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The article presents a study that determines the hydrodynamic part of the coupled ice-ocean model in the evaluation of the condition of marine environment and the Baltic ecosystem. It describes the method of the study that uses the Baltic Sea method based on the Community Earth System Model (CESM). It also mentions the result of the study which indicates that the model is right for monitoring the state and bioproductivity of the marine ecosystem.

Copyright of Studia Maritima is the property of Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Szczecinskiego / University of Szczecin Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The occupation of Crimea and war in Eastern Ukraine brought minority issues to the top of the Baltic security agenda. Although experts estimate that a separatist scenario for Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia is not probable, the issue of national minorities has already been included into the security concept as a potential source of danger to stability and national identity. While there is need to analyze political risks in the Baltics, the concept of securitization will be applied to the topic of national minorities. This paper addresses the problem of national minorities' political integration and loyalty to the state. For the empirical analysis, the paper will use secondary data of surveys conducted in 2014-2017, exposing opinions and beliefs of minorities in the Baltic States referring to their domestic and foreign policies, NATO, Ukrainian crisis and relations with Russia. As a result, the concluding suggestion is made that more attention should be paid to political cohesion and minority policy management: 1) to optimize the minority development; 2) to predict potential risks in the region, and 3) to prevent further threats from Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 idea of improving the quality of the Baltic Sea enjoys common understanding and acceptance. An implementation of this idea requires a cost-benefit analysis to define the correct scope of intervention. Monetary valuation of the benefits arising from the quality improvement was conducted for the Baltic Sea using the contingent valuation method, choice experiments, and travel cost method in 2004 and 2010 (booth samples were representative for the whole country). Crucial sources for such valuation were the stated preferences of the respondents. The availability of ex-post data describing the occupancy rate of all swimming sites on the Polish stretch of the Baltic coast, collected for four consecutive years (2012-2016), makes it possible to compare two concepts, i.e. the ex-ante declarations concerning willingness to use high-quality environment and the actual consumers' choices. The results reveal serious discrepancies between the ex-ante and ex-post methods. [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]

Sand nourishments and groynes as coastal protection measures (CPM) address similar challenges on sandy coasts but take different approaches: while groynes are intended to reduce alongshore sediment transport and erosion, nourishments add new sediment to the system to compensate for erosion. The aim of this study is to compare the ecological effects of such measures on the vegetation. To this end, nutrient analysis and botanical mappings were carried out on a site with installed groynes, a site where sand nourishments are regularly carried out, and a control site without any CPM. In addition to an increase in nutrient availability after the sand nourishment, significant changes in plant species diversity and composition were also measured. The number of higher plants, mosses, and lichen species was lower at the nourishment site. The opposite impacts were observed at the groyne site: an increase in sediment cover by higher plants and mosses and a distinct increase in lichen species. The results suggest that groynes lead to a stabilization of the coastal system and enable dense vegetation growth. In contrast, sand nourishments lead to nutrient input and unstable habitat conditions, attracting certain plant communities but preventing the establishment of ground-covering vegetation. [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 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]

This paper describes numerical simulations of the seasonal dynamics of Acartia spp. in the South-Eastern Baltic Sea. The studies were carried out using a structured zooplankton population model adapted to Acartia spp. The population model with state variables for eggs, nauplii, five copepodites stages and adults was coupled with a marine ecosystem model. Four state variables for the carbon cycle represent the functional units of phytoplankton, pelagic detritus, benthic detritus, and bulk zooplankton, which represent all zooplankton other than the structured population. The annual cycle simulated for 2000 under realistic weather and hydrographic conditions was studied with the coupled ecosystem-zooplankton model applied to a water column in the Gdansk Gulf (South-Eastern Baltic Sea). The vertical profiles of selected state variables were compared to the physical forcing to study differences between bulk and structured zooplankton biomass. The simulated population dynamics of Acartia spp. and zooplankton as one biomass state variable were compared with observations in the Gdansk Gulf. Simulated generation times are more affected by temperature than food conditions except during the spring phytoplankton bloom. The numerical studies are a following step in understanding how the population dynamics of a dominant species in the South-Eastern Baltic Sea interact with the environment. [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]

