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Theme 3: Contaminants

Contaminants and potential consequences

New chemicals and other substances are introduced at unprecedented rates along with legacy pollutants that are still circulating and impacting the Baltic Sea. The combination of the large catchment area and the low water exchange rate allows for higher concentrations of contaminants to build up in the Baltic Sea compared to other marine areas. Organisms inhabiting the Baltic Sea are exposed to complex mixtures of diverse chemicals with unknown consequences for the overall ecosystem functioning.

The theme focuses on identifying potential new sources and effects of contaminants to the marine environment. This includes studies assessing short-term (acute), medium-term and long-term effects of different harmful substances (e.g. heavy metals, radionuclides, dumped chemical munition, persistent organic pollutants, emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, nanoparticles and plastics) at the level of organisms, communities, ecosystem as well as on ecosystem functioning. Studies on bioaccumulation, biomagnification and associated biological effects are welcome. The sessions under this theme will address basic questions such as:

  • What are the emerging chemical threats (pharmaceuticals, personal care products, nanoparticles, etc.) to the Baltic Sea ecosystem?
  • What are the major sources of harmful substances in the marine environment?
  • How do contaminants interact with varying salinity and oxygen levels, other chemicals, and biogeochemical processes?
  • What are the ecological consequences of contaminants for species, communities, biological diversity and ecosystem functioning?
  • How do harmful substances, including microplastics, accumulate through the food web?
  • How do we assess and mitigate harmful effects of contaminants?
  • What environmental conditions favour degradation and transformation of contaminants?
  • How do the impacts of contaminants of emerging concern compare with the impacts seen in other ecosystems?