167

1 INTRODUCTION

Intensification of human activities regarding new

technologies, especially new substances, progress in

industry and the extension of needs in progressing

civilization, results in increasing anthropogenic

pressure on the oceans and seas environment.

Chemical pollution is one of the most critical threats

to human populations and aquatic ecosystems. Many

substances from industrial activities are released into

natural waters without knowledge of the potential

environmental risk [26, 28].

The Baltic Sea is an inland sea with an area of

374,000 km

, the drainage for which is about four

times greater. The Baltic sea is almost totally

surrounded by land and therefore more endangered

by pollution than other marine areas. As enclosed and

shallow sea, is particularly vulnerable to toxic

pollutants, because it is a cold-water body with

complete renewal time of about ten years [9]. The

residence time of water in central Baltic is 25-30 years.

This is because the Baltic is an almost landlocked

subsidiary sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Only narrow

straits connect it to the North Sea and exchange of

water between the two is therefore restricted. As one

the most sensitive marine ecosystems, the Baltic Sea

has been classified as Particularly Sensitive Sea Area

by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of

the International Maritime Organization.

All the Baltic countries have a very limited area in

marine environment to realize their economic needs

[5]. Ships traffic in the Baltic increases every year.

There are about 2000 ships in the Baltic at any one

time. In the recent years, the transport of

The Impact of Transport on the Quality of Water in the

Port of Gdynia

M. Popek, A. Dereszewska, G. Dembska & G. Pazikowska-Sapota

Gdynia Maritime University, Gdynia, Poland

ABSTRACT: Currently, pollution of the sea by refuse, sewage and emission from transport has become one of

the most important environmental problem. Environmental sustainability in seaport is an issue of timely

importance in Baltic ports given the rapid increase in ports traffic and their location. The Port of Gdynia is an

universal modern port specializing in handling general cargo, mainly unitized cargo transported in containers

and in a ro-ro system. Ships traffic in the Port of Gdynia has increased in recent years. Many of ships carry cargo

that could severally impact costal ecosystems if accidentally released. The common substance is likely oil

because it is present in ships as both cargo and fuel. Sheltered harbour waters favour the accumulation of a fine

fraction of bottom sediments in which pollutants such as heavy metals and organic compounds accumulate.

This paper discusses the situation in the Gdynia Port and its challenges in terms of environmental aspects and

current pollution situation. It is based on data on collected during the period 2012 to 2019.The water

contamination measurement in the docks is performed for reference substances and parameters, according to

the reference methodologies.

http://www.transnav.eu

the International Journal

on Marine Navigation

and Safety of Sea Transportation

Volume 16

Number 1

March 2022

DOI: 10.12716/1001.16.01.20

168

environmentally hazardous cargo has increased in the

Baltic Sea area. Currently, pollution of the sea by

refuse, sewage and emission from transport has

become one of the most important environmental

problem [11]. Many of the ships carry dangerous

cargo that could impact coastal ecosystems if

accidentally released. The most common substance is

oil, because it is present in ships as both cargo and

fuel [12]. The Baltic sea is an exposed to petroleum

hydrocarbons due to intense shipping covering as

much as 15 % of the world transport. It is estimated

that annually from 21 to 55 thousand tons of these

contaminants reaches the Baltic Sea [22].

Chemicals are also discharged into the water as

wastes of the industrial towns located on the cost. One

of the most polluted areas along the Baltic coast is the

Gulf of Gdansk. It is affected by chemical pollution

and by eutrophication. High concentration of the

detergents, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic

hydrocarbons and heavy metals have been found. The

biochemical oxygen demand in the coastal of the Gulf

of Gdansk is higher than in the water of the Baltic Sea.

Environmental sustainability in sea ports is an issue of

timely importance in many countries given the rapid

increase in port-to-port traffic and port capacity. The

possible reduction of current ports impact on living

environment should be huge due to the fact that the

port is a place where the transport and logistic

intersect and constitute industrial estates. In port

areas, together with own and external use and

activities developed in its surroundings, the

conditions favour the intensification of sedimentary

processes and the gradual contamination of their

bottom. Toxic and persistent pollutants can

accumulate in sediment particles and, under certain

circumstances, be absorbed by aquatic organisms or

plants. Several researches showed that concentrations

of heavy metals in sediment are far higher than the

concentration of dissolved metals in the water bodies.

