The isotopic mass balance of sulphur in oceanic sediments (the Pacific Ocean as an example)

Dissimilatory sulphate reduction is the main biogeochemical reaction responsible for the cycle of sulphur and its isotopic composition in modern oceanic sediments. The maximal intensity of this process, measured with the help of radioactive isotopes, is typical of sediments in the peripheral regions of the ocean to a depth of 1000 m and makes up 10–60 μg S/kg wet silt/day.The minimal enrichment with ³²S of the buried, reduced sulphur and the maximal accumulation of heavy isotopes in sulphate sulphur of pore waters are observed under conditions of the most intensive biogeochemical processes. Further away from continents the intensity of bacterial sulphate reduction diminishes to a fraction of 1 μg S/kg wet silt/day, the reduced sulphur becomes enriched in ³²S (up to ? 50.0‰), and the isotope composition of sulphate sulphur in pore waters approximates that in oceanic water and the solid phases of sediments.The amount of reduced sulphur in the total sulphur buried in modern sediments of the Pacific Ocean is twice the amount of sulphate sulphur. The δ³⁴S value of the total sulphur buried and removed from the cycle makes up ? 17.9‰. This value is comparable to that of the average isotope composition of total sulphur in clay rocks of the lithosphere.     

Chemical runoff from pasture: The influence of (Fertiliser and riparian zones

Abstract

Runoff of phosphorus, nitrate, ammonium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, and sulphate was measured in 15 storms and at low flows in 3 “nested” experimental catchments converted from scrub to pasture. Multiple regression analysis suggested that over 2#fr1/2> y, fertiliser application had a cumulative effect on the concentrations of calcium, potassium, and sulphate in storm waters leaving the experimental basin, but only in the flood waters from the small wholly‐grassed sub‐catchment (Pukeiti) was there an increase in phosphorus concentrations. A similar pattern was observed at baseflows. Reactive phosphorus losses of up to 1 kg.ha^?1 left Pukeiti in post‐fertiliser storm events but mean losses from the whole basin were only about 0.004 kg.ha^?1 per storm and there was little evidence of any fertiliser effect. The stream below Pukeiti has well developed riparian vegetation with marsh and scrub.

The phosphorus losses from the basin seem of little significance agriculturally and environmentally. Although the losses from Pukeiti sub‐catchment were of siufficient magnitude to have a strong impact on water quality in waterways and lakes (mean total phosphorus concentration in post‐fertiliser floods 1.91 g.m^?3) this sub‐catchment appeared to have little effect on the quality of water eventually leaving the whole basin.

The results are discussed in relation to sub‐catchment differences and it is suggested that they give support to the use of riparian zones along streams to reduce phosphorus runoff.     

Rare earth element geochemistry in cold-seep pore waters of Hydrate Ridge, northeast Pacific Ocean

The concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs), sulphate, hydrogen sulphide, total alkalinity, calcium, magnesium and phosphate were measured in shallow (<12 cm below seafloor) pore waters from cold-seep sediments on the northern and southern summits of Hydrate Ridge, offshore Oregon. Downward-decreasing sulphate and coevally increasing sulphide concentrations reveal sulphate reduction as dominant early diagenetic process from ~2 cm depth downwards. A strong increase of total dissolved REE (∑REE) concentrations is evident immediately below the sediment–water interface, which can be related to early diagenetic release of REEs into pore water resulting from the re-mineralization of particulate organic matter. The highest pore water ∑REE concentrations were measured close to the sediment–water interface at ~2 cm depth. Distinct shale-normalized REE patterns point to particulate organic matter and iron oxides as main REE sources in the upper ~2-cm depth interval. In general, the pore waters have shale-normalized patterns reflecting heavy REE (HREE) enrichment, which suggests preferential complexation of HREEs with carbonate ions. Below ~2 cm depth, a downward decrease in ∑REE correlates with a decrease in pore water calcium concentrations. At this depth, the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) coupled to sulphate reduction increases carbonate alkalinity through the production of bicarbonate, which results in the precipitation of carbonate minerals. It seems therefore likely that the REEs and calcium are consumed during vast AOM-induced precipitation of carbonate in shallow Hydrate Ridge sediments. The analysis of pore waters from Hydrate Ridge shed new light on early diagenetic processes at cold seeps, corroborating the great potential of REEs to identify geochemical processes and to constrain environmental conditions.     

