Chloropigments a in the Gulf of Gdańsk (Baltic Sea) as markers of the state of this environment

The Gulf of Gdańsk receives the waters of the Wis?a (Vistula), the largest Polish river and the second largest river flowing into the Baltic Sea. Chloropigments a (chlorophyll a and its derivatives) were determined in water and sediments from the Gulf. Samples were collected during cruises of R.V. 'Oceania' at 19 stations located at different water depths and distances from the shore, in May (2003) and October (2004), i.e., at the beginning and at the end of the growing season, respectively. Seawater was also sampled on the beach at Sopot in June, July and August 2004, i.e., during the height of the growing season. All water samples were collected with a bathometer and passed through Whatman GF/F filters. Recent sediments (0-10 cm) were collected with a core sampler and divided into sub-samples (0-1, 1-5 and 5-10 cm). The pigments were determined using HPLC-DAD. The results were first correlated with a set of parameters measured in situ during sample collection (salinity, temperature, oxygen content of seawater) and determined in the same material (organic carbon content, granulometry), then worked up statistically. Although this investigation shows that particular chloropigments a in recent sediments are indicative of the prevailing environmental conditions in the study area and the trends in their variations, they should be treated as a relative and not an absolute measure, since this is the first such study based on a large and coherent set containing both chloropigment a and environmental data. In addition, a chlorophyll a budget is estimated for the Gulf of Gdańsk on the basis of the literature and the authors' own data. Only c. 10% of the chlorophyll a produced annually in the Gulf of Gdańsk is transferred to sediments in the form of chloropigments a; 2.8% is in the form of undecomposed chlorophyll a and 7.2% in the form of chlorophyll a derivatives. About 90% of chlorophyll a is decomposed to colourless products.     

Monitoring biological effects of pollution in the Baltic Sea: neglected--but still wanted?

In the Baltic Sea, studies regarding biological effects of contaminants are relatively few, partly due to political and economical reasons, specific hydrographic characteristics, and a strong eutrophication-targeted research focus during the past three decades. The development of a monitoring strategy concerning biological effects and its implementation into environmental monitoring programmes in the Baltic Sea is lagging behind the progress currently taking place in most of western and southern Europe. The pan-European project BEEP (Biological Effects of Environmental Pollution on Marine Coastal Ecosystems, 2001-2004) included the Baltic Sea as one of the target areas for the evaluation of a suite of biological effects indicators in European coastal waters. The main aims of the BEEP project are described and how the expected outcome for the Baltic Sea could provide the needed "baseline" information and expertise for a biological effect monitoring and contribute to harmonise environmental monitoring programmes within the EU.     

Upwelling or differential cooling? Analysis of satellite SST images of the Southeastern Baltic Sea

The results of comparative analysis of sea surface temperature variations along horizontal sections in the coastal zone are given. The data used had been taken by MODIS spectroradiometers (Aqua, Terra) in the Southeastern Baltic, in periods of coastal upwelling—in the periods of autumn differential cooling over coastal continental slopes (facilitating water subsidence along these slopes). Studying 135 SST images of coastal upwelling events in May–October 2000–2014 and four cooling events in October–November 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2009 revealed the specific features of the shape of horizontal temperature profiles on sea surface along sections over coastal continental slopes. In addition to the higher differences between water surface temperatures in the deep and coastal parts of the sea (up to 14°C), upwelling features an appreciable distance from the cold-water core to the coast (up to 3–15 km) and a variable shape of horizontal profiles of water temperature on the sea surface along the sections. Conversely, during autumn differential cooling, water temperature difference on the surface is relatively small, the shape of the dependence of surface water temperature on the distance to the shore does not change over time, varies only slightly with the alongshore displacement of the section, and shows low sensitivity to bathymetry and even to wind effect. Thus, the analysis of the shape of the temperature on the sea surface along horizontal sections over coastal continental slopes enables the diagnostics of the regime of vertical water exchange in the coastal zone.     

Abnormal features of Macoma balthica (Bivalvia) in the Baltic Sea: alerting symptoms of environmental adversity?

