| Abstract [eng] |
The aim of the study is an integrated assessment of the spread of contaminants and their biological effects in the Lithuanian zone of the Baltic Sea. Long-term monitoring data on contaminants in water, sediments and biota were summarized; the peculiarities of distribution of contaminants in the Klaipėda harbour, Būtingė oil terminal, dredged sediments dumping site, adjacent area to the Russian D-6 oil platform and chemical munitions dumpsite were described; biomarker responses in marine organisms from the different areas of the southeastern Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon were evaluated and the impact of contaminants on biomarker responses in mussels was assessed. The thesis reflects the overall goals of the hazardous substances segment of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan – to achieve a Baltic Sea with life undisturbed by hazardous substances and of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive – concentrations of contaminants are at levels not giving rise to pollution effects. The ongoing activities of HELCOM and EU are aimed at the integrated holistic assessments of the environmental state of the Baltic Sea. The combination of contaminant concentrations with the biological effects were used in the HELCOM Chemical Status Assessment Tool CHASE, which also has been applied for Lithuanian waters. Whereas more scientific evidences appear the biological effects become an important issue of the environmental research. This study also reflects the importance of integration of biological effects to the Baltic Sea environmental monitoring programme. |
