Author(s)

G. Schernewski, M. Wielgat

Abstract

Eutrophication of the shallow Szczecin Lagoon (Baltic Sea): modelling, management and the impact of weather G. Schernewski* & M. Wielgaf ' Baltic Sea Research Institute, Warnemunde, Germany * Sea Fisheries Institute, Gdynia, Poland Abstract The Oder estuary, especially the large, shallow Szczecin (Oder) Lagoon (687 knf, average depth 3.8 m) suffers from severe and ongoing eutrophication due to heavy loads, mainly by the Oder river. Poor water quality nowadays is a main obstacle for further touristic development around the lagoon. Long-term nutrient concentrations show a high interannual variability and a decline during recent years. Using a simple eutrophication box model and comparing dry, warm years (1989-1991) with colder, wet years (1986-1988) we analyse the impact of inter- annual and short-term weather conditions on the eutrophication process. Internal nutrient cycling processes in the lagoon are mainly driven by short- term weather conditions. During rare and short c

Keywords