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Effects of the severe winter 1995/96 on the biological oceanography of the Sylt-Rømø tidal basin

Abstract.

Water temperature, salinity and precipitation, micronutrients (N, P, Si) and chlorophyll a concentrations in the Sylt-Rømø tidal basin (German Bight) deviated between the early 1990s, with mild winters, and the years 1996–1997 with a severe winter and a moderate winter. As a consequence of low temperature, offshore winds and low precipitation in the severe winter 1995/96, salinity peaked in February 1996 and nitrate concentrations were low. The latter further decreased in March as chlorophyll a peaked with an exceptional bloom of the diatom Odontella aurita, probably triggered by low water temperature. Winter temperatures and spring chlorophyll a in the Sylt-Rømø tidal basin correlate well with the climatic North Atlantic Oscillation index.

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Received in revised form: 7 May 2001

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Martens, P. Effects of the severe winter 1995/96 on the biological oceanography of the Sylt-Rømø tidal basin. Helgol Mar Res 55, 166–169 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s101520100078

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s101520100078