Method for determining stable isotope ratios of dissolved organic carbon in interstitial and other natural marine waters

A procedure is described for the analysis of the stable carbon isotopic composition of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in natural waters from marine and higher-salinity environments. Rapid (less than 5 min) and complete oxidation of DOC is achieved using a modification of previous photochemical oxidation techniques. The CO₂ evolved from DOC oxidation can be collected in less than 10 min for isotopic analysis. The procedure is at present suitable for oxidation and collection of 1–5 μmol of carbon and has an associated blank of 0.1–0.2 μmol of carbon.Complete photochemical oxidation of DOC standards was demonstrated by quantitative recovery of CO₂ as measured manometrically. Isotopic analyses of standards by photochemical and high-temperature sealed-tube combustion methods agreed to within 0.3.. Photochemical oxidation of DOC in a representative sediment pore-water sample was also quantitative, as shown by the excellent agreement between the photochemical and sealed-tube methods. The δ¹³C values obtained for pore-water DOC using the two methods of oxidation were identical, suggesting that the modified photochemical method is adequate for the isotopically non-fractionated oxidation of pore-water DOC.The procedure was evaluated through an analysis of DOC in pond and pore waters from a hypersaline microbial mat environment. Concentrations of DOC in the water column over the mat displayed a diel pattern, but the isotopic composition of this DOC remained relatively constant (average δ¹³C = −12.4.). Pore-water DOC exhibited a distinct concentration maximum in the mat surface layer, and δ¹³C of pore-water DOC was nearly 8. lighter at 1.5–2.0-cm depth than in the mat surface layer (0–0.5-cm depth). These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method in elucidating differences in DOC concentration and δ¹³C over biogeochemically relevant spatial and temporal scales. Carbon isotopic analysis of DOC in natural waters, especially pore waters, should be a useful probe of biogeochemical processes in recent environments.     

An automated photochemical method for the determination of dissolved organic carbon in sea and estuarine waters

An improved version of Ehrhardt's (1969) method for the analysis of dissolved organic carbon is described. The method, which is automated, determines the carbon dioxide with a non-dispersive infra-red analyser. The conditions of photo-oxidation have been examined in order to achieve maximum performance. It was found that careful attention needed to be paid to U-V source, “oxygen source”, pH and time or irradiation. The completeness of the method was examined by three independent procedures. We concluded that in all cases the extent of oxidation of organic material was in excess of 98%. Typical performance figures were: precision ±2.5% above 2.0 mg C l^?1, approaching 0.03 mg C l^?1 below 1.0 mg Cl^?1; blank, equivalent to 0.3 mg C l^?1; sampling frequency, 10 samples per hour. The lower limit of sensitivity is mainly governed by the blank. The upper limit of the method is greater than 40 mg C l^?1.A wholly continuous modification of the method has been devised which permits on line analyses. An attentuated version of the method has been used for the analysis of total carbonate.The present and other published methods for the analysis of dissolved organic carbon in natural waters are discussed in relation to one another.     

Seasonal variations in methane concentrations and diffusive fluxes in the Curonian and Vistula lagoons,Baltic Sea

Expected seasonal variations in methane concentrations and diffusive fluxes from surficial sediments into near-bottom waters were investigated in autumn 2012 and winter 2013 in the Curonian and Vistula lagoons of the Baltic Sea, expanding on earlier findings for summer 2011. Methane concentrations in bottom sediments (upper ca. 2 cm) generally ranged from ca. 1 to 1,000 μmol/dm³, and in near-bottom waters from ca. 0 to 1 μmol/l. Highest concentrations were found in the Curonian Lagoon, plausibly explained by the influence of freshwater conditions and finer-grained, organic-rich sediments. Vistula Lagoon methane concentrations and fluxes are dampened by periodic saline water inflow from the open sea, intensifying sulphate reduction. Calculated diffusive methane fluxes from the upper sediment layer (usually 0–5 cm, i.e. excluding any fluffy layer) into near-bottom waters were highest—2.48 mmol/(m² day)—in clayey silts of the Curonian Lagoon in autumn (September) 2012, contrasting strongly with the minimum value of 0.002 mmol/(m² day) observed there in February 2013 under ice-covered conditions. Seasonal and even weekly variations in methane dynamics can be largely explained by two main drivers, i.e. wind and temperature, operating at various spatiotemporal scales via, for example, wind wave-induced resuspension of bottom sediments, and involving regional weather patterns including autumnal low-pressure zones over the Gulf of Gdansk.     

