Long-term changes in Secchi depth and the role of phytoplankton in explaining light attenuation in the Baltic Sea
2012
Abstract Secchi depth, as a proxy of water transparency, provides valuable information on the availability of light to the underwater ecosystems. Changes in water transparency have also been widely linked to
eutrophicationand phytoplankton biomass. This study aimed to describe the development of water transparency in the
BalticSea through a unique century-long set of Secchi depth observations. Furthermore, the aim was to explain the role of phytoplankton in determining water transparency in these optically complex waters. Water transparency in the open
BalticSea has decreased during the last one hundred years. The development differs between the sub-basins of the
BalticSea. The decrease has been most profound in the north-eastern
Balticsub-basins, but apparent also in parts of the Southern and Central
Baltic. In many of the northern areas the decrease has accelerated during the last decades, whereas in the Southern
Baltica recent increase was observed. The analysis of simultaneous chlorophyll a observations during the period from 1972 to 2006 revealed that during summer time, 13–17% of the light attenuation can be attributed to phytoplankton. In spring, the average proportion is between 31 and 42%, with great variation between observations. We find Secchi depth a suitable indicator of
eutrophication, integrating various organic matter related features. It should always be applied with sufficient background information of the optical properties of the
water mass, and complemented by other indicators.
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