HELCOMMonitoring Programme topicHydrography

Contents

a.General information on programme topic and sub-programmes

b.Responsible HELCOM subsidiary body

Sub-programme 1: Temperature, salinity, transparency, turbidity

c.Purpose of monitoring

c.1 Monitoring programmes

c.2 BSAP segments

c.3 Other legislation

c.4 Purpose of monitoring

d.Monitoring and assessment requirements

e.Monitoring concept(s)

f.Gaps in monitoring (do not fill in questions marked in grey yet)

g.Data providers and access

h.Literature

Sub-programme 2: Waves, currents (sealevel)

c. Purpose of monitoring

c.1 Monitoring programmes

c.2 BSAP segments

c.3 Other legislation

c.4 Purpose of monitoring

d.Monitoring and assessment requirements

e.Monitoring concept(s)

f.Gaps in monitoring (do not fill in questions marked in grey yet)

g.Data providers and access

h.Literature

Sub-programme 3: Ice

c. Purpose of monitoring

c.1 Monitoring programmes

c.2 BSAP segments

c.3 Other legislation

c.4 Purpose of monitoring

d.Monitoring and assessment requirements

e.Monitoring concept(s)

f.Gaps in monitoring (do not fill in questions marked in grey yet)

g.Data providers and access

h.Literature

Annex 1: Description of MSFD Article 11 Reporting Questions 9 & 5c

Annex 2: List of HELCOM core and precore indicators

a.General information on programme topic and sub-programmes

Describe briefly in full sentences the monitoringprogramme topic and the associatedSub-programmes. E.g. indicate the purpose of monitoring and whether the programme topic and sub-programmes:

  • cover physical/chemical/biological parameters
  • concerns mobile species/water-column-habitats/seabed habitats/pressures/human activities
  • specify the ecosystem components and the parameters that are addressed by the sub-programmes
  • specify HELCOM core and pre-core indicators that arebased on parameters measured in the sub-programmes.

Programme topic: Hydrography

The monitoring of hydrography covers the following physical oceanographic parameters: temperature, salinity, turbidity and water transparency. The topic also includes monitoring of waves, currents and sea ice extent and thickness.

Sub-programme1: Temperature, salinity, transparency, turbidity

The relevant ecosystem component in relation to Eutrophication assessment is water transparency (related to increase in suspended algae).Transparency is covered by Secchi depth measurements.

Sub-programme2: Waves, currents (sealevel)

Sub-programme 3: Ice

Ice conditions in the Baltic Sea are monitored using earth observation data from satellites (SAR) to monitor sea ice extent. Monitoring is carried out from the beginning until the end of annual ice season, typically from November to May.

In situ measurements are used for measurement of sea ice thickness, which is carried out in coastal waters and open sea areas.

b.Responsible HELCOM subsidiary body

Responsible HELCOM subsidiary body and information on the working group, expert group or network that filled in the information, and contact information to respondent(s).

Subprogramme 1: Temperature, salinity, transparency, turbidity:HELCOM MONAS, HELCOM EUTRO OPER. This subprogrammehas been filled in based on information from EUTRO OPER project and ICES data center.

Subprogramme 3: Ice: HELCOM MONAS (Environment fact sheet). This subprogramme has been filled based on information from JouniVainio, Finnish Meteorological Institute.

Sub-programme 1: Temperature, salinity, transparency, turbidity

c.Purpose of monitoring

c.1Monitoring programmes

The sub-programmesupports the following obligatory MSFD Monitoring Programmes. Tick one or more relevant boxes.

☒D5 / Eutrophication
☒D7 / Hydrographical changes

c.2 BSAP segments

The sub-programme serves the following BSAP segments.Tick one or more relevant boxes.

☒Eutrophication

c.3 Other legislation

The sub-programmelinks with the following other international legislation(Q8a).Tick one or more relevant boxes.

☒Water Framework Directive

☒OSPAR Convention

c.4Purpose of monitoring

c.4aAssessment purpose in general

The sub-programme supports the assessment of:

Tick the relevant box.

Temporal trends / Spatial distribution / State classification
☒ / ☒ / ☒ /

Thesub-programmesupports the assessment of:(Q4k).

Note that the answer to this question will be decisive for whether to answer upcoming questions e.g. upcoming questions on pressures should only be answered if the monitoring is defined as supporting the assessment of pressures.

Tick the relevant boxes.