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]

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]

This case study considers the touristic characteristics of maritime borders on the Baltic Sea coast. A sequential model is proposed to describe cross-border tourism development, tourist flows and tourism partnerships, and takes account of the particularities of transnational tourism development on the Polish Baltic coast. The paper questions whether and how tourism contributes to transboundary integration and the movement of people in the southern Baltic from the perspective of border changes between Poland and its neighbors. The southern Baltic is a newly emerging space for cross-border tourism development that is undergoing various levels of integration, thanks to the abolition of traditional border functions. The article tries to answer a question about tourism’s role in the integration and the movement of people in the southern Baltic from the perspective of changes in border functions in Poland and its neighboring states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biologija is the property of Lithuanian Academy of Sciences Publishers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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]

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]

Copyright of Respectus Philologicus is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, the vertical crustal movements of the southern Baltic coast were determined based on two independent methods: tide gauge and GNSS observations. The mean sea level change trends were determined from five tide gauge observations and satellite altimetry data along the Polish coastal zone. The vertical crustal movements at nearby GNSS stations were also determined. We used the tide gauge water level data from the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL) and from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management National Research Institute, Poland (1951-2017 and 1993-2017) as well as sea level anomalies obtained from the Copernicus Marine and Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS) (1993-2017). The time series for GNSS stations eveloped with the PPP technique obtained from Nevada Geodetic Laboratory (NGL) and last - squares approach were used for the analysis. The results provide a view of the absolute vertical crustal movements of the Polish coast. The absolute vertical crustal movements, calculated from tide gauge data and satellite altimetry for the time period between 1951-2017 - from +2.20 mm/yr ±0.42 mm/yr to +2.68 mm/yr ±0.31 mm/yr. A comparison was made, and it showed that the absolute movements determined from two data sets were different. This may be a consequence of several factors: short and incomplete time series, other unidentified movements of a GNSS station, a tide gauge of own movements, human activity, geological and hydrological factors, the method of the time series elaboration and of the data used to work out the vertical crustal movements. It is thought that the results are very significant despite the existing differences in the absolute crustal movements, because the sea level is a unique index in studies of climate impact on all changes on the Earth and crustal movements are closely linked to it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As climate change has driven dramatic changes in Northern sea ice regimes, marine mammals have gained iconic status around the world reflecting the perils of global warming. There is a tension between policies that have international support like a ban on seal hunting or whaling, and the adoption of adaptive, flexible rules that are likely to work in Northern places. Whereas most wildlife policy focuses on biological information to inform policy strategy, this analysis focuses on the “human dimensions” of Northern marine mammal management. This research examines ways in which human relationships and modes of governance affect conservation success. Standard analyses of risk to animal populations focused on direct sources of take are inadequate to address multi-causal, complex problems such as climate-induced habitat loss or increased industrialization of the Arctic Ocean. Early conservation policy strategies focusing on the moratorium of take have eliminated or reduced such practices as commercialized hunting and high levels of fisheries bycatch, but may be less relevant in an era in which habitats and climate changes are key drivers of population dynamics. This paper argues that effective adaptive policy requires new ways of learning about and governing human interactions with marine mammals. Through an exploration of marine mammal management in three Northern regions (Alaska, Nunavut, and the Finnish Baltic Sea coast), the paper analyzes the extent to which these marine mammal management regimes are practicing adaptive governance, that is, building cross-scale (local to international) understanding while allowing actors at the local scale the flexibility to direct the creation of rules that are ecologically robust and likely to succeed. Lessons are taken from these examples and used to propose selected policy and research recommendations for the marine mammal policy community. