Southern Baltic Area Research Articles

New Spore and Pollen Data from the Upper Eocene Deposits of the Sambian Peninsula, Kaliningrad Oblast

The article presents the results of the study of continental palynomorphs from the amber-bearing Upper E-ocene deposits in the Primorsky quarry (Kaliningrad Oblast, southeastern coast of the Baltic Sea). Three spore and pollen assemblages were identified and calibrated with the dinoflagellate cyst Rhombodinium perforatum and Thalassiphora reticulata zones. The “Blue Earth” Member of the Prussian Formation of the early Priabonian age is characterized by the Tricolporopollenites exactus–T. retiformis–Quercoidites microhenrici assemblage. The upper Priabonian “Upper Quicksand” and “White Wall” members of the Prussian Formation and the Palvé Formation are characterized by the Platanipollis ipelensis–Castaneoideaepollis oviformis–Tricolpopollenites foraminatus assemblage. The Inaperturopollenites–Sciadopityspollenites–Sequoiapollenites assemblage was recognized in the uppermost Palvé and lowermost Kurshskaya formations of the terminal Priabonian age. During the late Eocene the climatic conditions on the territory of the modern southern Baltic area were quite warm and humid, close to subtropical ones. Mixed coniferous-broad-leaved forests grew along the shores of the marine paleostrait, while the open spaces were occupied by heat-loving evergreen and moderately heat-loving deciduous shrubs and low-lying land areas were swamped. At the end of the Priabonian, a gradual regression of the sea basin began, which led to an increase in swampy areas on land, while the climate was still quite warm and humid.

Editorial log book and review comments for Tony Björk, How to Bury the Dead: A study on regional variations in the southern Baltic area during Late Pre-Roman and Early Roman Iron Age

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How to Bury the Dead. A study on regional variations in the southern Baltic area during Late Pre-Roman and Early Roman Iron Age

This article deals with the question of regional variation in funeral customs during a part of the Early Iron Age in the Baltic Sea area. The backbone of this study is a presentation of a comparison between a selection of investi-gated cemeteries in the south Baltic area, including parts of Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Poland. The starting point is the graves of southern Sweden in general and the Istaby cemetery in particular.The graves of the elite are very important and interesting from many differ-ent aspects, but for the purposes of this study the graves of the more ordinary people are considered to better highlight the main features of the regional vari-ations. The study of burials from Late Pre-Roman Iron Age and Early Roman Iron Age in the southern Baltic includes a world of a thousand details. Sev-eral interesting observations are made regarding similarities and differences in the chronology of the cemeteries, cemetery size and complexity, visible grave monuments, burial customs, artefact types and combinations. The different and partly overlapping regional expressions in the ritual systems, makes the contacts with other people, across the sea, especially clear. A correspondence analysis shows three themes of how the dead were equipped and displayed, following rather strict patterns, suggesting that these were widely distributed idealized metaphors.Despite many differences between the regions, the main feature is the great similarities. One main conclusion drawn from this study is that there were several regional traits in burial practices in the different areas and in many of the single details mentioned above. In contrast to obvious variations, the cem-eteries had several traits in common; these give an impression of the occurrence of governing ritual norms that were generally adopted throughout a large area around the southern and western parts of the Baltic Sea. This is a very strong indication of overlying and governing ritual norms and religious beliefs that were shared among the Germanic tribes.

Timing of the last deglaciation phases in the southern Baltic area inferred from Bayesian age modeling

A new chronology of the last Scandinavian Ice Sheet retreat in the southern Baltic basin is proposed. Based on Bayesian age modeling, we show that the most likely ages of particular deglaciation phases are 16.5 ± 0.5 ka for the Gardno Phase, 15.6 ± 0.6 ka for the Słupsk Bank Phase, and 13.9 ± 0.5 ka for the Southern Middle Bank Phase. The Gardno moraines are correlated with the Halland Coastal moraines in southern Sweden and the Middle Lithuanian moraines in Lithuania and Latvia. Ice margin stillstands of the Słupsk Bank Phase and Souhern Middle Bank Phase are correlated with the Göteborg and Vimmerby moraines, and with the North Lithuanian (Haanja) and Otepää moraines. The average retreat rates of the ice margin is about 55 m/yr between the Gardno Phase and the Słupsk Bank Phase, and about 40 m/yr between the Słupsk Bank Phase and the Southern Middle Bank Phase. This suggests that the last deglaciation did not accelerate after the Gardno Phase when an extensive ice-dammed lake was formed in front of the retreating ice sheet. The ice margin was probably grounded rather than floating, which prevented its more rapid retreat. The timing of the two main ice margin stillstands at the Słupsk Bank and at the Southern Middle Bank corresponds to the cool periods around 15 and 14 ka interpreted from paleotemperatures of Greenland based on ice core GISP2. This suggests that the main phases of the last deglaciation in the southern Baltic region were at least partly triggered by climatic fluctuations in the Northern Hemisphere.

