The Effect of Weather Conditions on Eutrophication in the Neva River Estuary

Abstract

Analysis of long-term data on chlorophyll a and total phosphorus concentrations, plankton primary production, organic matter mineralization, and weather conditions in the middle of summer in 2003–2017 revealed eutrophication processes in the Neva River estuary. Weather conditions in the region exerted a strong effect on organic matter prodaction and mineralization processes in the estuary. Rainy and cold summers of the recent years promoted massive development of algae due to increased washout of nutrients from the catchment area, but the rate of organic matter mineralization in the water column was reduced because of low water temperature.