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study examines whether sovereign credit rating announcements convey price relevant information to investors in Baltic stock markets, and tests the degree of anticipation and price reaction. Event study methodology is employed to test for the price impact of sovereign credit rating announcements by Moody's, S&P, and Fitch. This enables to analyse whether there is an anticipation of the forthcoming announcement in a particular market, a price impact on the announcement day, and a possible delayed reaction. Results indicate that there is an asymmetric reaction: the price impact of negative events is several times larger than that of positive events. Moreover, although some types of rating announcements are anticipated, there is still a significant price impact on the announcement day. The impact differs across the three Baltic stock markets, and depends on the credit rating agency issuing the announcement. The main conclusion is that sovereign credit rating announcements contain pricing relevant news in addition to information already in a public domain. [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]

To study health habits is the way how to get information about population's attitude and knowledge about health. The latest 2006 FINBALT monitoring questionnaire contains full spectrum of questions about health care in Latvia and the Baltic region. The aim of the current review paper is to compare some FINBALT results between the states and regions and find out new facts about self-perceived physical and health condition of older persons (65 - 75 years old). The data from two 2006 FINBALT Health Monitor for adults aged 55-64 surveys were used to make comparisons in physical activities and health trends between Latvia and Finland. To find out new facts about older persons (65-75 years old) we did a survey of visitors of pensioner day centres in Rezekne and Daugavpils towns. Our survey shows that there is no major difference between the results we got in pensioner day centres and in Latvia during this research, but there is a dramatic difference with the results which were got in Finland. Latvian inhabitants' self-perceived physical and health condition results are worse than in Finland. In Latvia for older people sedentary life is common (persons who practice 30 minutes long physical exercise at least 2-3 times per week in Finland are 74%, in Latvia - 25%). [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]

This paper analyzes the long-term changes in concentrations of nutrients in seven rivers located in the Polish part of the southern Baltic coastal zone in response to economic changes that took place between 1988 and 2013. These changes included: construction or modernization of 390 biological waste water treatment plants, reduction of untreated municipal waste waters discharged into water and soil, a decrease in fertilizer application, and a decline in animal production by about 60% LU. Statistically significant downward trends in nutrients concentrations were observed in six out of seven studied rivers. The mean annual concentration of N tot changed from about 3.6 to 3.8 mg N dm −3 in the late 1980's and early 1990's to about 2.2 mg N dm −3 in the last 5 years of the study period. The average concentrations of total phosphorus showed the highest values between 1989 and 1991, with a maximum of about 0.5 mg P dm −3 in 1990, and were then gradually decreasing to about 0.12 mg P dm −3 in the late 2000's and early 2010's. Additionally, during the last 25 years the N tot /P tot ratio increased significantly, which is indicative of the improvement of ecological status of studied rivers. Correlation analyses indicate that significant reduction in point emission of nutrients and in consumption of organic fertilizer played an important role in the change of nutrient concentration in study rivers. [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]

The results of testing (hindcast) an operational hydrodynamic model HIROMB_LT for Lithuania's coastal zone are presented and analysed in this paper. A model is developed using the program code of an operational hydrodynamic model of the Baltic Sea HIROMB (Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute). The model grid (horizontal resolution 300m, vertical resolution 25 layers) covers the Baltic Sea coastal area until the Gdansk Bay in the West and Latvian border in the North and the Curonian Lagoon. The model simu- lated water levels, surface water temperature surface water salinity and ice cover variables were tested against measurements for the year 2009. The model shows satisfactory performance on water level and temperature and rather weak performance on salinity at stations where good reproduction of the mixing of fresh and saline water is critical (Juodkrantė and Klaipėda seaside stations). The model performance on ice thickness is still problematic because of too coarse spatial resolution of westerly winds. Despite of these shortcomings, the model can be used for operational forecasts already; however, data assimilation may be necessary for salinity and ice thickness. [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]

This article presents information on the paper "The Effect of Seaside Climate on Endogenous Eczema," by J. Stein. In this paper favorable results of climatic treatment of eczema both in the mountains and at the seaside have been reported. The choice of the right place is important however. Eleven patients were observed in a camp on the shores of the Baltic Coast. Meteorological observations were conducted at the same time. Nine of the patients recovered completely, the other two improved. One case had seborrhoeic manifestations which were unaffected by climate, but improved with sea bathing. Itching was relieved very soon after arrival at the seaside.