New perspectives on Eastern Baltic cod movement patterns from historical and contemporary tagging data

Knowledge of the movement patterns and area utilisation of commercially important fish stocks is critical to management. The Eastern Baltic cod Gadus morhua, one of the most commercially and ecologically important stocks in the Baltic Sea, is currently one of the most severely impacted fish stocks in Europe. During the last 2 decades, this stock has experienced drastic decreases in population size, distributional range, individual growth and body condition, all of which may have affected the movements between different areas of the Baltic Sea. In this study, we investigated the seasonal movement patterns of Eastern Baltic cod by re-analysing historical tagging data collected by the countries surrounding the Baltic Sea (1955-1988) and compared historical patterns with contemporary data from a recent international tagging experiment (2016-2019). Our re-analyses of historical data showed the presence of different movement behaviours, i.e. resident or seasonally migratory, with larger distances moved by cod released in the northern and central Baltic areas compared to cod released in the southern Baltic areas. Furthermore, trends from the recent tagging experiment indicate a persistent resident strategy in the southern Baltic area. These findings present additional information on general movement patterns and area utilisation of Eastern Baltic cod that could inform future management actions and aid stock recovery.

Atmospheric deposition of microplastics in the coastal zone: Characteristics and relationship with meteorological factors

In this study, the quantitative and qualitative compositions of microplastics (MPs) deposited from the atmosphere in the coastal zone were analysed. Moreover, links between MP deposition and meteorological factors (air humidity, wind speed, precipitation height, and air mass trajectories) were investigated. MP deposition samples were collected in the southern Baltic area in 2017 and 2018 for 286 days in total. The morphological features of MPs (shape and size) were analysed using a digital microscope. Qualitative analysis was performed using micro-attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (μATR FT-IR). The size of the deposited MPs ranged from 5 μm to 5000 μm, and smaller size classes (<720 μm) were predominant (70%). Fibres were of the dominant type (60%). Films and fragments constituted 26% and 14% of the total MPs, respectively, while 55% of the MPs found in the study were polymers often used in textiles, packaging materials, and fishing gear (polyesters and polypropylene). The atmospheric MP deposition ranged from 0 m−2·d−1 to 30 m−2·d−1 (average: 10 ± 8 m−2·d−1; median: 8 m−2·d−1). Based on the air mass trajectory cluster analysis, MPs deposited in Gdynia mainly originated from local sources (<100 km). Furthermore, higher MP deposition occurred when the inflowing air masses were terrestrial, and lower deposition occurred when they were marine. On average, during wet periods twice the amount of MPs was deposited in comparison with dry periods. During dry periods deposition increased with increasing wind speed and was intensified by high relative humidity.

Palynological evidence of mead: a prehistoric drink dating back to the 3rd millennium b.c.

Human coprolites from Birka, Sweden and Durrnberg, Austria, have been found, dated and palynologically analysed as a part of interdisciplinary studies. All their pollen spectra are dominated by insect-pollinated taxa well-known as nectar producing flowers, suggesting some consumption of honey. Among those spectra, some show significantly high values of Filipendula ulmaria (meadowsweet) pollen, which was historically used as flavouring in mead production, and which together with other indicators for honey, suggest that mead was part of the historic and prehistoric diet both in Birka and Durrnberg. An evaluation of the background pollen suggests for the Birka specimen that honey was imported to the site from southern Baltic areas. The use of mead based on written sources is known at least from the Roman period. Archaeological studies demonstrate mead as an old crust residue on the inside of pots and other earthenware used as important funeral gifts from at least the 27th–25th centuries b.c. in Georgia. A comparison of the pollen records of European honey/mead samples strongly suggests that Filipendula is indicative of mead.

Creating wind field time-series over the Southern Baltic area using a dynamical downscaling approach

Creating wind field time-series over the Southern Baltic area using a dynamical downscaling approach

Status of exploited Baltic flounder stocks in the southern Baltic area (ICES SD 26)

Abstract Flounder is the target of directed fisheries in coastal waters and is a bycatch of cod fishing. Flounder were fished in the Baltic region ICES Subdivision 26 (SD 26) by Polish and Soviet fleets until 1991. Since that time political and economic changes have altered the exploitation structure of that area, leading to increased fishing effort and flounder catches. This report, which is based on Polish, Russian and Lithuanian data, presents a review of long term changes in flounder fisheries in SD 26, and describes the current status of flounder exploitation there. The eXtended Survival Analysis (XSA) method was used to assess the stock. The results indicate that the flounder stock in SD 26 is in good condition and that the spawning stock biomass (SSB) is at a consistently high level. However, the estimated mean fishing mortality (Fbar), with reference to Biological Reference Points, indicates that the stock is being exploited too intensely to be sustainable.

