scholarly journals Using Remote Sensing Techniques to Document and Identify the Largest Underwater Object of the Baltic Sea: Case Study of the Only German Aircraft Carrier, Graf Zeppelin

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 4076
Author(s):  
Artur Grządziel
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Aircraft Carrier ◽  
Side Scan Sonar ◽  
Underwater Object ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
The Impact

New shipwrecks are usually found during other work at sea. In 2006, the research vessel St. Barbara discovered probably the most massive wreck that lies on the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Its identity was unknown, and the Arctowski was sent to conduct research. In this study, the author describes how an adequately selected research methodology using remote sensing technology can lead to obtaining precious and accurate measurement data. The article proposes an appropriate approach to identifying the most massive underwater object in the Baltic Sea. The results of bathymetric and sonar tests are presented. Unconventional use of scanning sonar, which was undoubtedly not foreseen by the manufacturer, was also proposed. The article also shows how some remote sensing techniques support and complement each other when verifying objects on the bottom. Moreover, this paper addresses the impact of sonar frequency and survey methodology on image resolution and data quality. If imaged under the right conditions, side-scan sonar can deliver records based on which shipwreck identification is possible. The wreck of the aircraft carrier lies at the bottom of the Baltic Sea at a depth of about 90 m. Some difficulties in measurements were caused by the lack of a depressor, the use of a light cable line, or the lack of a standard side-scan sonar winch. However, these limitations did not significantly affect the quality of the recorded data. The research results prove that the proposed methodology for using side-scan sonar (SSS) or scanning sonar is correct, and the obtained measurement data make it possible to identify the detected object at the level of 99%.

scholarly journals Effect of Maneuvering on Ice-Induced Loading on Ship Hull: Dedicated Full-Scale Tests in the Baltic Sea

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 759
Author(s):  
Mikko Suominen ◽  
Fang Li ◽  
Liangliang Lu ◽  
Pentti Kujala ◽  
Anriëtte Bekker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Load Duration ◽  
Ship Control ◽  
Level Ice ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Full Scale Tests ◽  
The Impact

Maneuvers in level ice are common operations for icebreakers and polar supply vessels. Maneuvering exposes the midship and stern area to ice interaction, influencing the magnitude and frequency of ice-induced loading in these areas. However, full-scale measurements do not typically cover the midship and stern areas, as measurements have commonly focused on the bow area. Controlled maneuvering tests were conducted during the ice trials of S.A. Agulhas II in the Baltic Sea. During these tests, ice-induced loading at different hull areas was measured simultaneously with ship control, navigation, and ice condition data. This work studied the effect of maneuvers on the characteristics and statistics of ice-induced loading at different hull areas and compared the impact to ahead operations. The study showed that the maneuvers had minor impact to the magnitude, frequency, and duration of loading at the bow and bow shoulder. On the other hand, maneuvers had a clear effect on the load magnitude and frequency at the stern shoulder. Additionally, a statistical analysis showed that the load magnitude increased as a function of load duration in all hull areas. Furthermore, the analyzed measurement data are presented and made available with the paper.

scholarly journals Remote Sensing Supported Sea Surface pCO2 Estimation and Variable Analysis in the Baltic Sea

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 259
Author(s):  
Shuping Zhang ◽  
Anna Rutgersson ◽  
Petra Philipson ◽  
Marcus B. Wallin
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Mean Squared Error ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Mixed Layer Depth ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Chl A ◽  
Marginal Seas ◽  
The Baltic

