The Baltic Sea is an ecosystem that has undergone significant changes due to human activities, jeopardizing its functionality and biological balance. Among the most severe negative impacts are eutrophication, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation of resources.
Researchers from the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel conducted a study using long-term data from the Boknis Eck time series station to analyze environmental changes between 1991 and 2019. Their findings, which include substantial shifts in temperature and oxygen levels, were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
By analyzing data from the southwestern Baltic Sea, including measurements of dissolved organic carbon dioxide (a form of carbon dioxide present in water) and nitrogen, a critical nutrient for microorganisms, as well as data on bacterial growth, the researchers observed an increase in bacterial production during summer. This rise occurs particularly after the spring phytoplankton bloom.
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The increase in bacteria poses a threat to other organisms in the ecosystem, as bacteria consume nutrients from the water, reducing their availability for other species. Another consequence of human influence is the rise in water temperature, especially in summer, which further strengthens water stratification. This process involves warming of the surface layer, which separates it from deeper, cooler layers—conditions that further promote bacterial growth.
Moreover, bacteria not only utilize nutrients but also consume oxygen from the upper water layer, reducing oxygen levels in other layers. This decline can have severe consequences for marine life. Studies show that despite efforts to restore the ecosystem, bacterial presence continues to rise.
These changes also impact the health of coastal ecosystems, which play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change. Therefore, researchers emphasize the urgent need for stronger conservation efforts to protect these vulnerable ecosystems.
