Distribution of mercury in different environmental compartments in the aquatic ecosystem of the coastal zone of the Southern Baltic Sea

Saniewska, Dominika; Bełdowska, Magdalena; Bełdowski, Jacek; Saniewski, Michał; Kwaśniak, Justyna; Falkowska, Lucyna

doi:10.1016/s1001-0742(09)60230-8

Cited by 32 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Bełdowski and Pempkowiak 2007;Saniewska et al 2010), and other basins of the world (e.g. Fitzgerald and Lamborg 2003;Hortellani et al 2005;Lafabrie et al 2011).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term changes and distribution of mercury concentrations in surface sediments of the Gdansk Basin (Southern Baltic Sea)

2015

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Purpose In the Baltic Sea, the reduction of mercury load is estimated to be 44 % compared to the end of the previous century. Confirmation of mercury load decrease is frequently based on sedimentary mercury profiles. This study aims to assess the inter-annual changes of mercury concentration and the net input in surface sediments, in order to assess the effect of decreased emissions and other processes. Materials and methods Surface sediments were collected in 2011-2013 from areas where existing data series were available. Sediments were freeze dried, and total mercury concentrations, loss on ignition and fine fraction content were analysed. We compared recent concentrations of mercury in the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea to values previously reported in the same area since 1993. Net mercury deposition in the analysed sediments and previously reported data were calculated. The observed variability was correlated to climaterelated processes and input changes. Results and discussion Three studied areas-major river mouth, shallow bay and offshore area-were significantly different in terms of sediment type and mercury concentration. Total mercury concentrations in the study area in 2011-2013 ranged between 2 and 260 ng g −1 dry weight (dw) (mean 61 ng g −1 dw; median 36 ng g −1 dw). Nearly 75 % of the obtained results did not exceed 50 ng g −1 dw, while concentrations >200 ng g −1 dw accounted for a little over 5 % of all the obtained results. Mercury input calculated for the area was much smaller than that recorded for the 1990s, but was characterised with large inter-annual variability, attributed to climate-related processes.Conclusions Although a decreasing trend could be observed, it is modified by inter-annual variability. It follows from observations that in the present situation, where mercury emission has been successfully inhibited, that concentrations of this metal in sediments reflect natural metal migration processes rather than the direct influence of anthropogenic sources.

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“…Bełdowski and Pempkowiak 2007;Saniewska et al 2010), and other basins of the world (e.g. Fitzgerald and Lamborg 2003;Hortellani et al 2005;Lafabrie et al 2011).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term changes and distribution of mercury concentrations in surface sediments of the Gdansk Basin (Southern Baltic Sea)

2015

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“…Cod have completely different preferences, and their diet comprises small herring, sprat, and crustaceans, mainly Mesidothea entomon. All of these dietary components contain different levels of mercury: small herring and sprat e 0.012e0.020 mg Hg kg À1 w.w., Mesidothea entomon e approximately 0.021 mg Hg kg À1 w.w., M. balthica e a mean of 0.053 mg Hg kg À1 w.w. (Polak-Juszczak, 2009, 2012); zooplankton e 0.006 Hg kg À1 w.w. (Nfon et al, 2009), planktone0.002 mg Hg kg À1 w.w. (Nfon et al, 2009;Saniewska et al, 2010). Because concentrations of selenium in majority of the species were at similar levels, the molar ratio depended on mercury concentration.…”

Section: Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selenium and mercury molar ratios in commercial fish from the Baltic Sea: Additional risk assessment criterion for mercury exposure

Polak-Juszczak

2015

Food Control

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“…It has focused on determining mercury concentrations in surface water, sediments, and marine fauna and flora (Pempkowiak et al 1998; Bełdowski and Pempkowiak 2003, 2007; Kuss and Schneider 2007; Bartnicki et al 2009; Pohl and Hennings 2008; Bełdowski et al 2009; Saniewska et al 2010). The main sources of mercury in the Gulf of Gdańsk and the Bay of Puck were identified to be atmospheric deposition (Bełdowska et al 2012), river discharge (Pempkowiak et al 1998), shipyards, harbors, wastewater treatment plants, and the municipal areas of Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Szymczycha

Miotk

Pempkowiak

2013

Water Air Soil Pollut

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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.

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Distribution of mercury in different environmental compartments in the aquatic ecosystem of the coastal zone of the Southern Baltic Sea

Cited by 32 publications

References 30 publications

Long-term changes and distribution of mercury concentrations in surface sediments of the Gdansk Basin (Southern Baltic Sea)

Long-term changes and distribution of mercury concentrations in surface sediments of the Gdansk Basin (Southern Baltic Sea)

Selenium and mercury molar ratios in commercial fish from the Baltic Sea: Additional risk assessment criterion for mercury exposure

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

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