Integrated assessment of pollution in the Baltic Sea

Abstract

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.

An Orthologue of the Retinoic Acid Receptor (RAR) Is Present in the Ecdysozoa Phylum Priapulida

“…This is in stark contrast with the affinity shown by chordate orthologues (nanomolar scale). In effect, the operating mode of PcauRAR in the presence of retinoids (ATRA, 9cisRA and 13cisRA) significantly induced luciferase Finally, we examined whether PcauRAR can be exploited by EDCs by testing two organochloride pesticides, which have low water solubility, but are extremely persistent and particularly stable in soil [60]. Dieldrin was found in zooplankton and fishes from the Baltic Sea at concentrations between 15 and 170 ng/g lipid [55,56,58]; and <0.2-9.9 g and <0.15-0.8 g of dieldrin and endrin, respectively, were found per g of sludge and sediments [57].…”

Micropollutants in treated wastewater

“…Even individuals of one species exposed to the same concentration of contaminants in for similar period of time may not accumulate the substance at the same rate. It is associated with other factors such as age, sex, size, and physiological state of the organism (Garnaga 2012). Information on the concentration levels of chemicals in treated effluents is insufficient to assess the risk to aquatic ecosystems.…”

“…Furthermore, degradation and transformation products of certain substances in the environment can have unknown structure and properties. The newly formed, emerging, products may pose a greater threat to the environment (and organisms living in it) than the parent compounds (Garnaga 2012). It should also be noted that in an aquatic environment, substances are present in the mixtures and still there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge about the effects of chemicals, their combinations/mixtures on the environment and human health.…”

Eckernförder ve Geltinger Körfezlerinin Antropojenik Ağır Metal Kirliliğinin Karot Sedimentlerinde Araştırılması, Batı Baltık Denizi, Almanya

“…2007;Alak ve Sümer, 2017). Nitekim; Norveç, İsveç, Danimarka, Almanya, Polonya, Litvanya, Letonya, Estonya, Rusya Federasyonu ve Finlandiya arasında ve genelde GB-KD yönünde uzanan Baltık Denizi yüzlerce yıldır bu ve yakın ülkelerden kaynaklanan antropojenik etkilere maruz kalmıştır (Szefer, 2002;HELCOM;Garnaga, 2012). Özellikle de iklimsel değişimler (tekrar eden buzul dönemler), yaygın yerleşim ve şehirleşmeler, savaşlar, makinalaşma, odun ve kömür kullanımı, sanayileşme devrimi ve bağıl süreçlerin/gelişmelerin (Çizelge 1) Baltık Deniz'indeki kronolojik izleri kısmende olsa günümüzde sediment analizleri ile tesbit edilebilmektedir (örneğin; Erlenkeuser vd.…”