Jerzy Bolałek

The content of butyl-and phenyltin derivatives in the sediment from the Port of Gdansk

Harbor sediments containing large deposits of organotin compounds constitute a potential threat to the marine environment. Samples of harbor sediments were collected twice in the years 2003 and 2005 from the following locations: Ziółkowskiego, Siarkowe, Wiślane, Weglowe, Chemików and Paliw Płynnych Quays. The cores of 25cm length sliced into 2- and 5-cm segments were analyzed. After drying and homogenization, samples were split into two granulometric fractions, i.e. <2.00 and <0.063mm. The dominant fraction in whole sediment, i.e. fraction grain diameter <2.00mm, was sand (grain diameter 2.00-0.063mm). However, the highest concentrations of butyltin (BT) and phenyltin (PT) compounds were found in the fine sediment fraction. The mean values of tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT) in the analyzed samples in the <2.00mm fraction were 2144.9, 434.7 and 148.1ngSng(-1)d.w., respectively, while the corresponding mean values in the <0.063mm fraction were 6556.4, 1593.7 and 450.0ngSng(-1)d.w. The mean concentrations of monophenyltin (MPhT) have been estimated at 29.0 and 49.9ngSng(-1)d.w. for the <2.00 and <0.063mm fraction sizes, respectively. The estimated content levels of diphenyltin (DPhT) and triphenyltin (TPhT) were in most cases below the detection limit of the applied method. The sediment cores collected from the locations characterized by high industrialization and intense exploitation (Wiślane, Weglowe Quays) contained the highest concentrations of BT and PT.

Forms of phosphorus in sediments from the Gulf of Gdańsk

Abstract The occurrence of total P (P-TOT) and the mineral forms of P (P-MIN) [P bonded with Ca (P–Ca), Fe (P–Fe) and Al (P–Al)] in sediments from the Gulf of Gdansk were investigated. Significant variations in the forms of P with depth in the sediment column were observed. P–Ca is the dominant form in the sediments except in the surface sediments of the deep areas of the Gulf of Gdansk where organic P (P-ORG) is dominant. These areas also contain the highest contents of P-TOT in the region.

Analytical methods and problems related to the determination of organotin compounds in marine sediments

The determination of organotin compounds in bottom sediments is a complex process that requires a number of analytical steps, i.e. sample collection, transport and storage; extraction of analytes from sediment; derivatization; extract purification; enrichment; and the final chromatographic measurement. The whole process is time and labour consuming, and subject to securing sample representativeness. In this review the most frequently encountered problems and the examples of possible analytical solutions are presented, which encompass the specific steps of speciation analysis of these toxic compounds.

The Microtox® biological test: Application in toxicity evaluation of surface waters and sediments in Poland

The Microtox® biological test: Application in toxicity evaluation of surface waters and sediments in Poland Research into the suitability of Microtox® for the evaluation of toxicity of surface waters and bottom sediments in Poland was conducted. Water bodies of various pollution levels were tested, including the Odra River and its tributaries, the Lower Vistula River, the Kashubian Lake District and the Gulf of Gdańsk, using a Microtox® Model 500 analyser (Microbics Corporation, USA). The majority of tested surface water samples were found to be apparently non-toxic. However, 75% of the bottom sediment samples were found to be highly toxic (EC50>2%). These results indicate that the Microtox® test is suitable for evaluating the toxicity of bottom sediments, in which pollutants tend to accumulate. It seems, however, that Microtox® lacks the sensitivity to be of use in analyzing water quality. The relationship between the toxicity of analysed sediments and their organic content was examined.

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.

Distribution of migration (state) forms of microelements in the sediments of the ports of Klaipėda and Gdańsk

