Variability in the distribution of phytoplankton as affected by changes to the main physical parameters in the Baltic Sea

Abstract

An integrated ecological system model was used to determine the influence on Baltic phytoplankton of the long-term variability in the sea's main physical parameters. A three-dimensional coupled sea-ice model was developed. A simple ecosystem was added to the sea-ice model and used to estimate phytoplankton variability during long-term changes in the main atmospheric forces. Scenarios similar to those of climate were performed by altering the main physical parameters such as temperature, wind speed, solar and thermal radiation (in different configurations). The influence of the variability in these parameters on phytoplankton is discussed.

Keywords

• 3D ecosystem model
• Baltic Sea
• Phytoplankton
• Nutrient
• Temperature