The paper presents the results of the analysis of diatoms from surface sediments (stones, sands) and macroflora (seagrass, macroalgae) collected at 16 sampling sites located along the inner coastal zone of Puck Bay (southern Baltic Sea) along the Hel Peninsula. The main diatom species of epilithon, epipsammon and epiphyton were characterized with respect to their autecological preferences (habitat, salinity, trophic status, saprobity). Three groups of diatoms were distinguished with respect to the type of substrate based on the results of benthic flora analysis: diatoms (i) of one type of substrate, (ii) of two types and (iii) those occurring on all types of substrates. Moreover, the distribution of benthic diatom communities indicates ecological differences in the study area. Marine and brackish-water species were observed in large numbers in the coastal zone of the Outer Puck Bay, whereas freshwater flora occurred with a higher frequency in the coastal zone of the Puck Lagoon. The content of polysaprobionts and of α-mesosaprobionts indicates that the region of the Hel Tip is highly eutrophicated and very polluted. The coast in the vicinity of Kuznica is less polluted, whereas the best environmental conditions are found in the Jurata–Jastarnia region, as evidenced by the frequency of diatoms that are β-mesosaprobionts.
This study describes the subfossil diatom flora in the surface sediments of the Polish coastal waters in relation to human impact. The material studied consists of the uppermost parts of seven sediment cores collected from the SW Gulf of Gdańsk and eight cores from the Vistula Lagoon. Our results show the present-day ecological state of both basins just before the planned construction of a navigable channel of the Vistula Spit, which will be the next factor affecting their hydrology. In different parts of the Gulf of Gdańsk, cultural eutrophication resulted in a distinct “anthropogenic assemblage” in the surface sediments. Its structure relates directly to the distance from the mouth of the Vistula River. In the surface assemblages of the Vistula Lagoon, the number of salt-tolerant diatoms increased with the salinity of the basin. Locally, a large number of pollution-resistant taxa was also observed.
The objective of this study was to reconstruct the environmental changes in the Gulf of Gdańsk in the last 200 years. Four subbottom sediment cores were analyzed with respect to diatom flora and anthropogenic effects. The so-called “anthropogenic assemblage” – a result of cultural eutrophication – was observed in the surface sediments. Changes in the species composition may have been caused by the increased use of fertilizers, nitrogen loads and increasing organic matter concentration. Three phases (A, B and C) were distinguished based on the floristic spectrum, which clearly indicates trophic changes in the study area.
The subject of this study was the diatom taphocoenoses preserved in the surface sediments of the northern part of Puck Bay, southern Baltic Sea. Three subbotom sedimentary cores ZP1/0518, ZP2/0518 and ZP3/0414 collected in the vicinity of the Hel Peninsula from a water depth of 65 m, 47 m and 50.2 m, respectively were analyzed with respect to diatom flora. Over 500 valves of diatoms were counted in each sample in order to estimate the percentage abundance of particular taxa. Habitat, salinity, trophy and saproby requirements of all identified species were established according to literature. The percentage content of distinguished ecological groups was counted in each core. Diatomological analysis indicates that the diatom flora observed in muddy and silty sediments of the study area was generally abundant, taxonomically diverse and well preserved. However, some valves were mechanically broken or/and chemically destroyed. In all cores anthropogenic assemblage with small sized planktic diatoms tolerating higher nutrient and pollution concentration as well as lower transparency of water column predominated. The most important components were euhalobous species Thalassiosira levanderi and mesohalobous one Cyclotella choctawhatcheeana. Both species achieved the highest frequency (up to ca. 80% and 38%, respectively) in core ZP1/0518. Other eutraphentic, α/β mesosaprobous taxa belonged to oligohalobous halophilous (Actinocyclus normanii f. subsalsa, Cyclotella atomus, C. meneghiniana) and oligohalobous indifferent (A. normanii f. normanii, Cyclostephanos dubius, Aulacoseira spp.) were observed rarely. Benthos was also dominated by diatoms preferring the high content of nutrients and organic matter. This group was represented by marine/brackish-water taxa (i.e. Catenula adhaerens, Cocconeis hauniensis, C. scutellum, Diploneis didyma, D. smithii, D. stroemii, Opephora krumbeinii) and freshwater ones (i.e. Amphora copulata, A. pediculus, Cocconeis neodiminuta, C. neothumensis). Our results clearly indicate the apparent human impact on the structure of the diatom flora in the northern part of the Puck Bay. At least two sources of anthropopressure can be determined in the vicinity of Hel Peninsula i.e. (1) at a local scale harbor in Hel city and municipal sewage linked to development of tourism, and (2) at a regional scale the Vistula River waters, which is the major source of pollution in the Gulf of Gdańsk.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.