Summary
During the expedition, which is part of the Swedish pelagic monitoring program, visits were made to the Skagerrak, the Kattegat, the Sounds and the Baltic Proper.
Concentrations of nutrients in the surface waters, in the form of dissolved inorganic phosphorus and dissolved inorganic nitrogen, were found to be within normal range at the sampled areas, with a few exceptions. Typical for the season are low concentrations of nutrients in the surface waters, due to high biological activity. In the Baltic Proper, the Sound and the Kattegat, silicate levels were within normal range, whilst in the Skagerrak levels could be found to be above normal.
Temperatures in the surface water were above normal at all visited areas.
Oxygen levels in the West Sea was in good condition. In the Baltic Proper, levels were very low, with hypoxi (<2 ml/l) occuring from depths of 70-80 metres, with the exception of the Arkona Basin were the situation was better. At the stations where hydrogen sulphide was recorded, the levels had increased since earlier samplings.
The next cruise with R/V Svea is planned to depart 11th – 17th of July from Kalmar, and end in Lysekil.