Marine sediment acts as both sink and source for

heavy metals [7]. Ship moving in the port can lead to

sediment displacement, release of chemicals and

secondary pollution of seawater. Additionally, coal

dust contamination in marine sediments has high

binding affinity for particle-reactive contaminants.

Walker, et al. (2013) reported, that sediments sampled

near the coal loading facilities in Sydney Harbour

(Canada), had significantly higher contaminant

concentrations compared with other harbour

sediments. Such a phenomenon may lead to changes

in the status of sea waters, e.g. near the port channels

[25].

To reduce pollution and improve the situation in

the Baltic sea, surrounding countries organized the

Convention on the Protection of the Marine

Environment of the Baltic Sea Area, known as

Helsinki Convention, which come into force in 1980.

The Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) founded in

1974 acts as coordinator and is responsible for the

enforcement of the Baltic monitoring program and

international research project. The HELCOM Baltic

Sea Action Plan is an example of voluntary initiative

of countries wishing to have a healthy sea back [20].

The activities of HELCOM have led to the reduction

of dangerous pollutants which in turn has caused the

regeneration of flora and fauna in some areas.

Furthermore, the Action Plan distinguishes between

measures that can be implemented at regional or

national level, and measures that require

implementation at EU or international level [2].

The European Union Marine Strategy Framework

Directive (MSFD) aims to establish effective

protection of the EU marine waters by putting in place

a common framework for marine policy, which

corresponds to the declared aims of the HELCOM

Baltic Sea Action Plan [1]. The preoccupation for

marine pollution produced the publication of

Directive 2008/105/CE [30], which established the

environmental quality standards (EQS) for priority

substances and other pollutants and Directive

2009/90/CE in 2009 [29], with the technical

specifications for the chemical analysis and the

monitoring of the ecological status. Because of high

risk of pollution with chemical substances, the port

water should be tested continuously in order to

reduce the inflow of pollutants into the sea and

improve environmental management in harbours.

Test results for samples of water collected in year

2011-2019 from the channels of the Port of Gdynia are

presented in this paper. A review of the result of test

on the content of heavy metals and petroleum

hydrocarbons are discussed. The BOD/COD

parameter is also calculated.

2 PORT OF GDYNIA CONTAMINANTS

The Port of Gdynia is one of the major international

seaport located in the central part of the southern

Baltic coast, in the western coast of the Gulf of Gdansk

(Poland). This port covers a total area of 7, 55km

and

has a total quayside length of 17,7 km [7]. It consist of

the West Port (Inner port) and the East Port (outer

port) and is protected year-round by a 2,5 km

breakwater and never freezes over during winter [16].

Although the it is protected year-round by the outer

breakwater, which prevents mixing form currents or

high waves in the port, during strong easterly winds it

can decrease by as much as 0,6m and during sustained

strong westerly winds the water level can rise by up

to 0,6m. This phenomenon may cause intensive

movement of water and lead to direct and consistent

distribution of water toward individual docks. The

individual docks of the Port of Gdynia provide easy

access to the water mass from the sea. Taking into

account this fact it may be assumed that storms and

winds may play natural role in the transport of water

mass in the port channels [17].

The Port of Gdynia is an universal modern port

specializing in handling general cargo, mainly

unitized cargo transported in containers and in a ro-ro

system. The services are provided through a network

of multimodal transport connections with the

hinterland and through short sea shipping and ferry

connections. The Port of Gdynia is an important link

in the Corridor VI of the Trans-European Transport

Network (TEN-T) and plays an important role in the

economic development of Pomerania Region and in

creating a sustainable society.

Efficiency in operations and high quality services

provided by the port are aimed at consolidating its

market position.

169

The coastal zone of the Southern Baltic sea is

strongly influenced by anthropogenic inputs derived

from industry tourism and shipping [14]. The

characteristics of some of them are presented below.

2.1 Oil pollutants

The international sea transportation is responsible for

the carriage of approximately 90 % of world trade,

contributing to a substantial oil and chemical

pollution. The Gulf of Gdansk and Port Gdynia are an

area exposed to petroleum hydrocarbons due to

highly developed shipping. Oil pollutants present in

sea water mainly coming from ship drivers, tankers,

pipelines or sea bottom seeps, moreover oil leaks from

offshore extraction equipment also are possible. Most

of the minor cases of oil pollution are result of

scouring out the bilges of the engine rooms of the

ship. In the sea water, various types of hydrocarbons

can be found [3]. They are often complex substances

composed of hundreds to thousands of individual

aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.

