Bogdan Skwarzec

Distribution and possible sources of some elements in the sediment cores of the Southern Baltic

Sediment cores (50 samples) collected from four stations of the southern Baltic in July 1980 were analysed for the elements Ca, Mg, Na, K, Al, Ti, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb, U, Th, Corg, N and P. Among the trace metals, only Mn shows high regional variations in its mean concentrations; lower regional—dependent changes were observed for Pb and Cu. Within the cores taken from the Gdansk Bay (station P-2) some trace metals were characterized by higher concentrations towards the surface; the mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu increased relative to the geochemical background (below 15 cm) about 3.2-, 2.6-, 2- and 2-fold, respectively, whilst the other trace metals in principle remained unchanged. Based on the C/N values obtained for the topmost 5 cm, it appears that contribution of terrigenous components is smaller at station P-10 than at the other stations investigated. The relatively high increase of the N and P in the upper layers may reflect both the degradation in top sediment layers and increasing eutrophication of the southern Baltic during the last 25 years. The mean anthropogenic flux of Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd was estimated as 51, 55, 9, and 0.7 mg m−2 a−1, respectively; mean residence time in the Gdansk Basin water column of 8.7 years was inferred for Zn, 0.59 for Pb, 1.6 for Cu and 3.6 for Cd. On the basis of the enrichment factors EFFeM (sea salt corrected) in respect to Fe as a normalizer as well as anthropogenic factors AF, two major sources for the metals in surface sediments of the Gdansk Bay can be distinguished, i.e. a terrestrial source for Al, Fe, Ti, Th, Ni, Co, K, Ca, Mg, U and Mn, and an anthropogenic source for Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd.

Distribution and coassociations of selected metals in seals of the Antarctic.

Zinc, Cu, Cd, Pb, Ag, Ni, Co, Cr, Fe and Mn concentrations in some tissues of crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophagus), leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) and Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddelli) from the Antarctic were determined. Distinct inter-tissue differences in metal concentrations in seals were observed; liver contained maximum levels of Zn, Cu, Ag and Mn, whilst kidney showed the highest levels of Cd, Ni and Co. Muscle was characterized by low concentrations of all the elements analyzed. The metal concentrations in the vertebrates analyzed were compared with those for organisms originating from various aquatic areas. Significant correlations were found between the levels of several of the metals analyzed, e.g. between renal and hepatic concentrations of Zn and Cd. Strong relationships between the hepatic concentrations of some metals were found, e.g. Cd-Zn. These two metals also showed a significant coassociation in their renal concentrations. The slope of the regression line for renal Cd/Zn was about three times higher than the hepatic one and this may reflect a relatively high Cd exposure, probably from specific food (squid and krill) provenance, of the seals analyzed.

Distribution of trace metals in some representative fauna of the southern Baltic

Abstract Tissues of the molluse Mya arenaria , crustacean Mesidothea entomon and fish Gadus morhua , taken from the southern Baltic, were analyzed for levels of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Co, and Ni. The distribution of trace metals between total body and specific tissues has been estimated.

Accumulation of 210Po in Baltic invertebrates

This paper presents the results of an investigation of the 210Po contents of Baltic marine invertebrates. The 210Po concentrations fall within the range 11·3–78·9 Bq kg−1 (dry wt), the higher values relating to polychaeta, priapulida and malacostraca and the lower levels to bivalvia. It is demonstrated that 10Po is non-uniformly distributed within the isopod Mesidotea entomon and the bivalve Mya arenaria. The 210Po contents of the internal organs decreasing in the order-hepatopancreas > alimentary tract > gill > muscle. Moreover, the results indicate the dominant role of the digestive organs of these invertebrates in controlling absorption and elimination of 210Po.

Concentration of selected metals in penguins and other representative fauna of the Antarctica

Concentration of Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Ag, Co, Ni, Cr, Mn and Fe were determined in muscle and liver of three species of penguins and other animals of the antarctic region. Liver was characterized by maximum concentrations of all the metals analyzed. The element levels in the samples assayed are in keeping with those reported previously by other authors. It is assumed that specific food habits of penguins are mainly responsible for elevated Cd levels in livers of these birds.

A comparison of 210Po accumulation in molluscs from the southern Baltic, the coast of Spitsbergen and Sasek Wielki Lake in Poland

Abstract 210 Po was analysed in the tissues and organs of four different species of molluscs originating from the Gulf of Gdansk and Slupsk Narrow ( Mytilus trossulus, Mya arenaria ), Southern coast of Spitsbergen ( Chlamys islandicus ), and Sasek Wielki Lake in north-east Poland ( Anodonta cygnea ). The results show a great disproportion in the 210 Po distribution within the molluscs examined. The highest 210 Po concentrations were found in the hepatopancreas of the Baltic and freshwater species whereas for the polar molluscs the highest values were observed in gills. The 210 Po / 210 Pb activity ratio was calculated exclusively for the Baltic bivalves. The value of the ratio greatly exceeds unity for all organs and tissues (except for the shell of Mya arenaria ). The concentration factor CF for the total soft tissue of all the molluscs analysed varies in the range of 3600–72,000.

Accumulation of 210Po in selected species of Baltic fish

Abstract Results are presented here for the 210 Po contents of selected species of Baltic fish. It is shown that 210 Po is non-uniformly distributed within these fish, the highest levels being found in the digestive organs, particularly within the intestine. It is found that the proportional contribution by the digestive organs to the total accumulation of 210 Po is correlated with the degree of repletion of the stomach and that this decreases if food is lacking. Moreover, it is observed that fish represent an important source of supply of 210 Po to humans.

Distribution of Plutonium in selected components of the Baltic ecosystem within the Polish economic zone

In the paper are presented and discussed results of measurements of plutonium isotopes in the Baltic Sea, sediments and biota following the Chernobyl accident. The average 239, 240Pu level of seawater was found to be 5 mBq m−3 of which 70% constituted filterable forms (<0.45 μm). Sea plants and benthic animals concentrated plutonium isotopes to varying degrees, the concentration factors ranging from 600 to 27100. Small differences were observed between plutonium levels of malacostraca and bivalvia collected in 1986 and 1987. Generally, the impact of Chernobyl-derived plutonium on the Baltic ecosystem within the Polish economic zone was insignificant.

The occurrence of some metals in mesozooplankton taken from the Southern Baltic

Abstract The determination of Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cu, Co, Zn, Cd, K and Na was carried out in the mesozooplankton caught in the southern Baltic in July 1980. The species structure of mesozooplankton was characterized on the basis of mean numbers of particular components and their percentage. The chemical analyses of the samples of mesozooplankton show a wide range of values, although they were within the ranges published for zooplankton from other aquatic regions of the world. Both concentration factors and selectivity factors for Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu in the organisms analysed were calculated. The significant cross-correlation coefficients calculated for all possible pairs of metals showed the following associations: CuPbNiMnFe, MnZn and NaZn.

Influence of accumulation of cadmium on the content of other microelements of two species of Black Sea decapods

Because the accumulation of cadmium by an organism may be a progressive and long-term process, the investigation of the influence of this trace metal on the balance of other microelements, especially those of key significance for normal biological functioning, is of great interest. Estimation of the accumulation capacity of organs and tissues involved in this process is of great importance as well.