Triple stable isotope analysis to estimate the diet of the Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) in the Baltic Sea

This study quantifies contributions of different food sources in the winter diet of the Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) in coastal waters of the Lithuanian Baltic Sea using non-lethal avian sampling. We highlight the application of stable sulphur isotope ratios as complementary to stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis in order to discriminate sandy bottom macrozoobenthos organisms as potential food sources for the Velvet Scoter. Selection of the most relevant trophic enrichment factors and Monte Carlo simulations in order to choose the best fitted model were undertaken. The stable isotope mixing model revealed the main contributions of a group of bivalves, Mya arenaria and Cerastoderma glaucum, to be 46–54%, and while the crustacean, Saduria entomon, comprised 26–35% of the diet

The distribution of carbon stable isotopes as an indicator of temporal and spatial dynamic and distribution of autochtonic and allochtonic organic matter in a shallow estuarine lagoon

Physical and chemical parameters were measured in a mostly freshwater estuarine lagoon in the SE Baltic. Present paper demonstrates an attempt to trace the sources and analyse the seasonal and spatial patterns of distribution of   POC, DIC and DOC in the Curonian lagoon mostly by the isotopic content in different forms of carbon. Samples were collected in 2012-2014 in 9 stations in the Curonian lagoon including riverine and marine input/output stations. Riverine inputs and summarizing outflow to the Baltic sea locations (Nemunas river delta and Klaipeda channel stations were sampled monthly, while  POC, DIC and DOC samples in other stations were collected on a seasonal basis.  The observed results allow easily differentiate between estuarine and riverine POM samples, while the differences in DOC δ13C content between sampling stations were found to be not statistically reliable.  The high biological productivity of the Nemunas river along with the minor contribution of the Baltic Sea inflows to the overall hydrodynamics of the lagoon explain similarity of content between riverine and estuarine material in the spring and autumn.  However, the δ13C content of DIC and DOC could serve as indicator of external inputs only in connection with seasonal water residence variations.DOI: 10.15181/csat.v3i1.113

The distribution of carbon stable isotopes as an indicator of temporal and spatial dynamic and distribution of autochtonic and allochtonic organic matter in a shallow estuarine lagoon

Physical and chemical parameters were measured in a mostly freshwater estuarine lagoon in the SE Baltic. Present paper demonstrates an attempt to trace the sources and analyse the seasonal and spatial patterns of distribution of   POC, DIC and DOC in the Curonian lagoon mostly by the isotopic content in different forms of carbon. Samples were collected in 2012-2014 in 9 stations in the Curonian lagoon including riverine and marine input/output stations. Riverine inputs and summarizing outflow to the Baltic sea locations (Nemunas river delta and Klaipeda channel stations were sampled monthly, while  POC, DIC and DOC samples in other stations were collected on a seasonal basis.  The observed results allow easily differentiate between estuarine and riverine POM samples, while the differences in DOC δ13C content between sampling stations were found to be not statistically reliable.  The high biological productivity of the Nemunas river along with the minor contribution of the Baltic Sea inflows to the overall hydrodynamics of the lagoon explain similarity of content between riverine and estuarine material in the spring and autumn.  However, the δ13C content of DIC and DOC could serve as indicator of external inputs only in connection with seasonal water residence variations.DOI: 10.15181/csat.v3i1.1132</p

The distribution of carbon stable isotopes as an indicator of temporal and spatial dynamic and distribution of autochtonic and allochtonic organic matter in a shallow estuarine lagoon

Physical and chemical parameters were measured in a mostly freshwater estuarine lagoon in the SE Baltic. Present paper demonstrates an attempt to trace the sources and analyse the seasonal and spatial patterns of distribution of   POC, DIC and DOC in the Curonian lagoon mostly by the isotopic content in different forms of carbon. Samples were collected in 2012-2014 in 9 stations in the Curonian lagoon including riverine and marine input/output stations. Riverine inputs and summarizing outflow to the Baltic sea locations (Nemunas river delta and Klaipeda channel stations were sampled monthly, while  POC, DIC and DOC samples in other stations were collected on a seasonal basis.  The observed results allow easily differentiate between estuarine and riverine POM samples, while the differences in DOC δ13C content between sampling stations were found to be not statistically reliable.  The high biological productivity of the Nemunas river along with the minor contribution of the Baltic Sea inflows to the overall hydrodynamics of the lagoon explain similarity of content between riverine and estuarine material in the spring and autumn.  However, the δ13C content of DIC and DOC could serve as indicator of external inputs only in connection with seasonal water residence variations.DOI: 10.15181/csat.v3i1.1132</p

