Dorota Burska

THE IMPACT OF DREDGING DEEP PITS ON ORGANIC MATTER DECOMPOSITION IN SEDIMENTS

In this study, the results of investigations of organic matter decomposition in natural and dredged areas of the inner Puck Bay (Baltic Sea) are presented. The dredging of relatively deep pits causes environmental problems. Researched post-dredging pits are sediment traps in which 3 times more organic carbon (Corg), 3.5 times more total nitrogen (Ntot), about 1.5 times more organic phosphorus (Porg) and 1.7 times more total phosphorus (Ptot) accumulate as compared to the non-dredged regions; they are also characterized by very intensive decomposition of organic matter. About 42, 44, 95 and 50% of the annual load of, respectively, Corg, Ntot, Porg and Ptot undergo decomposition in the dredged area, whereas the respective values for natural seabed are ca. 11, 44, 41 and 21%. Reduction of nitrogen in the pit occurs mainly through ammonification, while in the natural areas of seabed denitrification prevails. In non-dredged sediments, 84% of the released nitrogen comes from denitrification whereas in the pit, it is only 18%. Organic matter degradation in the pit sediments manifests itself by a 7-fold increase in the phosphate flux into near-bottom water as compared to natural seabed. The observed phosphate flux originated from the organic matter as well as from the decomposition of inorganic phosphorus compounds. Periodically, sulphate reduction in the pit sediments resulted in hydrogen sulfide occurrence.

The relationship between the concentrations and distribution of organic pollutants and black carbon content in benthic sediments in the Gulf of Gdańsk, Baltic Sea.

The influence of the sediments physico-chemical properties and black carbon content, on the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls in benthic sediments of the Gulf of Gdansk (Baltic Sea) was determined. Sediments from port, marine dump site of dredged spoils, the Vistula river mouth, Gdansk Deep were selected. The concentrations of ∑PAHs (fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenzo(ah)anthracene, benzo(ghi)perylene) were 294-2200 ng/g d.w. and for ∑PCBs (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) were 2.4-11.3 ng/g d.w. The sediments content of loss on ignition was 1.13-16.15%, total organic carbon was 0.89-7.15%, black carbon was 0.20-1.15%. The highest correlation coefficient values (r=0.76-0.92, p<0.05) for a relationship between the concentrations of organic pollutants, and organic matter, organic and black carbon contents were obtained in harbor sediments with low content of organic matter (<5%) and high share of black carbon in total carbon (up to 40%).

Elemental and organic carbon in aerosols over urbanized coastal region (southern Baltic Sea, Gdynia).

Studies on PM 10, total particulate matter (TSP), elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) concentrations were carried out in the Polish coastal zone of the Baltic Sea, in urbanized Gdynia. The interaction between the land, the air and the sea was clearly observed. The highest concentrations of PM 10, TSP and both carbon fractions were noted in the air masses moving from southern and western Poland and Europe. The EC was generally of primary origin and its contribution to TSP and PM 10 mass was on average 2.3% and 3.7% respectively. Under low wind speed conditions local sources (traffic and industry) influenced increases in elemental carbon and PM 10 concentrations in Gdynia. Elemental carbon demonstrated a pronounced weekly cycle, yielding minimum values at the weekend and maximum values on Thursdays. The role of harbors and ship yards in creating high EC concentrations was clearly observed. Concentration of organic carbon was ten times higher than that of elemental carbon, and the average OC contribution to PM 10 mass was very high (31.6%). An inverse situation was observed when air masses were transported from over the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. These clean air masses were characterized by the lowest concentrations of all analysed compounds. Obtained results for organic and elemental carbon fluxes showed that atmospheric aerosols can be treated, along with water run-off, as a carbon source for the coastal waters of the Baltic Sea. The enrichment of surface water was more effective in the case of organic carbon (0.27+/-0.19 mmol m(-2) d(-1)). Elemental carbon fluxes were one order of magnitude smaller, on average 0.03+/-0.04 mmol m(-2) d(-1). We suggest that in some situations atmospheric carbon input can explain up to 18% of total carbon fluxes into the Baltic coastal waters.

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.