Anaerobic metabolism in lagoon sediments from Davies Reef,Great Barrier Reef

Sulphate reduction rates were measured in the lagoon sediments at Davies Reef, on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Sulphate reduction rates averaged 0·622 mmol sulphate m⁻² day⁻¹, over the 0–12 cm depth of sediment, compared to an average heterotrophic oxygen uptake rate by the sediment of 27 mmol oxygen m⁻² day⁻¹. Thus sulphate reduction to acid-volatile sulphide appeared to account for only about 5% of the total organic matter degradation, although the proportion may be greater if sulphate reduction to tin-reducible sulphide was taken into account. Although dissolved sulphate concentration in the sediment pore water was that of sea water, a large excess (equivalent to about 0·8% of the sediment dry weight) of precipitated sulphate was present in the sediment. This excess could not be attributed to precipitated strontium sulphate, and there was no exchange between the dissolved and precipitated sulphate. Methane formation in these superficial sediments was not detectable.     

赤潮多发区塔玛亚历山大藻的麻痹性贝毒预警值研究

以厦门西海域养殖的翡翠贻贝为实验对象,在实验室内对塔玛亚历山大藻(Alexandrium tamarense(Lebour)Balech)采用单种培养技术,运用“麻痹性贝毒小白鼠生物检测法”进行毒性实验,研究了塔玛亚历山大藻对翡翠贻贝的麻痹性贝毒的毒力,藻密度为1×105个/dm3时,白鼠未死亡;藻密度为1×106个/dm3时,白鼠发生死亡.厦门西海域近年来暴发的赤潮一般起始于局部海区无害硅藻类浮游植物,在生态环境恶化下,硅藻类赤潮在生存竞争中消退,最终暴发有害赤潮.以试验结果为依据,根据厦门海域实际情况,参考各国贝毒临界值行动标准,提出适合南方赤潮多发区塔玛亚历山大藻的麻痹性贝毒藻密度预警值为1×105个/dm3.     

Community structure of picoplankton abundance and biomass in the southern Huanghai Sea during the spring and autumn of 2006

During spring and autumn of 2006,the investigations on abundance,carbon biomass and distribution of picoplankton were carried out in the southern Huanghai Sea(Yellow Sea,sHS) . Three groups of picoplankton-Synechococcus(Syn) ,Picoeukaryotes(PEuk) and heterotrophic bacteria(BAC) were identified,but Prochlorococcus(Pro) was undetected. The average abundance of Syn and PEuk was lower in spring(5.0 and 1.3 × 10 3 cells/cm 3,respectively) than in autumn(92.4 and 2.7 × 10 3 cells/cm 3,respectively) ,but it was opposite for BAC(1.3 and 0.7 × 10 6 cells/cm 3 in spring and autumn,respectively) . And the total carbon biomass of picoplankton was higher in spring(37.23 ± 11.67) mg/m 3 than in autumn(21.29 ± 13.75) mg/m 3 . The ratios of the three cell abundance were 5:1:1 341 and 30:1:124 in spring and autumn,respectively. And the ratios of carbon biomass of them were 5:7:362 and 9:4:4 in spring and autumn,respectively. Seasonal distribution characteristics of Syn,PEuk,BAC were quite different from each other. In spring,Syn abundance decreased in turn in the central waters(where phytoplankton bloom in spring occurred) ,the southern waters and inshore waters of the Shandong Peninsula(where even Syn was undetected) ;the high values of PEuk abundance appeared in the central and southern waters and the inshore of the Shandong Peninsula;the abundance of BAC was nearly three order of magnitude higher than that of photosynthetic picoplankton,and high values appeared in the central waters. In autumn,Syn abundance in central waters was higher than that in surrounding waters,while for PEuk abundance,it decreased in turn in the inshore waters of the Shandong Peninsula,the southern waters and the central waters;BAC presented a complicated blocky type distribution. Sub-surface maximum of each group of picopalnkton appeared in both spring and autumn. Compared with the available literatures concerning the studied area,the range of Syn abundance was larger,and the abundance of BAC was higher. In addition,the conversion factors for calculating picoplanktonic carbon biomass were discussed,with the conversion factors which are different from previous studies in the same surveyed waters. The result of regression analysis showed that there was distinct positive correlation between BAC and photosynthetic picoplankton in spring(r=0.61,P 0.001) ,but no correlation was found in autumn.     

