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Underestimated wake: Shipping traffic causes more turmoil in the Baltic Sea than expected

AI graphic illustrating the serious impact of shipping traffic on the Baltic Sea bed: propeller wash stirs up fine sediments, while erosion causes depressions to form around larger stones.
Shipping traffic has a significant impact on the Baltic Sea floor. The AI graphic illustrates one of the findings of the current study: wake turbulence stirs up fine sediments, while erosion around larger stones creates depressions. (Graphic: S.Ahmerkamp)

Commercial shipping not only affects the Baltic Sea on the surface, but also has a significant impact on the water column and the seabed. A study by the IOW and Kiel University (CAU) now shows for the first time that wake turbulence from large ships in heavily trafficked areas of the western Baltic Sea significantly alters water stratification and leads to marked sea floor erosion. The research team has therefore documented a previously underestimated human impact on shallow marine areas. The results are published in the journal Nature Communications.

 

Download full joint PDF press release by
Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW)
Kiel University (CAU)

(for larger photo view click on image)

application/pdf 20260210_press_Shipwake_Turbulence_Baltic_Sea_en.pdf (229.3 KiB)

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