Δ 14 C and δ 13 C as tracers of organic carbon in Baltic Sea sediments collected in coastal waters off Lithuania and in the Gotland Deep

Signatures of Δ 14 C and δ 13 C of total organic carbon in sediments as well as of total lipid extracts and phospholipid-derived fatty acid fractions isolated from the surface (0–3 cm) sediments collected in the Curonian Lagoon and in the open Baltic Sea were studied. An end-member mixing-model approach was applied to estimate relative contributions of the marine and terrestrial inputs to organic carbon in sediments, and to elucidate a possible leakage of chemical warfare agents at the Gotland Deep dumpsite.