Boris Chubarenko

Comparing reconstructed past variations and future projections of the Baltic sea ecosystem first results from multi model ensemble simulations

Multi-model ensemble simulations for the marine biogeochemistry and food web of the Baltic Sea were performed for the period 1850‐2098, and projected changes in the future climate were compared with the past climate environment. For the past period 1850‐2006, atmospheric, hydrological and nutrient forcings were reconstructed, based on historical measurements. For the future period 1961‐2098, scenario simulations were driven by

The Vistula Lagoon

Location and characteristics: The Vistula Lagoon is located at the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. It is stretch out along the shore at ca. 90 km. It is separated from the sea by a stable sandy barrier. Its water volume and surface area are 2.3 km 3 and 838 km 2 . Average lagoon depth equals 2.7 m and maximum depth excluding the artificially dredged navigable channel is 5.2 m. The state border between Kaliningrad region (Russia) and Poland divides the lagoon into two parts which occupy 56.2% and 43.8% of the lagoon area. Drainage area equals 23,871 km 2 of which 61% belongs to Poland and 39% to Russia.

An integrated Pan-European perspective on coastal Lagoons management through a mosaic-DPSIR approach.

A decision support framework for the management of lagoon ecosystems was tested using four European Lagoons: Ria de Aveiro (Portugal), Mar Menor (Spain), Tyligulskyi Liman (Ukraine) and Vistula Lagoon (Poland/Russia). Our aim was to formulate integrated management recommendations for European lagoons. To achieve this we followed a DPSIR (Drivers-Pressures-State Change-Impacts-Responses) approach, with focus on integrating aspects of human wellbeing, welfare and ecosystem sustainability. The most important drivers in each lagoon were identified, based on information gathered from the lagoons’ stakeholders, complemented by scientific knowledge on each lagoon as seen from a land-sea perspective. The DPSIR cycles for each driver were combined into a mosaic-DPSIR conceptual model to examine the interdependency between the multiple and interacting uses of the lagoon. This framework emphasizes the common links, but also the specificities of responses to drivers and the ecosystem services provided. The information collected was used to formulate recommendations for the sustainable management of lagoons within a Pan-European context. Several common management recommendations were proposed, but specificities were also identified. The study synthesizes the present conditions for the management of lagoons, thus analysing and examining the activities that might be developed in different scenarios, scenarios which facilitate ecosystem protection without compromising future generations.

Climate change in the baltic sea region : A cross-country analysis of institutional stakeholder perceptions

Before climate change is considered in long-term coastal management, it is necessary to investigate how institutional stakeholders in coastal management conceptualize climate change, as their awareness will ultimately affect their actions. Using questionnaires in eight Baltic Sea riparian countries, this study examines environmental managers’ awareness of climate change. Our results indicate that problems related to global warming are deemed secondary to short-term social and economic issues. Respondents agree that problems caused by global warming will become increasingly important, but pay little attention to adaptation and mitigation strategies. Current environmental problems are expected to continue to be urgent in the future. We conclude that an apparent gap exists between decision making, public concerns, and scientific consensus, resulting in a situation in which the latest evidence rarely influences commonly held opinions.

Wind Influence on the Formation of Nearshore Currents in the Southern Baltic: Numerical Modelling Results

Abstract A two-dimensional numerical model was used for a simulation of vertical average longshore currents generated by both wind friction and wind-wave action in the nearshore zone. The modelling domain includes the southern part of the Baltic Proper (all boundaries were closed). Wind, uniform in space and varying in time, was the only forcing in the model. The correlation coefficient higher than 0.8 was obtained by model calibration versus the field measurements of currents conducted at the Lubiatowo field station (southern Baltic) during about 1.5 months in 2006. Comparative simulations of total currents including both wind-induced drift and wave components, and of total currents including only a wind-induced drift component, showed that the input of the drift component into currents in the nearshore zone is greater than commonly believed.Wind-induced drift strongly dominates outside the zone of wave transformation, and its input into the total resulting currents remains noticeable even in a zone between the shoreline and the depth of the first wave breaking. Thus, wind-induced drift constitutes up to 50% of the resulting longshore currents for longshore winds and no less than 20% of the longshore component of currents for winds at 45 degrees to the longshore direction.