State/Impacts / Pressures / Human activities causing the pressures / Effectiveness of measures
☒ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ /
If this is selected fill in the following questions:
c.4b, c, d / If this is selected fill in the following questions:
c.4b, c, e, f / If this is selected fill in the following questions:
c.4b, c, e, f / If this is selected fill in the following questions:
c.4b, c, e, f

Give any other monitoring purpose e.g. if the sub-programmesinclude supporting parameters for other monitoring programmes

For questions 4b-4f, selectwhen applicablefor the sub-programme, the link to:

  • BSAP ecological objectives,MSFD GES criteria (Q5a)
  • characteristics, pressures and impacts from MSFD Annex III (Q5c)
  • activities (Q7a,7b)
c.4bBSAP Ecological objectives

Choose only the most relevant option(s).Tick one or more boxes below.

Eutrophication / ☒Clear water
c.4c MSFD GES Criteria (Q5a)

Choose only the most relevant option(s).Tick one or more boxes below.

Descriptor 5 / ☐5.1. Nutrients levels
☒5.2. Direct effects of nutrient enrichment
☐5.3. Indirect effects of nutrient enrichment
c.4dCharacteristics from MSFD Annex IIITable 1.

Choose only the most relevant option(s).Tick one or more boxes below.

Physical and chemical features / ☒annual and seasonal temperature regime and ice cover, current velocity, upwelling, wave exposure, mixing characteristics, turbidity, residence time
☒spatial and temporal distribution of salinity
Other features / ☐A description of the situation with regard to chemicals, including chemicals giving rise to concern, sediment contamination, hotspots, health issues and contamination of biota (especially biota meant for human consumption),
☒a description of any other features or characteristics typical of or specific to the marine region or subregion

d.Monitoring and assessment requirements

Outline the monitoring that is required (number of stations, frequency sampling, and replication) to fulfill the assessmentof, depending on purpose of sub-programme:

  • State/impacts: the environmental state and its distance from, and progress towards, good status under BSAP and MSFD (Q5b), OR
  • Pressures: the progress towards achieving environmental targets (MSFD Art. 10) and objectives of the BSAP(Q6a), OR
  • Follow-up of measures: suitability and effectiveness of measures(Q7c).

In the analysis, take into consideration:

  • Core indicators and pre-core indicators that are based on the parameters monitored as part of the sub-programme, taking into account also the assessment units where the indicator is applicable(see HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment Strategy Attachment 4)
  • MSFD Descriptors and criteria
  • HELCOM assessment toolsand their requirements (e.g. aggregation rules),
  • the appropriate spatial scale of monitoring considering the natural spatial variability of the parameter(s) included in the sub-programme,
  • the appropriate time scale of monitoring considering the natural temporal variability of the parameter(s) and the expected response time of indicators that build on the parameters.

Open sea: For assessment purposes, at least 15 observations during the period June-September made yearly in each assessment unit. The compilation of observations is expected to be distributed spatially within the assessment unit in a non-biased way.

Coastal sea (between shore and baseline + 1 nm): For an assessment of the coastal water bodies (= WFD water bodies), less than 15 observations per year may be available for the period May(June)-Sept due a limited number of stations per assessment unit (=water body).

Comment: In Germany, measurements of temperature, salinity and transparency (secchi depth) are carried out at each station 5-10x () p.a. depending on station and area (less frequently in the open sea – 5 to max. 10x p.a., more often in the coastal areas where a monthly frequency (12x p.a.) is attempted, but 10x is realistic due to bad weather conditions etc.). In national assessments of transparency, we have used the summer months (May-Sept) up to now.

e.Monitoring concept(s)

Fill in information on existing and agreed future monitoring in the following table AND in the follow up questions tables below.

List options that are used in the table for a coherent response on higher level information that is required for EU reporting under Article 11.Details of the monitoring should be provided in the text boxes that follow the table.

Fill in monitoring information on:

  • regionally coordinated monitoring (e.g. HELCOM COMBINE, MORS, PLC)
  • national monitoring of parameters covered in the above but in areas/locations currently not included (e.g. in coastal waters)
  • national monitoring of parameters supporting core and pre-core indicators that is currently not regionally coordinated (e.g. birds, mammals, benthic biotopes)

Do not fill in information from research projects. As a rule, irregular sampling/monitoring campaigns should not be filled in, except in the absence of regular monitoring and should be flagged.

Indicate in the table e.g.:

  • which elements and parameters are measured(Q9a, Q9b)
  • sampling and observation methods (add link to technical guidelines), (Q9c, Q9d)
  • monitoring network (spatial resolution/”sampling density” and representativity e.g. through providing a link to monitoring overview on the HELCOM website),(Q9g)
  • frequencies (temporal resolution, sampling/observation intervals),(Q9h)
  • quality assurance and control (add link to technical guidelines in section after the table)(Q9e, Q9f)

1

Monitoring concept(s)

Please, fill in the following table AND the questions below which are intended to provide more detail. See alsoAnnex 1for a detailedinstruction to questions whichare also MSFD reporting questions.

