The relationship between the black carbon and bisphenol A in sea and river sediments (Southern Baltic).

This study was derived from field investigations to assess bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations in the sea and river sediments of the Gulf of Gdansk. Black carbon (BC) and total organic carbon (TOC) were identified as influencing factors on the accumulation. As a result of the transportation of BC with organic matter via rivers into the Gulf of Gdansk, the highest mean concentrations (11.26ngBPA/(gdryweight (dw))), were determined in the sediments of river estuaries. Sediments in coastal stations were characterized by the lowest mean concentrations (5.73ngBPA/(gdw)). TOC content below 0.1% determined the sorption of BPA on BC particles in sediments, and statistically significant correlation between the concentration of BPA and the BC/TOC ratio was found in these cases. In addition, dependency between the concentration of BPA and the content of BC was discovered in sediments where the BC/TOC ratio was >0.33.

Role of Macrofaunal Communities in the Vistula River Plume, the Baltic Sea-Bioturbation and Bioirrigation Potential.

Macrozoobenthos plays a key role in the transformation of inputs from rivers to the sea, such as nutrients, organic matter, or pollutants, and influences biogeochemical processes in the sediments through bioturbation and bioirrigation activity. The purpose of our study was to determine the structure of benthic communities, their bioturbation (BPC) and bioirrigation potential (IPC), and the vertical distribution of macrofauna in the Gulf of Gdansk. The study revealed changes in the structure of benthic communities and, consequently, in the bioturbation and bioirrigation potential in the study area. Despite the presence of diverse and rich communities in the coastal zone, BPC and IPC values, although high, were formed by a few species. Both indices were formed mainly by the clam Macoma balthica and polychaetes, although the proportion of polychaetes in IPC was higher than in BPC. In the deepest zones, the communities became poorer until they eventually disappeared, along with all macrofaunal functions. Both indices changed similarly with distance from the Vistula River mouth, and there was a very strong correlation between them. We also demonstrated that the highest diversity of the macrofauna was observed in the upper first cm of the sediment, but the highest biomass was observed in deeper layers-at a depth of up to 6 cm, and single individuals occurred even below 10 cm.

The Effects of Wastewater Treatment Plant Failure on the Gulf of Gdansk (Southern Baltic Sea).

In August 2019 and during August/September 2020, the main collection system of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Warsaw, Poland, malfunctioned. During that system failure, over 4.8 million m3 of untreated wastewater was dropped directly into the Vistula River in just a few days. It is currently considered as one of the largest known failures of WWTP worldwide. In order to assess the environmental impact, water samples were collected from 2 spots at the Vistula river estuary (406 and 415 km from the discharge location, respectively), and 4 spots at the Gulf of Gdansk, situated on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea. The sampling was conducted before the wastewater wave reached the Vistula river's mouth, followed by daily sampling during 21 days after the malfunction occurred. The study showed the decline in water quality at the Vistula river estuary and the Baltic shore waters as the wave of wastewater reached those points, despite being situated over 400 km downstream from the place of the accident. Those changes included the reduction in the dissolved oxygen content (by 0.69-fold at its peak), the increase in Total Organic Carbon (TOC) (by 1.28-fold at its peak), nitrate-nitrogen (N-NO3) (by 1.68-fold at its peak), phosphorous (P) (by 2.41-fold at its peak), conductivity (by 16.8-fold at its peak), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) (by 1.84-fold). In the samples from the Vistula river, the decline in water quality was seen as incidental and lasted 2-3 days. Subsequently, the levels of physical and chemical parameters returned to the levels from before the accident. However, the changes in the Gulf of Gdansk lasted significantly longer, especially on the West side of the Vistula river, where, even after 21 days from the initial accident, some parameters remained altered.

First report of the presence of Vibrio vulnificus in the Gulf of Gdansk.