Influence of Amber Mining on the concentration and chemical composition of suspended sedimentary matter (Sambian Peninsula, Southeast Baltic)

The article is devoted to the problem of the dumping of suspended matter from Kaliningrad Amber Mining Plant to the Baltic Sea. Estimation of environmentally harmful pulp discharge is based on the requirements of the Russian State Service for Nature Protection (RSSNP) for maximum limited concentration of suspension in sewage waters, using the formula Cmax = N(Ct — Cb) + Cb, but taking into consideration the separate fractions in both surface and subsurface waters, where Ct is the concentration at the test site, Cb is the background concentration at the point of discharge, and N is the total dilution factor between the two sites. Field study results were the input data for maximum limited and actual discharges’ calculations and were based on 71 samples that showed wide variances of suspension concentrations for the internal background site of from 5.8 to 62.6 mg/L, and for the external background site of from 2.9 to 27.2 mg/L. The fluctuations are explained by variation in wind velocities which strongly in...

Watershed Management in the Russian Federation and Transboundary Issues by Example of Kaliningrad Oblast (Russia)

Presented overview of Russian system of water management contains information on history of water accounting system, existed legislative issues and system of water basin districts and administrations, statistics on water consumption in the Russian Federation (1970–1998). Water use at the regional level and transboundary use of water resources are illustrated by example of the Kaliningrad Oblast, an enclave Russian territory in the South-East Baltic. Overlapped structure of boundaries of administrative units and watersheds is a basis for downscaling of transboundary issues till the level of local municipalities. Some basic statistics on water consumption, information on price for water use as well as on responsibilities of local water administration are given.

Distribution and composition of suspended matter in water and snow cover in Kaliningrad Bay

Field data, collected by the authors during winter expedition studies in Kaliningrad Bay, are analyzed. Notwithstanding the presence of ice cover, considerable advective processes are shown to be taking place in the bay. Seawater enters the bay, spreading in the bottom horizon all over the water area. Suspended sediment concentration in under-ice period is on the average three times less than that in the ice-free period. The space and time variations of its quantitative and qualitative composition under ice are mostly governed by two factors—the effect of the sea and river runoff. The values of vertical fluxed of eolian material to the bay surface in winter vary from 0.5 to 2.9 with the average of 1.7 mg m–2 day–1.

GIS Analysis of Sustainable Development Indicators for Coastal Watersheds in the South-East Baltic

Sustainable development indicators for coastal zone recommended by EU WG-ID were estimated for low part of watersheds in the South-East Baltic, namely, for territories of Klaipeda County (Lithuania), Kaliningrad Oblast (Russian Federation) and Pomeranian Voivodship (Poland). Comparative analysis made clear differences in level and rates of development, revealed some disproportion in concentration of population and economic activities in the big cities, and evident prerequisites for balanced sustainable development of studied region.

Coastal Dunes of the Baltic Sea Shores: A Review

Abstract The article summarises results of studies conducted along the Baltic Sea sandy coasts by scientists involved in coastal dune research, and presents an attempt to describe the types and distribution of dune coasts. The Baltic Sea coasts feature lower and higher foredunes. The lowland behind the coastal dune belt is covered by wandering or stabilised inland dunes – transgressive forms, mainly parabolic or barchans. The source of sediment for dune development includes fluvioglacial sands from eroded coasts, river-discharged sand, and older eroded dunes. Due to the ongoing erosion and coastal retreat, many dunes have been eroded, and some are withdrawing onto the adjacent land. There are visible differences between the south-eastern, western, and northern parts of the Baltic Sea coast with respect to dune development. The entire southern and eastern coast abounds in sand, so the coastal dunes are large, formerly or currently wandering formations. The only shifting dunes are found at the Polish and the Russian–Lithuanian coasts on the Łebsko Lake Sandbar as well as on the Vistula and Curonian Spits. The very diverse shoreline of the south-western coast experiences a scarcity of larger sandy formations. Substantial parts of the Baltic Sea sandy coasts have been eroded or transformed by humans. The northern part of the Baltic Sea coast features mainly narrow and low sandy coasts (e.g. in Estonia). Further north, sandy dunes are virtually absent.