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Changes in wintertime pH and hydrography of the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea) with focus on depth layers

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Abstract

We studied changes in sea water pH, temperature and salinity with focus on two depth layers, along the Gulf of Finland (the Baltic Sea) using long-term monitoring data from 1979 to 2015. Data from the most frequently sampled monitoring stations between western and eastern Gulf of Finland were used. The main result of the study reveals that pH has decreased both in surface and deep-water in the western Gulf of Finland with values ranging between −0.005 and −0.008 units year−1. We also demonstrate a rise in temperature (~2 °C) and decrease in salinity (~−0.7 g kg−1) at several stations over the last 36 years. In general, the changes are shown to be more pronounced in the western part of the gulf. This paper also stresses the importance of improving the sampling frequency and quality of monitoring measurements.

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Acknowledgments

This work would not have been possible without people involved in the sampling campaigns and we would like to thank them. We also would like to acknowledge Kirsi Järvenmäki, Marja Kauppi, Mirja Leivuori, Maarit Matilainen, Teemu Näykki, Riikka Pöntinen, Mika Raateoja, Maarit Risto, Mika Sarkkinen, Kimmo Tikka and Pentti Välipakka for their help with the methodology as well as Andreas Lindén for statistical advices. The study was supported by the Academy of Finland (project nr. 276947) and Victoriastiftelsen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental and Marine Biology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Artillerigatan 6, FI-20500, Åbo, Finland

    Anna-Karin Almén

  2. Novia University of Applied Sciences, Raseborgsvägen 9, FI-10600, Ekenäs, Finland

    Anna-Karin Almén, Olivier Glippa & Jonna Engström-Öst

  3. Finnish Meteorological Institute, P.O. Box 503, FI-00101, Helsinki, Finland

    Heidi Pettersson & Pekka Alenius

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  1. Anna-Karin Almén
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  2. Olivier Glippa
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  5. Jonna Engström-Öst
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Correspondence to Anna-Karin Almén.

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Anna-Karin Almén and Olivier Glippa contributed equally.

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Almén, AK., Glippa, O., Pettersson, H. et al. Changes in wintertime pH and hydrography of the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea) with focus on depth layers. Environ Monit Assess 189, 147 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-5840-7

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