CHARACTERISTICS OF MAJOR BALTIC INFLOWS - A STATISTICAL-ANALYSIS

Major Baltic inflows are always the final stages of longer inflow processes. Only major inflows can transport substantial amounts of saline and oxygenated water into the Baltic deep basins. Such events lead to radical changes in the oceanological regime, both initiating an improvement in the general living conditions in the deep water and affecting the marine environment of the surface water. Data measured daily at l/v Gedser Rev between 1897 and 1976 are used to identify a total of 90 major inflows across the Darss Sill during that period on the basis of specific salinity and haline stratification states. These events are analysed with respect to various parameters, including intensity, frequency, oceanographical properties (temperature, salinity, density and oxygen content of the inflowing water bodies) and their seasonal variation. The sea level conditions associated with major Baltic inflows are investigated in detail by studying the sea level difference between the Kattegat and Baltic Sea, and the Baltic sea level variations, during certain periods in each complete inflow process. The water volumes penetrating into the Baltic before, and during, major inflows are calculated. First steps for estimating the occurrence of major inflows are presented on the basis of statistical results.