems like ISO 14001 or a similar system. It highlights different attitudes towards EMS process of certification. Moreover, as Polish ports are considered to be significant sources of pollution and greenhouse gas emission in their cities, ports’ initiatives aimed at reducing this negative impact are taken into consideration. The analysis is carried out in comparison with other ports of the Baltic Sea Region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the conditions of formation of large accumulative forms on the southeastern coast of the Baltic Sea and presents the results of a comparative analysis of these structures. It has been established that Baltic barrier-lagoon systems have a complex geological and geomorphologic structure. Sandy barriers, which are, in general, marine accumulative formations, often comprise various fragments of different genesis (moraine remnants, glaciolacustrine and deltaic plains, etc.). The formation and development of large accumulative forms in the southeastern Baltic occurred against the background of sea level fluctuations in the Littorina time following a unified scenario for the entire coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper explores the response of deltas to tidal reworking and discusses the conditions at which deltas may become strongly tide influenced or tide dominated. Three case studies are presented, from the Cretaceous Western Interior, the Devonian Baltic Basin and the Eocene Central Basin of Spitsbergen. All datasets contain extensive outcrop data, the Baltic Basin dataset also extensive core data. The paper aims to show that beyond the commonly recognized morphological features and the recognizable tidal facies, the main effects of tidal reworking of deltas are associated with delta clinoform morphology, delta lobe switching rates, delta progradation rates, and the nature of the delta plain. Strong tidal influence is here documented to promote subaqueous, rapid progradation of deltas, by efficiently removing sediment from river mouth and thus reducing mouth bar aggradation and fluvial delta plain construction rates. Such subaqueous progradation of the delta front is decoupled from shoreline progradation. The delta plain of such tide-dominated deltas consists of a few distributary channels and tidal flats. The delta front clinoforms become gentler and longer, as tidal currents efficiently transport sediment to the basin. Tide-dominated deltas tend to maintain a funnel shape and show low lobe switching rates, compared to fluvial-dominated and tide-influenced deltas. This paper emphasizes topographic restrictions or invaginations, caused by incision, delta-lobe deposition or tectonic uplift and subsidence, as significant controls on the occurrence of strongly tide-influenced deltas. The role of such topographic restrictions is twofold, by reducing wave energy and amplifying tidal energy. Significantly, such invaginations are not restricted to inner-shelf reaches as commonly assumed, but may also occur at the shelf edge, promoting tidal reworking of shelf-edge deltas. Moreover, in very shallow epicontinental seas, significant tidal reworking may occur throughout the basin evolution, independent on sea-level cycles or sediment supply. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper investigates the molecular and stable isotope compositions of sediment gases from seven coastal lakes along the southern Baltic coast in Poland. The aim is to extend the knowledge of the genesis and distribution of microbial gases in the zone of mixing of fresh and salt waters with special attention to the effect of salinity, climate-related seasonality, and vertical sediment mixing. We found differences in the compositions of gas between the studied lakes and within each lake. These differences are mainly controlled by lake water depth and the presence of macrophytes. Due to the dissolution of rising bubbles in highly oxygenated water, the concentrations of CH and CO show up to 67% decline along the water column in favor of N and O. On the other hand, in vegetated parts of the lakes, the CH is depleted in favor of CO, and the residual CH and CO are enriched in C. Despite the fact that the coastal lakes display highly oxidizing conditions in the water column and that the bottom sediments are mixed by wind waves the CH reveals rather low oxidation. On the basis of the CH/N ratio we established that there are differences in the intensity of ebullition throughout the lakes. Higher intensities of ebullition were found in shallower parts of the lakes. Salinity has no effect on the stable C and H isotope composition of sediment gas. It seems, however, that salinity affects the molecular composition of hydrocarbons via preferential oxidation of CH under higher salinity conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal foredunes are developed as a result of the interplay of multi-scale land–sea processes. Basic driving mechanisms of coastal foredune morphogenesis as well as natural processes and factors involved in shaping the foredune geometry are quantitatively studied in this paper by a numerical model. Aeolian sediment transport and vegetation growth on the subaerial