Measurements of Scattering Function of sea water in Southern Baltic

The Volume Scattering Functions (VSF) were measured in Southern Baltic area. The instrument used to this aim allow to measure in full range of angles and for four wavelengths. Obtained characteristics create the set of data which is need to solve the radiative transfer equation. Measured functions were compared with Petzold Average-Particle Phase Function. Spectral variations of measured scattering coefficients and backscattering coefficients are presented. Furthermore the instability of measured scattering ratios is discussed in this paper. Such instability have not been mentioned in the literature before.

A relative sea-level curve for the Polish Southern Baltic Sea

The relative sea-level curve was developed for the southern Baltic area, based on a set of 315 radiocarbon dates of different terrestrial and marine sediments, collected at 164 sites located in the Polish part of the Southern Baltic and in the adjacent coastal land area. When developing the curve, relicts of various formations related to the shoreline evolution as well as extents of erosional surfaces, determined from seismoacoustic profiles, were taken into account. During the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene, i.e., between 13.0 and 8.5 ka BP, the southern Baltic sea level rose and fell three times, the amplitude of changes extending over 25–27 m. In the Late Boreal, c. 8.5 ka BP, the Baltic—its water level by about 28 m lower than the present one—became permanently connected with the ocean. Until the onset of the Atlantic, the sea level had risen to about 21 m below present sea level. During 8.0–7.0 ka BP, the sea level was rising, to reach −10 m. Subsequently during the Atlantic, until its end, the sea level rose to 2.5 m b.s.l. During the first millenium of the Subboreal, the sea level rose to about 1.3–1.1 m b.s.l., to become—on termination of the Subboreal—about 0.7–0.6 m lower than present. During the Subatlantic, the sea-level changes were minor.

New descriptions and typifications of syntaxa within the project ‘Plant communities of Mecklenburg‐Vorpommern and their vulnerability’ – Part I

AbstractThis paper contains the original diagnoses of new syntaxa, typifications of existing names of syntaxa, and other decisions of nomenclatural relevance which have proved to be necessary within the project ‘Plant communities of Mecklenburg‐Vorpommern and their vulnerability’. The underlying syntaxonomic concept is documented in Dengler &amp; Berg (2002). In Berg et al. (2001b, 2003) we have discussed in detail the syntaxonomic system as it applies to the federal state of Mecklenburg‐Vorpommern in NE Germany.In the introductory sections we deal with some methodological questions and explain the mode of presentation adopted in the special section. We follow strictly the rules of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (ICPN), but have recognised six aspects in which the present version of the ICPN is unclear or contradictory. For these cases we suggest reasonable solutions that are followed in the special section.The special section of our work will be published in two parts. The present paper deals with nine phytosociological classes belonging to the herbaceous terrestrial vegetation (Polygono‐Poetea annuae, Sisymbrietea, Stellarietea mediae, Calluno‐Ulicetea, Koelerio‐Corynephoretea, Festuco‐Brometea, Molinio‐Arrhenatheretea, Trifolio‐Geranietea, Artemisietea vulgaris). Altogether 17 new syntaxa are validly published (including validations of previously used names and changes in rank). One name of a syntaxon is corrected due to a taxonomic error and 151 further syntaxa are typified. Nomenclatural questions are discussed if appropriate and the reasons given when applications concerning nomina ambigua, conservanda, inversa or mutata are proposed.The most important syntaxonomic novelties are the following: Subdivision of the Sisymbrietea into several orders, of which the Sisymbrietalia and the Conyzo canadensis‐Brometalia tectorum ord. nov. occur in Central Europe – Subdivision of the Stellarietea mediae into the Aperetalia spicae‐venti, the Dicranello staphylinae‐Stellarietalia mediae ord. nov. and the Papaveretalia rhoeadis ord. nov. – Subdivision of the Koelerio‐Corynephoretea into the two subclasses Koelerio‐Corynephorenea subcl. nov. and Sedo‐Scleranthenea subcl. nov. – Establishment of an alliance Filipendulo vulgaris‐Helictotrichion pratensis all. nov. which contains floristically impoverished semi‐dry grasslands in the southern Baltic area – Subdivision of the Molinio‐Arrhenatheretea into the two subclasses Arrhena‐therenea subcl. nov. and Molinio‐Juncenea subcl. nov. – Subdivision of the Trifolio‐Geranietea into the two subclasses Melampyro‐Holcenea subcl. nov. und Trifolio‐Geranienea subcl. nov. (containing the Origanetalia vulgaris s. str. and the Antherico‐Geranietalia sanguinei ord. nov.) – Subdivision of the Artemisietea vulgaris into the four subclasses Epilobienea angustifolii, Lamio albi‐Urticenea dioicae subcl. nov., Agropyrenea intermedio‐repentis subcl. nov. (containing the Rubo caesii‐Calamagrostietalia epigeji ord. nov. and the Agropyretalia intermedio‐repentis) and Artemisienea vulgaris.

