In shallow straits wind forcing generates current and sea level differences between sub-basins, which in turn influences currents. Wind-generated waves can also contribute to the flow in shallow straits. High resolution model studies

of the transport of sedimentary material have shown that despite strong currents, wave action dominates the forcing of sediment transport in shallow sea areas (Seifert et al. 2009). The Suur Strait is a relatively narrow and shallow strait connecting the waters of the Väinameri and the Gulf of Riga. The Suur Strait is the narrowest (6 km) in the Virtsu-Kuivastu region (Figure 1). Its maximum depth is 21 m and the sill depth is about 5 m near the southern side of the Väinameri basin. Besides the Irbe Strait, the Suur Strait is an alternative gateway to the Gulf of Riga, but with a cross-section that is almost nine times smaller. The gulf Selleck JQ1 (area about 140 × 150 km2, volume 406 km3 and mean depth 23 m) annually receives an average of ca 32 km3 freshwater

from rivers (mainly from the Daugava). The first current velocity measurements in the Suur Strait date back to 1908 (Mardiste 1995). In the 1990s prolonged measurement series were carried out in the Suur Strait (Suursaar et al., 1995, Suursaar et al., 1996 and Suursaar et al., 1998). In the observation series of the Suur Strait, two current RO4929097 ic50 directions dominated: 130–160° (inflow to the Gulf of Riga) and 340–350° (outflow from the Gulf of Riga), which were in relatively good agreement with the axis of the strait. A maximum flow speed of about 1m s−1 was recorded in both along-axis directions during ice-free conditions in the winter of 1994/95. In spring and summer the flow speeds were about half as

fast as the winter ones without ice cover. In winter with ice cover the flow speeds were relatively small: 0.05–0.15 m s−1 (mean) and up to 0.35 m s−1 (maximum). Water exchange through the Suur Strait has been estimated from direct current velocity measurements and from model simulations. The yearly inflow to the Gulf of Riga has been estimated at between 110 and 159 km3, while the yearly outflow is between 133 and 201 km3 (Suursaar et al., 1996 and Otsmann et al., 2001). These estimates give a gross outflow from Etomidate the Gulf of Riga of between 10 and 53 km3. On the basis of these estimates, the flow through the Suur Strait plays an important role (up to 32%) in the water balance of the Gulf of Riga (Suursaar et al. 1996). Surface wave measurements in the Suur Strait have not been carried out, although the role of waves can be important in forcing currents, and more likely, in resuspending bottom sediments. Mulligan et al. (2008) have shown the importance of wave-induced currents in the overall circulation in the small and shallow Lüneburg Bay during the passage of a hurricane.