Distribution and fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in recent sediments from the Gulf of Gdańsk (SE Baltic)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in recent (0-10 cm) sediments from the Gulf of Gdańsk during 2003-07 andcorrelated with environmental parameters. Located in the south-eastern part of the Baltic and receiving the waters of the River Wisła(Vistula), this area of negligible tides and strong anthropogenic stress, highly eutrophic as a consequence, is an exceptionalmodel basin for studying the fate of hydrophobic organic contaminants introduced to the sea. Environmental conditions determine thedistribution and composition patterns of parent PAHs in Gulf of Gdańsk sediments. PAHs were associated mainly with fine particlesediments, rich in organic carbon, with hypoxia/anoxia near the bottom. The highest PAH contents were found in the Gdańsk Deep(ca 110 m), where the mean concentration of <span style="font-size:1.5em;">&Sigma;</span>12PAHs was &#126;3600 ng g^-1, and no distinct temporal trend was observed.Lighter PAHs were found to be depleted in deeper regions. It was estimated that the Wisła discharges &#126;50% of the total PAH load deposited in recent Gulf sediments

Vertical profiles of sedimentary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and black carbon in the Gulf of Gdańsk (Poland) and Oslofjord/Drammensfjord (Norway), and their relation to regional energy transitions

The analysis of undisturbed sediment cores is a powerful tool for understanding spatial and temporal impacts of anthropogenic emissions from the energy and transport sectors at a regional scale. The spatial and vertical distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and black carbon (BC) were determined in 12 cores of recent (up to 20 cm long) sediments from the Gulf of Gdańsk in Poland, and Oslofjord/Drammensfjord in Norway. The Σ12PAHs levels in individual sediment layers varied from 250 to 4500 ng/g d.w. in the Gulf of Gdańsk, and from 210 to 4580 ng/g d.w. in the Norwegian fjords. Analysis of PAH ratios indicates that PAHs in both studied areas originated mainly from pyrogenic sources. The BC concentrations in sediments were up to 0.9% and were generally higher in the Gulf of Gdańsk (mean - 0.39%) than in Oslofjord/Drammensfjord (mean - 0.19%). The deposition history of anthropogenic emissions over the last 100 years was reconstructed based on the analysis of dated and well-laminated sediment cores from two stations from the Gulf of Gdańsk and two stations from the Norwegian fjords. The evolution in energy structure was especially evident in the Oslofjord, where transition from fossil fuel combustion to hydropower after 1960 coincided with a sharp decrease in sedimentary PAHs. Despite significant changes in the economic development in Poland, temporal patterns in PAH concentrations/profiles in the Gulf of Gdańsk were not as obvious. The historical PAH trends in the Gulf of Gdańsk may be related to the overwhelming PAH inputs from domestic combustion of solid fuels (coal, wood) for heating purposes. The implementation of legislation and other activities addressed to restrict the use of solid fuels in residential heating should reduce PAH emissions.Vertical profiles of sedimentary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and black carbon in the Gulf of Gdańsk (Poland) and Oslofjord/Drammensfjord (Norway), and their relation to regional energy transitionsacceptedVersio

Anthropogenic impact on marine ecosystem health: A comparative multi-proxy investigation of recent sediments in coastal waters

Hazardous substances entering the sea, and ultimately deposited in bottom sediments, pose a growing threat to marine ecosystems. The present study characterized two coastal areas exposed to significant anthropogenic impact - Gulf of Gdańsk (Poland), and Oslofjord/Drammensfjord (Norway) - by conducting a multi-proxy investigation of recent sediments, and comparing the results in light of different available thresholds for selected contaminants. Sediment samples were analyzed for benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nonylphenols (NPs), organotin compounds (OTs), toxic metals (Cd, Hg, Pb), as well as mutagenic, genotoxic and endocrine-disrupting activities (in CALUX bioassays). In general, a declining trend in the deposition of contaminants was observed. Sediments from both basins were not highly contaminated with PAHs, NPs and metals, while OT levels may still give rise to concern in the Norwegian fjords. The results suggest that the contamination of sediments depends also on water/sediment conditions in a given region.Anthropogenic impact on marine ecosystem health: A comparative multi-proxy investigation of recent sediments in coastal watersacceptedVersio

Present and Past‐Millennial Eutrophication in the Gulf of Gdańsk (Southern Baltic Sea)

Eutrophication is manifested by increased primary production leading to oxygen depletion in near‐bottom water and toxic cyanobacteria blooms. This is an important contemporary problem of the Baltic Sea and many other coastal waters. The present eutrophication is mainly ascribed to anthropogenic activity. To compare the present trophic state with that during past millennia, two sediment cores (50 cm long and ~400 cm long covering ca. 5,500 years) were taken from the Gulf of Gdańsk (southern Baltic Sea). The core subsamples were analyzed for phytoplankton pigments (chlorophylls and their derivatives, and carotenoids). In addition, carbon (Ctot, Corg, and δ13C), 14C dating, grain size, diatoms, and selected metals in the cores were analyzed to determine conditions in the depositional environment. The results indicated that there were high primary production periods in the past, during the Littorina Sea and the Roman Climatic Optimum, accompanied by oxygen deficiency in the near‐bottom water, most probably caused by climate warming. The ratio of 132,173‐cyclopheophorbide‐a enol, a labile degradation product of chlorophyll‐a, to the sum of other chloropigments‐a (CPPB‐aE/ΣChlns‐a) is proposed as a new paleoredox proxy. Heterocystous cyanobacteria blooms of an intensity similar to or even greater than at present also occurred in past millennia and were connected with climate warming. Hence, eutrophication must have occurred in the past, which means that natural factors have a substantial influence on it

Anthropogenic impact on marine ecosystem health: A comparative multi-proxy investigation of recent sediments in coastal waters

Hazardous substances entering the sea, and ultimately deposited in bottom sediments, pose a growing threat to marine ecosystems. The present study characterized two coastal areas exposed to significant anthropogenic impact - Gulf of Gdańsk (Poland), and Oslofjord/Drammensfjord (Norway) - by conducting a multi-proxy investigation of recent sediments, and comparing the results in light of different available thresholds for selected contaminants. Sediment samples were analyzed for benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nonylphenols (NPs), organotin compounds (OTs), toxic metals (Cd, Hg, Pb), as well as mutagenic, genotoxic and endocrine-disrupting activities (in CALUX bioassays). In general, a declining trend in the deposition of contaminants was observed. Sediments from both basins were not highly contaminated with PAHs, NPs and metals, while OT levels may still give rise to concern in the Norwegian fjords. The results suggest that the contamination of sediments depends also on water/sediment conditions in a given region