part of a beach is simulated by a cellular automata (CA) approach, while the sediment budget in the subaqueous zone, serving as a sediment source/sink for the foredune ridges, is estimated in a process-based model. The coupled model is applied to a 1 km-long section of a barrier coast (Swina Gate) in the southern Baltic Sea for a 61-year (1951–2012) hindcast of its foredune development. General consistency is shown between the observational data and simulation results, indicating that the formation of an established coastal foredune results from a balance between wind-wave impacts and vegetation growth. Driven by an effective onshore wind and a boundary sediment supply, small-scale dunes develop on the backshore and migrate landward. They are then trapped in a narrow strip characterized by a large density gradient of vegetation cover which separates the hydrodynamically-active zone and the vegetated zone. Continuous accumulation of sediment in this strip induces the development of a foredune ridge. According to the simulations, the formation of an established coastal foredune has to meet three preconditions: 1. an effective onshore aeolian transport; 2. a net onshore or lateral sediment supply; and 3. a climate favoring vegetation growth. The formation of a new foredune ridge in front of an already existing foredune is determined by a combination of the sediment supply rate, the extreme wind-wave event frequency and the vegetation growth rate. Simulation results demonstrate a remarkable variability in foredune development even along a small (1 km) coast section, implying that the medium-to-long term land–sea interaction and foredune morphogenesis is quite sensitive to boundary conditions and various processes acting on multi-temporal and spatial scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to indicate the periods within the year that are most and least suited to outdoor recreation along the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. The author indicates these periods based on the analysis of annual variability of several meteorological and bioclimatic parameters from the years 1981-2010 in Greifswald and Świnoujście, and from 1985 to 2010 in Hel and Gdynia. Passive recreation is favoured in July and the first half of August. The whole of the summer season has the most favourable conditions for active recreation. Good conditions frequently occur in May, and to a lesser degree in September. The advantages of May are that it has the highest sunshine duration and the lowest frequency of precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common yew (Taxus baccata L.) is a rare and endangered species included in Red Data Book of Latvia. The species grows on the eastern edge of its distribution area. It is mainly found in the SW parts of Kurland near the Baltic Sea coast and the Gulf of Riga (in some localities). Most yew are understory plants and grow well in the shade in a climatic zone with soft winters and cool summers. As this conifer has high landscape value and is relict since atlantic times it needs protection. In Kurland restricted area "Rucavas īvju audze" ("Yew grove of Rucava") was established which is situated in the SW of the maritime territory in the Bārtavas lowland -- 206 ha area. The biggest common yew tree (14 m) grows in park Zentene (in the district of Tukums). It is an open question whether artificial propagation of naturally growing plants in situ with consequent re-cultivation in situ could be considered a natural process of the species preservation. This paper also presents a collection of yew taxa which have been planted in the Arboretum of Rucava in the period of 15 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an overview of the thunderstorm climate of the Baltic countries during the period of 1951-2000. Our study area is in northeastern Europe and encompasses Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Visual thunderstorm observations at 59 weather stations were used as a data source. The mean annual number of thunderstorm days was 12-29.5. The seasonal cycle of thunderstorm hours with a daily step unexpectedly showed two maxima, whereas the monthly numbers of thunderstorm days had one clear mid-latitude specific peak between June and August. The diurnal cycle of thunderstorm hours showed a peak between 1400 and 1800 local time and a minimum between 0400 and 1000 hours local time. The average annual duration of thunderstorm events was 112 min. The average number of thunderstorm events per thunderstorm day was around 1.1-1.2. Our results showed that the thunderstorm climate of the Baltic countries generally resembles that of other mid-latitude study sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The raised bog sediments that have been continuously accumulated over time represent the most suitable natural object which enables us to reconstruct Late Glacial and Holocene vegetation and palaeoclimates. Bog peat consists of organic carbon formed in situ. It contains moss, plant fragments and microfossils that are necessary for the study of palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate. However, a successful study of palaeoenvironment can be carried