Recent studies of the Baltic clam Macoma balthica (L.) from the southern Baltic (the Gulf of Gdansk) have revealed striking morphological, histological and cytogenetic features. Strong deformation of the shell, including elongation of the posterior end and the appearance of an easily visible flexure in this part, has been recorded. The population contribution of the deformed blunt shelled ("irregular") clams ranged from 0% to 65% and tended to increase with depth. The morphologically "irregular" clams had higher accumulated tissue concentrations of trace metals (As, Ag, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn), indicating a different metal handling ability. Adverse conditions in deeper water regions of the Gulf (e.g. hypoxia, hydrogen sulphide, elevated bioavailability of contaminants) have been suggested as inducers of the phenotypical changes (morphological deformation) in part of the population and, in parallel, of the specific physiological adaptations that result in higher metal accumulation in the "irregular" clams. Cytogenetic and histological analyses showed the presence of tumours in gill cells and digestive system of the affected clams, the prevalence of disseminated neoplasia ranging from 0% to 94% depending on the site. The disease was manifested by a modified karyotype (i.e. an abnormal number and morphology of chromosomes), a higher activity of nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs), and tissue lesions (enlarged cells, actively proliferative with pleomorphic nuclei). Bottom sediments showed acute toxicity and have been proposed as a source of an initialising carcinogenic factor. However, none of the ecotoxicological studies provided was successful in the clear demonstration of a single (or multifactorial) agent that can account for the disseminated neoplasia.     

Processing and interpretation of vintage 2D marine seismic data from the outer Hanö Bay area,Baltic Sea

A grid of previously unpublished, vintage 2D marine seismic lines has been processed and interpreted to the east of Hanö Bay, SW Baltic Sea. The 3200 km² study area lies on the transition between the Hanö Bay Basin to the West and Baltic Synelcise to the East, NE of the Tornquist intra shield tectonic zone.Data from the NA79, NA80 and RW84 surveys were selected for this study from the extensive Oljeprospektering AB (OPAB) Baltic Sea dataset. New processing workflows have been developed for the data which focus on suppressing two significant forms of noise, namely multiple and side scattered noise. Deconvolution in the tau-p domain, parabolic radon demultiple and post stack deconvolution are shown to be effective at attenuating multiple noise, while FK filtering in shot and receiver gathers is effective at removing side scattered noise.The newly processed data were interpreted and a series of maps detailing the structure of the basement, Cambrian and Silurian/Paleozoic horizons were constructed. These maps differ significantly to previously published interpretations of the area. Within the study area, a region of significant Late Carboniferous/Early Permian transtensional faulting and Late Cretaceous inversion is mapped in detail. This structure would have exhibited normal offsets of up to 600 m before inversion with later inverted displacements of up to approximately 200 m in places. This feature appears to extend some 20 km to the SW of the study area to the major fault bounding the Christiansø High. Based on the seismic interpretation, the area appears to have had a similar overall geological history as the adjacent Tornquist Zone to the SW.     

Spatial distribution of phosphorus forms in sediments in the Gulf of Gdańsk (southern Baltic Sea)

The paper analyses the concentrations of total phosphorus and its forms in sediments from the Gulf of Gdańsk on the basis of studies conducted at 25 sampling sites in 2001–05. The phosphorus speciation analysis was performed by sequential extraction. The extensive spatial variability of P_tot concentrations and speciation was found to be dependent on the physicochemical properties of the sediments, the oxygen conditions in the water and sediments, and the depth of the water column above the sediment surface. In the coastal zone, the sedimentation of riverine suspended matter and the sorption and chemisorption processes exert a considerable influence on P speciation. Over 70% of variation of total phosphorus concentration in sediments in the Gulf of Gdańsk could be explained by changes of proportion of fine fraction of sediments (grain size <0.0625 mm). Maximum P_tot concentrations were recorded in clays and silts in the deep water, stratified part of the Gulf of Gdańsk. In the coastal zone, where sandy sediments are dominant, phosphorus concentrations were much lower; this was due to the considerable dynamics of the bottom water and intensive sea floor transport. P_tot concentrations in the Gulf of Gdańsk sediments ranged from 1.75 to 957.17 μmol g⁻¹ d.w. Of all the forms of phosphorus, the highest concentrations were found for organic phosphorus (Org-P). Of its inorganic forms, the highest concentrations were of phosphorus bound to clay minerals and aluminium oxides (NaOH-P), the lowest ones were of loosely bound phosphorus (NaCl-P). On the basis of determinations of total phosphorus concentrations in sediments of a given type and the available data on the seabed areas covered by particular sediment types in the Gulf of Gdańsk, the mass of total phosphorus in the surficial sediment layer (0–2 cm) was estimated at ca. 15.6×10³ tonnes.     

