Coastal benthic environments in North and Baltic Sea: Evaluation of processes and transports at the sediment-water interface (KüNO INTERFACE) - Cruise No. MSM50 - January 06 - January 29, 2016 - Bremerhaven (Germany) - Rostock (Germany) (English)

The expedition MSM050 KüNO INTERFACE (Coastal benthic environments in North and Baltic Sea: Evaluation of processes and transports at the sediment-water interface) was a joint activity of the BMBF-funded projects NOAH and SECOS to increase the understanding of biogeochemical, biological and physical processes along the sediment-water interface in the North and Baltic Sea. The core program of the cruise was dedicated to the completion of seasonal data in these regions, with the main focus on the determination of biogeochemical functions, their control mechanism for the relevant benthic habitat types and turbulence measurements of near bottom water layers as well as accumulation of organic pollutants, heavy metals in the sediments. At five NOAH stations in the North Sea, sediment samples were taken by MUC and van Veen grab, along with CTD measurements and the use of the IOW benthic chamber lander and dredge. During the passage of Skagerrak and Kattegat, in addition to the classical oceanographic examination, benthic fauna samples were taken at 19 stations for comparison with historical data. During the passage, a ship-bound current meter recorded physical effects on the turbulence of finest sediment particles by mini-turbulences. In the Baltic Sea, five SECOS stations were investigated for geological, biological and biogeochemical analysis of sediments by using moorings. During the waiting time, microstructure measurements (MSS) of the surrounding water body were performed.