microplastics, numerical modelling, the Baltic Sea, anthropogenic pollution

Author(s):  
Andrei Bagaev ◽  
Andrei Bagaev ◽  
Irina Chubarenko ◽  
Irina Chubarenko

An overview of modern approaches to the problem of parametrisation of sources of marine waters microplastics pollution from the coastline is conducted. The estimates of Europe’s plastic production along with mismanaged plastic waste percentage that might be the source of microplastics particles input to marine environment are presented. A semi-empirical for-mulation for the particles source intensity is suggested. It considers the main factors of local anthropogenic pressure for the coastal spot location for the given coordinates. Both ad-vantages and disadvantages of such an approach along with possible ways for improvement are discussed.

Author(s):  
Andrei Bagaev ◽  
Andrei Bagaev ◽  
Irina Chubarenko ◽  
Irina Chubarenko

An overview of modern approaches to the problem of parametrisation of sources of marine waters microplastics pollution from the coastline is conducted. The estimates of Europe’s plastic production along with mismanaged plastic waste percentage that might be the source of microplastics particles input to marine environment are presented. A semi-empirical for-mulation for the particles source intensity is suggested. It considers the main factors of local anthropogenic pressure for the coastal spot location for the given coordinates. Both ad-vantages and disadvantages of such an approach along with possible ways for improvement are discussed.


Author(s):  
Lilia Khatmullina ◽  
Lilia Khatmullina ◽  
Elena Esiukova ◽  
Elena Esiukova

The sediment sampling from different areas of the beaches in the south-eastern part of the Baltic Sea (in Kaliningrad region) was executed for the purpose of studying the quantitative and qualitative composition of the microplastics particles (range 0.5-5 mm). Preference is given to those beaches that are exposed to maximum anthropogenic pollution. From June, 2015 to January, 2016, there were 14 expeditions along the coastline of the Baltic Sea (in Kaliningrad region) to collect experimental materials. The majority of samples were collected on the most recent flotsam deposited at “wracklines”, in the supralittoral zone. The primary examination of those samples revealed the presence of abundant microplastic particles of the required size range (0.5-5 mm). Quantitative distribution of microplastics in beach sediments was obtained in milligrams per gram of sediment and milligrams per m2: on average 0.05-2.89 (mg per gram of sediment) and 370-7330 (mg per m2), accordingly.


Author(s):  
Lilia Khatmullina ◽  
Lilia Khatmullina ◽  
Elena Esiukova ◽  
Elena Esiukova

The sediment sampling from different areas of the beaches in the south-eastern part of the Baltic Sea (in Kaliningrad region) was executed for the purpose of studying the quantitative and qualitative composition of the microplastics particles (range 0.5-5 mm). Preference is given to those beaches that are exposed to maximum anthropogenic pollution. From June, 2015 to January, 2016, there were 14 expeditions along the coastline of the Baltic Sea (in Kaliningrad region) to collect experimental materials. The majority of samples were collected on the most recent flotsam deposited at “wracklines”, in the supralittoral zone. The primary examination of those samples revealed the presence of abundant microplastic particles of the required size range (0.5-5 mm). Quantitative distribution of microplastics in beach sediments was obtained in milligrams per gram of sediment and milligrams per m2: on average 0.05-2.89 (mg per gram of sediment) and 370-7330 (mg per m2), accordingly.


Marine Policy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 99 ◽  
pp. 181-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmi Nieminen ◽  
Heini Ahtiainen ◽  
Carl-Johan Lagerkvist ◽  
Soile Oinonen

Baltica ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Chechko ◽  
Andrei Sokolov ◽  
Boris Chubarenko ◽  
Dmitrii Dikii ◽  
Victoriya Topchaya

The article discusses the possibility of protecting the shore by disposing of dredged material at shallow depths. An example of a permanently eroded open marine shore segment located south of the Vistula Lagoon inlet (south-eastern part of the Baltic Sea) is considered. This shore segment is permanently caused by downstream erosion due to the moles bordering the entrance to the Vistula Lagoon (Baltiysk Strait) and interrupting longshore sediment transport. Changes of sediment distribution resulting from a demonstration disposal of clean fine sand at depths of seven to nine metres opposite the eroded segment of the shore are examined. A supplementary numerical modelling analysis of sediment transport for different winds showed that the disposed material is transported northward or southward alongshore depending on the wind direction, and almost none of it is stored at the shore slope. The demonstration disposal and numerical modelling results demonstrate that the only way to use the dredged material to protect the eroded shore near the inlet of the Vistula Lagoon is to dispose it directly onto the beach and not into the shallow water nearby.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1107-1120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karol Kuliński ◽  
Bernd Schneider ◽  
Beata Szymczycha ◽  
Marcin Stokowski