A review of morphological and morphodynamic studies of the coast of the Kaliningrad oblast has been carried out for half a century. The studies include monitoring measurements by the Atlantic Branch of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (AB IO RAS) with the participation of the state institute Baltberegozashchita (BBZ), as well as pre-war studies and cartographic analyses of long-term coastline migration carried out by the private company Baltic Aerogeodetic Enterprise (BaltAGE). It shows the spatial alternation of abrasive and accumulative areas, as well as frequent changes in beach width and height within the same morphological coast type. A change in the development trend of particular coast sections from year to year was noted. The significant influence of anthropogenic factors on the coastal development was emphasized, including changes in the direction of coastal retreat/advance along an extensive coastal stretch. Comparison of the interannual and nearly century-old dynamics of the coast revealed noticeable differences between them, with opposite trends in several large-scale coast sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diverse new basal (aschizan) Cyclorrhapha fossilized in amber are described from the Tertiary and Cretaceous, and their relationships are examined with character-based phylogenetic hypotheses for each family or family group. There are 18 new species in 15 genera (11 of them new) and four families plus the Syrphoidea. Fossils are from the Early Cretaceous of Lebanon, Late Cretaceous of New Jersey (United States) and Alberta (Canada), Eocene of the eastern Baltic coast, and Miocene of the Dominican Republic, but predominantly from the mid-Cretaceous of Myanmar. Stem-group Lonchopteroidea are Alonchoptera lebanica, n. gen., n.sp., and Lonchopterites burmensis, n. sp. Platypezidae include the stem groups Burmapeza radicis, n. gen., n. sp., Canadopeza biacrosticha, n. gen., n. sp., and Calvopeza divergens, n. gen., n. sp. An unnamed Microsania sp. is the first definitive Platypezidae in Baltic amber; Lebanopeza azari, n. gen., n. sp., is a stem group to the Microsaniinae and Melanderomyiinae. Chandleromyia anomala, n. gen., n. sp., is an anomalously derived Platypezinae from the Cretaceous, and two new species of the diverse Recent genus Lindneromyia are in Dominican amber (L. neomedialis and L. dominicana). Fossils of the relict family Ironomyiidae (with 3 living species from eastern Australia) include two stem-group genera with two new species each, all in Burmese amber: Palaeopetia dorsalis and P. terminus, Proironia (n. gen.) gibbera and P. burmitica. All other species of Palaeopetia are compression fossils from the Cretaceous of Asia and Eurasia. For Phoridae, a new defining feature is a stridulatum on the procoxa and profemur in both sexes, occuring in most fossil taxa where observable. New sciadocerines include Eosciadocera pauciseta, n. sp., a very large species in Baltic amber, and two stem groups in Burmese amber, Prophoradimorion, n. gen., n. sp., and a very small, undescribed taxon. Archiphora pria Grimaldi and Cumming in Turonian-aged New Jersey amber is transferred to Hennigophora Brown, based on evidence from a new specimen. Prioriphorinae (not taxonomically treated here) is a paraphyletic, Cretaceous grade to the very diverse, crown-group radiation of Euphorida that occurred in the Cenozoic. Two syrphoids occur in Burmese amber: Prosyrphus thompsoni, n. gen., n. sp. (an apparent stem group to the Syrphidae), and Aschizomyia burmensis, n. gen., n. sp. (with more ambiguous affinities). Several immatures of undetermined family are reported, one a probable phorid larva. No definitive Schizophora are yet known from the Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To fight ongoing eutrophication of the Baltic Sea, major international directives and agreements, like the EU Water Framework Directive or the Helcom Baltic Sea Action Plan, aim at a reduction of nutrient loads to the Baltic Sea. These external nutrient load reductions interact with retention and removal processes (ecosystem services) in coastal and marine waters. Beside sedimentation, denitrification is the most important regulation ecosystem service provided by the sea, because it removes nitrogen (N) to the atmosphere and controls eutrophication. Denitrification is a spatially and temporally highly variable process and largely depends on temperature and N concentrations in the water. Climate change will have strong effects on denitrification. Increasing temperatures favour denitrification and changes in precipitation and discharge will alter the availability of N, with strong differences between river basins. We combine a 3D-ecosystem model of the Baltic Sea with economic marginal cost functions for three major Baltic river basins: Odra, Vistula and Neva. Objective is to calculate the monetary consequences of climate change (scenario A1B) for the implementation of water quality objectives, taking into account both, spatial changes in N loads and denitrification. In