Publications
Following publication has been announced by our department Global Coast. For further information please contact Dr. Holger Brix, co-author of the publication:
Bussmann, I., Anselm, N., Brix, H., Fischer, P., Flöser, G., Geissler, F., & Kamjunke, N. (2021): The MOSES Sternfahrt Expeditions of the Research Vessels ALBIS, LITTORINA, LUDWIG PRANDTL, MYA II and UTHÖRN to the Elbe River, Elbe Estuary and German Bight in 2020. Berichte zur Polar- und Meeresforschung = Reports on Polar and Marine Research, 751, 1-80, doi:10.48433/BzPM_0751_2021
Excerpt from the report:
Building on our cruises and experiences in 2019, we wanted to continue and expand the trips in 2020 (cf. BzPM_0741_2020). In discussion with colleagues from Modular Observation Solutions for Earth Systems (MOSES) and Program-oriented Funding (PoF) IV of the Helmholtz Association, the planned cruise in 2020 served as a joint test case for MOSES instrumentation, as well as the further establishment of the communication between the groups concerning preparation of common campaigns, planning of available equipment, determination of responsibilities and building collaborating teams to investigate processes across the compartments. A special focus was set on the intercalibration of sensors and parameters, by insisting on several inter-calibration times for most sensors, measuring at the same time and location.
The decisive factor for the southern North Sea (or German Bight) is which water body and with which constituents it arrives in the Tide-Elbe area and how it is further modified in this area. Thus, the idea arose to continuously trace a group of parameters from the beginnings of the Elbe to the North Sea. What are the main impact factors for terrestrial and coastal water quality during floods and low water periods? Data for a better understanding of the different branches of the relevant event chain were provided by investigations within the Elbe river catchment (starting at the Czech/German border), along the middle course, Tide-Elbe und Elbe estuary (German Bight). To follow the water from the Elbe our campaign started with the Albis (research vessel from the UFZ), travelling with the water velocity of the Elbe; from 4 to 12 August. As the water takes about 2 weeks to travel from Geesthacht to Cuxhaven at the river mouth, the next campaign started on 25 and 26 August 2020. The Ludwig Prandtl (HZG) started at ebb tide near Cuxhaven, thus reducing the marine influence and focusing on the Elbe water. The estuarine cruise was followed by the marine cruise, from 31 August to 3 September 2020 with three coastal research vessels, covering a broad area within the German Bight. Different thematic teams were covering the various processes across the considered compartments: terrestrial waters, coastal and marine zones.
The basic hydrographic parameters (temperature and conductivity or salinity) were measured by FerryBoxes and probes on the ships, with some instruments actually being passed from ship to ship. Similarly, atmospheric and dissolved greenhouse gases (CH4 and CO2) were measured throughout. To learn more about the phytoplankton or productivity of the water, chlorophyll a, turbidity and nutrients were also determined. The carbon cycle was continuously described with the parameters TA, DOC, POC and DIC (total alkalinity, dissolved and particulate organic carbon, and dissolved inorganic carbon).
