Δ14C and δ 13C as tracers of organic carbon in Baltic Sea sediments collected in coastal waters off Lithuania and in the Gotland Deep

Abstract

Signatures of Δ14C and δ13C of total organic carbon in sediments as well as of total lipid extracts and phospholipid-derived fatty acid fractions isolated from the surface (0–3 cm) sediments collected in the Curonian Lagoon and in the open Baltic Sea were studied. An end-member mixing-model approach was applied to estimate relative contributions of the marine and terrestrial inputs to organic carbon in sediments, and to elucidate a possible leakage of chemical warfare agents at the Gotland Deep dumpsite.