all regions over 90% of the entering N loads are subject to denitrification mainly in coastal waters. For the climate change scenario (A1B), our approach suggests reduced riverine N-loads of 7690 t/a (Odra), 6410 t/a (Vistula) and increased loads of 3200 t/a for the Neva. At the same time our model results suggest an increased denitrification of N-loads by 9.1% (Odra) and 9.9% (Neva) and minor changes with respect to the Vistula loads. In combination, in all three regions climate change helps to reach policy targets (lower N concentrations in the sea) at lower costs. The monetary benefit of load reduction measures that do not have to be implemented because of climate change are 11,270 million €/a (Odra), 2000 million €/a (Vistula) and 92 million €/a (Neva). The valuations strongly depend on the assumed climate change scenario and the economic approach, but indicate that climate change effects differ much between river basins and should be taken into account in nutrient load reduction management plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All dunes within a dunefield usually show a similar response to the wind regime. However, in the late-Holocene coastal dunefield in NW Poland the surface topography suggests that slipface orientation may vary significantly with distance from the coast, which is rarely reported in the literature. The dunefield was stabilized with forest in the mid-19th century, preserving a unique record of atmospheric circulation in the South Baltic region at the end of the Little Ice Age. To elucidate the Holocene processes occurring along the study site a pseudo-3D GPR data set was collected. Six grids of parallel GPR lines combined with 400 m of GPR profiles (2D) were collected across the dunefield and displayed using GOCAD for interpretation and geostatistical analysis. The geophysical data revealed that the larger dunes almost entirely consist of steeply laminated facies. Most importantly the pseudo-3D data, supported by geostatistical estimates of strata dip directions, revealed the existence of three zones parallel to the coastline with the mean dip direction almost perpendicular to the coast in the northern coastal strip and almost parallel to it in the southern part. Spreads of the dip directions in pseudo-3D GPR data sets recorded on the stoss slopes of dunes and crests suggested initial deposition on transverse dunes, which later were transformed into barchanoid dunes. This can probably be linked to changes in the wind regime, i.e. reduction in velocity of the northern and northwestern winds leading to reduced sediment supply from the coast. While the data provide a new interpretation of Holocene dunefield dynamics at this site, they also suggest that the minimum number of pseudo-3D GPR grids required to establish general trends using geostatistical analysis should be at least 10, with even more data needed at larger, or more complex dunefields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We statistically analyse the relationship between the structure of migrating dunes in the southern Baltic and the driving wind conditions over the past 26 years, with the long-term aim of using migrating dunes as a proxy for past wind conditions at an interannual resolution. The present analysis is based on the dune record derived from geo-radar measurements by Ludwig et al. (2017). The dune system is located at the Baltic Sea coast of Poland and is migrating from west to east along the coast. The dunes present layers with different thicknesses that can be assigned to absolute dates at interannual timescales and put in relation to seasonal wind conditions. To statistically analyse this record and calibrate it as a wind proxy, we used a gridded regional meteorological reanalysis data set (coastDat2) covering recent decades. The identified link between the dune annual layers and wind conditions was additionally supported by the co-variability between dune layers and observed sea level variations in the southern Baltic Sea. We include precipitation and temperature into our analysis, in addition to wind, to learn more about the dependency between these three atmospheric factors and their common influence on the dune system. We set up a statistical linear model based on the correlation between the frequency of days with specific wind conditions in a given season and dune migration velocities derived for that season. To some extent, the dune records can be seen as analogous to tree-ring width records, and hence we use a proxy validation method usually applied in dendrochronology, cross-validation with the leave-one-out method, when the observational record is short. The revealed correlations between the wind record from the reanalysis and the wind record derived from the dune structure is in the range between 0.28 and 0.63, yielding similar statistical validation skill as dendroclimatological records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present geochemical characteristics of the Lower Palaeozoic shales deposited in the Baltic Basin and Podlasie