An anion chromatography/ultraviolet detection method to determine nitrite,nitrate, and sulfide concentrations in saline (pore) waters

An anion chromatography with ultraviolet detection (IC/UV) method was developed to simultaneously measure NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, and HS⁻ concentrations in saline (pore)waters. This method achieves nanomolar detection limits without the need for a Cd/Cu reducing column and requires <100 μl volume of sample, making it ideal for use in porewaters, where high sulfide concentrations can be present. Bromide and iodide among other anions are also measurable by this technique because of their UV absorption properties. Sample filtration is the only sample treatment required before analysis.     

受扰动海域大型底栖动物群落特征及基于AMBI和M-AMBI指数的生态健康评价：以山东烟台辛安河口为例

To understand the ecological status and macrobenthic assemblages of the Xin'an River Estuary and its adjacent waters, a survey was conducted for environmental variables and macrobenthic assemblage structure in September 2012(Yantai, China). Several methods are adopted in the data analysis process: dominance index,diversity indices, cluster analysis, non-metric multi-dimentional scaling ordination, AMBI and M-AMBI. The dissolved inorganic nitrogen and soluble reactive phosphorus of six out of eight sampling stations were in a good condition with low concentration. The average value of DO((2.89±0.60) mg/L) and p H(4.28±0.43) indicated that the research area faced with the risk of ocean acidification and underlying hypoxia. A total of 62 species were identified, of which the dominant species group was polychaetes. The average abundance and biomass was577.50 ind./m2 and 6.01 g/m2, respectively. Compared with historical data, the macrobenthic assemblage structure at waters around the Xin'an River Estuary was in a relatively stable status from 2009 to 2012.Contaminant indicator species Capitella capitata appeared at Sta. Y1, indicating the animals here suffered from hypoxia and acidification. AMBI and M-AMBI results showed that most sampling stations were slightly disturbed,which were coincided with the abiotic measurement on evaluating the health conditions. Macrobenthic communities suffered pressures from ocean acidification and hypoxia at the research waters, particularly those at Stas Y1, Y2 and Y5, which displays negative results in benthic health evaluation.     

Spatial and seasonal variations of sulphate,dissolved organic carbon,and nutrients in deep pore waters of intertidal flat sediments

Spatial and seasonal variations of sulphate, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nutrients and metabolic products were determined down to 5 m sediment depth in pore waters of intertidal flats located in NW Germany. The impact of sediment permeability, pore water flow, and organic matter supply on deep pore water biogeochemistry was evaluated. Low sediment permeability leads to an enrichment of remineralisation products in pore waters of clay-rich sediments. In permeable sandy sediments pore water biogeochemistry differs depending on whether tidal flat margins or central parts of the tidal flat are studied. Pore water flow in tidal flat margins increases organic matter input. Substrate availability and enhanced temperatures in summer stimulate sulphate reducers down to 3.5 m sediment depth. Sulphate, DOC, and nutrient concentrations exhibit seasonal variations in deep permeable sediments of the tidal flat margin. In contrast, seasonal variations are small in deep pore waters of central parts of the sand flat. This study shows for the first time that seasonal variations in pore water chemistry are not limited to surface sediments, but may be observed down to some metres depth in permeable tidal flat margin sediments. In such systems more organic matter seems to be remineralised than deduced from surface sediment studies.     

Dissolved carbohydrates in seawater. I,A precise spectrophotometric analysis for monosaccharides

A relatively precise and rapid method for the analysis of total dissolved monosaccharides at the concentrations that occur in seawater is described which uses 1-ml quantities for each analytical and control replicate. The alditols remain unchanged while the pentoses and hexoses are reduced to the alditol form by borohydride. The total alditols are then oxidized with periodate to form two moles of formaldehyde per mole of monosaccharide and the formaldehyde is determined spectrophotometrically with 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride (MBTH). Unlike other spectrophotometric methods, similar curves are obtained for equimolar concentrations of different carbohydrates while the differences on a weight basis are only due to the small difference in molecular weight between pentoses and hexoses. Winter—Spring samples from surface waters of lower Narragansett Bay ranged from 122 to 226 μg l^?1 with a mean of 159 μg l^?1.     

