Spatial and temporal structure of phytoplankton in 2014-2016 in the Poddabie area on the southern Baltic Sea

In the Baltic Sea, there can be observed seasonal changes of the phytoplankton structure during which the species composition, abundance and phytoplankton biomass change. However, the spatial and temporal variability of individual phytoplankton groups is not the same in all the regions of the Baltic. The only research (and available studies) of phytoplankton in these shallow central sea basin zones is conducted by Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMWM) as part of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Monitoring at station P16, which is located closest to the studied area. Therefore, in the years 2014-2016 phytoplankton seasonality studies were carried out, which allowed to supplement data in the area of the central coast of the south Baltic [61]. Based on the above literature, the aim of this study was to determine the temporal and spatial structure and to examine the species composition of phytoplankton occurrence and biodiversity in the Poddabie region from November 2014 till September 2016. The following article presents the results obtained at 3 measuring stations (P1, P2 and P3) in the area of Poddabie. These results confirm typical changes of phytoplankton on 3 measurement stations depending on the season of the year. The collected data for this article is the second part of the three monographs on the area on the central coast of the southern Baltic. It show the exact results of the species composition and seasonal changes of phytoplankton in the Poddabie region. The average values of phytoplankton abundance and biomass were typical for this sort of coastal waters and there were no significant species differences between these stations. Comparing the results obtained in this study with the data from the IMWM annual reports for the last decade, it can be noticed that the volumes and fluctuations of total biomass and phytoplankton abundance in the three analysed areas are in line with trends typical for the South Baltic coastal area

Defining maritime space typology based on economic land–sea interaction. The case of the Polish Baltic Sea coast

The purpose of the paper is to develop the first land-sea space typology on the basis of key characteristics of its economic use in the Polish conditions. Based on the criterion of exploitation of marine areas and significance of marine economy sectors in coastal municipalities, the following types of marine space have been distinguished: A (areas of particular planning concern for the regions of high intensity of activities both at the land and sea), B (areas of a chance for diversification of economic development based on ecosystem services and abiotic marine areas), W (areas associated with unused inland potential), Z (areas of low intensity of economic land-sea links), and G (areas where the land-sea interaction do not constitute a significant mechanism of spatial development), as well as three intermediate types: AB, WZ i BZ. The paper analyses both the benefits such as taking into account local characteristics and intensity of economic exploitation of the land and the sea, and the challenges of the methodology to be further developed (data limitations, the problem of determining a distance for interactions). The conclusions explain how maritime space typology based on economic land–sea interaction may influence soft space planning for maritime areas.

Validation of method for determination total carbon, inorganic carbon and total organic carbon in marine waters

Validation is a process of setting parameters characterizing the proficiency of actions and limitations of a method and an assessment of its usefulness for particular purposes. As a result, it ensures that the analysis process is carried out in a reliable and precise way and gives reliable results. For the validation process marine water was used, as well as the addition of standard solutions. Uncertainty in the results, limit of quantification, precision, repeatability and reproducibility, recovery and accuracy of the method were obtained. The results of the validation of the method for determination of total inorganic and organic carbon in marine waters are discussed in this paper. For this purpose, a Shimadzu analyser TOC-L was used. The discussed method is based on infrared detection NDIR. A halogen scrubber type B was used for determined the compounds. This allowed the analysis time at the stage of the sample preparation to be shortened. It increased the absorption of salt contained in a sample, as a result of which, the dilution stage could be omitted, and the final result is affected by a smaller error. The method of the validation for determination of total inorganic and organic carbon received accreditation of the Polish Centre for Accreditation and joined a wide range of the analyses carried out in the Laboratory of the Department of Environment Protection of the Marine Institute in Gdańsk.

Retrieval activities on the Franken shipwreck

On 23rd-28th April 2018, an expedition was carried out to the German tanker FRANKEN, located in the central part of the Gdansk Bay. The purpose of this expedition was to gather as many photos, videos and information as possible, which after processing could be used to produce a coherent, technical description of the wreck. The main purpose of the project is to present the outcome of the expedition. This outcome is a compilation of the measurement data, the photographic material as well as the samples collected at the sea bottom, next to the Franken wreck, according to the objective set in the project. The analysis of the activities carried out and the research results are intended to contribute to achieving the two main objectives of the project: · to reduce the possibility of ecological disaster in the Gdańsk Bay through the development and preparation of the best technical and environmentally safe recovery plan of the oil remaining in the Franken shipwreck and, · to mobilise the political will of the maritime administration in the region, where the wreck is located as well as political decision-makers to take over the responsibility for securing the wreck and to undertake actions mitigating the risk of a large oil spill in the Gdansk Bay. The preparation of the Action Plan for cleaning of the shipwreck will help to show the decision-makers the scale of this undertaking.