Local business alliances and regional empowerment in EU policy networks

This paper examines the way in which sovereignty is transferred to the sub‐national level as a result of European integration. More specifically, it poses the question of whether communication links between regional authorities and private companies could increase the power of regions in multi‐level governance. Finns’ interest in forming alliances with regional authorities is explored through an examination of their preferences for using regionally provided, public advisory services, which is also taken as an indicator of alliance potential. For their part, it argued that regional authorities are motivated by institutional identities and roles in national politics and in the EU. This prompts the question of whether there are European institutions emerging which would give regions who offer public counseling to firms added leverage and thus added autonomy in the EU policy process. Identities and role perceptions (drivers of regional empowerment and business links) are investigated by studies of ‘projects’ designed to achieve strategic regional goals. Empirical evidence derives from the Southern Baltic area.

Coupling of autotrophic and heterotrophic processes in a Baltic estuarine mixing gradient (Pomeranian Bight)

Primary production and decompositional processes weremeasured within the mixing gradient of lagoonal andcoastal water of the Pomeranian Bight duringsummer/autumn on four cruises between 1993 and 1995.Although different sampling strategies were applied,the results fitted well in a general pattern. Nearlyall measured variables (e.g. POC, chlorophyll a)appear to be conservatively mixed along the salinitygradient between 2 and 8 PSU which is typicalfor the southern Baltic area. That pattern is,however, not due to a conservative behaviour of thecomponents but to a balanced state of auto- andheterotrophic processes with a continuous, closelycoupled recycling of matter. This is particularlyevident in periods of nutrient limitation. Within themixing gradient, changes were restricted to structuralcomponents (species composition) whereas thefunctional equilibrium was maintained.

&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;‘Nodibeyrichia jurassica’&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; and associated beyrichiacean ostracode species and their significance for the correlation of late Silurian strata in the Baltic and Britain

Abstract. Taxonomic revision reveals that the beyrichiacean ostracode ‘Nodibeyrichia jurassica’ can no longer be regarded as an index species for the uppermost (late Přídolí) ostracode ‘zone’ of the Silurian of the Baltic region embracing Estonia, Latvia and Baltic-floor derived erratic boulders. The taxon Nodibeyrichia jurassica Sarv, 1968 (non Gailite 1967) is regarded as a junior subjective synonym of Beyrichia protuberans Boll, 1862. Moreover, the material hitherto assigned to ‘Nodibeyrichia jurassica’ is herein considered to belong to two species: Nodibeyrichia protuberans (Boll, 1862) and Nodibeyrichia verrucosa Shaw, 1969. N. verrucosa occurs in England and Estonia, in the basal part and upper part of the Přídolí Series respectively. N. protuberans, as herein restricted, can be used to recognize the late Přídolí, uppermost ostracode assemblage level (N. jurassica Zone of previous literature) of the Silurian only in the central East Baltic (Latvia) and in erratic boulder material found in southern Baltic areas.

Heavy metals in Southern Baltic fish: present situation and future trends

Herring (Clupea harengus) and cod (Gadus morhua) from three Southern Baltic areas were studied. Mercury content was determined with CV AAS and assays of the remaining metals were carried out with flame AAS. A correlation between the fishing area and contents of Hg, Cd, Cu, and Zn in fish tissues was revealed. Interspecific differences are considered as well. A noticeable decrease in Hg, Cd, Pb, and Cr and an increase in Cu and Zn can be observed over the recent several years in certain organs of herring and cod. In most cases, the changes taking place are better described by curvilinear (logarithmic) equation than by a linear one. Correlations between contents of different metals in fish organs were detected, which points out to interactions between the metals during their uptake and release.

Untersuchungen der Wärmebilanz der südlichen Ostsee im Bereich des Feuerschiffes ,,Fehmarnbelt''

Some new results of studying the heat balance in the southern Baltic are given. The mean annual course of the net energy flux from the sea surface and of the heat storage in the Fehmarnbelt are investigated in detail using observations of the lightship “Fehmarnbelt” (54° 36? N, 11° 09? E) for the period 1949–1961. Likewise the mean heat transport through the Fehmarnbelt has been calculated making use of the computed and actual values of the variations of heat storage in the Fehmarnbelt. It is shown that the mean annual heat advection through the Fehmarnbelt into the Baltic Sea is important for the heat budget of the southern Baltic area. A clear annual course of heat advection is found; there are three characteristical periods in winter/spring (Feb.–May), in summer (June–Sept.) and in autumn/winter (Oct.–Jan.). DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1968.tb00389.x