Hydrocarbons in the sediments offshore of the Curonian Spit (the south–eastern part of the Baltic Sea)

Research reveals that the accumulation of hazardous hydrocarbons, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in sediments offshore of the Curonian Spit is strongly linked to organic carbon content and sediment grain size. Elevated PAH concentrations were notably detected near Pionersky port, suggesting localized sources or higher exposure levels. The study compared aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHCs) and PAHs with total organic carbon (Corg) in coastal sediments of the eastern Gdansk Basin, providing insights into the environmental factors influencing hydrocarbon distribution. This finding underscores the importance of sediment characteristics in assessing pollution risks in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nemirovskaya, I., Ulyanova, M., & Sivkov, V. (2014). Hydrocarbons in the sediments offshore of the Curonian Spit (the south–eastern part of the Baltic Sea). Baltica, 27(special), 31–38. https://doi.org/10.5200/baltica.2014.27.13