DISCREPANCIES OF THE SEAWATER TEMPERATURE BETWEEN BALTIC SEA PHYSICAL REANALYSIS DATA AND IN-SITU MEASUREMENTS OFF THE SHORE OF THE CURONIAN SPIT

Authors

  • E. A. Vasilyeva Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences; Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University
  • A. V. Kileso Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences; Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University
  • A. E. Isachenko Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29006/1564-2291.JOR-2025.53(4).1

Keywords:

in-situ measurements, thermistor chain, seawater temperature, reanalysis data, temperature discrepancy, coastal waters, Baltic Sea

Abstract

This study provides new estimates of the discrepancies between the Baltic Sea Physical Reanalysis data and in-situ measurements of seawater temperature in the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea off the Curonian Spit (Kaliningrad region, Russia). The relevance of this assessments driven by the need for reconstruction and analysis of previously occurred extreme events in the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea. Additionally, predictive assessments are required to evaluate the possible impact of extreme weather conditions on the intensification of lithodynamic processes in the coastal zone of the sea using numerical modeling. Quantitative assessments of water temperature discrepancies were obtained by comparing BALTICSEA_REANALYSISPHY_03_011 computational data with instrumental measurements. The latter were obtained by a thermistor chain sensor installed on the D6 platform, which is located approximately 20 km from the shore. The analysis revealed significant discrepancies (up to 6 °C) between the calculated and measured temperatures in the near-surface (5 m), intermediate (13 m), and deep (20 m) layers of coastal waters in 2018. The water density mismatch in October and May 2018 ranged from −0.2 to −0.13 kg/m³ and from 0.025 to 0.25 kg/m³, respectively, with corresponding temperature discrepancies. This can affect the calculated water dynamics. This circumstance is significant in numerical simulation under extreme weather conditions. Therefore, it is difficult to correct the existing Baltic Sea Reanalysis dataset for use in numerical simulations of coastal water dynamics near the Curonian Spit shores.

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Published

2025-12-21

Issue

Vol. 53 No. 4 (2025): Journal of Oceanological Research

Section

Ocean physics and climate

License

Transfer of copyrights occurs on the basis of a license agreement between the Author and Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, RAS

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