Baltic Sea water tritium and stable isotopes in 2016-2017

Isotopes Environ Health Stud. 2020 May;56(2):193-204. doi: 10.1080/10256016.2020.1715969. Epub 2020 Jan 30.

Abstract

Water samples from the different basins of the Baltic Sea and North Sea were collected during four cruises taken place in 2016-2017. Altogether 60 water samples for 3H activity concentration and 120 water samples for stable isotopes ratio (δ18O and δ2H) were analysed. Exceptionally strong inflow activity from North Sea to the Baltic Sea occurred prior our surveys. The data obtained enabled comprehensive evaluation of tritium and stable isotopes distribution in waters of Baltic Sea and contributing inputs, including riverine and atmospheric freshwater flux and saline water inflow through the Danish Straits. By comparing with the previous studies, we noticed a tendency toward an increase in the δ18O and δ2H values of zero-salinity component over time, which may be due to climate change. In the case of tritium, the influence of artificial sources has also been noticed.

Keywords: Baltic Sea; hydrogen-2; hydrogen-3; isotope hydrology; oxygen-18; salinity; zero-salinity component.

MeSH terms

  • Climate Change
  • Deuterium / analysis*
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Estonia
  • Fresh Water / chemistry
  • Lithuania
  • North Sea
  • Oceans and Seas
  • Oxygen Isotopes / analysis*
  • Russia
  • Salinity
  • Seawater / chemistry*
  • Tritium / analysis*

Substances

  • Oxygen Isotopes
  • Tritium
  • Deuterium