out on the basis of investigation of a great quantity of samples along the whole peatbog thickness. In the present paper, the authors present the results of palynological, botanical investigations and radiocarbon dating of 31 peat samples taken from the raised bog Velikoye, located in the eastern part of Kaliningrad Region. The data obtained have enabled us to reconstruct the palaeovegetation, reveal the evolution of the bog and determine rate of peat formation at different evolutional stages over the last 7500 cal BP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes basic ice parameters: date of first ice appearance, date of last ice disappearance, duration of ice season, number of days with ice, and maximum ice thickness in winter on the southern Baltic Sea coast. These parameters are used to develop descriptions of the ice regime along the coast, including frequency. The archive data originates from Germany, Poland, and Russia. The missing data were completed by the correlation and regression analysis method. The data concerning the areas of Arkona, Sassnitz, Koserow, Karnin, Kamminke, Ueckermünde, Krasnoflotskoje, Baltijsk, and Usˇakovo cover the period from 1950-1951 through 1989-1990, whereas the data concerning the areas of Szczecin, Trzebież, Swinoujscie, Kołobrzeg, Darłowo, Ustka, Łeba, Rozewie, Hel, Puck, Gdynia, Swibno, Tolkmicko, and Krynica Morska cover the period from 1946-1947 through 1999-2000. In sheltered basins (internal), the ice phenomena appear earliest (on average, in December) and disappear latest (on average, in March). The intensity increases eastward in accordance with the severity of ice conditions. On the other hand, in unsheltered basins (open sea water) the ice appears later-on average, in January-and it disappears in late February to early March. The intensity increases westward, primarily influenced by bathymetric factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geologic and paleogeographic settings of the Upper Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Paleogene phosphorite-bearing rocks in the Kaliningrad and southeastern Baltic regions are considered. The paper discusses structures of the phosphorite-bearing sections, outlines phosphorite types, and compares them with the adjacent regions and phosphorite-bearing basins of the East European Platform. It is noted that the age of Meso-Cenozoic phosphorite-bearing horizons in the Kaliningrad and southeastern Baltic regions are similar or akin to the age of phosphorite-bearing horizons in other regions of the East European Platform. The age also matches that of ancient weathering crusts in provenances. Data on the composition of rare and rare earth elements in phosphorites from the northwestern basins of the East European Platform are used to estimate the role of igneous rocks, in particular, alkaline mafic-ultramafic rocks of Karelia that delivered phosphorus to sedimentation basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurocysticercosis is a rare disease in the Baltic area while it is common in the endemic regions. Two patients with serologically negative parenchymal neurocysticercosis from our neurosurgical department who underwent extirpation of the cystic lesions with neuronavigation guided surgery are reported in this paper. Though most publications propose medical treatment with albendazole and praziquantel for parenchymal neurocysticercosis, surgery can be an option for diagnosis and treatment in conjunction with cysticidal medication if the diagnosis is unclear particularly in non-endemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents results from a study of fibres extracted from Zostera marina eel-grass collected from the Baltic coast. This species of sea-grass is shown to contain small diameter (around 5 μm) fibres composed of ∼57% cellulose, ∼38% of non-cellulosic polysaccharides (mainly xylan) and ∼5% of residual matter so-called Klason lignin. This composition is quite different to that of commonly used terrestrial fibres. Single fibre stiffness values up to 28 GPa were measured. This stiffness combined with a low density could provide an attractive reinforcement for composite materials, and may be particularly suitable for use in bio-degradable structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the nature and sedimentary significance of rip currents. Rip currents are the main factor responsible for the transport of coarse sediments from the littoral zone to greater depths. Such sediments, deposited outside the zone of wave deformation, may be identified as storm rip current increments within sediments deposited during fair weather. Composite beds deposited during a given wave cycle by storm rip currents are closely similar to 'turbidites' and many so called 'fluxo-turbidites' described from flysch deposits. Using data gathered in studies conducted on the modern Baltic coast, supplemented by experimental work and theoretical considerations, a sedimentary model is proposed. The model may be used to interpret possible rip current deposits among shallow water 'turbidites', and both modern store sediments and ancient 'tempestites'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]