BACKGROUND: Vibrio infections are becoming more frequent in the Baltic Sea region, which is caused by an increase in the sea surface temperature. Climate change creates the conditions for the emergence of new environmental niches that are beneficial for Vibrio spp., especially in the summer months. Vibrio vulnificus, which causes wound infections and septicaemia, represents a particularly dangerous species of Vibrio spp. There are numerous publications on the prevalence of V. vulnificus in various regions of the Baltic Sea, but there is a lack of such data for the Polish coast. This prompted us to conduct a pilot study into the prevalence of the bacteria in the Gulf of Gdansk. The study aimed to detect Vibrio spp. in the coastal waters and the wet sand at the beaches and bathing areas in the Gulf of Gdansk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the period from June 16th to September 23rd 2020, 112 samples of seawater and 105 samples of wet sand were collected at 16 locations along the coast of the Gulf of Gdansk and Hel peninsula. Isolation of Vibrio spp. was conducted by filtering method and the isolated bacteria was cultured on CHROM agar Vibrio and TCBS agar. Final genus identification was performed by the MALDI TOF technique. RESULTS: In the present study, 10 isolates of Vibrio spp. were obtained from seawater and wet sand samples collected in the Gulf of Gdansk and Hel peninsula coast. Three of the isolates were identified as V. vulnificus; the presence of the species was confirmed in the seawater samples which had been collected in Hel (1 isolate), Jastarnia (1 isolate), and Chalupy (1 isolate). One strain of Vibrio alginolyticus was isolated from the seawater sample collected in Hel. Moreover, identification was incomplete for 6 of the isolated strains, these were identified as Vibrio cholerae/mimicus These strains were collected in Jastarnia (1 isolate), Kuznica (1 isolate), Gdansk-Brzezno (1 isolate), Puck (2 isolates), Chalupy (1 isolate). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary research study confirmed the presence of potentially pathogenic V. vulnificus in the Gulf of Gdansk in the summer months. Therefore, further monitoring of the presence of Vibrio spp. in the Baltic coast area is necessary.

Alimentary exposure and elimination routes of rare earth elements (REE) in marine mammals from the Baltic Sea and Antarctic coast.

Marine mammals found at the top of the trophic pyramid are excellent bioindicators of pollutants in the marine environment, the concentrations of which increase along with the trophic level of the organism. As these animals are usually protected species, their contamination has to be assessed non-invasively by analysing excrement and epidermal structures such as fur or claws. The present study involved testing the excrement and fur of the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) from the Southern Baltic coast and the Southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonine) from Admiralty Bay, along with fish muscle (food) and the lithological background of both areas, for the presence of rare earth elements (REE). The soil on the Baltic coast is characterized by the predomination of light rare earth elements (LREE): yttrium, lanthanum and cerium (∑REE = 7.86 mg·kg-1 dw). In the soil and bedrock of Admiralty Bay all REEs were found except for terbium, thulium and lutetium (∑REE = 96.1 mg·kg-1 dw). The REE levels found in the muscles of Baltic herring (∑REE = 0.057 mg·kg-1 ww) were lower than those in the muscles of marbled rockcod (∑REE = 0.540 mg·kg-1 ww). The situation was analogous in the mammals, with the REE concentrations in grey seal fur (∑REE = 0.489 mg·kg-1 dw) and excrement (∑REE = 0.676 mg·kg-1 dw) being lower than those found in the fur (∑REE = 10.1 mg·kg-1 dw) and excrement (∑REE = 83.6 mg·kg-1 dw) of the elephant seal. The LREE/HREE partition coefficients in the grey seal excrement (3.37) and its fur (4.00), but also in the faeces of the elephant seal (2.63) and its fur (2.65), indicate that in each species the process of elimination from the body occurs in similar proportions.

Analysis of faecal bacteria isolated from air and seawater samples following an emergency sewage discharge into the Gulf of Gdansk in 2018 - preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Knowing the numbers of bacteria in coastal atmospheric air as well as in coastal waters significantly contributes to a better understanding of the processes affecting the health of people who stay temporarily or permanently in areas where the synergistic effect of the atmospheric conditions and the aquatic environment on a human body is particularly strong. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seawater and air samples were collected from 22 May to 22 July 2018 in the seaside towns of Hel, Puck, Gdynia, Sopot, Gdansk-Brzezno, all located along the Gulf of Gdansk. The number of psychrophilic, mesophilic as well as coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli was determined in both the water and the ambient air samples. In total, 232 seawater and coastal air samples were collected for the study purposes. RESULTS: The study showed a deterioration of coastal waters and atmospheric air in the Gulf of Gdansk which may have resulted from an increase of potentially pathogenic mesophilic bacteria following the emergency discharge of raw sewage from the Gdansk-Wschod wastewater plant. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the number of coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli in the seawater and in the air across the Gulf of Gdansk is related to the emergency sewage discharge.

