Abstract
This chapter focuses on the sinking of particulate matter through the water column of the Baltic Sea. This downward flux represents a loss from the pelagic system, as well as a link between the pelagic and benthic realms, transferring matter and energy to the deep water and to the sediments. From an applied perspective, knowledge of the factors governing formation and subsequent sedimentation of the particulate matter is vital for a proper understanding of changes in the pelagic and benthic realms of the Baltic Sea. We provide here a brief overview of those processes of sedimentation that have received particular attention in Baltic studies, and address some critical current issues related to this topic, and hope to encourage further efforts in this field of Baltic Sea research.
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Blomqvist, S., Heiskanen, AS. (2001). The Challenge of Sedimentation in the Baltic Sea. In: Wulff, F.V., Rahm, L.A., Larsson, P. (eds) A Systems Analysis of the Baltic Sea. Ecological Studies, vol 148. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-04453-7_8
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