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Sea currentsThe North Sea is fed with water from the Atlantic Ocean and the rivers. There is hardly any exchange of water with the Baltic Sea. Atlantic Ocean water enters the North Sea from two different openings: via the English Channel from the south and along the Scottish coast from the north. The water leaves the North Sea along the Norwegian coast. These currents are primarily determined by the tides. In turn, the currents in the Wadden Sea are determined by those in the North Sea. |
- Supply of water for the North Sea
- Currents in the Atlantic Ocean
- Currents in the Atlantic Ocean, Ecomare
The current in the North Sea is primarily produced by water flowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. This water is part of the warm Gulf Stream. The origin of this water current lies near the equator. The dominating wind there pushes the water mass to the west. It is deflected when the current reaches the American continent. One branch flows to the south and the other flows to the north. The Gulf Stream is the northern branch and first moves along the coast as a narrow stream. The further it moves to the north, the stronger the Coriolis force starts working. This force sees to it that every free-moving particle deviates in the direction it is moving (northward or southward). This deviation in the northern hemisphere is to the right. The Gulf Stream then travels across the Atlantic Ocean to Western Europe. The water in the Atlantic Ocean is also pushed to the east by the dominant western wind. Once it arrives by the Irish coast, the current bends in two directions: north and south. Via the Straits of Dover and along the Scottish coast, the water finally reaches the North Sea.
- Tidal currents in the North Sea
- Tidal current along the Dutch coast, Ecomare
The tide is responsible for the currents in the North Sea. The ebb current and the flood current are not equivalent. The flood current is greater in force than the ebb current. In total, the water flows along the Dutch coast from the southwest to the northeast.
Because the water enters via the south and northwest, it can only exit via the northeast. This water flows along the Norwegian coast back into the Atlantic Ocean. - Current in the Wadden Sea
- Encountering currents in the Wadden Sea, Ecomare
The current in the Wadden Sea is determined by the tide. The flood enters via the sea channels from the west. This current exits the wadden region again in the north. The tidal wave takes approximately seven hours to travel from Den Helder to Esbjerg.
- No two drops are the same
- The most important fronts in the North Sea, Ecomare
Different water masses circulate in the North Sea. They sometimes mix poorly with each other. The water is less saline along the coast due to the rivers flowing into the sea. This fresh water does not mix well with seawater. The strong current in the North Sea also hinders mixture. The result is that polluting materials remain floating for a long time along the coast. In those places where the current velocity is low, for example in the Wadden Sea, by the Oystergrounds and in the German Bight, pollution easily settles on the bottom.
Clear boundaries are also found further out to sea. The salinity and the temperature of the water can vary as if they come from different regions. These gradients are called fronts. The fronts are the sharpest in the summer. Because the wind does not blow as hard in the warmer months of the year, the least amount of mixture occurs at this time. By the fronts, nutrients and plankton can accumulate.
