On the dynamics of water and suspension in the Keret' River estuary (Karelian coast of the White Sea)

Abstract

In September 2000 we carried out a comprehensive study of the dynamics of water and suspension in the area south of the Chupa Bay adjacent to the Keret' Archipelago and estuary of the Keret' River (Karelian coast of the White Sea) onboard R/V Ekolog. The entire study area can be divided into three estuary zones characterized by different dynamic regimes: the marine, intermediate, and near-mouth zones. The autumn stratification of the water column is particularly distinct in the most dynamic marine zone. The strongest mixing of the upper layer is also observed in the marine zone. The most intensive dilution and the largest thickness of the diluted water layer are found in the near-mouth zone. On the whole, in the near-mouth zone, the concentration of suspended matter is higher than in the intermediate and marine zones. The highest phytoplankton concentration is observed in the marine zone, whereas the lowest one is confined to the near-mouth zone. At all the stations, flagellates dominate with respect to both abundance and biomass.