Summary
Surface water temperatures were very low in the Skagerrak but normal in the remainder of the area. Surface nutrient concentrations were very low in the Skagerrak: otherwise surface nutrients were normal in most areas with the exceptions of phosphate and silicate, which were above normal in the Arkona- and Bornholm Basins. Silicate was also somewhat higher than normal in the western and northern Baltic. In the Baltic Proper, with the exception of the Hanö Bight and Bornholm Basin, oxygen concentrations below 2 ml/l were found at depths exceeding 60-70 metres. Hydrogen sulphide was found in the eastern and northern – Gotland Basin, and parts of the western Gotland Basin. A plankton bloom was ongoing in the Skagerrak and Kattegat.