Marginal seas are a dynamic and still to large extent uncertain component of the global carbon cycle. The large temporal and spatial variations of sea-surface partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) in these areas are driven by multiple complex mechanisms. In this study, we analyzed the variable importance for the sea surface pCO2 estimation in the Baltic Sea and derived monthly pCO2 maps for the marginal sea during the period of July 2002–October 2011. We used variables obtained from remote sensing images and numerical models. The random forest algorithm was employed to construct regression models for pCO2 estimation and produce the importance of different input variables. The study found that photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) was the most important variable for the pCO2 estimation across the entire Baltic Sea, followed by sea surface temperature (SST), absorption of colored dissolved organic matter (aCDOM), and mixed layer depth (MLD). Interestingly, Chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a) and the diffuse attenuation coefficient for downwelling irradiance at 490 nm (Kd_490nm) showed relatively low importance for the pCO2 estimation. This was mainly attributed to the high correlation of Chl-a and Kd_490nm to other pCO2-relevant variables (e.g., aCDOM), particularly in the summer months. In addition, the variables’ importance for pCO2 estimation varied between seasons and sub-basins. For example, the importance of aCDOM were large in the Gulf of Finland but marginal in other sub-basins. The model for pCO2 estimate in the entire Baltic Sea explained 63% of the variation and had a root of mean squared error (RMSE) of 47.8 µatm. The pCO2 maps derived with this model displayed realistic seasonal variations and spatial features of sea surface pCO2 in the Baltic Sea. The spatially and seasonally varying variables’ importance for the pCO2 estimation shed light on the heterogeneities in the biogeochemical and physical processes driving the carbon cycling in the Baltic Sea and can serve as an important basis for future pCO2 estimation in marginal seas using remote sensing techniques. The pCO2 maps derived in this study provided a robust benchmark for understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of CO2 air-sea exchange in the Baltic Sea.

Behavioural responses of voles to simulated risk of predation by a native and an alien mustelid: an odour manipulation experiment

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Fey ◽  
Peter B. Banks ◽  
Hannu Ylönen ◽  
Erkki Korpimäki
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Predation Risk ◽  
Myodes Glareolus ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Alien Predator ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
The Impact

Context. Potential mammalian prey commonly use the odours of their co-evolved predators to manage their risks of predation. But when the risk comes from an unknown source of predation, odours might not be perceived as dangerous, and anti-predator responses may fail, except possibly if the alien predator is of the same archetype as a native predator. Aims. In the present study we examined anti-predator behavioural responses of voles from the outer archipelagos of the Baltic Sea, south-western Finland, where they have had no resident mammalian predators in recent history. Methods. We investigated responses of field voles (Microtus agrestis) to odours of native least weasels (Mustela nivalis) and a recently invading alien predator, the American mink (Mustela vison), in laboratory. We also studied the short-term responses of free-ranging field voles and bank voles (Myodes glareolus) to simulated predation risk by alien mink on small islands in the outer archipelago of the Baltic Sea. Key results. In the laboratory, voles avoided odour cues of native weasel but not of alien mink. It is possible that the response to mink is a context dependent learned response which could not be induced in the laboratory, whereas the response to weasel is innate. In the field, however, voles reduced activity during their normal peak-activity times at night as a response to simulated alien-mink predation risk. No other shifts in space use or activity in safer microhabitats or denser vegetation were apparent. Conclusions. Voles appeared to recognise alien minks as predators from their odours in the wild. However, reduction in activity is likely to be only a short-term immediate response to mink presence, which is augmented by longer-term strategies of habitat shift. Because alien mink still strongly suppresses vole dynamics despite these anti-predator responses, we suggest that behavioural naiveté may be the primary factor in the impact of an alien predator on native prey. Implications. Prey naiveté has long been considered as the root cause of the devastating impacts of alien predators, whereby native prey simply fail to recognise and respond to the novel predation risk. Our results reveal a more complex form of naiveté whereby native prey appeared to recognise alien predators as a threat but their response is ultimately inadequate. Thus, recognition alone is unlikely to afford protection for native prey from alien-predator impacts. Thus, management strategies that, for example, train prey in recognition of novel threats must induce effective responses if they are expected to succeed.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Sentinel-3A OLCI Products Derived Using the Case-2 Regional CoastColour Processor over the Baltic Sea

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (16) ◽  
pp. 3609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyryliuk ◽  
Kratzer
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Attenuation Coefficient ◽  
Secchi Depth ◽  
Local Algorithm ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
In Situ Data ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Level 2

