Exchange of matter and energy between the Wadden Sea and the coastal waters of the German Bight-Estimations based on numerical simulations and field measurements

Abstract

Based on numerical simulations and high resolution measurements, budgets have been computed for transports of water and heat as well as dissolved and particulate matter between the coastal waters of the German Bight and the North Frisian Wadden Sea. p]During 3 measuring campaigns in summer, spring and winter, current conditions and water transports differed only slightly. In spite of different meteorological situations, inflow and outflow of North Sea water to and from the Wadden Sea were largely balanced. A net heat export from the North Frisian Wadden Sea was determined both in summer 1994 and spring 1995, i. e. the Wadden Sea represented a heat source for the adjacent North Sea waters.