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Environmental genotoxicity and cytotoxicity effects in the gills of mussels Mytilus edulis, from the Baltic Sea areas close to the Būtingė oil terminal (Lithuania) before and after accidental oil spill in 31 January 2008 were studied. Mussels from the oil spillage zones were collected in 12 days, in 3 and 6 months after the spill to determine the effects of the spill. Mussels sampled in 2006-2007 were used for the assessment of the background levels of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in the Būtingė oil terminal area. Comparison of the responses in M. edulis before and after the oil spill revealed significant elevation of frequencies of micronuclei (MN), nuclear buds (NB) and fragmented-apoptotic (FA) cells. Environmental genotoxicity and cytotoxicity levels in mussels from the Palanga site before the accident (in June 2007) served as a reference. Six months after the accident, in July 2008, 5.6-fold increase of MN, 2.9-fold elevation of NB, and 8.8-fold elevation of FA cells were observed in mussels from the same site.

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Aquatic systems are a complex and variable with multiple environmental factors acting. That is why integrated approach is needed for their ecological status assessment. HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) address hazardous substances and show the need of integrated view of the situation. The paper describes the vulnerability of the Baltic Sea ecosystem and contaminants of specific concern like heavy metals, oil hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds, organotin compounds and others. The effects of pollutants on aquatic organisms are reviewed. Integrated assessment of the state of the aquatic environment is discussed and biological-effect methods are shown being important elements in environmental research as they can indicate links between contamination and ecological responses. The paper concludes that integrated monitoring of hazardous substances and their effects are an important step forward to reach one of the future goals-Baltic Sea life undisturbed by hazardous substances.

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ABSTRACT. This article investigates variations of Δ 14 C and δ 13C of total organic carbon (TOC) in sediments as well as in humic acids, lipid, and phospholipid fractions isolated from the surface (0-3 cm) sediment samples collected in the Curonian Lagoon and in the Baltic Sea. This study was performed to estimate relative contributions of the marine and terrestrial inputs to organic carbon in sediments, to assess a possible effect of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination on radiocarbon signatures, and to elucidate a possible leakage of chemical warfare agents (CWA) at the Gotland Deep dumpsite. Depleted Δ 14 C values of the TOC (down to -453‰) and of the total lipid extracts (down to -812.4‰) were detected at the CWA dumpsite. Application of the compound-specific method indicated a possible effect of CWA on depleted Δ 14 C and δ 13 C values in the investigated organic carbon fractions. The obtained results have indicated the different origin and behavior of lipids and TOC at the CWA dumpsite as compared to the area affected by the terrestrial-freshwater OC input. The Δ 14 C data of the TOC and total lipid extracts showed that recent sediments at the CWA dumpsite contain an excess of fossil carbon capable of influencing the 14 C dating at the site.