The remote sensing reflectance Rrs, concentrations of chlorophyll a and other pigments Ci, suspended particulate matter concentrations CSPM and coloured dissolved organic matter absorption coefficient aCDOM(λ) were measured in the euphotic zones of 15 Pomeranian lakes in 2007–2010. On the basis of 235 sets of data points obtained from simultaneous estimates of these quantities, we classified the lake waters into three types. The first one, with the lowest aCDOM(440nm) (usually between 0.1 and 1.3m−1 and chlorophyll a concentrations 1.3 < Ca < 33mg m−3), displays a broad peak on the reflectance spectrum at 560–580nm and resembles the shape of the remote sensing reflectance spectra usually observed in the Baltic Proper. A set of Rrs spectra from the Baltic Proper is given for comparison. The second lake water type has a very high CDOM absorption coefficient (usually aCDOM(440nm) > 10m−1, up to 17.4m−1 in Lake Pyszne; it has a relatively low reflectance (Rrs < 0.001sr−1) over the entire spectral range, and two visible reflectance spectra peaks at ca 650 and 690–710nm. The third type of lake water represents waters with a lower CDOM absorption coefficient (usually aCDOM (440nm)< 5m−1) and a high chlorophyll a concentration (usually Ca > 4mg m−3, up to 336mg m−3 in Lake Gardno). The remote sensing reflectance spectra in these waters always exhibit three peaks (Rrs > 0.005sr−1): a broad one at 560–580nm, a smaller one at ca 650nm and a well-pronounced one at 690–720nm. These Rrs(λ) peaks correspond to the relatively low absorption of light by the various optically active components of the lake water and the considerable scattering (over the entire spectral range investigated) due to the high SPM concentrations there. The remote sensing maximum at λ ≈ 690–720nm is higher still as a result of the natural fluorescence of chlorophyll a. Empirical relationships between the spectral reflectance band ratios at selected wavelengths and the various optically active components for these lake waters are also established: for example, the chlorophyll a concentration in surface water layer Ca=6.432 e4.556X, where X=[max Rrs(695 ≤ λ ≤ 720) – Rrs(λ=670)]/max Rrs(695 ≤ λ ≤ 720), and the coefficient of determination R2=0.95

This article is the first of two papers on the remote sensing methods of monitoring the Baltic ecosystem, developed by a Polish team. The main aim of the five- year SatBałtyk (2010–2014) research project (Satellite Monitoring of the Baltic Sea Environment) is to prepare the technical infrastructure and set in motion operational procedures for the satellite monitoring of the Baltic environment. This system is to characterize on a routine basis the structural and functional properties of this sea on the basis of data supplied by the relevant satellites. The characterization and large-scale dissemination of the following properties of the Baltic is anticipated: the solar radiation influx to the sea’s waters in various spectral intervals, energy balances of the short- and long-wave radiation at the Baltic Sea surface and in the upper layers of the atmosphere over the Baltic, sea surface temperature distribution, dynamic states of the water surface, concentrations of chlorophyll a and other phytoplankton pigments in the Baltic water, distributions of algal blooms, the occurrence of upwelling events, and the characteristics of primary organic matter production and photosynthetically released oxygen in the water. It is also intended to develop and, where feasible, to implement satellite techniques for detecting slicks of petroleum derivatives and other compounds, evaluating the state of the sea’s ice cover, and forecasting the hazards from current and future storms and providing evidence of their effects in the Baltic coastal zone. The ultimate objective of the project is to implement an operational system for the routine determination and dissemination on the Internet of the above-mentioned features of the Baltic in the form of distribution maps as well as plots, tables and descriptions characterizing the state of the various elements of the Baltic environment. The main sources of input data for this system will be the results of systematic recording by environmental satellites and also special-purpose ones such as TIROS N/NOAA, MSG (currently Meteosat 9), EOS/AQUA and ENVISAT. The final effects of the SatBałtyk project are to be achieved by the end of 2014, i.e. during a period of 60 months. These two papers present the results obtained during the first 15 months of the project. Part 1 of this series of articles contains the assumptions, objectives and a description of the most important stages in the history of our research, which constitute the foundation of the current project. It also discusses the way in which SatBałtyk functions and the scheme of its overall operations system. The second article (Part 2), will discuss some aspects of its practical applicability in the satellite monitoring of the Baltic ecosystem (see Woźniak et al. (2011) in this issue)

This paper is the second part of the description of the first stage of the SatBałtyk project’s implementation. Part 1 (Woźniak et al. 2011, in this issue) presents the assumptions and objectives of SatBałtyk and describes the most important stages in the history of our research, which is the foundation of this project. It also discusses the operation and general structure of the SatBałtyk system. Part 2 addresses various aspects of the practical applicability of the SatBałtyk Operational System to Baltic ecosystem monitoring. Examples are given of the Baltic’s characteristics estimated using the preliminary versions of the algorithms in this Operational System. At the current stage of research, these algorithms apply mainly to the characteristics of the solar energy influx and the distribution of this energy among the various processes taking place in the atmosphere-sea system, and also to the radiation balance of the sea surface, the irradiance conditions for photosynthesis and the condition of plant communities in the water, sea surface temperature distributions and some other marine phenomena correlated with this temperature. Monitoring results obtained with these preliminary algorithms are exemplified in the form of distribution maps of selected abiotic parameters of the Baltic, as well as structural and functional characteristics of this ecosystem governed by these parameters in the Baltic’s many basins. The maps cover practically the whole area of the Baltic Sea. Also given are results of preliminary inspections of the accuracy of the magnitudes shown on the maps. In actual fact, the errors of these estimates are relatively small. The further practical application of this set of algorithms (to be gradually made more specific) is therefore entirely justified as the basis of the SatBałtyk system for the effective operational monitoring of the state and functioning of Baltic ecosystems. This article also outlines the plans for extending SatBałtyk to include the recording of the effects and hazards caused by current and expected storm events in the Polish coastal zone

Abundance, biomass, and taxonomic composition of the ciliate community were studied in the surface waters along a transect between 50°S 61°W and 48°N 5°W (Atlantic Ocean, March-April 2011). The abundance of heterotrophic ciliates was low in the equatorial zone (280–320 cells l⁻¹, 0.11–0.12 μg C l⁻¹), but it increased toward both the northern and southern temperate zones with the maximum abundance observed at 44°S (2667 cells l⁻¹, 0.82 μg C l⁻¹). This pattern resembles the global distribution of oceanic primary production, which is low at lower latitudes and high in temperate zones. In temperate zones ciliate abundance peaks during spring and fall. Thus, because the present study was carried out during spring in the northern hemisphere and austral fall in the southern hemisphere, the ciliate abundance at higher latitudes was additionally elevated. Functionally autotrophic Mesodinium rubrum was only observed in the northern hemisphere and tropical waters. Its maximum abundance was observed at 48°N (1080 cells l⁻¹, 1.14 μg C l⁻¹). The most frequently observed ciliates were oligotrichs and choreotrichs. Other important ciliates were haptorids (including M. rubrum) and hypotrichs.