Polonium-210: Its vertical oceanic transport by zooplankton metabolic activity

An earlier work based on atmospheric input of ²¹⁰Po to oceanic surface waters, in situ production from its radioactive precursors and its measured equilibrium concentration has shown that ²¹⁰Po is removed from the upper mixed layer at a rapid rate, expressible by a turnover (or mean residence) time of 0.6 years. Since ²¹⁰Po is known to be highly concentrated in numerous marine species, a method was devised to assess the importance of marine zooplankton in removing this radio-nuclide from the surface waters. Measurements of ²¹⁰Po losses from living zooplankton lead to a rapid turnover time of the order of 0.9 years due to zooplankton metabolic activity alone. It is shown experimentally that fecal pellet deposition constitutes a major mechanism in transporting the radionuclide from surface to deeper waters.     

福建三沙湾网箱养殖对多毛纲动物群落结构的影响

利用东海近海典型网箱养殖海湾三沙湾9个航次数据,基于群落结构时空差异,阐释网箱养殖活动对多毛纲(Polychaeta)动物群落的影响。就群落组成而言,网箱养殖和非网箱养殖水域多毛纲物种组成存在差异,丝鳃虫科(Cirratulidae)和多鳞虫科(Polynoidae)分别是两种水域最占优势的类群;网箱养殖水域多毛纲优势物种的丰度及丰度比值略高于非网箱养殖区(104.06ind./m248.29ind./m2,57.59%46.96%)。双因素方差分析(采样时间和养殖方式)结果表明,两种因素对物种数(S)、丰度(N)、生物量(B)、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H′)、Pielou均匀度指数(J′)、Margalef丰富度指数(d)等典型群落参数的交互作用不显著(P0.05);考虑两种因素独立效应时,群落参数均无显著空间差异(P0.05),但存在极显著时间差异(P0.01)。双因素群落结构相似性分析(two-way ANOSIM analysis)表明群落结构无显著空间差异(P0.05),但存在极显著时间差异(P0.01)。典型对应分析(canonical correspondence analysis,CCA)显示pH、水深和溶解氧是影响三沙湾多毛纲动物分布格局的主要环境因子。上述结论显示,三沙湾网箱养殖活动对多毛纲动物群落结构已产生一定影响,主要表现在群落组成方面,群落结构和部分典型底栖环境因子具较强相关性。     

On the sulphur chemistry of a super-anoxic fjord, Framvaren, South Norway

The concentrations of total carbonate (C_t), sulphate, sulphide, thiols and oxygen, the ratio between the stable sulphur isotopes ³⁴S and ³²S in sulphate and sulphide, and the density (used to calculate salinity) were determined on samples from the water column of Framvaren, a superanoxic fjord in southern Norway. From a depth of 18m (the oxic-anoxic boundary) the initial sulphate concentration, ([SO₄]_init), as calculated from salinity, is significantly higher than the sum of the measured sulphur species. This is attributed to a loss of sulphur from the water column. The amount of total carbonate produced, corrected for the initial concentration (C_t - 2.4 Sal/35) is found to be proportional to the amount of sulphate consumed, ([SO₄]_init - [SO₄]), according to the following relation C_t- 2.4 Sal/35 = 1.84 ([SO₄]_init - [SO₄]). Isotopic fractionation caused by bacterial sulphate reduction in the anoxic part of the water column produces sulphide with a δ³⁴S 40‰ lower than the δ³⁴S for sulphate at corresponding depths. The isotopic fractionation also results in δ³⁴S value for the remaining sulphate at depths below 80 m being considerably higher than the mean value for ocean water, which is close to + 20‰. The δ³⁴S values for sulphate at depths between 10 and 50 m were lower than + 20‰ which indicates oxidation of sulphide, which follows upon diffusion of sulphide from deeper parts of the water column and inflow of oxygenated seawater over the sill into the anoxic water of the fjord. A conclusive scenario of the Framvaren sulphur chemistry is presented.     