In this study, the Level-2 products of the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) data on Sentinel-3A are derived using the Case-2 Regional CoastColour (C2RCC) processor for the SentiNel Application Platform (SNAP) whilst adjusting the specific scatter of Total Suspended Matter (TSM) for the Baltic Sea in order to improve TSM retrieval. The remote sensing product “kd_z90max” (i.e., the depth of the water column from which 90% of the water-leaving irradiance are derived) from C2RCC-SNAP showed a good correlation with in situ Secchi depth (SD). Additionally, a regional in-water algorithm was applied to derive SD from the attenuation coefficient Kd(489) using a local algorithm. Furthermore, a regional in-water relationship between particle scatter and bench turbidity was applied to generate turbidity from the remote sensing product “iop_bpart” (i.e., the scattering coefficient of marine particles at 443 nm). The spectral shape of the remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) data extracted from match-up stations was evaluated against reflectance data measured in situ by a tethered Attenuation Coefficient Sensor (TACCS) radiometer. The L2 products were evaluated against in situ data from several dedicated validation campaigns (2016–2018) in the NW Baltic proper. All derived L2 in-water products were statistically compared to in situ data and the results were also compared to results for MERIS validation from the literature and the current S3 Level-2 Water (L2W) standard processor from EUMETSAT. The Chl-a product showed a substantial improvement (MNB 21%, RMSE 88%, APD 96%, n = 27) compared to concentrations derived from the Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS), with a strong underestimation of higher values. TSM performed within an error comparable to MERIS data with a mean normalized bias (MNB) 25%, root-mean square error (RMSE) 73%, average absolute percentage difference (APD) 63% n = 23). Coloured Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) absorption retrieval has also improved substantially when using the product “iop_adg” (i.e., the sum of organic detritus and Gelbstoff absorption at 443 nm) as a proxy (MNB 8%, RMSE 56%, APD 54%, n = 18). The local SD (MNB 6%, RMSE 62%, APD 60%, n = 35) and turbidity (MNB 3%, RMSE 35%, APD 34%, n = 29) algorithms showed very good agreement with in situ data. We recommend the use of the SNAP C2RCC with regionally adjusted TSM-specific scatter for water product retrieval as well as the regional turbidity algorithm for Baltic Sea monitoring. Besides documenting the evaluation of the C2RCC processor, this paper may also act as a handbook on the validation of Ocean Colour data.

Acclimation limits of Fucus evanescens along the salinity gradient of the southwestern Baltic Sea

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-42
Author(s):  
Katharina Romoth ◽  
Petra Nowak ◽  
Daniela Kempke ◽  
Anna Dietrich ◽  
Christian Porsche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Salinity Gradient ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Photosynthetic Parameters ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Fucus Evanescens ◽  
The Baltic

Abstract Over recent decades, the neophyte Fucus evanescens has extended eastwards along the salinity gradient within the Baltic Sea, indicating gradual adaptation to low salinity conditions. To find out whether F. evanescens can migrate further into the Baltic Sea and potentially become a competitor to the native F. vesiculosus, the acclimation potentials of different F. evanescens and F. vesiculosus populations were investigated with respect to habitat salinity. For both species, pigmentation, water content, and photosynthetic rate were measured under laboratory and field conditions. The instantaneous measurement data and incubation experiment did not show clear differences in the measured photosynthetic parameters between different salinity levels (6–20), or between species. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of the nuclear marker PDI (a putative protein disulfide isomerase) separated F. vesiculosus and F. evanescens into well-defined groups supporting the hypothesis that the two very similar species do not represent different morphotypes of the same species/gene pool. These findings indicate that – at least for the vegetative stage of F. evanescens – salinity may not be a limiting factor for a further spread into the Baltic Sea.

scholarly journals Future socioeconomic conditions may have a larger impact than climate change on nutrient loads to the Baltic Sea

AMBIO ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (11) ◽  
pp. 1325-1336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alena Bartosova ◽  
René Capell ◽  
Jørgen E. Olesen ◽  
Mohamed Jabloun ◽  
Jens Christian Refsgaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Dynamic Modelling ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Nutrient Loads ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Socioeconomic Drivers ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The Baltic Sea is suffering from eutrophication caused by nutrient discharges from land to sea, and these loads might change in a changing climate. We show that the impact from climate change by mid-century is probably less than the direct impact of changing socioeconomic factors such as land use, agricultural practices, atmospheric deposition, and wastewater emissions. We compare results from dynamic modelling of nutrient loads to the Baltic Sea under projections of climate change and scenarios for shared socioeconomic pathways. Average nutrient loads are projected to increase by 8% and 14% for nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively, in response to climate change scenarios. In contrast, changes in the socioeconomic drivers can lead to a decrease of 13% and 6% or an increase of 11% and 9% in nitrogen and phosphorus loads, respectively, depending on the pathway. This indicates that policy decisions still play a major role in climate adaptation and in managing eutrophication in the Baltic Sea region.

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