Heavy metal contamination of the Curonian Lagoon bottom sediments (Lithuanian waters area)

Abstract

Samples of surface (0–3 cm) bottom sediments of the Lithuanian aquatic area of the Curonian Lagoon and Nemunas River delta were taken from 41 sites in 2013 and 2014. Sediment parameters, such as the percentage of particles, concentration of organic carbon and heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cd, and Hg), were determined. The heavy metal contamination of the surface layer of bottom sediments was determined using the Nemerov’s pollution index applied to soil. The spatial distribution of contamination indices and the dependence of contamination dynamics on sedimentation factors were analysed. It was determined that heavy metal concentrations had a tendency to increase as sediment particles became finer and as Corg concentration increased. A greater amount of pollutants got into the aquatic area of the Curonian Lagoon that was closer to the Klaipėda harbour than into other lagoon zones. The heavy metals for the integral pollution index for the Curonian Lagoon and Nemunas River delta surface bottom sediments could be arranged in the following order: Cd>Pb>Cu>Ni>Hg>Cr>Zn.

Evaluation of haematological and biochemical stress biomarkers and physiological parameters in Carassius gibelio caught in the coastal zone of the Curonian lagoon

“…The area closest to Klaipėda port had the highest average quantities of heavy metals. (Jokšas et al, 2016). Sediment tests reveal the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, indicating low to moderate pollution, as well as significant quantities of naphthalene, which has been linked to adverse biological impacts in the Nemunas Delta region near Ventė Cape (Stakėnienė et al, 2019).…”

“…The Curonian Lagoon is the largest coastal lagoon in Europe. Unfortunately, it is known that the Curonian Lagoon is under high anthropogenic pressure (Jokšas et al, 2016). Due to low water exchange with the sea and high river discharge, the Curonian Lagoon is more vulnerable and susceptible to the effects of pollution (Vaikutienė et al, 2017).…”

“…Intense industrial activities in the port could potentially have a significant impact on the ecological condition (Jokšas et al, 2019). The port impact zone was found to be contaminated with heavy metals (Jokšas et al, 2016), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Stakėnienė et al, 2016), organotin compounds (Raudonytė-Svirbutavičienė et al, 2023. Because of its importance to the Baltic Sea ecological status, the Curonian Lagoon is part of the state environmental monitoring program.…”

Multi-Year Monitoring of the Toxicological Risk of Heavy Metals Related to Fish Consumption by the Population of the Kendari Region (Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia)

“…This reduces the accumulation of heavy metals and contaminants through isolation from marine environments and better food quality control. Predators with varied diets, such as Lethrinus ornatus , are to be limited because their diverse prey types and sites increase the risk of heavy metal accumulation [ 94 , 95 ]. Nevertheless, fish are not the only source of heavy metal toxicity; other foods can also contain high concentrations, including rice, which is found in most Asian diets [ 73 , 96 ].…”

Implications of Macrophyte Distribution Patterns in the Curonian Lagoon for Monitoring of Submerged Vegetation in Transitional Water Bodies

“…Based on bathymetric and bottom sediment data (Trimonis et al, 2003) and previous studies on charophytes in the Curonian Lagoon (Žaromskis, 2002;Sinkevičienė, 2004), the estuarine part of the lagoon was more intensively surveyed along the eastern shore than the western shore due to the wider phytolittoral zone (Sinkevičienė et al, 2017). In total, 17 transects were sampled in 2014 and 2015 (Fig.…”