Seasonal variability of the organic matter in a sedimentary coastal environment: sources,degradation and accumulation (continental shelf of the Gulf of Lions—northwestern Mediterranean Sea)

The temporal variations of the superficial (0–1 cm) sedimentary organic matter were studied at a depth of 26 m on the continental shelf of the Gulf of Lions (northwestern Mediterranean). The samples were analyzed for total organic carbon, coarse organic carbon (>40 μm), hydrolyzable organic carbon, nitrogen, total amino acids, total and individual sugars (HPLC), lignin-derived compounds (HPLC) and kerogens (acid-soluble, humic substances and humin). Seasonal variations of the organic compounds are related to the sedimentological, hydrodynamical and physico-chemical environmental conditions.The mean annual values of the different organic compounds analyzed show the low quantities and their evolved character at the sediment-water interface: 0.5% total org C (TOC) (d.w.), 0.049% N (d.w.), $\text{C}\text{N}$: 11.2, coarse org C (COQ: 62% of TOC, hydrolyzable org C: 45% TOC. The labile compounds represent a low percentage of the total organic matter (TOM), amino-acids: 12% of TOM and sugars: 5% of TOM. The relative proportions of soluble (humic) and insoluble kerogens (humin), respectively 6% and 94% of TOC are typical of a highly evolved organic matter. The large contribution of plant remains confirmed by the high proportion of COC, corresponds to a low proportion of humic substances and a high degree of condensation ($\text{H}\text{C}\text{= 1.3}$). The infrared spectroscopy determination of the functional groups of the humic substances permits us to confirm both autochtonous (marine) and allochtonous (terrestrial) sources of organic matter in the Têt prodeltaïc accumulation area. Numerous functional groups identified reveal the fresh quality of the organic inputs at the sediment-water interface. Aliphaticity is well marked and nitrogenous compounds (1 and 2 amines) correspond to autochtonous production (in spring: phyto- and zoo-planktonic blooms in the euphotic zone; in summer: primary production under the thermocline and phytobenthic blooms). Sugars are well represented, but from two origins: phytoplanktonic, and issue from terrestrial high plants (ligno-cellulosic complexes). The aromatic functional groups are well identified (aromatic ether, phenol) as are the markers of a large contribution of terrestrial organic matter.The active hydrodynamical (resuspension) and biological, (consumption, bioturbation) events participate in the frequent reworking of the superficial deposits (muddy-silts) and, consequently, the active degradation (oxidization) of the organic matter. The more labile organic matter is rapidly consumed by the intense biological benthic activity. The organic C content is low (0.5% d.w.) except during the autumnal input (2.5% d.w.). This input (8 cm thick) disappears one month later, because of the resuspension induced by littoral currents. This same phenomenon induces during all the year the reworking of the first centimeter of the deposit. In terms of budget of the carbon cycle in the coastal area, this active hydrodynamical environment shows the supremacy of the carbon degradation over its burial.     

Prediction of the Dead Sea dynamic behaviour with the Dead Sea–Red Sea Canal

A project to link the Dead Sea (DS) to the Red Sea (RS) via a canal is undergoing extensive study. In a previous work, a generalised mathematical model describing the behaviour of the Dead Sea has been developed. Here, the model is extended to include the proposed canal project with a desalination plant. The general effects of a DS–RS Canal predicted by the model were the formation of a permanent two-layer system thus re-establishing stratification conditions, an increase in the evaporation rate due to a decrease in the top layer salinity, the cease in aragonite precipitation, and the re-occurrence of seasonal gypsum precipitation after the filling period depending on the filling regime applied.     

The relationship between the concentrations and distribution of organic pollutants and black carbon content in benthic sediments in the Gulf of Gdańsk, Baltic Sea

The influence of the sediment’s physico-chemical properties and black carbon content, on the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls in benthic sediments of the Gulf of Gdansk (Baltic Sea) was determined. Sediments from port, marine dump site of dredged spoils, the Vistula river mouth, Gdansk Deep were selected.The concentrations of ∑PAHs (fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenzo(ah)anthracene, benzo(ghi)perylene) were 294-2200 ng/g d.w. and for ∑PCBs (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) were 2.4-11.3 ng/g d.w.The sediments content of loss on ignition was 1.13-16.15%, total organic carbon was 0.89-7.15%, black carbon was 0.20-1.15%. The highest correlation coefficient values (r = 0.76-0.92, p < 0.05) for a relationship between the concentrations of organic pollutants, and organic matter, organic and black carbon contents were obtained in harbor sediments with low content of organic matter (<5%) and high share of black carbon in total carbon (up to 40%).     

A review of: “Gravity currents: In the environment and the laboratory”

Abstract

By J. E. Simpson, Ellis Horwood Limited, $59.95 (£35.00) 244 pp. (ISBN 0-853 12-972-x).     