Distribution of migration (state) forms of microelements in the sediments of the ports of Klaipėda and Gdańsk During investigations of the Baltic Sea basin significant differences have become manifest in the distribution of certain chemical elements in different chains of the geo (-eco) system (soils, river, lagoon and marine sediments). This paper presents data on the quantitative relationships of elements resulting from interactions of natural sedimentation processes and the possible human impact on the sediments from two port areas. The total (T), lithogenic (LG; stable) and hydrogenic (HG; mobile, reactive) migration forms of Zn, Cr, Cd, Cu, Pb and Ni were analysed. The HG component comprises that pool of the elements contained in readily degrading minerals; increases in this form potentially being an indicator of adverse human impacts. The distribution of total forms depends on the quantity of the sediment fraction with grain size < 0.063 mm (fr. < 0.063 mm) and on the concentration of organic content (Corg). With increasing sediment depth, the concentration of elements decreases sharply, although HG concentrations were seen to increase on several occasions. One explanation for such findings is the mineralisation and decomposition of metals from the remnants of biological activities of organisms (pellets, globules) into the sediments. Element concentrations in the natural sedimentation zone (NSZ) of the marine-influenced North Port at Gdańsk are less than in the NSZ and technogenic sedimentation zone (TSZ) of the riverine part of the port of Gdańsk. The ratios between HG, LG and T in the two sedimentation zones are different for different elements, but are always higher in the TSZ than in the NSZ. Multi-site analyses of the port basins allowed NSZ and TSZ to be distinguished. The TSZ is typified by anomalous concentrations of elements, the specific distribution of their migration forms, the semi-stagnant conditions prevailing there and the proximity of human impact sources. The data presented in this paper indicate that the concentrations of only some of the elements in the TSZ sediments of the ports of Klaipėda and Gdańsk exceed the permitted norms for spoil dredged from port basins. By no means can the total load of elements contained in the spoil dumped at sea be treated as an indicator of marine pollution. For an objective assessment of the real pollution threat to port environments, detailed investigations of the various migration forms of chemical elements need to be carried out, and previously established levels revised.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the marine food web: herrings from the southern Baltic Sea (Clupea harengus) — penguins from the zoo (Spheniscus demersus)

The aim of this project was to study the fate of chemically persistent organochlorine xenobiotics in the marine link of the food web, between penguins and herrings (Clupea harengus), which are the only food for Spheniscus demersus from the Gdańsk Zoo. Concentrations of hexachlorobenzene (HCBz), pentachlorobenzene (PCBz), trichlorobenzene (TCBz) and the γ-HCH isomer were determined in Baltic herrings, in muscles, fat and liver of penguins, unhatched eggs, contour feathers and guano. The highest concentrations of fungicides were observed for HCBz. Fungicides were not detected in the liver of penguins and herrings. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) for fungicides reached the highest values in the penguin brain. The highest biomagnification factor (BMF) for PCBz was determined in the muscle tissue and for lindane — in liver. It was confirmed that detoxification of penguins occurred through deposition of fungicides and lindane in guano and through epithelial tissue and eggs.

Methane flux from sediment into near-bottom water in the coastal area of the Puck Bay (Southern Baltic)

This work presents the results of the study on methane emission from the sea bottom in the coastal zone of Puck Bay. The investigations were conducted from June through September 2010 at seven sampling sites located along the Hel Peninsula. The research results indicate that the methane flux rates vary periodically. Methane emission from seabed into near-bottom water in the coastal zone of Puck Bay along the Hel Peninsula ranged from 0.91 mmol m−2 d−1 to 49.15 mmol m−2 d−1.

Selected nutrients and iron in interstitial waters of the estuary of southern Baltic (Gulf of Gdañsk and the Pomeranian Bay) in relation to redox potential

The following parameters were determined in the interstitial waters of the Gulf of Gdańsk and the Pomeranian Bay: nutrients (ammonia and phosphates), sulphates, total iron and iron(II) concentrations. Redox potential (Eh), pH, humidity and organic matter content measured as a loss on ignition were determined in bottom sediments from these regions. Interstitial waters of both regions were found to have reducing character (Eh < 250 mV). Reduction processes were more advanced in the Gulf of Gdańsk, rich in organic matter, as evidenced by lower values of the redox potential, lower Fe(III)/Fetot ratio, and incidents of sulphates exhaustion.

Methanogenic microbial communities in sediment from the coastal area of puck bay (Southern Baltic)

In this work, data on methanogenic Archaea communities in sediment from the coastal area of Puck Bay were investigated. Sediments were collected along the Hel Peninsula from areas characterized by the occurrence of gas bubbles. Based on the analysis of molecular markers, the presence of a specific methanogenic Archaea gene was detected at all stations. Further research involved the cloning and sequencing of methanogenic DNA. Based on the comparison of obtained genetic sequences with existing genetic databases, it was confirmed that all of the nucleotide sequences belonged to the domain Archaea. Furthermore, in the investigated sediment certain sequences had certain similarities to the sequences of organisms from the families Methanosarcinaceae, Methanospirillaceae and Methanocorpusculaceae.