Butyltins in sediments from the Southern Baltic coastal zone: Is it still a matter of concern, 10 years after implementation of the total ban?

The study was done to assess butyltin contamination in sediments of the Southern Baltic coastal zone, ten years after implementation of the total ban on harmful organotin use in antifouling paints. Sediment samples were collected from two seaports of international significance: the Port of Gdansk and the Port of Gdynia, as well as from the Szczecin Lagoon which plays a significant role as a shipping route connecting the Port of Szczecin with the Port of Swinoujscie. Total concentrations of butyltins in the sediment samples ranged between 5.7 and 3321 ng Sn g-1 d.w. Eighty percent of the samples were found as highly and grossly contaminated with tributyltin. The results were compared with those recorded ten years ago. Despite the improvement, the butyltin contamination still gives rise to concern in the study area. According to the HELCOM recommendation, all samples exceeded the Good Environmental Status boundary for tributyltin in sediments.

Vertical profiles of sedimentary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and black carbon in the Gulf of Gdansk (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 20cm long) sediments from the Gulf of Gdansk in Poland, and Oslofjord/Drammensfjord in Norway. The Σ12PAHs levels in individual sediment layers varied from 250 to 4500ng/g d.w. in the Gulf of Gdansk, and from 210 to 4580ng/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 Gdansk (mean - 0.39%) than in Oslofjord/Drammensfjord (mean - 0.19%). The deposition history of anthropogenic emissions over the last 100years was reconstructed based on the analysis of dated and well-laminated sediment cores from two stations from the Gulf of Gdansk 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 Gdansk were not as obvious. The historical PAH trends in the Gulf of Gdansk 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.

Labile and stable mercury in Harris mud crab (Rhithropanopeus harrisii) from the southern Baltic Sea - Considerations for a role of non-native species in the food web.

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin. Its main source of entry into the human body is the consumption of fish and seafood. Within the past few decades a new species of crab has appeared in the food web of the southern Baltic: Rhithropanopeus harrisii. The aim of the present study was to estimate the level of total and labile mercury concentrations in this species collected from the southern Baltic Sea. Analyses were performed using the thermodesorption method. The share of organic mercury fraction, as well as the Hgtot, increased with the size class of the crabs. Due to the increasingly common occurrence of R. harrisii and the low HgTOT concentration in its body, and assuming that it is bound to become a more and more common component of the diet of fish, it can be supposed that the load of toxic mercury entering the food web is likely to decrease.

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 Gdansk (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.

Inhalation - Route of EDC exposure in seabirds (Larus argentatus) from the Southern Baltic.

Despite the presence of endocrine disrupting mercury, PAHs, alkylphenols and bisphenol A in inhaled air, scientific literature lacks information on their penetration into the lungs. Large lung capacity in birds makes this route of penetration more significant than in other animals. The studies were conducted on lungs of herring gulls found in the Gulf of Gdansk area. The results were juxtaposed with other tissues, including the intestines, which reflect the main, alimentary penetration route of harmful substances into the organism. It was determined that the capacity of bird's lungs, affects the efficiency with which mercury is absorbed from the air. Birds found to have high mercury concentrations in lungs had low PAHs concentrations, what was determined by the fact that the birds foraged in two different areas, as well as on different trophic levels. The alimentary route of phenol derivatives into the organism was of greater significance than inhalation.

Changes of concentrations and possibility of accumulation of bisphenol A and alkylphenols, depending on biomass and composition, in zooplankton of the Southern Baltic (Gulf of Gdansk).

