Toxic metals in fishes, mussels, and sediments from the Puck Bay in the southern Baltic Sea

Background: The environment of the Puck Bay is under strong pressure discharged sewage and brine. Methods: Toxic metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, bromine) were determined in fishes (flounder and perch), sediments, and mussels. Results: Toxic metals in flounder and perch from the Puck Bay occurred at varying concentrations: Cd - 0.002-0.004 mg/kg; Pb - 0.011-0.029 mg/kg; Hg - 0.050-0.070 mg/kg; iAs lower than 0.02 mg/kg. The highest concentrations of metals occurred in outer bay sediments: Cd - 0.829 mg/kg dw; Pb - 21.54 mg/kg dw; Hg - 0.305 mg/kg dw; iAs - 0.02 mg/kg dw. Metal concentrations in mussels were at low levels. High Pb content (1.915 mg/kg ww) was only determined in samples collected at the station near the brine outfall. Conclusions: Concentrations of toxic metals in the fishes, sediments, and mussels from the Puck Bay indicated that the environment of the bay was in good condition.