Marine Habitats in the Kolberger Heide munition dumpsite area

2017Msc Michał Czub

Institute of Oceanology

Polish Academy of Sciences

Introduction

After successful sampling campaigns in the deep areas of the Baltic Sea, which resulted in description of habitats in the Chemical Warfare dumpsites areas, researchers focused on studying shallow, coastal areas of the Baltic Sea. Since both Little Belt and Kiel Bay are recognised as dumpsite areas for unused munitions, they were also selected as the Areas of Interest for the ongoing DAIMON project.

Little Belt is a strait between the island of Funen and the Jutland Peninsula in Denmark. It is one of the three Danish Straits that connect the Baltic Sea to the World Ocean. Kolberger Heide is located in Kiel Bay, just outside of the Kiel Fjord in Germany. It was used as a dumpsite for unused German ammunition around the end of WW2, when up to 8 000 torpedo heads and up to 10 000 sea mines of different types were dumped there. The decision about their recovery was made already soon afterwards and 15 000 out of the 50 000 tons were recovered. The process was stopped after a fatal accident, when three people were killed after the spontaneous detonation of munition that was brought onshore. Since then only the mines that were located in the traffic ways were partly dismantled and dragged to the dumpsite.

In 2014 the process of underwater munition neutralisation was stopped due to small earthquakes that followed every explosion. Not only it was harmful to the harbour infrastructure and on ground buildings, but was a huge stress factor for sea mammals. Several of those explosions were performed using experimental air-bubble curtains.

Due to their geographic location resulting in higher salinity values, both Little Belt and Kol-berger Heide, have relatively high biodiversity, when compared to the Baltic Proper. Presented species lists were prepared based on Checklist of Baltic Sea Macro-species (HELCOM).

Sea-mines in Kolberger Heide

Materials & Methods

24.09 – 26.09.2016 - Kolberger Heide

Munition Dumpsite in Kolberger Heide was

investigated during SEP_16 S/Y Oceania cruise. Measurements included series of acoustic sea bottom recognition, ROV inspections, CTD measurements and sediment sampling (Fig. 1).

The CTD probe (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth) SeaBird 49, additionally equipped with an oxygen sensor was used during all cruises. The accuracies of the conductivity and pressure sensors were 0.005 mS·cm−1 and 0.1% of the full-scale range, respectively. The conductivity sensor is calibrated annually by the manufacturer to ensure accuracy. The profiles of DO concentration were obtained with the Rinko-I sensor. The accuracy of the sensor was ±2% (1Atm, 25°C) with a resolution of 0.01 to 0.4% (2 to 8 µg·L−1).

Detailed seabed imaging was performed by means of the Ocean Server’s AUV IVER-2 with hull-mounted Klein L-3 UUV – 3500, dual frequency side scan sonar (455 kHz and 900 kHz). Collected sonar data served as an input for post processing in HYPACK 2013 software. Additionally, launches of the Saab Falcon ROV, provided visual information for sea bottom recognition.

Post-processed acoustic data was used as a background information for sampling station selection and targets recognition. Following step was Footage obtained by ROV served as a supplementary information for habitat recognition. ROV is equipped with cameras, that provide high-definition images of the sea bottom with all its features including sediment type and biota and sea-dumped artificial objects.

Sediment samples for meio- and macrozoobenthos were collected at selected stations. Meiofauna: 4, 5 and 6, Macrofauna: 1, 4 and 5. Selection was upon all the information generated by the AUV and ROV surveys. Three replications of samples were collected at three stations, significantly varying from the others, by means of 0,1 m2 Van Veen Grab.

Figure 1Sampling stations in Kolberger Heide

Results Habitat recognition is based on all available

findings from performed incestigation. According to EUNIS habitat classification, at least three different types of benthic marine habitats have been distinguished, at the area (Fig.3):

A5.2 SUBLITORAL SANDS

A5.4 SUBLITTORAL MIXEDSEDIMENTS

A5.5 SUBLITTORALMACROPHYTE-DOMINATEDSEDIMENT

Depths at sll sampling stations varied from 5- 17 and at no station did exceed 20 meters (Fig. 2). As typical for shallow areas, whole water column was equally saturated with oxygen values around 250 μmol∙dm3 (Fig. 2a). There was a high salinity gradient in the watercolum, therefore sainity at the bottom varied between different stations (Fig. 2b). Presence of two termoclines shallow, around 5 m, and deep, below 15 was detected.

