Slupsk Bank (Southern Baltic)

Air temperature; Atmospheric humidity; Wind strength and direction; Fauna abundance per unit area of the bed; Other wave statistics; Sediment grain size parameters; Salinity of the water column; Density of the water column; Temperature of the water column; Concentration of suspended particulate material in the water column; Bathymetry and Elevation; Light extinction and diffusion coefficients

Anemometers; wave recorders; sediment traps; sediment grabs; current meters

Investigations aimed at obtaining knowledge about the environmental effects of mining aggregate from the sea bottom were carried out on the Slupsk Bank. Special attention was given to the magnitude and amount of change of hydrological conditions, sedimentological and biological changes resulting from mining of the aggregate. The test field of area 1x1 km was located in the eastern part of Slupsk Bank, within a documented resource field. Investigations were carried out during five research voyages between May 1988 and October 1989. In May 1998, the detailed geological, hydrological and biological surveys were made, and the buoys and datum points were installed. The main experiment was carried out during the second voyage in August 1988, when the exploitation of gravel on the test field took place. In October 1988, May 1989 and October 1989 the inspections of the test field were made. The following information is given as an example of the amount and preciseness of the surveys: on the area of 1 km**2 echosounding in regular grid 50x50m was carried out, 45 vibrocores were taken, 18 main and 14 additional datum points were installed and direct observation and measurements on the sea floor were repeated four times; also 16 traps for sedimentary material were installed, ca 130 samples of surficial sediments were taken and 75 descriptions of sedimentary structures were made by scubadivers. As a result of the investigation, the base for further monitoring of the exploited areas was established.

Polish Geological Institute, National Research Institute, Branch of Marine Geology
Koscierska 5
Gdansk
Pomorskie
80-328
Poland