Contribution to the hydrographical structure of the eastern German Bight

Abstract

Temperature, salinity, micronutrients, seston components and mesozooplankton were measured on a cruise in the eastern German Bight during November 1976. Three different water bodies and a mixing area which is divided into two subareas could be identified. The water masses differed significantly in regard to temperature, salinity, micronutrients and seston components. In some cases differences in the amounts of mesozooplankton could be found. Temperature and salinity of the water of the Elbe estuary and of the Wadden Sea were relatively low, but amounts of micronutrients and seston were high, whereas the water of the North Sea water body was of higher temperature and salinity with lower amounts of micronutrients and seston. The North Frisian coastal water and a southern mixing area can be regarded as mixing areas between these water bodies.