Advanced Tools for Investigating the Marine Environment of the Southern Baltic Sea Using Model Data

This presentation focuses on the introduction of newly developed tools for studying the marine environment of the Southern Baltic Sea using model-based data. The foundation of this work is the development of novel tools for monitoring and forecasting biochemical conditions within the 3D CEMBS-PolSea ecohydrodynamic model, which integrates hydrodynamic and biochemical components.

The biochemical component of the model represents key parameters, including phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass, living and detrital organic matter, chlorophyll-a concentration, dissolved oxygen (O₂), and chemical components such as nitrates (NO₃), phosphates (PO₄), and silicates (SiO₃). The implementation of environmental variables is achieved through the definition of source and sink functions for all biochemical variables, governed by a second-order partial differential equation describing turbulent diffusion with an advective term. This equation serves as the interface between the hydrodynamic and biochemical components of the model.

The presentation highlights several novel tools that provide new functionalities for marine research. These include the identification of habitats or regions with user-defined hydrodynamic, physicochemical, and biological parameters, utilizing numerical simulation results to deliver precise spatial information. Additionally, tools for tracking the trajectories of passive particles in the surface layer under varying hydrodynamic conditions are introduced. By employing numerical forecasts, the tools estimate metrics such as maximum transport range, transit time, and the predicted final location of particles based on their initial positions. These tools are designed for operational use and will be accessible to end-users in an open-access format.

We assume that analyses conducted using these tools will significantly enhance our understanding of the functioning of marine ecosystems, including those in coastal zones. The integration of biochemical and hydrodynamic modeling within the 3D CEMBS-PolSea framework improves the ability to predict and analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of the marine environment in the Southern Baltic Sea. The model aims to provide a robust decision-support system for scientific research and environmental management.

This study was financed from the state budget under the program of the Minister of Education and Science under the name "Science for Society II" No. NdS-II/SP/0003/2023/01, funding amount PLN 1,996,763.77, total project value PLN 1,996,763.77.