If heavy fuel enters to the marine environment,

then the chemical composition of this substance

changes slowly. If it is oil consisted of short carbon

chains, one should expect a quick evaporation of

volatile hydrocarbons into the atmosphere [8].

However, the quickest transformation of the

composition of oil take place in crude oil. Oil

pollution is very dangerous for the environment and

can destroy habitats of many plants and animals,

including the spawning areas of fish [15]. For a long

time it was believed that, removing spilled oil from

the surface of the water completely eliminates the risk

of water pollution. However, studies have found that

water-soluble fractions, which are most toxic, remain

in water [13].

A legal regulation characterizes the content of

petroleum hydrocarbons using a summary parameter

the mineral oil index. It determines the content of

hydrocarbons within the C10 to C40 carbon atoms

range. UN regulations regarding priority substances

in waters, sediments have been implemented to the

Polish legal system as a part of the Regulation of the

Minister of Environment (21th July 2016) on the

methodology for classification of the condition of

surface water body and environmental quality

standards for priority substances. This regulation

provides limit values of water quality indicators from

the group of substances harmful for water

environment. In case of high and good status waters

(class I and II), the values for the petroleum

hydrocarbons should be less than or equal to 0,2

mg/dm3. For waters of a lower status, the value of this

parameter has not been provided [31].

2.2 Heavy metals in surface water

Trace element contamination is considered as one of

the major issues in marine environment due to their

diverse sources, bioaccumulation, non-degradability

and harmful effects on biota. The ecological status of

the aquatic environment can be evaluated by

analysing the distribution of trace elements in water,

sediments and marine organisms [19]. Most trace

metals play an important role as micronutrients in

maintaining the life of aquatic organisms, and toxic

properties are only manifested when the

concentration available to the body exceeds the value

necessary to meet the nutritional needs. Trace metals

such as: Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Co, are essential for

metabolism. At the same time, exposure of aquatic

organisms to high concentrations of the same

elements may adversely affect their health or cause

death. Pb, Cd, Hg and As, do not play an important

role in the life cycle of organisms. However, they can

damage the organism if they are available in the

environment in concentrations exceeding the norm.

Two common heavy metals associated with health

risks in the Baltic Sea region are lead and cadmium.

The strongest toxic properties are characteristic for

inorganic metals compounds, which dissociate well

and are easily soluble. Some heavy metals dissolve

immediately and tend to accumulate in aquatic

organisms [23].

Natural heavy metal concentration such as lead,

zinc or cadmium, are usually very low. But large

loads of these metals are emitted into the environment

due to intense human activities. The Gulf of Gdansk is

influenced by heavy metals of anthropogenic origin.

The municipal, industrial and agricultural activities in

the Pomerania Region resulted in a high level of

contamination by metals and organic compounds in

coastal area for the past 50 years [12].

Lead enters the environment during production,

use and disposal of compounds containing lead,

combustion fossil fuels and sewage sludge application

to soil. The discovery that lead causes environmental

and health damage led to phasing out of leaded

gasoline. The lead concentration could be influenced

by different source due to increasing human activities,

economic and social development (e.g. mining, coal

burning), use (batteries, pigments, plastics), recycling

and disposal of compounds containing lead, and use

of mineral fertilizers [27]. High concentration of lead

has adverse effect on central nervous system, blood

cells and may cause brain damage.

Cadmium is a relatively rare metal in nature. Its

stability in water is a function of pH and oxidation-

reduction potential. Its origin, from an industrial

point of view, is related to plastics, engine oils,

batteries and in products of thermal stability. For pH

above 8, cadmium precipitates with carbonates. When

mixing sewage with seawater, cadmium forms very

stable complexes with chlorides. Cadmium does not

degrade in the environment, but physical and

chemical processes can alter its mobility,

bioavailability and residence time in different

environments.

Zinc is predominantly sourced from lithogenic

components [24]. Compared to lead and cadmium, it

shows a higher affinity to accumulate in marine

organisms and tissues. Zinc under long-term high

exposure conditions might cause neuron-related

illness due to iron or copper deficiency occurrence

[20].

