Spatial variability of Arsenic Concentrations in Baltic Sea surface sediments in relation to Sea Dumped Chemical Munitions

J Bełdowski,E Emelyanov,M Szubska

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/20130116002

Abstract

Arsenic concentration in marine areas are higher than in terrestrial environment, because most of its compounds are water soluble, and water bodies serve as a sink for this element. Arsenic compounds, though naturally present in the sediments, are considered a threat to the environment, due to possible transformation to its toxic species – As 3+ and As 5+ . Natural background concentration of arsenic compounds is highly variable, as it differs both with the type of sediments, presence of ferromanganese nodules, iron sulphides or proximity to sources. In the Baltic Sea, majority of As originates from river runoff, while additional source of arsenic compounds in some areas of the Baltic are arsenic containing chemical warfare agents dumped into the sea after second world war.

Highlights

Arsenic compounds are naturally present in all environmental compartments
Abnormal changes in arsenic concentrations in sediment cores from Baltic Sea can be connected to diagenetic processes and in Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA) dumping-areas may be with an effect of dumped weapons
Further investigations of arsenic concentrations should be carried out including identification of geochemical patterns

Summary

Introduction

Arsenic compounds are naturally present in all environmental compartments. As is a component of nearly 200 minerals and its concentration in crust rocks ranges between 0,5 to 2,5μg·g-1. Though naturally present in the sediments, are considered a threat to the environment, due to possible transformation to its toxic species – As3+ and As5+. Marine samples of different origin are thought to provide the greatest number of arsenic compounds occurring naturally and are reported to contain concentrations of As even one order magnitude higher than comparable samples from terrestrial environments (Reimann et al.2009).

Results

Conclusion