Depression. In the study area, this strata are represented by the Upper Cambrian-Lower Ordovician Alum Shale recognized in southern Scandinavia and Polish offshore and a equivalent the Lower Tremadocian Dictyonema Shale from the northern Estonia and the Podlasie Depression in Poland. Geochemical analyses reveal that the Alum Shale and Dictyonema Shale present high contents of organic carbon. These deposits have the best source quality among the Lower Palaeozoic strata, and they are the best source rocks in the Baltic region. The bituminous shales complex has TOC contents up to ca. 22 wt%. The analysed rocks contain low-sulphur, oil-prone Type-II kerogen deposited in anoxic or sub-oxic conditions. The maturity of the Alum and Dictyonema Shales changes gradually, from the east and north-east to the west and south-west, i.e. in the direction of the Tornquist-Teisseyre Zone. Samples, located in the seashore of Estonia and in the Podlasie region, are immature and in the initial phase of 'oil window'. The mature shales were found in the central offshore part of the Polish Baltic Basin, and the late mature and overmature are located in the western part of the Baltic Basin. The Alum and Dictyonema Shales are characterized by a high grade of radioactive elements, especially uranium. The enrichment has a syngenetic or early diagenetic origin. The measured content of uranium reached up to 750 ppm and thorium up to 37 ppm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A unique geological process of extrusion of lagoon marl from beneath massive migrating sand dunes is characteristic for large segments of the Curonian Spit - a ~100-km-long sandy barrier that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. Exposures of a composite set of Holocene organic sediments such as gyttja, clayey gyttja and gyttja clay, collectively referred to as 'lagoon marl', are common along the northern half of the lagoon coast of the spit. The marl outcrops rise up to 3-4 m above the lagoon level and owe their origin to extrusion from their 7-8 m in situ depth beneath the present regional water table. New detailed investigations of the Baltic Sea bottom along the southern half of the Curonian Spit using side-scan sonar, a multibeam echosounder, seismic imaging, sediment sampling and video observations allowed identification and mapping of a unique underwater landscape formed by extensive outcrops of laminated and folded lagoon marl at water depths of 5-15 m. The combined onshore-offshore database indicates that relict lagoon marl was deformed, compacted and dehydrated by a massive dune-covered coastal barrier migrating landward (retrograding) over these sediments during the Littorina Sea transgression in a processes termed 'dune tectonics'. Spatial analysis of the relict sediments traced in offshore geophysical data helped to constrain the rates of the southeast migration of the dune massif. A conceptual model is presented to explain the present context of marl exposures above the regional water table, as well as the occurrence of relict lagoon marl extrusions (diapirs) on the underwater marine slope of the Curonian Spit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the German Meteorological Service in Hamburg, handwritten journals of meteorological observation data of 164 signal stations exist that were digitized. These data contain long-term time series of up to 125 years for the period 1877-1999 and allow for studies of regional meteorological conditions with greatly improved spatial resolution. Wind and air pressure data of selected signal stations along the German Bight and the southern Baltic Sea coast show a spatial data homogeneity that allows for an improved description of two historical storms, in 1906 and 1913. This is the first presentation of signal station data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study of five examples of spider beetle inclusions from Rovno amber revealed that at least three of these spider beetles belong to the genus Sucinoptinus Bellés et Vitali, 2007, of them, S. rovnoensis sp. n. (most probably from Klesov) and S. brevipennis sp. n. from Dubrovitsa are described. S. rovnoensis is similar to the previously known S. bukejsi Alekseev in having the same general structure of pronotum and elytra, differing from it by the morphology of pronotal sides, which are only slightly rounded and practically not constricted near the base, whereas in S. bukejsi the sides are well rounded leaving a slight but clear constriction near the base. S. brevipennis is similar to S. bukejsi Alekseev and S. sucini Bellés et Vitali in having the same general structure of the prothorax, but differing from them in having much shorter elytra. Addition of these two new species to the two previously known, S. sucini, from the eastern Baltic Sea coast, and S. bukejsi, from Kaliningrad Region, indicates that the genus Sucinoptinus was much more diverse and widespread in Late Eocene forests than former reports suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the relationship between accumulations