Ecological and geochemical evaluation of ecosystems of the Curonian Spit (Russia)

A study of the Curonian Spit reveals that heavy metal concentrations (Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Sr, Ni, Ca, Fe, Br, Rb) in dominant plant species and soils are below toxic levels and comparable to less urbanized regions. This finding suggests the site's ecosystems are resilient to heavy metal accumulation, providing a baseline for environmental standards in the Kaliningrad region. Researchers analyzed metal content in foredune, palve area, and large dune ridge ecosystems using quantitative methods, confirming that concentrations do not exceed sanitary limits and are ecologically non-toxic.

Maslennikov, P. V. (2019). Ecological and geochemical evaluation of ecosystems of the Curonian Spit (Russia). International Journal of Environmental Studies, 77(3), 447–463. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2019.1644033