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Significance of groundwater discharge along the coast of Poland as a source of dissolved metals to the southern Baltic Sea

September 13, 2016

Fluxes of dissolved trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) via groundwater discharge along the southern Baltic Sea have been assessed for the first time. Dissolved metal concentrations in groundwater samples were less variable than in seawater and were generally one or two orders of magnitude higher: Cd (2.1–2.8 nmol L− 1), Co (8.70–8.76 nmol L− 1), Cr (18.1–18.5 nmol L− 1), Mn (2.4–2.8 μmol L− 1), Pb (1.2–1.5 nmol L− 1), Zn (33.1–34.0 nmol L− 1). Concentrations of Cu (0.5–0.8 nmol L− 1) and Ni (4.9–5.8 nmol L− 1) were, respectively, 32 and 4 times lower, than in seawater. Groundwater-derived trace metal fluxes constitute 93% for Cd, 80% for Co, 91% for Cr, 6% for Cu, 66% for Mn, 4% for Ni, 70% for Pb and 93% for Zn of the total freshwater trace metal flux to the Bay of Puck. Groundwater-seawater mixing, redox conditions and Mn-cycling are the main processes responsible for trace metal distribution in groundwater discharge sites.

Publication Year 2016
Title Significance of groundwater discharge along the coast of Poland as a source of dissolved metals to the southern Baltic Sea
DOI 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.008
Authors Beata Szymczycha, Kevin D. Kroeger, Janusz Pempkowiak
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Marine Pollution Bulletin
Index ID 70176412
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center