Geodiversity evaluation of the Słupsk Bank boulder area

The Słupsk Bank is a seascape area of high nature value, that consists of boulders related to glacial and post-glacial formation and a variety of underwater landforms, that form the habitat for numerous plants and animals. The aim of this paper was to evaluate geodiversity using geoinformation analysis consecutive steps, such as preparation of factor maps, map algebra etc. The resulting geodiversity map was based on a bathymetric relief energy map, a geomorphological map based on expert classification using the Bathymetric Position Index (BPI), and a lithological map showing average texture classes of sediments). Maps of geodiversity support the identification and delimitation of the geodiversity hotspots for nature protection, as well as the directions for management of valuable natural areas.

The evaluation of tributyltin concentrations in the sediments from the Port of Gdynia

Tributyltin (TBT) may affect various organisms. TBT has been used in antifouling paints for the protection of ship hulls and hence harbor sediments may contain high concentrations of TBT. This study shows TBT concentrations found in sediments from three basins (No. V, VI, and VIII) of the Port of Gdynia. TBT concentrations ranged from 291 to 1689 ngSn·g-1 d.w. and should be classified as highly contaminated and grossly contaminated [20]. These results indicate that TBT in harbour sediments is an environmental risk that may be emphasized by dredging operations in the region. However, obtained results confirm also the global tendency for depreciating content of TBT in port sediments after the global banning on the use of TBT in 2008.

Growth perspectives for the Europe’s shipbuilding industry in the context of world economy trends and competition from Asian shipyards’

This paper aims at analyzing the Polish as well as the European commercial shipbuilding industry in the context of Asian shipyards competition, particularly its growth, trend, and future forecast. Shipbuilding growth has been analyzed based on data concerning the shipbuilding market segment, order book, countries share, government’s policies etc. The first part contains a brief analysis of main trends in the world shipbuilding that have an impact on the shipbuilding environment in Europe. The second part highlights European aspects of shipbuilding in the context of Asian shipbuilders domination. The key factors that drive the growth of the shipbuilding market have also been considered. The third part examine the prerequisites of shipbuilding sector future development in the Baltic Sea basin and in particular in Poland. It is revealed that the shipbuilding industry in Poland and the Baltic Sea basin has limited opportunities for significant expansion. Most formerly renown shipyards based its current activity on supplying hulls and blocks to main producers of passenger ships or offshore units. As a highly capital-intensive industry, the shipbuilding sector needs strong government support and political stability in order to remain on the market and tackle the competition of Asian shipbuilding giants.

Seabed sediments collection for physico-chemical analyses – a review

A description of equipment and tools relative to the sampling of seabed sediments for physicochemical analyses is presented in accordance with the Polish Standard PN-EN ISO 5667-19:2006. The paper reports sampling procedures for various purposes, instructions regarding samples handling, with emphasis on hazardous substances, chemical warfare agents (BST). It also includes information and instructions concerning high level of safety while working at sea, in accordance with international conventions SCTW and SOLAS.

Natural valuation of the Polish marine areas (Baltic) based on phytobenthos

The aim was to develop a method for assessing the natural values of the Polish marine areas (PMA), excluding coastal lagoons, based on phytobenthos. The valuation method includes 4 criteria which refer to the qualitative and quantitative structure of phytobenthos. The method was tested at the stony bottom overgrown with macroalgae – in the coastal zone, near the localities of Ustka, Poddąbie and Rowy. The assessment showed that the most valuable was the boulder area in the vicinity of Rowy, due to the presence of macroalgae communities with 5 rare and 3 protected species. The least valuable was the stony bottom near Ustka, with small amounts of macroalgae and 1 protected species. The natural values were classified into four classes and presented on map, what is very important from the practical point of view, especially when consider areas designated for future investments. The map with natural values distribution was created on the layers of surface sediments, which were developed on the basis of sonar and bathymetric data. The use of these data allowed the precise delineation of subareas with different natural values. The natural valuation method presented in this article is a relatively simple tool that can be applied to determine the areas valuable in terms of phytobenthos in PMA.

Seasonal variability of phytoplankton in river Słupia of the southern Baltic Sea

In the Baltic Sea, there can be observed seasonal variations in the structure of phytoplankton. These organisms are particularly sensitive to changes in different environmental parameters. The consequence of these changes is cyclical repeated every year fluctuation of the species composition, their abundance and biomass of phytoplankton. The spatial and temporal variability of individual phytoplankton groups is not the same in different regions of the Baltic Sea, and this is why the study was conducted in the area of the central Baltic coast, since in that particular region data on phytoplankton is not available. One of the main goals was to determine the temporal and spatial structure of the occurrence of phytoplankton, as well as to study biodiversity in the area of the estuary of the Slupia river in southern Baltic for the period between November 2014 and September 2016. The results of the research confirm typical changes of phytoplankton in three studied areas depending on the given season. The average values of phytoplankton abundance and biomass were typical for this kind of coastal waters and there were no significant species differences between these stations. The only research (and available studies) on phytoplankton in central sea basin areas is being conducted by Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMWM) as part of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Monitoring at station P16, which is the closest location to the studied area. When comparing the results obtained in this study to the data from the IMWM annual reports for the last decade, it can be noticed that the size and fluctuations of total biomass and phytoplankton abundance in the three studied areas are typical for the coastal region of the South Baltic.