Sub-regional assessment of water clarity

Figure: Ecological status for water clarity in the different sub-regions, measured as Secchi depth, during the period 2003-2007 

Bothnian Bay

The water clarity status is mostly poor or bad in the open, transitional and coastal areas. Only in one area, inner Kokkola on the Finnish coast, the status is moderate.

The Quark

The water clarity status in coastal-transitional waters varies from good to poor.

Bothnian Sea

The water transparency status is mostly poor or bad in open sea, transitional and coastal areas. Only in one area, Skärgårdsfjärden on the Swedish cost, the status is good.

Archipelago Sea

The water clarity status is bad.

Gulf of Finland

The water clarity status is poor or bad in the entire Gulf of Finland, with the exception of the Tallinn Bay that has high status.

Gulf of Riga

Water clarity status is bad or poor in the coastal, transitional and open waters.

Northern Gotland Basin

In the open sea the water clarity status is poor. In the coastal areas the status is poor or bad, in transitional waters also moderate or good (NE Stora Möja).

Western Gotland Basin

In the open sea the water clarity status is moderate, in the coastal areas from moderate to bad.

Eastern Gotland Basin

In the open sea the water clarity status varies from good to high and in the coastal and transitional waters from moderate to poor.

Gulf of Gdansk

In the open area the water clarity status is good and in the coastal area (Vistula river mouth) moderate.

Bornholm Basin

In the open sea the water clarity status is good. In the northern coastal and transitional waters (Sweden) the status varies from good to bad, in the southern coast from poor to good. 

Arkona Basin

Water clarity status is high in the open waters, variable in coastal areas. In the Zingst outlet the water transparency status is bad.

Kiel and Mecklenburg Bights

Water transparency status is poor or bad.

Danish Straits

Water transparency status is mostly poor or moderate. Only in the NW Kiel Bight the water transparency status is high / at reference.

The Kattegat

Water transparency status varies from moderate to bad in the Kattegat costal waters. In the open sea the status is high.

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Last updated: 12 May 2010