## 4 Results
### Distribution of Trace Elements Along Coast

Table 1: Trace element concentrations of the surface sediments collected on the beach along the coast of the south-eastern Baltic Sea coast (Lithuania) in 2011–2018 (values in ppm unless otherwise indicated). Figure 5: \(Cont\). Figure 5: \(Cont.\)  
Figure 5: \(Cont\). Figure 5: The distribution of concentration ratio (\(K_{\rm k}\)) of (**a**) Cu and Mn, (**b**) Cr and Zn, (**c**) As and Co, and (**d**) Ni and Pb along the coast of the south-eastern Baltic Sea coast (Lithuania). The Cu concentration ratio exceeding or equal to 1.5 was estimated in five sites (1 st, 7 th, 49 th, 55 th, and 73 rd) on the mainland coast in 2011; in 2014, in three sites (51 st, 127 th and 157 th), and in 2018, in four sites (49 th, 61 st, 71 st and 133 rd). The _Kk_ of Cu in 2014 exceeded four in five sites located near Sventoij (1 st, 7 th, 11 th, 13 th, and 25 th) in the north part of the mainland coast and two sites on the Curonian Spit between Juodkrante and Pervalka (133 rd and 141 st sites) in 2018. The ratio _Kk_ of Pb did not exceed 2.5 compared with Cu. In 2011 and 2014, these ratios were higher than 1.5 only in the 145 th site in Pervalka and in none of the sites in 2018. The higher concentration ratios of Mn were estimated on the mainland coast opposite to Cr. In all analysed years, higher Mn concentration ratios were estimated in the cliff area (49 th-55 th). Higher Mn ratio in 2014 and 2018 was also estimated in the site at 7 th and also in the 13 th and 73 rd sites in 2018. Zinc showed no clear pattern or difference between the mainland and Curonian Spit coasts (Figure 5). Overall, the highest Zn concentration ratios were determined on the mainland coast at the cliff area - in the 67 th site in 2014 and the 49 th in 2018. In 2011, the Zn concentration ratio was higher than 1.5 in eight sites (7 th, 79 th, 85 th, 103 rd-111 th, and 145 th), in 2014 in four sites (1 st, 49 th, 67 th, and 71 st) and in 2018, in six sites (7 th, 49 th, 61 st, 71 st, 85 th, and 133 rd). Cobalt pattern differed from other elements because its concentration did not variate so much among the years. The concentration ratio exceeded 1.5 in 2011 only in two sites (111 th and 145 th); in 2014, in the sites 43 rd, the 131 st, and 145 th; and in 2018, only in the 133 rd site. The Ni as well as Co, Pb did not show a clear pattern, its ratio exceeded 1.5 in the 111 th and 145 th sites in 2011; 131 st and 145 th in 2014; and 55 th, 61 st, and 133 rd sites in 2018. To understand the overall distribution pattern of the analysed elements in 3 different years, we estimated and compared the mean of the concentration ratios (\(K_{d}\)) in 2011, 2014, and 2018 (Figure 6). In 2011, slightly higher mean concentration ratios were indicated in the area where coastal erosion is active; 1 km northwards from Sventoij port (7 th site), in the cliff areas (49 th and 55 th) and near the Klaipeda strait (73 rd site). On the Curonian Spit coast, the distribution pattern of the mean concentration ratio is more pronounced than on the mainland coast, and increases northwards (highest peak at the 111 th site). In 2014, the trend of \(K_{d}\) on the mainland coast distinguished from the pattern in 2011 and 2018. The mean concentration ratio was higher than 2 in 11 sites from 18 on the mainland coast and increased northwards. The mean concentration ratio exceeding 2 was determined in three sites located at the vicinity and northwards from the Sventoij port. On the Curonian Spit, the trend was opposite to the other years--the mean ratio slightly decreasing northwards. In 2018, on the mainland coast, the estimated \(K_{d}\) ratio values tend to decrease northwards, the highest values were determined in the cliff area (49 th and 61 st sites), and only in three sites was higher compared to previous years (49 th, 61 st, and 71 st sites).