Summary
In the Skagerrak and Kattegat, surface water temperatures were normal and sea surface salinity lower than normal. Surface temperatures and salinities were normal for the time of year in the Baltic. Nutrient concentrations in surface waters were normal in most of the region, with the exception of silicate and phosphate which were higher than normal in the Sound and southern Baltic. Silicate levels were even above normal in the western Baltic. Oxygen concentrations were close to zero in the Bornholm Basin / Hanö Bight. With the exception of station BCSIII-10 in the southeastern Baltic, oxygen concentrations below 2 ml/l occurred throughout the remainder of the Baltic Proper where depths exceeded 65 – 85 metres. Hydrogen sulphide was found once again in the eastern and western Gotland basins from 100 – 115 metres. Surface accumulations of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) were observed in Hanöbukten. A more detailed report describing observed algae can be found here: http://www.smhi.se/oceanografi/oce_info_data/reports/havmiljoarkiv/oce_reportarchive12.html