Taxonomic analyses of zoobentos were so far performed only for meiofauna, however some information about macrofauna specimens is available from the ROV footage and from the sorting of collected material. Although at all sampling stations idividuals from both meio- and macrofauna were detected, at station SEP_16_5the only 4 individuals of Oligochaeta were observed in 1 Van Veen subsample.

Oxygen concentration [μmol O2·dm−1]

0 240 480

10

20

14568n9n10n

6,25

14568n9n10n

15,625 28

Salinity

14568n9n10n

7 14 19

Temperature [°C]

Types of Habitats in Kolberger Heide

MACROPHYTA

According to Checklist of Baltic Sea Macro-species (HELCOM), there are 334 species of macrophyta noted for two investigated regions Little Belt (together with Great Belt) and Kiel Bay.

203 of them can be observed at both regions. However, the area of Little Belt is characterised by a far-larger biodiversity of macrophyta then Kiel Bay, with 111 extra specimens, including two that are endemic for the whole Baltic Sea area. Among 224 species of macroflora from Kiel Bay, one specie was endemic.

Most abundant group of species are Rhodophyta, that make up to a 1/3 of all species. Together with Phaeophyta and Chlorophyta, they make up to 90% of the observed macroflora.

The knowledge about macrophyta assemblages in the Little Belt Dumpsite area and Kolberger Heide is still limited, however necessary samples and ROV footage have been collected and are still to be analysed. At this moment, based on first insights, 5 higher taxonomical levels of macrophytes have been observed in dumpsite areas of Kolberger Heide and 3 in Little Belt.

KH LBAngiospermophyta + ?Charophyta + ?Chlorophyta + +Phaeophyta + +Rhodophyta + +Xanthophyta ? ?

Large macrophyta assemblages serve as habitats for many types of organisms, from invertebrates to fish, therefore their presence has a positive impact on the overall biodiversity of the region.

203

1112endemicspecies

211endemicspecie

LittleBeltandKielBay LittleBelt KielBay

128

80

98

124

12

Angiospermophyta

Charophyta

Chlorophyta

Phaeophyta

Rhodophyta

Xanthophyta

Angiospermophyta Charophyta Chlorophyta

Phaeophyta Rhodophyta Xanthophyta

Angiospermophyta Charophyta Chlorophyta

Phaeophyta Rhodophyta Xanthophyta

Macrophyta

MACROFAUNA

According to Checklist of Baltic Sea Macro-species (HELCOM), there are 559 species of invertebrates classified as macrofauna noted in two investigated regions Little Belt and Kiel Bay.

Less then a half, 255 of them can be observed at both regions. The area of Kiel Bay is characterised by a far larger biodiversity of macrofauna then Little Belt, with 158 extra specimens, including 29 that are endemic for the whole Baltic Sea area. Among 158 species of macrofauna from Kiel Bay, 3 species was endemic.

Most abundant group of species are Polychaeta, that make up to a 1/3 of all. Biodiversity of Kiel Bay thanks to presence of all listed classes of fauna, 8 more than in Little Belt.

KH LBPolychaeta + +Malacostraca + +Gastropoda + +Bivalvia + +Hydrozoa ? Gymnolaemata + ?Clitellata ? Insecta + ?Anthozoa ? +Demospongiae + +Ophiuroidea ? +Ascidiacea + +Echinoidea + +Maxillopoda + +Pycnogonida + ?Rhabditophora ? Anopla ? Asteroidea + +Calcarea ? Polyplacophora + ?Stenolaemata ? Arachnida ? Enopla ? ?Holothuroidea ? Priapulida + +

LITTLEBELTANDKIELBAY KIELBAY LITTLEBELT

Polychaeta Malacostraca Gastropoda Bivalvia

Hydrozoa Gymnolaemata Clitellata Varia

Polychaeta Malacostraca Bivalvia Gastropoda Varia

Polychaeta Malacostraca Gastropoda Bivalvia

Hydrozoa Gymnolaemata Clitellata Varia

Invertebrates

MEIOFAUNA

Meiofauna assemblages from Kolberger Heide are the most diverse. At sandy habitat - KH_SEP_16_4, 12 out of 13 taxa have been observed. In other stations, both defined by muddy sediments: KH_SEP_16_5 and KH_SEP_16_6 only Nematodes were found in all replications, and what is worth noting, at really small numbers (down to 2 ind./10cm2).

