Dissolved methane concentrations, diffusive methane flux and Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) in the German Bight in January 2024 (Sternfahrt 11)@en

In January 2024 a river flood by the Elbe and Weser resulted in very high discharge of freshwater into the German Bight. To follow this river, plume the RV Mya II cruised from Sylt and between Helgoland, Cuxhaven, Büsum. All instruments were set up in the MOSES laboratory container. Standard hydrographic parameters were determined with a pocket ferrybox running with ship's surface water supply. In addition, dissolved methane was determined continuously. We used a degassing unit which was using surface water from the ship's water supply. The gas mixture was subsequently analysed with a Greenhouse Gas Analyzer from LosGatos. Conversion to methane concentration was performed with water samples, from which the methane content was determined with gas chromatography. Atmospheric methane concentrations were obtained from the ICOS-station Helgoland. Wind speed was obtained from the ships meteorological system. The diffusive flux was calculated as outlined in the additional meta data description.