Time series for dissolved cadmium at a coastal station in the Western Baltic Sea

Concentrations of dissolved Cd, Cd(diss), were measured weekly from June 1991 to June 1994 at a coastal station in the western Baltic Sea. The mean concentration of 204 pmol/dm3 is about 50% higher than in open Baltic Sea surface waters. A distinct seasonal cycle was observed with elevated concentrations in winter and spring (272 pmol/dm3) and lower values in summer and autumn (131 pmol/dm3). Relating the seasonal changes in Cd(diss) to the nutrient cycle revealed ΔCd(diss)/ΔNO3 and ΔCd(diss)/ΔPO4 ratios which are consistent with other measurements and seem to confirm the concept of a nutrient-like biogeochemistry of Cd. However, a time shift of two to three months exists between the depletion of nutrients in spring and the depletion of Cd(diss). Possibly, this indicates a decoupling of Cd(diss) from nutrients during the spring plankton bloom. However, no final conclusions can be drawn yet. Cd(diss) concentrations decreased significantly during the three year measurement period, whereas nitrate concentrations increased. A possible linkage between eutrophication and the Cd budget of the Baltic Sea is discussed.