Sandy muds of Little Belt were also relatively poor in biodiversity of meiofauna taxa, with 3-5 higher taxa, however their numbers were significantly higher.

In overall, the situation observed in KH_SEP_16_5, where both meio- and macrofauna were nearly not present is worth further investigation.

Fish and Lampereyand

Marine Mammals

No Class Order Family ValidTaxonName Verrnacularname LittleBelt KielBay No Class Order Family ValidTaxonName Verrnacularname LittleBelt KielBay

1 Cephalaspidomorphi Petromyzontiformes Petromyzontidae Lampetrafluviatilis Riverlamprey T X 67 Actinopterygii Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae Syngnathustyphle Deep-snoutedpipefish R R

2 Cephalaspidomorphi Petromyzontiformes Petromyzontidae Petromyzonmarinus Sealamprey T T 68 Actinopterygii Scorpaeniformes Triglidae Chelidonichthyslucerna Tubgurnard T T

3 Elasmobranchii Lamniformes Lamnidae Lamnanasus Porbeagle T T 69 Actinopterygii Scorpaeniformes Triglidae Eutriglagurnardus Greygurnard R R

4 Elasmobranchii Lamniformes Cetorhinidae Cetorhinusmaximus Baskingshark T T 70 Actinopterygii Scorpaeniformes Cottidae Myoxocephalusscorpius Bull-rout R R

5 Elasmobranchii Carcharhiniformes Scyliorhinidae Scyliorhinuscanicula Lesserspotteddogfish T 71 Actinopterygii Scorpaeniformes Cottidae Taurulusbubalis Seascorpion R R

6 Elasmobranchii Carcharhiniformes Triakidae Galeorhinusgaleus Tope T 72 Actinopterygii Scorpaeniformes Agonidae Agonuscataphractus Hook-nose R R

7 Elasmobranchii Carcharhiniformes Triakidae Mustelusmustelus Smoothhound T 73 Actinopterygii Scorpaeniformes Cyclopteridae Cyclopteruslumpus Lumpsucker R R

8 Elasmobranchii Carcharhiniformes Carcharhinidae Prionaceglauca Blueshark T T 74 Actinopterygii Scorpaeniformes Liparidae Liparisliparis Sea-snail T

9 Elasmobranchii Squaliformes Squalidae Squalusacanthias Spurdog T T 75 Actinopterygii Scorpaeniformes Liparidae Liparismontagui Montagu’ssea-snail R

10 Elasmobranchii Rajiformes Rajidae Amblyrajaradiata Starryray T T 76 Actinopterygii Perciformes Moronidae Dicentrarchuslabrax Bass T

11 Elasmobranchii Rajiformes Rajidae Rajaclavata Thornbackray T T 77 Actinopterygii Perciformes Percidae Gymnocephaluscernua Ruffe R

12 Elasmobranchii Rajiformes Dasyatidae Dasyatispastinaca Stingray T 78 Actinopterygii Perciformes Percidae Percafluviatilis Perch T R

13 Actinopterygii Acipenseriformes Acipenseridae Acipenserbaeri Siberiansturgeon T 79 Actinopterygii Perciformes Percidae Sanderlucioperca Zander T R

14 Actinopterygii Acipenseriformes Acipenseridae Acipenseroxyrinchus Americanatlanticsturgeon T 80 Actinopterygii Perciformes Carangidae Trachurustrachurus Scad X X

15 Actinopterygii Acipenseriformes Acipenseridae Acipenserstellatus Stellatesturgeon T 81 Actinopterygii Perciformes Bramidae Bramabrama Ray’sbream T

16 Actinopterygii Anguilliformes Anguillidae Anguillaanguilla Eel X X 82 Actinopterygii Perciformes Sparidae Boopsboops Bogue T

17 Actinopterygii Anguilliformes Congridae Congerconger Congereel T T 83 Actinopterygii Perciformes Sparidae SpondyliosomacantharusBlacksea-bream T

