On the leachability and sources of some elements in sediments from the Bothnian Sea and the Gotland Deep (the Baltic Sea)

The partitioning of some elements in sediments of two Baltic Sea basins (the Bothnian Sea and the Gotland Deep) was established by leaching experiments. Both partial (dithionite–citrate–bicarbonate) and “total” (HCl–KClO3) leach were used. Trace metals of both natural and anthropogenic sources (Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) were evaluated for affinity to terrestrial material and to authigenic mineral elements (Fe, S). The results indicate that the easily leachable “mobile” fraction is not necessarily a good indicator for pollution. Longer stagnation periods result in intensive pyrite formation in the Gotland Deep which mask pollution trends. The permanent oxic conditions in the Bothnian Sea may affect a dissolution capability for selected elements.