The occurrence of total and labile forms of lead and nickel in the sediments of the Port of Gdańsk

Sediment samples collected in 1997 and 1998 from the Wiślane, Obrońców Poczty Polskiej or Siarkowe (Sulfur), Oliwskie and Paliw Płynnych (Liquid Fuels) quays were sorted into four grain size fractions, i.e., <2.00 mm; 2.00 - 0.063 mm; 0.063 - 0.032 mm; <0.032 mm. It was determined that the sediments in the port area are small-grained sands with a small admixture of silt. The analyzed benthic sediments contained different amounts of organic matter and displayed varying water content. The mean contents of the labile form of lead and its total concentration in the grain size fraction <2.00 mm were 6.4 mg.kg –1 d.w. and 11.4 mg.kg –1 d.w., respectively. These values for nickel were 2.9 mg.kg –1 d.w. for the labile form and 7.1 mg.kg –1 d.w. for total concentration. The widest range of values was noted in the sediment surface layer (0-20 cm) for total concentration and labile forms. Sediments collected from locations close to the Gulf of Gdansk (e.g., Liquid Fuels Quay) and from areas with low industrial activity (e.g., Sulfur Quay) exhibited Pb and Ni concentrations which were many times lower than those in other areas of the port which were investigated.