Sulfur in the marine environment

Sulfur is an element commonly occurring in the environment. It is present in the atmosphere, in the hydrosphere, and in live organisms; it is one of the most important physicochemical and geological indicators. Depending on the natural conditions, sulfur compounds in the environment may play the role of electron acceptor or donor in the redox processes. These compounds influence the ion concentration and ion balance in benthic sediments. They also determine the speciation, bioavailability and toxicity of heavy metals. Comprehensive knowledge of the processes mediated by sulfur can be a valuable source of information about the past and present state of the ecosystem.

Phosphate exchange across the sediment-water interface under oxic and hypoxic/anoxic conditions in the southern Baltic Sea

Benthic fluxes of phosphate and phosphorus distribution in sediments from the southern Baltic Sea were investigated in spring and autumn in 2005 and 2007–2010. Strong spatial variability of phosphate fluxes was observed across the sediment-water interface. The highest values of phosphate flux from sediment (up to 37 μmol m−2 h−1), resulting from the high mineralization rate of organic matter and rapid phosphorus turnover due to macrofaunal activity and hydrodynamic conditions, were observed in the shallow area at depths ranging from 50 to 69 m. The rate of phosphate exchange in the transportation and accumulation bottom area with the water depth ≥72 m was several times lower (2.12–6.22 μmol m−2 h−1). In continuously hypoxic or anoxic sediments, phosphorus was preserved in the refractory organic form, and sediments were depleted of redox-dependent phosphorus forms. In shallow area with well oxygenated near-bottom water, phosphorus was present mainly in the calcium-bound form.

Differing responses of the estuarine bivalve Limecola balthica to lowered water pH caused by potential CO2 leaks from a sub-seabed storage site in the Baltic Sea: An experimental study

Sub-Seabed CCS is regarded as a key technology for the reduction of CO2 emissions, but little is known about the mechanisms through which leakages from storage sites impact benthic species. In this study, the biological responses of the infaunal bivalve Limecola balthica to CO2-induced seawater acidification (pH7.7, 7.0, and 6.3) were quantified in 56-day mesocosm experiments. Increased water acidity caused changes in behavioral and physiological traits, but even the most acidic conditions did not prove to be fatal. In response to hypercapnia, the bivalves approached the sediment surface and increased respiration rates. Lower seawater pH reduced shell weight and growth, while it simultaneously increased soft tissue weight; this places L. balthica in a somewhat unique position among marine invertebrates.

Geochemical Changes in Aquatic Environment Caused by Deep Dredging - A Case Study: The Puck Bay (Baltic Sea)

Dredge activities is very widespread antropogenic seabed disturbance. It is used to replenish sand on beaches, to create and maintain harbor, berth, waterways, may also be used for underwater mining activities and as a technique for fishing certain species of crabs or edible clams. Dredging has many deleterious environmental effects (Johnston 1981). Changes in bottom topography due to dredging can influence water dynamic and in consequence sediment transport (Maa et al., 2004; Work at al. 2004). Dredge pits and deep furrows can create a sink for fine-grained sediments, organic matter and contaminants (Desprez 2000) and result in hypoxic and anoxic conditions, as well as sulfate reduction in sediment (Bolalek et al., 1996, Flocks&Franze 2002, Graca at al. 2004) (Fig. 1). Geochemical changes resulted in deep dredging can affect benthic organisms. Limited recolonization of dredge pits was observed (Palmer et al. 2008, Szymelfenig et al. 2006). Such condition can influence nutrients dynamic and potentially stimulate eutrophication (Graca et al., 2004). Impact of dredging depends on its intensity and the type of used method, as well as the environmental condition in dredge area (Boyd et al. 2005, Robinson et al. 2005). Puck Bay is a small water body located on the Polish Baltic coast. Deep dredging works carried in this reservoir, creates great opportunity to study the impact of deep dredging in areas with different water dynamics. From the north the bay is restricted from the open Baltic by the Hel Peninsula. It is 34 km long, and its width varies from 0.2 km to 2.9 km. A change of peninsula land cover during the last few decades, especially the construction of the new harbor, enhanced erosion processes. At present, the Hel Peninsula requires intensive reinforcement (Urbanski & Solanowska, 2009). Eighty-two percent (c.a. 6,98 mln m3) of sands for peninsula’s bank protection was gained from the bottom of the Puck Bay. First large beach nourishment was carried out by the end of 80’s in last century. As an effect, in the years 1989-95, five the dredge pits were created in the bottom of the Puck Bay along the Hel Peninsula (Fig.2). The depth of the pits reaches 7-14 m, while natural depth in the surrounding area does not exceed 2 m.