Climatic sensitivity of delta13C in tree rings of Quercus robur L., Populus tremula L. and Pinus sylvestris L. in Vilnius region (eastern Lithuania)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the possibilities of using carbon isotope measurements to determine a strong climate signal of trees influenced by the pollutant stress as well as to examine the difference in reaction of several investigated species to the climate change. Eurasian aspen (Populus tremula), pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) trees from Vilnius region were selected for the stable carbon isotope analysis. Our results showed that over the last 70 years (1940–2009) the climate during summer months was the most important factor for the variation of stable carbon isotope values in tree rings, but its influence on different tree species slightly differed. δ13C measurements in Eurasian aspen best corresponded to the air temperature and the precipitation signal in July–August. Oak was more sensitive to the temperature and relative humidity in June–July. A positive correlation coefficient with temperature in the period of transition from the previous vegetation to dormancy season (previous September–October) was specific to oak as well. Scots pine grown at a polluted site was sensitive only to precipitation in summer months of the growing season. The correlation between δ13C measurements and climate data was determined to be from low to moderate in all the investigated trees and did not exceed the value of |r| ≥ 0.71 suggested by McCarroll et al. (2003) as a necessary value for the reliable climate reconstruction. However, the highest correlation coefficient values of 0.65 and 0.61, obtained between the maximal air temperature throughout the hydrological year (previous September–current August) and δ13C in oak rings or between mean monthly sunshine hours throughout July–August and δ13C values in aspen rings, respectively, are comparable with those used in many palaeoclimatic reconstructions that were based even on weaker correlations

Environmental changes induced by human activities in the Northern Curonian Lagoon (Eastern Baltic): diatoms and stable isotope data

A sediment core collected from the northwestern part of the Curonian Lagoon, which was deposited approximately during 1800-2002, was analysed for several proxy records. Changes in diatom assemblages and carbon, nitrogen and oxygen stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N and δ18O) revealed two periods, which are characterized by differences in the sedimentation rate, sediment type and trophic state of the northern part of the Curonian Lagoon. Low δ15N values in organics and prevailing freshbrackish benthic diatoms indicate low enrichment in the shallow, freshwater lagoon during the period 1800-1955. The eutrophic conditions in this shallow lagoon are reflected by a high abundance of planktonic diatoms common in nutrient-rich basins and increased δ15N values in organics of the sediments since 1955. Starting approximately in the 1960s, decreased freshwater run-off and increased brackish-water inflow into the lagoon were observed. These changes were likely caused by the construction of the hydropower station (and a reservoir) near the Nemunas River and the artificial deepening of the Klaipėda Strait during 1960-1962 and later, also by the rising sea level in the SE Baltic. The changed river run-off and the artificially deepened strait significantly influenced the fresh-brackish water circulation and environmental conditions in the northern part of the Curonian Lagoon in the last decades

Distribution of radiocarbon in sediments of the cooling pond of RBMK type Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in Lithuania.

The vertical distribution of radiocarbon (14C) was examined in the bottom sediment core, taken from Lake Drūkšiai, which has served as a cooling pond since 1983 for the 26 years of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) operation using two RBMK-1500 reactors (Russian acronym for"Channelized Large Power Reactor"). 14C specific activity was measured in alkali-soluble and -insoluble fractions of the sediment layers. Complementary measurements of the 210Pb and 137Cs activity of the samples provided the possibility to evaluate the date of every layer formation, covering the 1947-2013 period. In addition, 14C distribution was examined in the scales of pelagic fish caught between 1980 and 2012. Our measurements reveal that, during the period 1947-1999, the radiocarbon specific activity in both fractions exhibits a parallel course with a difference of 5 ± 1 pMC (percent of modern carbon) being higher in alkali-soluble fraction, although 14C specific activity in both fractions increased by 11.4-13.6 pMC during the first 15 years of plant operation. However, during the 2000-2009 period, other than previously seen, a dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) → aquatic primary producers → sediments 14C incorporation pattern occurred, as the radiocarbon specific activity difference between alkali-soluble and -insoluble fractions reached 94, 25, and 20 pMC in 2000, 2006, and 2008, respectively. Measurements in different sediment fractions allowed us to identify the unexpected organic nature of 14C contained in liquid effluences from the INPP in 2000-2009. The discrepancy between 14C specific activity in fish scales samples and DIC after 2000 also confirmed the possibility of organic 14C contamination. Possible reasons for this phenomenon might be industrial processes introduced at the INPP, such as the start of operation of the cementation facility for spent ion exchange resins, decontamination procedures, and various maintenance activities of reactor aging systems and equipment