Fish absorb heavy metals form surrounding

environment depending on a variety of factors such as

the exposure period, the concentration of the element,

as well as abiotic factors such as temperature, salinity,

170

pH and seasonal changes. Hence, heavy metals,

released by anthropogenic activities will be

accumulated in marine organisms through the food

chains; as a result, human health can be at risk because

of consumption of fish contaminated by toxic

chemicals [6]. The pollution of sea food with heavy

metals is still a problem from both the hygienic and

eco toxicological points of view [17].

2.3 Biochemical Oxygen Demand

Oxygen enters the water by photosynthesis of aquatic

biota and the transfer of oxygen across the air-water

interface. The overall partitioning of oxygen between

the atmosphere and the water is sensitive to mixing

and biological production, as well as temperature and

salinity. The solubility of oxygen decreases as

temperature and salinity increase and is more depend

on temperature variation than salinity variation.

The heavy pollution of communal sewage , which

comes from industry, ships, as well as that from

agriculture, has led to large input of plant nutrients,

especially nitrogen and phosphorus compounds.

Eutrophication of the sea’s ecosystem is known as a

major problem and has led to reduced water quality

which contributes to oxygen deficit and can damage

to biodiversity. The eutrophication process can be

divided into three key elements: (1) increased nutrient

levels leading to (2) production of particulate and

dissolved organic matter and (3) degradation of the

organic matter leading to lower oxygen concentration

[10]. When the organic matter decomposes, it is upon

by aerobic bacteria. In this process, organic matter is

broken down and oxidized (combined with oxygen).

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is amount of

oxygen required by aerobic microorganisms to

stabilize the organic material of wastewater,

wastewater treatment plan effluent, polluted water, or

industrial waste [18]. The BOD is usually proportional

to the amount of organic matter present and,

therefore, is a measure of the strength of the waste. A

low BOD is an indicator of good quality water, while

a high BOD indicates polluted water Biochemical

oxygen demand is useful parameter for assessing the

biodegrability of dissolved organic matter in water. At

the same time, this parameter is used to evaluate the

efficiency with which certain processes remove

biodegradable natural organic matter [21]. Because

organic matter needs varying time spans to be

oxidized, and in order to standardized BOD as

indicator, the BOD5 measurement has been defined to

be the oxygen consumption, in a sample, after 5 days

of incubation at 20

C [22]. The BOD5 protocol is well

defined by national and international standards

applicable to freshwater and wastewater, but is

unsatisfactory for saltwater or seawater, in which

most dissolved organic matter is resistant to microbial

oxidation.

A practical measure of organic pollution, whether

biodegradable or not, is expressed by a value known

as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). COD values are

typically higher than BOD, and the ratio between

them will vary depending on the characteristics of the

wastewater. BOD/COD ratio has been commonly used

as an indicator for biodegradation capacity. Wang et

al. [25] introduced biodegradability as the mass

concentration ratio of BOD/COD understood as the

ability of a substance to be broken down into simpler

substances by bacteria. Facing to untreated materials

such as raw water or wastewater, on one side, the

BOD/COD ratio is higher than 0.5.The high BOD/COD

ratio can be found in natural waters, which contains

BOD of less than 10 mg/L and COD of less than 20

mg/L . On the other side the low BOD/COD ratio can

be found in seawater, which contains low

concentrations of BOD and COD. For high COD and

low BOD values, the BOD / COD ratio may indicate

the toxic nature of pollutants present in the water [19].

3 EXPERIMENTAL

3.1 Location of water sampling points

Samples of water were collected in 2011÷2019 from

the selected locations of the Port of Gdynia.

Table 1 presents the sampling points of surface

waters for the testing. One locations were designated

for each of the docks.

Table 1. Location of sampling points in the port of Gdynia

_______________________________________________

Sample number Location

_______________________________________________

1 South Channel

2 Dock I-Presidental Dock

3 Dock II – Wendy Dock

4 Dock III-Coal Dock

5 Outer harbour

6 Dock IV –Marshal Pilsudski Dock

7 Dock V- Minister Kwiatkowski Dock

8 Dock VI

9 Dock VII

10 Dock VIII ( Harbour Channel )

_______________________________________________

3.2 Methods

Samples of surface water for the study of the level of

contamination with heavy metals were obtained in

accordance with the standard PN-ISO 5667-9:2005.

