HEAVY-METALS CONTAMINATION IN THE POLISH ZONE OF SOUTHERN BALTIC

This paper contains additional results from the baseline study of the level of contaminating heavy metals in abiotic (e.g. water, suspended matter, sediments) and biotic (plankton, fish) components of Baltic ecosystem in Polish zone. Materials for investigation were collected every year from 1980 to 1985. Investigations concerning, different compartments of the coastal environmental showed an increased concentration level of cadmium and lead (input via atmosphere), copper and zinc (river input) in coastal waters and Gulf of Gdansk. Enrichment factors in suspended matter varried from 10(4)-10(6), in sediments from 10(3)-10(5), in plankton from 10(4)-10(5). The content of heavy metals in fish did not exceed the national and international standards.