Enter elements and parameters as often as needed to capture the various combinations of the two aspects. The first rows in yellow are provided as examples. If monitoring of an element or parameter differs in some other aspects (e.g. different methods are used in different areas or frequency of sampling differs between monitoring stations), then use separate rows to cover each deviating aspect. Add rows if needed.

Current means of coordination / Elements / Parameter / Method[1] / QA/QC / Frequency / Spatial resolution (density) of sampling / Link to monitoring programs / Link to HELCOM core indicators[2] / Link to GES characteristics / Spatial scope / Monitoring started (year) / CPs monitoring[3]
Q9a (Q5c) / Q9b / Q9c, Q9d / Q9e, 9f / Q9h, 9i / Q 9g, 9i / Q4l / Q5b / Q4i / Q4h
COMBINE / Physical oceanography: Temperature / Temperature / in situ (COMBINE manual, annex c-2, par 4.8) / National, ICESDataTypeGuide / Other (specify) / COMBINE Stations, see map / COMBINE / --- / - / EEZ / Data available 1877, Coordinated monitoring started 1979 / DE, DK, EE, FI, LV, LT, PL, SE, RU
COMBINE / Physical oceanography: Salinity / Salinity / in situ (COMBINE manual, annex c-2, par 4.8) / National, ICESDataTypeGuide / Other (specify) / COMBINE Stations, see map / COMBINE / --- / - / EEZ / Data available 1877, Coordinated monitoring started 1979 / DE, DK, EE, FI, LV, LT, PL, SE, RU
COMBINE / Physical oceanography - water transparency, using Secchi depth as proxy / Transparency of water column / in situ (COMBINE manual, annex c-2, par 4.8) / National, ICESDataTypeGuide / Other (specify) / COMBINE stations and WFD stations, where not identical / COMBINE, MSFD and in coastal areas WFD / Eutrophication: Secchi depth / 5.2.2 (Water transparency related to increase in suspended algae, where relevant) / EEZ / Coordinated monitoring started 1979. Data available in COMBINE; DE: 2006-, DK: 1972-, EE: 1999-, FI: 1974-, LT: 1992-, LV: 1990-, PL: 1996-, RU: -, SE: 1988- Coordinated monitoring started 1979. / DE, DK, EE, FI, LV, LT, PL, SE, RU
COMBINE / Physical oceanography: Turbidity / Transparency of water column / in situ (COMBINE manual, annex c-2, par 4.8) / National, ICESDataTypeGuide / Other (specify) / COMBINE Stations, see map / COMBINE / - / 5.2.2 (Water transparency related to increase in suspended algae, where relevant) / EEZ / 2006 (DE), 2010 (DK, SE), 1985 (FI), 2006 (DE), 2010 (DK, SE), 1985 (FI), 2006 (DE), 2010 (DK, SE), 1985 (FI), / FI

1

Add information to document the monitoring in more detail in addition to the table. If needed add more rows to the tables.

Provide info on each element/parameter pair.

PARAMETERS

Add other information where options in the table were not appropriate.

Provide info on element/parameter pair, if relevant.

If needed add more rows to the tables.

PARAMETER

Temperature / Temperature
Measured in situ in the water column. Measured in situ in the water column. Measured in situ in the water column.
Salinity / Salinity
Measured in situ in the water column. Measured in situ in the water column. Measured in situ in the water column.
Secchi-depth / Transparency of water column
Measured in situ in the water column. Measured in situ in the water column. Measured in situ in the water column.
Turbidity / Transparency of water column
Measured in situ in the water column. Measured in situ in the water column. Measured in situ in the water column.

METHOD

Describe briefly, when appropriate:

  • platform (e.g. land based, boat, air surveillance)
  • mode of sampling (e.g. fixed station, random station, sampling en route, line transects)
  • sampling details (e.g. depth, interval, distance, area)
  • method of sampling (e.g. hose, net, grab sampler) and specifics of device (mesh size, area sampled)
  • method of sample analysis. Include also information on e.g. size classes covered, type of matter/organisms covered.
  • any deviations from the method given as reference.

Provide info on element/parameter pair, if relevant.

If needed add more rows to the tables.

METHOD

Temperature / Temperature
In situ measurements:
Platform: boat
Mode of sampling: CTD or other, fixed station (stations listed in Annex C-1 in the COMBINE manual).
See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual:
Salinity / Salinity
In situ measurements:
Platform: boat
Mode of sampling: CTD or other, fixed station (stations listed in Annex C-1 in the COMBINE manual).
See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual:
Secchi-depth / Transparency of water column
In situ measurements:
Platform: boat
Mode of sampling: fixed station (stations listed in Annex C-1 in the COMBINE manual).
See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual:
Turbidity / Transparency of water column
In situ measurements:
Platform: boat
Mode of sampling: fixed station (stations listed in Annex C-1 in the COMBINE manual).
See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual:

QA/QC

Provide a link or add info if “other” or unknown was selected in the table, or if existing QA/QCs are considered as in need of revision.

