Barium levels in bladder wrack from the North- and Baltic Seas
Significant difference in barium levels of bladder wrack from the North and Baltic Seas
Bladder wrack accumulates barium and its contents give an impression of the respective environmental concentrations.
At the Baltic Sea sampling area Kap Arkona/Varnkevitz barium levels in bladder wrack were 4 - 6 times higher than in bladder wrack from the North sea sampling areas Koenigshafen/Sylt and Eckwarderhoerne/Jadebusen.
Over the years concentrations remained within the same range. The differences between the North and Baltic Sea probably reflect different geological background concentrations.
Routine sampling of bladder wrack was discontinued in 2013.
Fig. 1: Barium levels in bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus) from the North and Baltic Sea.
Updated at: 2022-01-05
Recommended profiles
Specimen
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Common brown alga of the coastal areas of the North and Baltic Sea
Analytes
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Alkaline earth metal which occurs naturally in rocks and minerals
Sampling area
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National Park in the largest brackish water (Bodden) habitat of the world.
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National park in the world largest connected sand and mud flats.