A major change in the phytoplankton composition in a Swedish sill fjord—a consequence of engineering work?

A major phytoplankton change occurred during the late 1930s and early 1940s in Koljö Fjord, a sill fjord on the Swedish west coast. Dinoflagellate cyst concentrations increased tenfold over a short period of time, from hundreds of cysts per gram sediment to thousands; and the species composition of both dinoflagellate cysts and diatoms changed markedly. These changes took place during a period of extensive engineering work at the entrance to the fjord from the Skagerrak. At this time, the entire passage was straightened, a new channel was built in a previously shallow area, and the old connection was closed. This study investigates whether this engineering work could have sufficiently altered the surface-water circulation to bring about the change in the phytoplankton composition. Several mechanisms are explored by which the construction could have influenced the phytoplankton in the fjord. The primary mechanism is probably increased efficiency of tidal-generated surface-water exchange in the fjord, resulting in a larger transport of surface water from the Skagerrak and consequently a changed surface-water environment. This study highlights how engineering work can have a substantial impact on the local and regional marine environment, a factor that must not be overlooked in environmental planning.