18 Actinopterygii Clupeiformes Clupeidae Alosaalosa Allisshad T 84 Actinopterygii Perciformes Mullidae Mullussurmuletus Stripedredmullet T

19 Actinopterygii Clupeiformes Clupeidae Alosafallax Twaiteshad T T 85 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Mugilidae Chelonlabrosus Thick-lippedgreymullet X T

20 Actinopterygii Clupeiformes Clupeidae Clupeaharengus Herring R R 86 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Mugilidae Lizaaurata Goldengreymullet T

21 Actinopterygii Clupeiformes Clupeidae Sardinapilchardus Pilchard T 87 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Labridae Centrolabrusexoletus Thin-lippedgreymullet T

22 Actinopterygii Clupeiformes Clupeidae Sprattussprattus Sprat R R 88 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Labridae Ctenolabrusrupestris Goldsinny R R

23 Actinopterygii Clupeiformes Engraulidae Engraulisencrasicolus Anchovy T T 89 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Labridae Corisjulis Rainbowwrasse T

24 Actinopterygii Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Abramisbrama Bream R 90 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Labridae Labrusbergylta Ballanwrasse T T

25 Actinopterygii Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Bliccabjoerkna Silverbream R 91 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Labridae Labrusmixtus Cuckoowrasse T

26 Actinopterygii Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Leuciscusidus Ide T X 92 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Labridae Symphodusmelops Corkwingwrasse T ?

27 Actinopterygii Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Rutilusrutilus Roach R 93 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Zoarcidae Zoarcesviviparus Eelpout R R

28 Actinopterygii Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Scardiniuserythrophthalmus Rudd X 94 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Stichaeidae Chirolophisascanii Yarrell’sblenny R

29 Actinopterygii Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Squaliuscephalus Chub X 95 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Stichaeidae LumpenuslampretaeformisSnakeblenny R R

30 Actinopterygii Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Alburnusalburnus Bleak R 96 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Pholidae Pholisgunnellus Butterfish R R

31 Actinopterygii Cypriniformes Cobitidae Cobitistaenia Spinedloach T T 97 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Anarhichadidae Anarhichaslupus Wolf-fish X T

32 Actinopterygii Siluriformes Siluridae Silurusglanis Wels T 98 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Ammodytidae Ammodytesmarinus Raitt'ssandeel ? ?

33 Actinopterygii Osmeriformes Argentinidae Argentinasphyraena Argentine T 99 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Ammodytidae Ammodytestobianus Sandeel R R

34 Actinopterygii Osmeriformes Osmeridae Osmeruseperlanus Smelt T R 100 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Ammodytidae Hyperopluslanceolatus Greatersandeel R R

35 Actinopterygii Salmoniformes Salmonidae Coregonusmaraenas.l. Whitefish X 101 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Trachinidae Trachinusdraco Greaterweever T T

36 Actinopterygii Salmoniformes Salmonidae Coregonuspeled Peled T 102 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Callionymidae Callionymuslyra Dragonet R T

37 Actinopterygii Salmoniformes Salmonidae Oncorhynchusgorbuscha Humpbacksalmon T 103 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Callionymidae Callionymusmaculatu Spotteddragonet T

38 Actinopterygii Salmoniformes Salmonidae Oncorhynchusmykiss Rainbowtrout X X 104 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Gobiidae Aphiaminuta TransparentGoby R R

39 Actinopterygii Salmoniformes Salmonidae Salmosalar Salmon X X 105 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Gobiidae Gobiusniger Blackgoby R R

40 Actinopterygii Salmoniformes Salmonidae Salmotrutta Trout X X 106 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Gobiidae Gobiusculusflavescens Two-spottedgoby R R

41 Actinopterygii Gadiformes Gadidae Gadusmorhua Cod X R 107 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Gobiidae Neogobiusmelanostomus Roundgoby R

42 Actinopterygii Gadiformes Gadidae Melanogrammusaeglefinus Haddock T T 108 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Gobiidae Pomatoschistusmicrops Commongoby R R

43 Actinopterygii Gadiformes Gadidae Merlangiusmerlangus Whiting X R 109 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Gobiidae Pomatoschistusminutus Sandgoby R R

44 Actinopterygii Gadiformes Gadidae Pollachiuspollachius Pollack T T 110 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Gobiidae Pomatoschistuspictus Paintedgoby T