The focus of the present study was to find the relationship between concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA), 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) and 4-nonylphenol (NP) in zooplankton and seasonal changes in the composition and biomass of particular zooplankton taxa in the Gulf of Gdansk (Southern Baltic) in the years 2011-2012. Assays of BPA, OP and NP in water and zooplankton samples were performed using the HPLC/FL system. High mean concentrations of the studied compounds, determined in spring (405.9 (BPA); 25.7 (OP); 111.2 (NP) ng g(-1) dw), can be linked to the high proportion of meroplankton in that season. Rotifera also had an influence on the rise in concentrations of the studied compounds but to a lesser degree, while the lowest concentrations (determined in summer) can be associated with the high participation of Copepoda and Cladocera in zooplankton biomass. It was also observed that juvenile forms can be more susceptible to accumulating endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). This is indicated by the positive correlation between BPA concentration in zooplankton and the proportion of Copepoda nauplii biomass in spring (r = 0.90; p < 0.05). In most cases, greater zooplankton biomass accumulated higher concentrations and loads of the studied compounds. With biomass growth (to 123.32 µg m(-3)), the bioconcentration factor also rose (to max 46.1·10(3)), demonstrating that unlike typical hydrophobic compounds the studied EDCs do not become "diluted" in zooplankton biomass. The highest BPA concentrations from all compounds may be connected with anthropogenic sources located in the coastal zone.

Atmospheric deposition and riverine load of (90)Sr and (137)Cs to the Gulf of Gdansk (southern Baltic Sea) in the period 2005-2011.

In the period 2005-2011 total atmospheric fallout and the riverine input to the Gulf of Gdansk was 1168.8 GBq of (90)Sr and 424.1 GBq (137)Cs. The major source of both radionuclides to the Gulf of Gdansk is the Vistula river; its contribution reached 99.7% in the case of (90)Sr and 95.8% regarding (137)Cs. The atmospheric load of (137)Cs, 18.1 GBq, was nearly 4 times bigger than in the case of (90)Sr (3.75 GBq). In the period 2005-2010, the average annual atmospheric load were at the levels 2-3 GBq for (137)Cs and 0.4-0.6 GBq for (90)Sr, while in 2011, due to the Fukuchima Dai-ichi power plant break down, an increase of annual atmospheric loads was noted to 5.3 GBq of (137)Cs and to 0.87 GBq of (90)Sr. The additional loads did not have an increasing effect on the activity concentrations of (137)Cs and (90)Sr in seawater of the Gulf of Gdansk, where mean activity concentrations in seawater were equal to 31.1 Bq m(-3) and 7.6 Bq m(-3) in the case of (137)Cs and (90)Sr respectively.

The first description of a microtrombidiid mite (Actinotrichida: Prostigmata, Microtrombidiidae) from Baltic amber, with notes on related extant genera and species.

Discovery of parasitengone mites (Acari) in the Gulf of Gdansk deposits of Baltic amber ("Blue Earth" sediment) resulted in the first description of a fossil representative of Microtrombidiidae. The new species, based on larvae, displays affinity to recent members of Montenegtrombium Saboori and Pesic, 2006, Persianthrombium Sedghi, Saboori and Hakimitabar (in Sedghi et al. 2010) and Porttrombidium Haitlinger, 2000, known from the southwestern Palaearctic. A comparison with related genera and species places the newly described taxon in Porttrombidium (as Porttrombidium gedanense sp. nov.). Montenegtrombium is regarded as a junior synonym of Porttrombidium.

The role of phytoplankton composition, biomass and cell volume in accumulation and transfer of endocrine disrupting compounds in the Southern Baltic Sea (The Gulf of Gdansk).

