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Spatial and temporal dynamics of water isotopes in the riverine-marine mixing zone along the German Baltic Sea coast
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  • Bernhard Aichner,
  • Timo Rittweg,
  • Rhena Schumann,
  • Sven Dahlke,
  • Svend Duggen,
  • David Dubbert
Bernhard Aichner
Leibniz-Institut fur Gewasserokologie und Binnenfischerei im Forschungsverbund Berlin eV

Corresponding Author:bernhard.aichner@gmx.de

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Timo Rittweg
Leibniz-Institut fur Gewasserokologie und Binnenfischerei im Forschungsverbund Berlin eV
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Rhena Schumann
Universitatsbibliothek Rostock
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Sven Dahlke
Universitat Greifswald Vogelwarte Hiddensee
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Svend Duggen
AP Moller Fonden
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David Dubbert
Leibniz-Institut fur Gewasserokologie und Binnenfischerei im Forschungsverbund Berlin eV
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Abstract

River estuaries are characterized by mixing processes between marine water masses and freshwater inflows depleted in heavier stable isotopes. Therefore, they often show a linear correlation between salinity and water isotopes (δ 18O and δ 2H values). In this study we evaluated spatial and seasonal isotope dynamics along three estuarine lagoon transects, located at the northern German Baltic Sea coast. The data show strong seasonality of isotope values, even at locations located furthest from the river mouths. They further reveal a positive and linear salinity-isotope correlation in spring, but hyperbolic and partially reverse correlations in summers. We conclude, that additional physical processes such as evaporation from the shallow lagoons, partially overprint the two-phase mixing correlation during summers. Understanding those water isotope and salinity dynamics are crucial in context of ecological studies. For example, when interpreting oxygen and hydrogen isotope data in aquatic organisms, that depend on ambient estuarine waters.
17 Mar 2022Submitted to Hydrological Processes
17 Mar 2022Submission Checks Completed
17 Mar 2022Assigned to Editor
24 Mar 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 Apr 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 May 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
06 Jul 20221st Revision Received
26 Aug 2022Submission Checks Completed
26 Aug 2022Assigned to Editor
26 Aug 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
26 Aug 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
27 Aug 2022Editorial Decision: Accept