Distribution of metals and extent of contamination in sediments from the south-eastern Baltic Sea (Lithuanian zone)

Summary: The distribution of metals (Pb, Cu, Cd, Ni, Cr, Zn) in surface sediments and the potential pollution sources in the south-eastern part (SE) of the Baltic Sea (Lithuanian zone) were investigated in relation to the environmental characteristics (amount of fine-grained particles, TOC content in sediments, origin of sedimentary organic matter, salinity, water depth) in 2011–2014. The higher metal concentrations were measured in sediments of the Curonian Lagoon and in the open waters. An approach using various environmental indices (enrichment factor EF, geoaccumulation index Igeo and contamination factor CF) was used to quantitatively assess a contamination degree. The principal component analysis (PCA) was applied in order to further scrutinize pollution from metal sources. The values of the contamination indices showed no/very low sediment contamination with Ni and Cr, minor–moderate contamination with Cu, Zn and Pb and moderate–considerable pollution with Cd. The strong relationships among metals suggested their similar distribution pattern and a combination of natural and anthropogenic sources. The higher metal concentrations coincided with an increasing amount of fine-grained fraction and organic carbon. In the territorial waters, the distribution of elements was related to the water depth. In addition, the binding of metals with insoluble iron sulphides might explain their high concentrations at the most remote and deepest stations. Keywords: Metals, Enrichment factor, Geoaccumulation index, Contamination factor, The Baltic Sea, The Curonian Lagoo

Modeling of 14C Vertical Distribution in Bottom Sediments of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Cooling Reservoir

The Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) in Lithuania is a rare case when lake water is used instead of river or sea water for cooling. Lake Drūkšiai with water residence time of 3–4 year and undisturbed sediment layers is a unique system to assess the impact of a nuclear facility on the aquatic ecosystem with a sufficiently high temporal resolution. We constructed a model of radiocarbon cycling processes in lake ecosystem which evaluates the 14C specific activity vertical distribution in two organic sediment fractions: alkali-soluble and alkali-insoluble. Model calculations proved that during the first 15 years of operation since 1983, 14C annual aqueous releases from the INPP were in water dissolved inorganic carbon form and varied in the range of 2.4 ÷ 3.7 × 108 Bq/year. The results of the modeling of hypothetic scenarios also showed that there was the only one episode of elevated releases from the INPP in 2000–2001, which changed the interaction between the two organic sediment fractions for the period of 2000–2006. It was caused most probably by released chemicals from INPP but not by 14C contamination. Interaction processes between both sediment fractions recovered to its original state after 2006, indicating that the released additional chemical compounds lake ecosystem have been cleaned-up

What cooling pond sediments can reveal about 14C in nuclear power plant liquid effluents: Case study Lake Drūkšiai, Ignalina nuclear power plant cooling pond.

The vertical distribution of radiocarbon (14C) was examined in two bottom sediment cores, taken from Lake Drūkšiai which had been used as a cooling pond for the Ignalina nuclear power plant (INPP) with two RBMK type reactors. The aim of this work was to reconstruct 14C amounts in the lake ecosystem during an 8-year period after the INPP was closed, as any official monitoring of 14C in liquid releases from the INPP was not performed. The possibility of comparing the variation of the 14C specific activity in the corresponding layers of the same period of 3 different cores (one taken in 2013 and two in 2019) revealed the variability of the determined values of liquid radiocarbon discharges from the INPP into the lake. Cores taken in 2019 showed a permament14C release rate of 0.76±0.06 GBq/y all eight years after the closure of the INPP. The 14C release rate established from radiocarbon measurements in both cores did not differ by more than 0.8 GBq/y. However, including data from the core taken several years ago, the estimated radiocarbon release rate values varied within 1.3 GBq/y