The contamination level of Port Gdynia waters was

measured using the methods presented in Table 2.

Table 2. Methods of used in the research

_______________________________________________

Number Parameter Method

_______________________________________________

1. Pb Mass spectroscopy method (ICP-MS),

standard PN-EN ISO 17294-2:2016

2. Cd Mass spectroscopy method (ICP-MS),

standard PN-EN ISO 17294-2:2016

3. Zn The method of atomic emission

spectroscopy with excitation in

inductively coupled plasma (ICP-

OES), standard PN-EN ISO

11885:2009

4. Mineral oil Gas chromatograph with flame

index ionisation detector (GC/FID) after

extraction of water samples,

standard PN-EN 14345:2008;

standard PN-EN 14039:2008

5. Biochemical Dilution and inoculation method:

Oxygen Standard PN-EN 1899-2:2002

Demand Dissolved oxygen was analysed

BOD 5 through the use iodometry:

Standard PN-EN 25813:1997

6. Chemical The dichromate method according to

Oxygen the PB-19 test procedure.

Demand COD

_______________________________________________

171

3.3 Results and Discussion

The concentration of heavy metals deleted in the sea

water at all sampling location during period 2011 to

2019 are summarized in Table 3÷5.

Table 3. Zinc concentration in the study areas

_______________________________________________

Sample Concentration of Zn

number [mg Zn /dm

]

_______________________________________________

2011-2013 2014 2015 2016 2017-2019

_______________________________________________

1 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL

2 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL

3 BDL 0,023±0,003BDL BDL BDL

4 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL

5 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL

6 BDL BDL BDL 0,066±0,01 BDL

7 BDL 0,023±0,003BDL 0,027±0,004BDL

8 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL

9 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL

10 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL

_______________________________________________

BDL – below detection limit

Table 4. Lead concentration in the study areas

_______________________________________________

Sample Concentration of Pb

number [μgPb/dm

]

_______________________________________________

2011-2016 2017 2018 2019

_______________________________________________

1 BDL BDL 0,293±0,059 0,010±0,002

2 BDL BDL 0,71±0,4 0,03±0,01

3 BDL BDL 0,360±0,072 0,010±0,002

4 BDL BDL 0,428±0,086 BDL

5 BDL 0,204±0,041 0,458±0,092 0,010±0,002

6 BDL BDL 0,57±0,11 BDL

7 BDL 0,014±0,003 0,54±0,11 0,010±0,002

8 BDL 0,267±0,053 1,17±0,23 0,010±0,002

9 BDL 0,055±0,011 1,19±0,24 0,010±0,002

10 BDL 0,116±0,023 1,27±0,28 0,010±0,002

_______________________________________________

BDL – below detection limit

Table 5. Cadmium concentration in the study areas

_______________________________________________

Sample Concentration of Cd

number [μg Cd/dm

]

_______________________________________________

2011-2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

_______________________________________________

1 BDL BDL 0,035±0,008 BDL 0,010±0,002

2 BDL BDL BDL BDL 0,010±0,002

3 BDL 0,9±0,2 0,03±0,007 BDL 0,03±0,01

4 BDL BDL BDL BDL 0,010±0,002

5 BDL BDL BDL BDL 0,010±0,002

6 BDL BDL 0,025±0,005 BDL 0,010±0,002

7 BDL BDL 0,031±0,007 BDL 0,010±0,002

8 BDL BDL 0,036±0,008 BDL 0,010±0,002

9 BDL BDL 0,02 BDL 0,010±0,002

10 BDL BDL BDL BDL 0,010±0,002

_______________________________________________

BDL – below detection limit

The metal concentrations in the water were

compared with the limit values presented in Table 6.

Table 6. The concentration limits of heavy metals

_______________________________________________

Time Class Zn Cd Pb

period of water [mg/dm

] [μg/dm

]

[year]

_______________________________________________

2012-2014 I-II ≤1 ≤ 0,45-1,5 7,2

III-V LND MAC MAC

_______________________________________________

2015-2019 I-II ≤1 ≤1,5 14

III-V LND MAC MAC

_______________________________________________

LND - limits not determined

MAC - maximum allowable concentration

Source: [31]

Physicochemical parameters of surface waters in

the Port of Gdynia fall within the values specified for

class II of the quality of surface water bodies.