Provide info on element/parameter pair, if relevant.

If needed add more rows to the tables.

QA/QC

Temperature / Temperature
The quality system is formalized in the quality manual (Part B.2 in the COMBINE manual). Guidance on the interpretation of ISO/IEC/EN 17025 'General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration of Laboratories' (formerly EN 45001 and ISO Guide 25) was given by a joint international EURACHEM/WELAC Working Group (EURACHEM/WELAC, 1992). Specific guidance to Analytical Quality Control for Water Analysis was elaborated by European - CEN/TC 230 (EN 14996) - as well as by international - ISO/TC 147 SC 7 (ISO/TR 13530) - standardisation authorities.
The analytical requirements are specified, including definition of the type and nature of the sample and its environment, concentration range of interest and permissible tolerances in analytical error (Part B.3 in the COMBINE manual).
See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual:
Salinity / Salinity
The quality system is formalized in the quality manual (Part B.2 in the COMBINE manual). Guidance on the interpretation of ISO/IEC/EN 17025 'General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration of Laboratories' (formerly EN 45001 and ISO Guide 25) was given by a joint international EURACHEM/WELAC Working Group (EURACHEM/WELAC, 1992). Specific guidance to Analytical Quality Control for Water Analysis was elaborated by European - CEN/TC 230 (EN 14996) - as well as by international - ISO/TC 147 SC 7 (ISO/TR 13530) - standardisation authorities.
The analytical requirements are specified, including definition of the type and nature of the sample and its environment, concentration range of interest and permissible tolerances in analytical error (Part B.3 in the COMBINE manual).
See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual:
Secchi-depth / Transparency of water column
The quality system is formalized in the quality manual (Part B.2 in the COMBINE manual). Guidance on the interpretation of ISO/IEC/EN 17025 'General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration of Laboratories' (formerly EN 45001 and ISO Guide 25) was given by a joint international EURACHEM/WELAC Working Group (EURACHEM/WELAC, 1992). Specific guidance to Analytical Quality Control for Water Analysis was elaborated by European - CEN/TC 230 (EN 14996) - as well as by international - ISO/TC 147 SC 7 (ISO/TR 13530) - standardisation authorities.
See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual:
Turbidity / Transparency of water column
The quality system is formalized in the quality manual (Part B.2 in the COMBINE manual). Guidance on the interpretation of ISO/IEC/EN 17025 'General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration of Laboratories' (formerly EN 45001 and ISO Guide 25) was given by a joint international EURACHEM/WELAC Working Group (EURACHEM/WELAC, 1992). Specific guidance to Analytical Quality Control for Water Analysis was elaborated by European - CEN/TC 230 (EN 14996) - as well as by international - ISO/TC 147 SC 7 (ISO/TR 13530) - standardisation authorities.
The analytical requirements are specified, including definition of the type and nature of the sample and its environment, concentration range of interest and permissible tolerances in analytical error (Part B.3 in the COMBINE manual).
See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual: See HELCOM COMBINE manual:

FREQUENCY

Fill in if different from the options in the table and add other relevant information, e.g., month/season of sampling.

If needed add more rows to the tables.

Frequency

Temperature / Temperature
Temperature should be measured always as a supporting parameter.
Salinity / Salinity
Salinity should be measured always as a supporting parameter.
Secchi-depth / Transparency of water column
For assessment purposes, measurement should be made at least during the summer period (June – September). Secchi depth should be measured at all stations whenever possible, i.e. in day light and when the sea is relatively calm. Light attenuation shall always be measured if primary production measurements are performed(COMBINE)
Turbidity / Transparency of water column
Turbidity can be measured on coastal stations.

SPATIAL SCOPE

Briefly describe the rational for the spatial scope of the sub-programme (e.g. relation to environmental characteristics, distribution of species and habitats, pressures, human activities, or measures)(Q4j).

Provide info on element/parameter pair, if relevant.

If needed add more rows to the tables.

Spatial Scope

Temperature / Temperature
Covers whole Baltic from coast to EEZ relation to D5 (eutrophication)
Salinity / Salinity
Covers whole Baltic from coast to EEZ relation to D5 (eutrophication)
Secchi-depth / Transparency of water column
Covers whole Baltic from coast to EEZ relation to D5 (eutrophication)
Turbidity / Transparency of water column
Covers whole Baltic from coast to EEZ relation to D5 (eutrophication)

SPATIAL RESOLUTION (DENSITY) OF SAMPLING