Dear Authors,

Thank you for your manuscript entitled "Long term trends and variability of the mixed layer depth in the Baltic Sea" and for your detailed responses to the reviewers' comments.

The reviewers and I recognize the value of this contribution, particularly its relevance to understanding long-term changes and variability in the Baltic Sea mixed layer depth and its implications for regional ocean dynamics and climate-related processes.

After considering the referee reports and your responses, I am pleased to invite you to submit a revised version of the manuscript. The review process has identified several points that would benefit from further clarification and revision. Your responses indicate a willingness to address these issues. A carefully revised manuscript can substantially improve the scientific quality, clarity, and impact of the contribution.

When preparing the revised manuscript, please ensure that all reviewer comments are addressed comprehensively and that the corresponding changes are clearly documented in a point-by-point response. Particular attention should be given to strengthening the discussion of the results, clarifying methodological aspects where requested, and improving the presentation of the manuscript where appropriate.

Please also ensure that the revised manuscript is carefully checked for language, grammar, and style to facilitate readability.

I look forward to receiving your revised submission.

Kind regards,

Dr. Joanna Staneva
Topic Editor

Dear Dr. Raudsepp,

I am pleased to inform you that your manuscript "Long term trends and variability of the mixed layer depth in the Baltic Sea " has been accepted for final publication in State of the Planet (SP) Journal.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again for your support and cooperation.

Please note that all Referee and Editor reports, the author's response, as well as the different manuscript versions of the peer-review completion (post-discussion review of revised submission) will be published if the paper will be accepted for final publication in SP.

Kind regards,
Joanna Staneva

Dear Urmas Raudsepp and co-authors,
The topic editor handling your work, Joanna Staneva, is satisfied with the last revised version of your work and recommends its publication. Then, I am please to accept your work for publication in the State of the Planet Journal.
I thank you for all your efforts during the reviewing procees,
Kind regards,
Marilaure Grégoire