Organic matter in the karstic enclosed bay (Boka Kotorska Bay, south Adriatic Sea). Influence of freshwater input

Dautović, Jelena; Strmečki Kos, Slađana; Pestorić, Branka; Vojvodić, Vjeročka; Plavšić, Marta; Krivokapić, Slađana; Ćosović, Božena (2012) Organic matter in the karstic enclosed bay (Boka Kotorska Bay, south Adriatic Sea). Influence of freshwater input. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 21 (4a). pp. 995-1006. ISSN 1018-4619

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Abstract

Coastal systems are sensitive to eutrophication and organic matter (OM) produced in such systems influences the fate and distribution of other microconstituents and pollutants. The Boka Kotorska Bay is a jeopardized karstic area due to anthropogenic pressures. The concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) increase from spring to autumn months, with the values ranging from 0.64 to 1.43 mg C L-1. Particulate organic carbon (POC) represents a significant portion of OM, up to 43 % of total organic carbon (TOC). The concentrations of surface active substances are typical of coastal seawater, ranging from 0.026 to 0.311 mgL-1 equiv. Triton-X-100, with an increase in the spring/summer months. The normalized surfactant activity values were significantly higher than in other parts of the Adriatic. The presence of organic ligands and particles contribute to the copper complexing capacity values which are in general higher (up to 714 nmolL-1) compared to those found in other coastal areas. Even though preconditions were documented for the inner part of Kotor Bay i.e. elevated nutrient concentrations that lead to high biological production within the system and hence the accumulation of reactive organic matter in spring/summer months, our integrated chemical-biological approach showed that no eutrophic episodes were detected in the period 2008/2009.

Item Type:

Article

Uncontrolled Keywords:

DOC; POC; surface active substances; copper complexation; seasonal distribution; southern Adriatic Sea; karstic Boka Kotorska Bay

Subjects:

NATURAL SCIENCES > Geology

Divisions:

Division for Marine and Enviromental Research

Projects: