Long-term dynamics of the composition of the upper layer of bottom sediments in a shallow lagoon-type basin (the example of Kaliningrad Bay in the Baltic Sea)

   The Vistula Lagoon is the second largest shallow lagoon-type basin of the Baltic Sea, located in its southeastern part. This is a transboundary water body with a total area of 838 km², the northeastern part of which (510 km²) is under the jurisdiction of Russia and is called the Kaliningrad Bay, and the southwestern part (328 km²) is under the jurisdiction of Poland. It is separated from the sea by a stable sand barrier, and water exchange with the sea is carried out through the navigable Baltic Strait. The Kaliningrad Bay is an object of plural economic use and is experiencing a large anthropogenic load. The article compares the results of grain size parameters of bottom sediments sampled in the Kaliningrad Bay from the surface layer (0–7 cm) at the same points with an interval of 29 years. Studies have shown that the bottom sediments of the bay in 1993 year were represented by sands, silty sands, sandy silts, silts and clayey silts. To date, there have been changes in the composition of the fractions, but the types of precipitation at the control points have not changed. In 1993 year the proportion of sand particles in sand deposits averaged 72 % and in 2021 year – 78 %. In the silts the sand content increased from 17 to 23 %, and in clayey silts from 3 to 7 %. As for silt particles their share in the sandy fraction over 28 years decreased by an average of 6 %, in silts by 2 %, and in clayey silts by 4 %. The value of the changes that occurred in the composition of sediments over the specified period is not the same and depends on the types of sediments. A feature of modern sedimentation in the bay is regular resuspension of the upper layer of bottom sediments, accompanied by redeposition of sedimentary components and partial transportation of fine particles in suspension to the sea.

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