Modeling Transport of Fluff Layer Material in the Baltic Sea.

To estimate impacts of nutrients and pollutants discharged by river inflow on the ecosystem it is essential to quantify the sedimentation, resuspension and transport processes of fine particulate matter. The present study aims at the modeling of basic transport processes of fine material in the western Baltic. A three-dimensional model of the Baltic Sea, that is based on the Modular Ocean Model (MOM-3.1) (Pacanowski & Griffies 2000), was applied to study maximum bottom shear velocities. Comparing the calculated shear velocities with the critical value for resuspension of fluff layers allows an identification of potential areas of deposition and accumulation. Further, model experiments were conducted to study transport paths of fluff layers in the southwestern Baltic. The model results give information about the resuspension and accumulation areas of fine material and could provide indications of potential accumulation areas of diapause eggs or cysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]