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) like bisphenol A (BPA), 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) and 4-nonylphenol (NP) are introduced to the trophic webs through among others phytoplankton. This paper describes BPA, OP and NP concentrations in phytoplankton in the Gulf of Gdansk (Southern Baltic Sea) in the years 2011-2012. The assays of BPA, OP and NP in samples were performed using HPLC with fluorescence detection. The concentrations of BPA, the most commonly used of the three compounds, were over ten times higher than OP and NP concentrations. The concentrations of the studied EDCs in phytoplankton from the Gulf of Gdansk depended on anthropogenic factors and on phytoplankton properties (species composition, biomass, volume). An increase in phytoplankton biomass did not always result in an increase of BPA, OP and NP concentrations. However, the load of the studied EDCs accumulated in phytoplankton biomass increase with a rise of biomass. An increase in BPA, OP and NP concentrations was effected by biomass growth and the proportions ofciliates, dinoflagellates, diatoms and green algae. A strong positive correlation between OP and NP concentrations and negative correlation between BPA concentrations and biomass of organisms with cells measuring <1000 µm(3) in volume results from the differing properties of these compounds.

Alkylphenols in Surface Sediments of the Gulf of Gdansk (Baltic Sea).

The widespread use of alkylphenols in European industry has led to their presence in the environment and the living organisms of the Baltic Sea. The present study (2011-2012) was designed to determine the concentrations of alkylphenols, 4-nonylphenol (NP) and 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), in surface sediments of the Gulf of Gdansk, a section of the Baltic that lies in close proximity to industrial and agricultural areas and borders with an agglomeration of nearly one million inhabitants. It is also where the Vistula, the largest Polish river, ends its course. In spring, large concentrations of 4-nonylphenol and 4-tert-octylphenol were washed off into the coastal zone with meltwater. In summertime, sediments near the beach had the highest alkylphenol concentrations (NP-2.31 ng g-1 dw, OP-13.09 ng g-1 dw), which was related to tourism and recreational activity. In silt sediments located off the coast, the highest NP (1.46 ng g-1 dw) and OP (6.56 ng g-1 dw) amounts were observed in autumn. The origin of OP and NP at those test stations was linked to atmospheric transport of black carbon along with adsorbed alkylphenols.

Anthropogenic lead concentrations and sources in Baltic Sea sediments based on lead isotopic composition.

The Gulf of Gdansk is influenced by heavy metals of anthropogenic origin. In this study, temporal concentration changes of Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cu were studied in six, 50 cm long sediment cores. The main aim of the study was to concentrate on the history of Pb fluxes and Pb isotopic composition ((206)Pb/(207)Pb and (208)Pb/(206)Pb) to trace Pb sources. The lowest Pb concentrations (19 µg g(-1)) were measured in sediments deposited circa 1860, while the highest Pb concentrations (63-147 µg g(-1)) were measured in sediments deposited between 1960s and 70s. Pre-industrial Pb fluxes were 7 Pb m(2)year(-1), while after WWII they reached 199 Pb m(2)year(-1). Highest (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratios (∼1.22) were measured in the oldest sediment layers, and the lowest (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratios (∼1.165) were measured in the sediments deposited in 1970s-90s. During the period of highest Pb contamination, the anthropogenic Pb fraction reached up to 93%. A general discussion of the Pb sources, emissions, and loads for Poland is included.

Submarine Groundwater Discharge as a Source of Mercury in the Bay of Puck, the Southern Baltic Sea.

Both groundwater flow and mercury concentrations in pore water and seawater were quantified in the groundwater seeping site of the Bay of Puck, southern Baltic Sea. Total dissolved mercury (HgTD) in pore water ranged from 0.51 to 4.90 ng l-1. Seawater samples were characterized by elevated HgTD concentrations, ranging from 4.41 to 6.37 ng l-1, while HgTD concentrations in groundwater samples ranged from 0.51 to 1.15 ng l-1. High HgTD concentrations in pore water of the uppermost sediment layers were attributed to seawater intrusion into the sediment. The relationship between HgTD concentrations and salinity of pore water was non-conservative, indicating removal of dissolved mercury upon mixing seawater with groundwater. The mechanism of dissolved mercury removal was further elucidated by examining its relationships with both dissolved organic matter, dissolved manganese (Mn II), and redox potential. The flux of HgTD to the Bay of Puck was estimated to be 18.9 ± 6.3 g year-1. The submarine groundwater discharge-derived mercury load is substantially smaller than atmospheric deposition and riverine discharge to the Bay of Puck. Thus, groundwater is a factor that dilutes the mercury concentrations in pore water and, as a result, dilutes the mercury concentrations in the water column.