The concentration of zinc in the tested waters of

the port basins of the Port of Gdynia was in almost all

cases below the limit of quantification of the analytical

method used (< 0,022 mg/dm

).At several points

(between 2014 and 2016) the mean values of zinc

found in samples of seawater range from 0,023

mg/dm

to 0,066 mg/dm

, so the results are still below

the norm. These values are lower than the limit values

specified in the Polish Regulation of the Minister of

the Environment.

The determination of lead in water samples gives

information on the content of this metal in the sea.

Between 2017 and 2019 the average concentrations

range from 0,01μg/dm

to 1,27μg/dm

. These values

are lower than the limit values specified in the

Regulation of the Minister of the Environment.

Between 2011 and 2016, the concentration of lead in

the tested waters of the port basins of the Port of

Gdynia was in all cases below the limit of

quantification of the analytical method used.

Between 2011 and 2016 the concentrations of

cadmium are in most cases lower than the limit of

quantification of the analytical method used. In 2017

and 2019 the mean values of cadmium recorded in the

studied water fluctuate between 0,01μg/dm

and 0,9

μg/dm

. These values are lower than the limit values

specified in the Regulation of the Minister of the

Environment.

The concentration value of the mean metal

concentration on significant differences between 2011

and 2019 showed that only lead concentration had

changed. Zinc and cadmium did not show changes

through time.

The largest contamination load was found in

samples collected from West Port –docks: VI, VII and

VIII. A characteristic feature of the regions is the

prevalence of anthropogenic factors originating from

port: high level of industrialization, removal of waste

from ships, release of pollutants from ships hulls and

repair and handling works [4]. There are two

shipyards in the closeness of the West Port. In this

area, the large shipping terminal The Baltic Container

Terminal is located.

Organic matter parameters were determined as

BOD, COD and BOD/COD ratio. The maximum,

minimum and average values of BOD along with the

comparison of inland and offshore values of BOD

during the period of four years are given in Table 8

BOD5 refers to organic matter biodegraded by

organisms in biochemical process. The analysed

waters are characterised by rather low organic matter

content. The mean values of BOD5 recorded in the

studied water fluctuate between 0,72 mg O2/dm3 to

7,8mg O2/dm3.No significant differences were found

between ten samples point located in Port Gdynia,

since their organic matter was similar. Concentration

of BOD5 exceeding 4 mgO2/dm3 were found at a few

measuring points. Water which such values of BOD5

are referred to as polluted waters. BOD5 values for

examined waters are in the second class of water.

172

Table 7. Seawater BOD5 from various points sources of Port Gdynia

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sample BOD5

number mgO2/dm

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

year

2011 2012 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

1 2,4±0,66 2,03±0,55 2,62±0,82 1,04±0,47 2,68±0,84 1,3±0,41 1,74±0,47 0,73±0,26

2 3,07±0,84 1,51±0,41 3,71±1,17 2,05±0,68 2,46±0,78 7,2±1,9 0,96±0,35 0,86±0,3

3 2,13±0,39 2,81±0,78 2,62±0,82 1,92±0,64 1,88±0,59 2,13±0,67 1,9±0,51 0,86±0,3

4 2,6±0,22 2,96±0,53 1,71±0,54 2,7±0,9 2,49±0,78 2,4±0,76 1,7±0,46 1,10±0,39

5 2,67±0,76 2,91±0,51 6,03±1,63 2,44±0,81 1,88±0,59 2,86±0,9 2,06±0,65 0,98±0,34

6 2,67±0,76 2,55±0,69 2,8±0,88 3,1±0,1 2,52±0,79 3,13±0,0,99 1,34±0,36 0,73±0,26

7 2,67±0,76 2,3±0,62 4,25±1,14 4,0±1,3 2,05±0,65 1,94±0,61 1,12±0,3 1,1±0,39

8 2,27±0,62 1,51±0,41 1,53±0,48 3,3±1,1 2,05±0,65 2,33±0,0,73 0,72±0,25 1,1±0,39

9 4,5±1,2 3,85±1,04 2,07±0,65 2,79±0,88 3,02±0,95 1,53±0,48 2,06±0,65 1,1±0,39

10 3±0,83 1,45±0,39 1,71±0,54 3,4±1,0 1,85±0,58 7,8±2,1 1,9±0,51 1,28±0,45

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 8. Biodegradability ratio (BOD5/COD) for seawater

