Two core questions comprise the working directions within the research focus1:

1. Which environmental gradients do result on the external forcing?
2. What are the biogeochemical consequences of transformation and mixing processes and the variability of gradients?

Projects carried out to answer these question on a medium to long term scale can be categorized in three main areas:

• Mesoscale processes (Transport between coast and open sea; upwelling; mesoscale gyres)
• Processes at boundary layers (dynamic of the surface layer; dynamic of the halocline; transformation at the redoxcline; exchange processes of chemical compartments)
• Salt and matter balances (Exchange between North and Baöltic Sea; transport between the basins; oxygen balance; balance of contaminants; creation of winter water)

More information on the projects of this focus »