Srulise Report, RV ATAIR, Cruise 0671013-1, Bremerhaven - Skagen - Aberdeen, 19 Jul - 11 Aug 2022 | 
As shown in Figure 6.4, bottom temperatures were generally warmer in the northern part of 
the North Sea, where inflow of Atlantic Water is typically expected. Furthermore, temperatures 
warmer than average were observed on top of the Dogger Bank and along the east coast of 
Britain, in a pattern stretching from approximately 55°N towards the English Channel in the 
south. In contrast, the German Bight and regions off Denmark to the south showed tempera- 
tures cooler than average. 
Salinitvy at 5 dbar 
Salinity at 5 dbar minus mean (2000-2020) 
31 
m 
50°N 
38° 
56° 
AA° 
0 
50° 4 
6°W 4° 
60°N - 
59° 
56° 
54° 
52° 
V Atair 
zruise 0671013-1 
'9 Jul - 12 Aug 2022 
3remarhayen - Aberdeen 
. ; + 50° + 
2° 0° 2° 4° 6° 8° 10°E 6°W 4° 
o 
0° 
2° 
RV Atalr 
Cruise 0671013-1 
19 Jul - 12 Aug 2022 
Zremerhaven - Aberdaar 
F — 
4° 6° 8° 10°E 
Figure 6.5. CTD-derived spatial distribution for the salinity near the surface in summer 2022 (left) and 
respective salinity deviations (right) from a long-term mean, 20 years, comprising NSSS cruises of the 
years 2000-2020 (except 2019). 
In summer 2022, a large patch of near-surface salinity exceeding 35 was observed in the North 
Sea (Figure 6.5, left), stretching from the northern and northwestern regions into the central 
area. This saline patch is associated with the inflow of Atlantic Water, identified by salinities 
axceeding 35. The isohaline at 34.5 formed a horseshoe pattern stretching from approximately 
57°N off the British coast to 54°N south of Dogger Bank and continuing northwards to 60°N, 
4°E in the northern part of the North Sea. Near-surface water inside this horseshoe showed 
salinities ranging from =34.5 to 35.2, with the highest values observed near the Shetland Is- 
lands and to their west. Coastal salinities on the eastern side of the North Sea revealed mini- 
mum salinities at the mouth of the River Elbe (S <31). The Norwegian Trench showed the fresh 
Baltic outflow close to the Norwegian coast, with salinity mostly below 31. Deviations in surface 
salinity in summer 2022 from the long-term mean indicate an increase in the salinity of Atlantic 
Water (Figure 6.5, right) and fresher conditions next to the mouth of the River Elbe.