Observations of the transport of suspended matter into the Skagerrak along the western and northern coast of Jutland

The transport of fine suspended matter (SPM) at a number of stations arranged along three sections along the northwestern coast of Jutland is investigated by means of repeated simultaneous observations of SPM and velocity with high horizontal and vertical resolution. The amount of SPM transported into the Skagerrak with the inflowing water agrees well with earlier estimates of deposites in the area. Most of the SPM originates from the central and northern parts of the North Sea. Only about one fourth of the SPM entering the Skagerrak originates from the southeastern North Sea. The observations indicate a settling of SPM through the deep water which can account for the high deposition rates observed in the eastern part of the Skagerrak.