Abstract. Applying the ecosystem model ERSEM to the Northwest-European shelf (48°–63°N, 15°W–12°E) the years 1994-1996 were simulated, which exhibit an extremely strong transition in North Atlantic Oscillation index (NAOI): from a high-NAOI to a low-NAOI regime. In order to be far enough from the boundaries of the model area the results and budgets are focussed on the North Sea area. For this region the model was validated against climatological values of nitrate as representative nutrient.

For all three years the North Sea was found to be net heterotrophic: organic material was imported, inorganic material was exported. The strength of this "remineralisation-machine" was large during NAOI-high years (1994 and 1995). It was weaker in 1996 with a low NAOI. This was caused by higher net primary production in the northern North Sea during summer 1996. In this year the stratification was weaker and began later allowing the deep nutrient-rich water in the northern North Sea to be mixed into the upper layers also during early summer.