Benthic mineralization rates at two locations in the southern North Sea

Benthic oxygen uptake, sulphate reduction and benthic bacterial production were measured at two contrasting locations in the southern North Sea: the shallow and turbulent Broad Fourteens area in the Southern Bight, and the deeper Oyster Grounds, a deposition area, where thermohaline stratification occurs during summer. Oxygen uptake and sulphate reduction showed a clear seasonal pattern in the Broad Fourteens area, indicating a supply of carbon to the benthic system that is closely related to the standing stock of carbon in the water column. This close benthic-pelagic coupling is probably due to the influence of the tide in this part of the North Sea, which keeps the water column permanently mixed. At the Oyster Grounds, no seasonal pattern was observed. Peaks in oxygen uptake and sulphate reduction were found in winter. Irregularly occurring events, such as storms and fishery-related activities, are likely to affect the benthic mineralization patterns in this area. Annual benthic carbon mineralization rates estimated from oxygen uptake rates were 44 gC·m⁻² at the Broad Fourteens, and 131 gC·m⁻² at the Oyster Grounds, of which 26 and 28%, respectively, could be attributed to sulphate reduction (assuming an annual sulphide reoxidation rate of 100%). Although sulphate reduction rates in the southern North Sea are higher than previously suggested, aerobic respiration is the most important pathway for benthic carbon mineralization at the stations visited. Production rates of benthic bacterial carbon measured with labelled leucine were much higher than carbon mineralization rates based on oxygen uptake or sulphate reduction. This may either imply a very high bacterial carbon conversion efficiency, or point to shortcomings in the accuracy of the techniques. A critical evaluation of the techniques is recommended.     

A sensitive and rapid method for analysis of dissolved mono- and polysaccharides in seawater

A spectrophotometric method is described for the determination of dissolved mono- and polysaccharides in seawater. It is based upon the well known alkaline ferricyanide reaction, but uses the reagent 2,4,6-tripyridyl-s-triazine (TPTZ) to give a strongly colored complex with the reduced iron. The method has been tested on model carbohydrates and other compounds, and also on natural samples of coastal and oceanic waters. Total carbohydrate content of the natural samples ranged from 5.2 to 25.1 μmol glucose-Cl⁻¹. The coefficient of variation was typically below 6% for values near 17 μmol Cl⁻¹ and approximately 10% for values near 3.5 μmol Cl⁻¹.     

Measuring N–NH4 in marine, estuarine and fresh waters: An adaptation of the ammonia diffusion method for samples with low ammonium concentrations

We present a method for measuring ¹⁵N–NH₄⁺ in marine, estuarine and fresh waters. The advantage of this method is that it is broadly applicable to all types of water and it allows measurements in samples with lower ammonium concentrations than has previously been possible. The procedure is a modification of the ammonia diffusion method and uses large sample volumes (often 4 l) to obtain sufficient N for isotope ratio mass spectrometric analysis. Large volume samples have not previously been used with the diffusion procedure because isotopic fractionation occurs due to incomplete recovery of ammonium. However, the method we present accounts for this fractionation and allows precise correction of measured δ¹⁵N values.     

The process of self-purification of the Baltic Sea waters from artificial radionuclides

An analysis of the variations in the concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr radionuclides in the Baltic Sea surface waters after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was performed. An instability of the ¹³⁷Cs concentration values during the short-term observations was found, when these values were differed 2-to 3-fold. The concentrations of ⁹⁰Sr appeared to be more stable; meanwhile, their deviations sometimes exceeded the ranges of the experimental errors. By the variations in the monthly average values of the radionuclide concentrations in the surface waters of the Baltic Sea in 1989–1995, no trend of the water self-purification was observed. The theoretical results obtained confirmed the potential of the formation and propagation of patches with increased concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs in the southeastern part of the Baltic Sea. The most reliable factor that controlled the process of self-purification of the Baltic Sea water appeared to be the mean annual value of the concentration of radionuclides. Pronounced divergences were obtained between the measured and calculated mean annual concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr radionuclides in the surface waters of the Baltic Sea in 1989–2001. These divergences are explained by the potential influence of the waters from the Gulf of Bothnia and by other additional supplies of radionuclides to the marine environment, which were not included into the mathematical models.