of heavy metals and the concentration of chlorophyll, as well as the number, secondary production and enzymatic activity of bacteria in the surface microlayer (SML) and subsurface waters of a coastal Baltic lake. Concentration of heavy metals was measured by mass spectrometry, chlorophyll by spectrophotometry, bacteria abundance by DAPI staining, secondary production by 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA and enzymatic activities using fluorescence-labelled substrate methods. Concentrations of all the analysed heavy metals, chlorophyll, as well as the number of heterotrophic bacteria and the level of enzymatic activity were higher in the SML than in subsurface water. No differences in the total number of bacteria in both the studied layers were noted. The rate of secondary production of planktonic bacteria was found to be higher than that of neustonic bacteria. Seasonal variability was observed in the studied chemical and microbiological parameters. It was found that in SML heavy metal concentrations increased in relation to those in subsurface water. However, this did not reduce the level of chlorophyll, heterotrophic bacteria, or the enzymatic activity. In contrast, increased heavy metal concentrations in SML reduced total number of bacteria and the level of secondary productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wicie ringing station was one of several stations which cooperate within the SEEN organization (SE European Bird Migration Network). The station was located west of the small village of Wicie located in northern Poland on the central part of the Baltic Sea coast. The station was situated on a narrow spit between Kopañ Lake and the Baltic Sea and has operated since 2010. Data were collected during three spring and five autumn seasons. Birds were caught in mist-nets, which were placed mainly in bushes and reed beds. Over 55 000 birds of 113 species were caught and ringed during eight migratory seasons. Many of them were also tested for directional preferences in Busse's cages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tides in the Baltic Sea are weak but unmistakably recognizable in sea-level spectra. Multiyear hourly tide gauge series enable us to examine specific tidal properties in detail and to identify some unexpected effects. Two nearby stations on the southeastern coast of the sea, namely Baltiysk, located in the strait connecting the Vistula Lagoon to the Baltic Sea, and Otkrytoe, on the coast of the Curonian Lagoon, are found to have very different character of tidal motions. Based on 13 years of simultaneous observations at these stations we constructed high-resolution spectra of sea level fluctuations that demonstrated that the tidal spectrum at Baltiysk is 'classical' with sharp peaks corresponding to the major tidal constituents: M, S, N, K, O, and P. Unlike at Baltiysk, the main tidal peak at Otkrytoe is at the S frequency; the K, P, and S tidal harmonics also have significant peaks, while the other harmonics (including M and O) are undistinguishable. Further analysis indicated that the tides at Baltiysk are generated by ordinary gravitational tidal forces, while at Otkrytoe they are induced by solar radiation, specifically by the breeze winds creating wind setups and setdowns in the Curonian Lagoon. Moreover, our findings demonstrate that the observed K and P peaks at Otkrytoe are related not to gravitational forces but to the seasonal modulation of the S radiational tidal constituent. The separate analysis of the 'summer' and 'winter' sea level spectra at Otkrytoe reveals prominent radiational tidal peaks (S and S) in summer and the absence of these peaks in winter. The results of the analysis support the assumption that these motions are generated by the breeze winds associated with the sea/land temperature contrasts, which are substantial during the warm (ice-free) season but vague during the cold season when ice cover diminishes these contrasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophyta are the initial link introducing toxic mercury to the trophic chain. Research was carried out at 24 stations located within the Polish coastal zone of the Southern Baltic, in the years 2006-2012. Fifteen taxa were collected, belonging to four phyla: green algae ( Chlorophyta), brown algae ( Phaeophyta), red algae ( Rhodophyta) and flowering vascular plants ( Angiospermophyta), and total mercury concentrations were ascertained. The urbanisation of the coastal zone has influenced the rise in Hg concentrations in macroalgae, and the inflow of contaminants from the river drainage area has contributed to an increase in metal concentration in vascular plants. At the outlets of rivers possessing the largest drainage areas in the Baltic (the Vistula and the Oder), no increases in mercury concentration were observed in macrophyta. Increase in environmental quality and a prolonged vegetative season results in the growing coverage of algae on the seabed and in consequence leads to rapid introduction of contemporary mercury and Hg deposited to sediments over the past decades into the trophic chain. Thriving phytobenthos was found to affect faster integration of Hg into the trophic web. