Hydrography

Objective:

• To provide data to be used as the basis for being able to model and
  evaluate the consequences of a fixed link for the Baltic Sea and the local waters
  
  
• To provide data to be able to optimise the design of the constructions with regard to withstanding the effects of nature, e.g. waves, water level,
  currents, ice, wind, weather

Investigations:

• Three fixed measurement stations in the belt measuring current,
  temperature, oxygen, salt content, et al, at many depths
  
  
• Ten fixed stations along the Danish and German coasts measuring
  the normal variation of visibility in the water
  
  
• Ship-based measurements once a month for seven days over two years covering the Kiel Bight and the Mecklenburg Bight to provide the
  geographic variations of the hydrography
  
  
• Physical and computer modelling
  
  
• Full-scale experiment with sediment spillage in order to be able to describe
  the consequences of the excavation operations
  
  
• Investigation of sediment transport along the coasts and at the bottom of
  the Fehmarnbelt

Marine biology

Objective:

• Charting the marine flora and fauna in the Fehmarnbelt and neighbouring waters with the intention of determining the current situation and describing
  the annual variability

Investigations:

• Charting the habitats of the whole of the Fehmarnbelt and neighbouring
  waters using multi-beam echo sounders and other acoustic methods
  
  
• Production of a map showing the various habitats in the area (stone bottom, sand bottom, mussel banks, eelgrass banks et al)
  
  
• Determining the combination, extent and density of species of flora
  and fauna in the Fehmarnbelt and neighbouring waters spread over time
  for two years

Fish and fishing

Objective:

• Charting all the significant species of fish in the Fehmarnbelt and
  neighbouring waters, including fish such as herring and eel with migratory routes through the Fehmarnbelt
  
  
• Charting spawning grounds in the Fehmarnbelt and around the island of Fehmarn as well as in the Rødsand Lagoon
  
  
• Collection of data about the extent of fishing in the area including very
  important pleasure and tourist fishing

Investigations:

• Monthly test fishing expeditions in the Fehmarnbelt
  
  
• Accounts of the stocks for the whole of the western Baltic Sea
  
  
• Tagging of eel
  
  
• Charting fish eggs and fish larvae
  
  
• Determining the volume of cod spawning in the Baltic Sea
  
  
• Interviews with fishermen and workers in the tourist industry

Birds

Objective:

• Determination of the birds’ preferred routes and height distribution along
  and across the belt
  
  
• Determination of the number and species of birds which live in and around
  the Fehmarnbelt and the two land areas where the approach infrastructure
  will be established

Investigations:

• Intense radar and visual observations from land as well as from ships
  during the birds' spring and autumn migrations (2 x 3 months) over
  two years
  
  
• Monthly bird counts in the Fehmarnbelt and neighbouring waters
  
  
• Charting land birds (and bats) in the two areas on land where the link will
  be built
  
  
• Investigation into bird behaviour at the Øresund Bridge, the Kalmar Sound Bridge, the Farø Bridge and the Fehmarnsund Bridge with regard to being
  able to describe the effect of a potential bridge across the Fehmarnbelt

Marine mammals – seals and porpoises

Objective:

• Charting of the distribution and behaviour of porpoises and seals in the Fehmarnbelt and neighbouring waters as well as around the Great Belt
  Bridge

Investigations:

• 30 sonar buoys have been placed in the Fehmarnbelt to record the sonar noises from porpoises
  
  
• A few buoys are re-sited to around the Great Belt Bridge for a short time
  
  
• Counts from ships and aircraft over two years

Environmental investigations on land

Objective:

• To chart the flora and fauna
  
  
• To chart items of cultural value at and around the forthcoming approach infrastructure

Investigations:

• Charting and description of fauna
  
  
• Charting and description of items of cultural value
  
  
• Determination and counting of animals
  
  
• Charting and investigation into watercourses and waterholes

Archaeology

Objective:

• Charting and identifying archaeological finds on land and in water
  
  
• Initial screening for ammunition in the construction corridor

Investigations:

• Sidescan sonar charting of the seabed
  
  
• Investigation by divers of wrecks and other objects found
  
  
• At water depths over 10m, a remote controlled robot (ROV) will be used
  initially
  
  
• On land, examinations of the areas will be made by test excavations