Abstract. The marine acid–base system is relatively well understood for oceanic waters. Its structure and functioning is less obvious for the coastal and shelf seas due to a number of regionally specific anomalies. In this review article we collect and integrate existing knowledge of the acid–base system in the Baltic Sea. Hydrographical and biogeochemical characteristics of the Baltic Sea, as manifested in horizontal and vertical salinity gradients, permanent stratification of the water column, eutrophication, high organic-matter concentrations and high anthropogenic pressure, make the acid–base system complex. In this study, we summarize the general knowledge of the marine acid–base system as well as describe the peculiarities identified and reported for the Baltic Sea specifically. In this context we discuss issues such as dissociation constants in brackish water, different chemical alkalinity models including contributions by organic acid–base systems, long-term changes in total alkalinity, anomalies of borate alkalinity, and the acid–base effects of biomass production and mineralization. Finally, we identify research gaps and specify limitations concerning the Baltic Sea acid–base system.


2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 961-970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Olsson ◽  
Lena Bergström ◽  
Anna Gårdmark

Abstract Olsson, J., Bergström, L., and Gårdmark, A. 2012. Abiotic drivers of coastal fish community change during four decades in the Baltic Sea – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 961–970. Evidence for long-term change of marine ecosystems is increasing worldwide. Coastal areas harbour the socio-economically and ecologically most vital aquatic ecosystems, but are under increasing anthropogenic pressure. Little is known, however, about how environmental perturbations affect the development of coastal systems. In this paper, datasets of coastal fish communities covering almost four decades (early/mid 1970s to 2008) in three different basins of the Baltic Sea were analysed. There were clear changes in species composition over time in all but one dataset and coherence among basins in the timing of change. Changes were mainly associated with variables related to climate (water temperature, salinity, and North Atlantic Oscillation index), but less so with those reflecting nutrient status (nutrient concentrations and loading). Despite the importance of local water temperature, regional climatic variables were more important for the temporal development of communities. The results indicate that Baltic coastal fish communities have undergone large structural changes governed by processes acting on both local and regional scales. The findings suggest that ecological targets should be set accounting for long-term changes in community structure and that a common management of coastal and offshore ecosystems would be beneficial.


Author(s):  
Piotr Skórczewski ◽  
Zbigniew Mudryk ◽  
Justyna Miranowicz ◽  
Piotr Perlinski ◽  
Marta Zdanowicz

AbstractAntibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus-like organisms (STLO) isolated from a recreational sea beach located on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea was studied. The results of the present study showed that STLO inhabiting sand and seawater of the beach strongly differed in the resistance level to tested antibiotics. These microorganisms were most resistant to ampicillin, penicillin, oxytetracycline and susceptible to gentamicin, neomycin and streptomycin. Moreover, the level of antibiotic resistance among bacteria isolated from different parts of the beach also differed. Bacteria inhabiting the seawater, shoreline and the middle part of the beach were more antibiotic-resistant than bacteria isolated from the dune. The majority of bacteria inhabiting the seawater and sand were resistant to 3–8 antibiotics out of 12 tested in this study. Generally, there was no difference in antibiotic resistance between Staphylococcus-like organisms isolated from the surface and subsurface sand layers. STLO strains isolated from Ustka Beach were most resistant to β-lactam and tetracycline antibiotics, and most susceptible to aminoglycosides.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karol Kuliński ◽  
Gregor Rehder ◽  
Eero Asmala ◽  
Alena Bartosova ◽  
Jacob Carstensen ◽  
...  

Abstract. Location, specific topography and hydrographic setting together with climate change and strong anthropogenic pressure are the main factors shaping the biogeochemical functioning and thus also the ecological status of the Baltic Sea. The recent decades have brought significant changes in the Baltic Sea. First, the rising nutrient loads from land in the second half of the 20th century led to eutrophication and spreading of hypoxic and anoxic areas, for which permanent stratification of the water column and limited ventilation of deep water layers made favourable conditions. Since the 1980s the nutrient loads to the Baltic Sea have been continuously decreasing. This, however, has so far not resulted in significant improvements in oxygen availability in the deep regions, which has revealed a slow response time of the system to the reduction of the land-derived nutrient loads. Responsible for that is the low burial efficiency of phosphorus at anoxic conditions and its remobilization from sediments when conditions change from oxic to anoxic. This results in a stoichiometric excess of phosphorus available for organic matter production, which promotes the growth of N2-fixing cyanobacteria and in turn supports eutrophication. This assessment reviews the available and published knowledge on the biogeochemical functioning of the Baltic Sea. In its content, the paper covers the aspects related to changes in carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus (C, N and P) external loads, their transformations in the coastal zone, changes in organic matter production (eutrophication) and remineralization (oxygen availability), and the role of sediments in burial and turnover of C, N and P. In addition to that, this paper focuses also on changes in the marine CO2 system, structure and functioning of the microbial community and the role of contaminants for biogeochemical processes. This comprehensive assessment allowed also for identifying knowledge gaps and future research needs in the field of marine biogeochemistry in the Baltic Sea.


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