Assessment of native and alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments and mussels (Mytilus spp.) in the southern Baltic Sea.

Native and alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in whole and fine grained (F < 63 µm) sediment fractions and mussels in the southern Baltic Sea. Both sediments and mussels showed spatial differences in PAH levels and profiles. In whole sediments, mean concentrations of Σ16PAHs, ΣaPAHs, and ΣPAHs reached up to 1537, 415, and 1952 ng g-1 dry weight (dw), respectively, and in mussels they reached up to 235, 143, and 325 ng g-1 dw, respectively, depending on location. ΣaPAHs made up to 36% of ΣPAHs in whole sediments and up to 55% in some mussels in the Gulf of Gdansk. The association of PAHs with the sediment F < 63 µm differed depending on the PAH compound and season. Analysis of PAH sources was done using PCA and the ratios of specific compound concentrations. The sediment and mussel PAH levels evaluated against environmental quality criteria indicated no risk related to PAH occurrence in the study area.

Sediment contaminants and contaminant levels and biomarkers in caged mussels (Mytilus trossulus) in the southern Baltic Sea.

Sediment from four southern Baltic Sea locations and caged mussels were analyzed for PCBs, organochlorine pesticides and metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg). In mussels, which were additionally analyzed for 16 individual PAHs, a set of biomarker responses was measured to derive an integrated biomarker response (IBR) index as a part of integrative assessment of pollution in this area. Concentrations of PCBs, ΣDDT, and metals in sediment and mussels, greatest within the Gulf of Gdansk area, showed decreasing gradients outwards from the Gulf. Sediment quality quotients (SQQs) and biological impact quotients (BIQs), reflecting on sediment- and mussel-accumulated contaminants' potential for biological effects, respectively, pointed out to the Gulf of Gdansk to be of greatest concern among the examined sites. The IBRs corresponded poorly with the SQQs and BIQs, nevertheless, provided a line of evidence indicative of biological effects of contaminants to support more complex processes of environmental status assessment.

Assessment of PAH pollution in the southern Baltic Sea through the analysis of sediment, mussels and fish bile.

The concentrations of fifteen PAH compounds in samples of sediment and blue mussel tissue (Mytilus trossulus) were measured. In addition, the biliary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites present in flounder (Platichthys flesus) were analysed. Two methods were used in the analysis of PAH metabolites; high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and fixed wavelength fluorescence (FF). The major PAH metabolite which could be measured using the HPLC method was 1-OH pyrene. It was possible to detect 1-OH Phe and 3-OH B[a]P in 70 and 24 samples respectively, of the 87 samples analysed. However, the concentrations of 1-OH Phe and 3-OH B[a]P were below or near to the LOQ (0.002 µg ml(-1) bile). The bile of flounder samples from the Gulf of Gdansk had 1-OH Pyr concentrations which ranged from 0.019 to 0.066 µg ml(-1) bile. The high linear correlation observed between the quantity of 1-OH pyrene determined by the HPLC-F method and the content of the sum of pyrene-type PAHs obtained by the FF method indicated the FF method of determination of pyrene-type PAH metabolites can be used as a screening method. The content of ∑(15)PAHs in sediments collected in the Gulf of Gdansk, in 2008, ranged from 29.3 to 103 µg kg(-1) dw. In mussel tissue ∑(15)PAHs concentrations were between 173.2 µg kg(-1) dw and 237.7 µg kg(-1) dw. All concentrations measured in the current study, in mussel tissue, were below the OSPAR toxicity threshold values.

Heavy metals in Macoma balthica and extractable metals in sediments from the southern Baltic Sea.

Concentrations of Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, Co and Cd in soft tissues of Macoma balthica and their extractable forms in the adjacent sediments from 15 sampling sites in the southern Baltic Sea were determined by AAS. The samples were collected during cruises of M/S Hestia and R/V Baltica in July-August 2006. In order to estimate the degree of element bioaccumulation in the molluscs with respect to their extractable forms of the associated sediments, the bioaccumulation factor (BF) was calculated. ANOVA clearly indicates spatial differences between the concentrations of the metals, and factor analysis (FA) confirms that spatial variations exist between the concentrations of metals in M. balthica and their extractable forms in the adjacent sediments from the Gulf of Gdansk and open Baltic waters. This differentiation can be explained by differences in environmental parameters between these two areas. M. balthica may be useful as a biomonitor of heavy-metal bioavailability and contamination in the Baltic Sea.

Distribution and relationships of trace metals in the isopod Saduria entomon and adjacent bottom sediments in the southern Baltic.

The concentrations of Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Mn and Zn in Saduria entomon and adjacent bottom sediments from the southern Baltic were determined by FAAS. In order to estimate the strength of correlations between accumulated elements in these crustaceans and surficial sediment, bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were calculated. The results of factor analysis (FA) and the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance (ANOVA) clearly indicate geographical differences between the concentrations of these elements. Cd, Co, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn levels were higher in S. entomon from the Gulf of Gdansk, whereas Cr and Mn levels were higher in the crustaceans inhabiting open Baltic waters. The concentrations of Ag and Cu were comparable in both regions. There was a tendency for metal concentrations to distinguish organisms inhabiting the muddy bottom from those living in sandy sediments. The granulometric composition of the sediment appears to influence trace metal bioavailability. The results show that S. entomon could be a valuable sentinel organism for biomonitoring heavy metal contamination in the southern Baltic.