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water corrosivity in Gdansk Bay, Poland, the southern part of the Baltic Sea, was investigated. The analysed region is heavily industrialized, and the coastline is very diverse. Twenty-seven test points along the coastline were selected. Water parameters such as salinity, total dissolved solids content, resistivity, conductivity, oxygenation, pH and corrosion rate were determined. The results of the investigation are presented. Water samples were collected, and structural steel specimens were exposed in the water for 2 months. The corrosion rate for each test point was determined and plotted on a map. The spatial distribution of water parameters was calculated using the 'inverse distance to a power' method and presented on the maps. Salinity did not exceed 0.7 %, and average corrosion rate equalled 0.0585 mm/year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the directions and the rate of changes occurring in the coastal lakes Jamno and Bukowo, located in northern Poland. Based on the cartographic materials and aerial photographs of those water bodies, it was established that in 1909-2012, the area of the lakes decreased by 183.6 ha (7.7%) and 250.7 ha (13.6%) for Jamno and Bukowo, respectively. Another component of lake disappearance - shallowing of lake basins - was analyzed using bathymetric plans. It turned out that water supplies of Jamno during more than 100 years decreased by 2.4 million m (5.9%), while in the case of Bukowo, it was 5.9 million (17.5%). Unfavorable location (inflow of pollutants from the basin) and morphometry of both lakes should be considered as the main causes of such major changes. The lakes are polymictic with a considerable area of the shallowest zone (1 m depth). This favors the vegetation succession and, consequently, shallowing of the lake basins. Moreover, direct connection with the Baltic Sea contributes to the fact that the materials of marine origin deposited in the form of a reverse delta also contribute to a decrease in the open water surface area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Based on a fossil specimen from Late Eocene Baltic amber, Revelieria groehni Sergi, Perkovsky et Reike, sp. n., a new species is described. It is the first fossil species of the genus Revelieria Perris, 1869. The new species clearly differs from extant R. californica and R. genei in the following characters: eyes more large and convex; antennal insertion located more close to eye; temples very short; metasternum longer; fore tibia evenly curved inwards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is focused on the application of a modelling system to simulate 3-D interaction between the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea coastal waters and to reflect spatiotemporal dynamics of marine waters in the Curonian Lagoon. The model system is based on the finite element programme package SHYFEM which can be used to resolve the hydrodynamic equations in lagoons, coastal seas, estuaries and lakes. The results of a one year (2009) 3-D model simulation with real weather and hydrological forcing show that the saline water intrusions from the sea through Klaipėda Strait are gradually decreasing with distance from the sea and become negligible (average annual salinity about 0.5 ‰) at a distance of about 20 km to the south of Kiaulės Nugara island. Analyses of the simulation results also show this area to be highly heterogeneous according to the vertical salinity distribution. While in the deeper Klaipėda Strait (harbour waterway) differences in average salinity between near bottom and surface layers varies in the range 2-2.5 ‰, in the rest of the Curonian Lagoon it is less than 0.5‰. The exchange flow showed vertical structure, but was horizontally uniform with the presence of a two-directional flow that from time to time changes to either saline water one-directional flow to the Curonian Lagoon or fresh water one-directional flow to the sea. Two-directional flow duration decreases with a distance from sea entrance in Klaipėda Strait from around 180 days yr-1 close to the sea entrance to 50 days yr-1 just behind Kiaulės Nugara island. One-directional outflow duration is increasing with a distance from the sea entrance from 100 to 225 days yr-1. One-directional inflow duration occurs in the range of 70-100 days yr-1. The analysis of the ratio of buoyancy layer thickness to water depth (hb/H) and the Wedderburn number identified the main importance of wind action on the flow structure. Strong winds from the North and NW determine a barotropic inflow which is mostly responsible for the salt water intrusion into the Curonian Lagoon. Absence of wind or cross-strait wind regimes allows the maintenance of a two-layer flow typical of estuarine dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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