Dating the recent past (<500 years) by post-IR IRSL feldspar – Examples from the North Sea and Baltic Sea coast

The applicability of the post-IR IRSL single-aliquot regenerative-dose protocol (termed pIRIR protocol) has been tested on K-rich feldspar from recent coastal sediment samples (<500 a) from the southern North Sea coast and southern Baltic Sea coast. The most suitable post-IR IRSL (pIRIR) stimulation temperature is found to be 150 °C by using a preheat temperature of 180 °C. For this pIRIR stimulation temperature, a detectable pIRIR signal is obtained and the residual dose is minimized. Furthermore, anomalous fading is found to be negligible in the pIRIR₁₅₀ signal for our young samples whereas the fading rates for the conventional IRSL signal measured at 50 °C (IRSL₅₀) is between 5 and 7%/decade. However, the pIRIR₁₅₀ signal bleaches significantly slower compared to the IRSL_50, according to bleaching experiments using daylight, solar simulator and IR diodes, although the residual doses of both signals are similar. The laboratory residual doses in perfectly bleached aliquots are variable from sample to sample and vary between 300 ± 170 and 800 ± 460 mGy for the pIRIR₁₅₀. The precision of the residual dose determination is generally poor and causes large uncertainties on the residual subtracted ages. The laboratory residual doses alone cannot account for the observed overestimation in our two youngest samples (<70 a), indicating that the feldspar signals in these samples were presumably not fully bleached prior to aeolian or beach deposition. However, even if the age uncertainties are large we obtained pIRIR₁₅₀ ages in agreement with independent age estimates for the two older samples, which are 70 and 390 years old.     

Dreissena polymorpha (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae) in the Neva Estuary (eastern Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea): is it a biofilter or source for pollution?

The zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha, a ponto-caspian byssate bivalve, forms permanent dense populations along the shoreline in the northern part of the inner Neva Estuary. Its total biomass along a 17 km transect reached 4980 tons (mean 1060 g m(-2)) in 2000 and 6510 tons (mean 1385 g m(-2)) in 2001. Being persistent and abundant, the zebra mussel populations played an important role in benthic-pelagic coupling in inner Neva River Estuary. The D. polymorpha population released up to 514 kg day(-1) of dissolved inorganic phosphorus and was, therefore, a major source of bioavailable nutrients in the area. Mussel beds were also efficient biofilters and precipitate 15,020 kg day(-1) of particulate organic matter during the warm season. About 50% of precipitated matter had a relatively long retention time, being utilized within zebra mussel populations, while the rest was deposited as faeces and pseudofaeces and served as a source for organic pollution to the eastern Gulf of Finland.     

Latitudinal distribution of iodine in sediments in the Chukchi Sea and the Bering Sea

Iodine is a trace element playing an important role in vital activities of organisms. It is im-portant for human bodys thyroid gland. Deficient or excessive iodine will not only influence hu-man health but also cause feeblemindedness, so great attention h…     

Monitoring of organic pollutants in coastal waters of the Gulf of Gdańsk, Southern Baltic

This paper presents an overview of changes in organic pollution of coastal waters of the Gulf of Gdańsk (Baltic Sea). Toxic pollutants including volatile organic compounds (VOC), volatile organohalogen compounds (VOX), chlorophenols, phenoxyacids, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in seawater from the Gulf of Gdańsk coastal waters in the period 1996-2001. In the case of the Gulf of Gdańsk, non-conservative behaviour of VOC was observed due to random temporal and spatial of inputs along the Vistula estuary and to the dilution of VOC-enriched river water with seawater. The concentrations of VOX in seawater decreased throughout the period and the concentrations of VOX were in the range of few ng dm(-3) up to 250 ng dm(-3), similar to estuaries elsewhere. The average concentrations of chlorophenols and phenoxyacids were between 0.1 and 6.0 and 0.05 and 2.2 microg dm(-3), respectively. However, remarkably high concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenol (6 microg dm(-3)) were obtained in samples collected from the Vistula River. Generally concentrations of PCBs did not exceed few ng dm(-3) with the exception of 1999, when all samples exhibited elevated concentrations of PCBs. In addition, higher concentrations of PCBs in the open sea compared to river waters suggested localised inputs. Due to the ability of most organic pollutants to bioaccumulate and biomagnify, especially the persistent organic pollutants, continued monitoring is of crucial importance for the health of marine life in the Gulf of Gdańsk.