Finnish-Russian study finds high cadmium levels in eastern Gulf of Finland

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Levels of the heavy metal cadmium are high in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland. While levels of other heavy metals have declined in recent years, large amounts of cadmium have been found in top sediments and below.
      Cadmium in itself is not harmful to people if it stays in sediments on the sea bottom, says geologist Henry Vallius of the Geological Survey of Finland. Nevertheless, a high cadmium content in the eastern Gulf of Finland is having negative effects.
      "The east of the Gulf of Finland is shallow, and heavily polluted. The cadmium issue, combined with a lack of oxygen, make the situation rather unpleasant."
     
The Geological Survey of Finland says that the oxygen shortage, which occasionally affects the Baltic Sea, began in the 1950s in the deepest parts of the sea. Later it has crept into shallower waters as well.
      The Geological Survey of Finland has studied the geology, structure, and quality of the bottom of the Baltic Sea along with Russians researchers. The results of the study were published in St. Petersburg on Wednesday.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  St. Petersburg reduces phosphorous emissions into Gulf of Finland (2.10.2007)
  Gulf of Finland has slightly higher oxygen level than last summer (14.8.2007)

Links:
  Geological Survey of Finland news release: The bad condition of the Baltic Sea is highlighted in the Eastern Gulf of Finland

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