45 Actinopterygii Gadiformes Gadidae Pollachiusvirens Saithe T T 111 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Gempylidae Nesiarchusnasutus Blackgemfish T

46 Actinopterygii Gadiformes Gadidae Ranicepsraninus Tadpole-fish R 112 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Xiphiidae Xiphiasgladius Swordfish T T

47 Actinopterygii Gadiformes Gadidae Trisopterusesmarkii Norwaypout T 113 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Scombridae Euthynnusalletteratus Littletunny T

48 Actinopterygii Gadiformes Gadidae Trisopterusminutus Poorcod T T 114 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Scombridae Sardasarda Bonito T

49 Actinopterygii Gadiformes Lotidae Ciliatamustela Five-beardedrockling R 115 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Scombridae Scomberscombrus Mackerel X X

50 Actinopterygii Gadiformes Lotidae Enchelyopuscimbrius Four-beardedrockling R R 116 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Scombridae Thunnusthynnus Blue-fintuna T

51 Actinopterygii Gadiformes Lotidae Lotalota Burbot T 117 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Centrolophidae Centrolophusniger Blackfish T

52 Actinopterygii Gadiformes Lotidae Molvamolva Ling T T 118 Actinopterygii Mugiliformes Centrolophidae SchedophilusmedusophagusCornishblackfish T

53 Actinopterygii Gadiformes Merlucciidae Merlucciusmerluccius Hake T T 119 Actinopterygii Pleuronectiformes Scophthalmidae LepidorhombuswhiffiagonisMegrim T

54 Actinopterygii Lophiiformes Lophiidae Lophiuspiscatorius Angler T T 120 Actinopterygii Pleuronectiformes Scophthalmidae Scophthalmusmaximus Turbot R R

55 Actinopterygii Atheriniformes Atherinidae Atherinapresbyter Sand-smelt T 121 Actinopterygii Pleuronectiformes Scophthalmidae Scophthalmusrhombus Brill R R

56 Actinopterygii Beloniformes Scomberesocidae Scomberesoxsaurus Skipper T 122 Actinopterygii Pleuronectiformes Scophthalmidae Zeugopteruspunctatus Topknot T

57 Actinopterygii Beloniformes Belonidae Belonebelone Garfish R R 123 Actinopterygii Pleuronectiformes Bothidae Arnoglossuslaterna Scaldfish T

58 Actinopterygii Zeiformes Zeidae Zeusfaber Johndory T ? 124 Actinopterygii Pleuronectiformes Pleuronectidae GlyptocephaluscynoglossusWitch T T

59 Actinopterygii Gasterosteiformes Gasterosteidae Gasterosteusaculeatus Three-spinedstickleback R R 125 Actinopterygii Pleuronectiformes Pleuronectidae HippoglossoidesplatessoidesLongroughdab R R

60 Actinopterygii Gasterosteiformes Gasterosteidae Gasterosteusgymnurus Westernthree-spinedstickleback ? ? 126 Actinopterygii Pleuronectiformes Pleuronectidae HippoglossushippoglossusHalibut T T

61 Actinopterygii Gasterosteiformes Gasterosteidae Pungitiuspungitius Nine-spinestickleback R R 127 Actinopterygii Pleuronectiformes Pleuronectidae Limandalimanda Dab R R

62 Actinopterygii Gasterosteiformes Gasterosteidae Spinachiaspinachia Fifteen-spinedstickleback R R 128 Actinopterygii Pleuronectiformes Pleuronectidae Microstomuskitt Lemonsole T T

63 Actinopterygii Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae Entelurusaequoraeus Snakepipefish T 129 Actinopterygii Pleuronectiformes Pleuronectidae Platichthysflesus Flounder R R

64 Actinopterygii Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae Nerophisophidion Straight-nosedpipefish R R 130 Actinopterygii Pleuronectiformes Pleuronectidae Pleuronectesplatessa Plaice R R

65 Actinopterygii Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae Syngnathusacus Greaterpipefish T T 131 Actinopterygii Pleuronectiformes Soleidae Soleasolea Sole R X

66 Actinopterygii Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae Syngnathusrostellatus Nilsson’spipefish T 132 Actinopterygii Tetraodontiformes Molidae Molamola Sunfish T T

ChecklistforFishandLampereyspecies