from Port Gdynia

_______________________________________________

Sample BOD5/COD

number year

_______________________________________________

2012 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

_______________________________________________

1 0,06 0,04 0,01 0,07 0,05 0,03

2 0,09 0,60 0,07 0,41 0,03 0,02

3 0,11 0,03 0,05 0,13 0,05 0,03

4 0,09 0,04 0,07 0,08 0,05 0,04

5 0,08 0,03 0,05 0,09 0,07 0,04

6 0,09 0,05 0,07 0,12 0,35 0,06

7 0,10 0,03 0,07 0,06 0,04 0,07

8 0,06 0,04 0,06 0,10 0,02 0,06

9 0,16 0,05 0,08 0,07 0,03 0,07

10 0,05 0,03 0,06 0,26 0,06 0,07

_______________________________________________

Monitoring has showed a low COD values. It

oscillates between 17,5 mg O2/dm

to 50,1 O2/dm

However, these values are several times greater than

the recorded BOD5 values. The ratio of

biodegradability allows us to assess the derivability of

organic matter. The ratio of biodegradability concerns

the BOD/COD ratio, which serves to specify the

degree of biodegradability of the organic matter at the

sites studied (Table 8). The trials analysed in 2012-

2019 showed a BOD/COD ratio typical for Port

Gdynia seawater.

The main source of oil pollutions into the

environment are shipping accidents, illegal oil

discharges and port activities. The condition of Port

Gdynia seawater from the point of view mineral oil

contamination is presented in Table 9.

Table 9. Values of Mineral Index oil in Port Gdynia

_______________________________________________

Sample Mineral Oil index mg/dm

number year

_______________________________________________

2011 2012 2014- 2017 2018-

2016 2019

_______________________________________________

1 0,01±0,003 0,02±0,0106 BDL BDL BDL

2 BDL 0,02±0,0106 BDL 0,1±0,003 BDL

3 BDL 0,02±0,0106 BDL BDL BDL

4 BDL 0,02±0,0106 BDL 0,06±0,02 BDL

5 BDL 0,02±0,0106 BDL BDL BDL

6 BDL 0,02±0,0106 BDL BDL BDL

7 BDL 0,02±0,0106 BDL BDL BDL

8 BDL 0,02±0,0106 BDL 0,04±0,01 BDL

9 BDL 0,02±0,0106 BDL 0,06±0,02 BDL

10 BDL 0,02±0,0106 BDL BDL BDL

_______________________________________________

BDL – below detection limit

The analysis of Port Gdynia water demonstrated

that Mineral oil index was in almost all cases below

the limit of quantification of the analytical method

used. The mean values of Mineral oil index recorded

in the studied water fluctuate between 0,04 mg/dm

0,1mg /dm

.The higher pollution is typical for coastal

port waters, where intensive economic activity is

carried out (such as navigation canal, shipyard,

container terminal).The analysis demonstrated the

absence of pronounced annual variations of mineral

index oil. Overall, no marked changes in values of

Mineral oil index were evident during the last ten

years.

4 CONCLUSIONS

The water environmental quality is closely related to

the discharge of pollutants and natural factor such as

temperature. Analysis of sea water is the direct way of

assessing the pollution status of the Baltic

environment.

Due to their negative effects on human and

ecosystem health, heavy metals are of particulate

concern worldwide. As a result of the analysis of

pollutants in water from port Gdynia, low content of

lead, zinc, cadmium and oil products was found. It

should be emphasised that levels of dissolved species

of heavy metals are very low, even near the detection

limit of the method used. The highest levels of metals

content were discovered in samples collected from

regions with a high industrialization.

The values Biochemical Oxygen Demand obtained

are characteristic of unpolluted waters, which can be

used to suggest that the discharge of waste from ships

are negligible. The BOD / COD ratio, which provides

information on the biodegradability of a water

pollutant, shows values typical for seawater.

Oil hydrocarbons occasionally come to the marine

environment as a result of occasional spills, accidents

and discharges. The low value of Mineral Oil Index in

the recent years can be an indication to the efficiency

of the measures taken to prevent oil pollution.

It can be concluded that the quality of examined

waters is relatively good with respect to Polish

Standards of water quality.

173

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