North-Western Poland; Polish part of the Szczecin Lagoon, between 53° 36'N - 53° 53'N and 14° 18'E - 14° 36'E; south part of the Pomeranian Bay (Baltic Sea), coastal waters to 5 miles from the shore between 53° 55'N - 54° 00'N and 14° 14'E - 14° 34'E

Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column; Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column; Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column; Salinity of the water column; Temperature of the water column

Benthos samplers; salinity sensor

The basins investigated form the two main parts of the Odra River Estuary. Investigations of Szczecin Lagoon were conducted every year in the 1987-1995 period (preliminary data are also available from the 1982-1985 period). Samples were taken on 8-11 stations of 4-6m depth, 6-7 times in each vegetation season. Observations focused on muddy bottom areas, covering 225 km**2 (55%) of the Polish part of this Lagoon. Besides the benthos investigations, hydrochemical samples were taken from 6 stations. The studies were treated as an element of ecological monitoring of the environment, as an indicator of the functioning of the Sczczecin Lagoon and as an indicator of the feeding conditions for benthivorous fishes. Investigations of Pomeranian Bay were conducted in the July 1993 - April 1995 period. Samples (benthic and also hydrochemical) were taken from 8-9 stations of 3-11m depth. The aim of this investigation was to study the influence of polluted polytrophic fluvial water flow on benthic macrofauna aggregations and hydrochemical conditions in this Baltic region. In the summer 1993 - spring 1995 period, each of the two basins were investigated simultaneously. All materials are original, as the result of these investigations. On the Szczecin Lagoon in the 1987-1995 period, 700 benthos samples were taken, 90,000 specimens were found (for the 1982-1985 preliminary period, 105 benthos samples and 31,000 specimens were found). The results of the hydrochemical analyses are also available. On the Pomeranian Bay in the 1993-1995 period, 130 benthos samples were taken and over 29,000 specimens were found. 210 hydrochemical samples were taken. The methods of the benthos investigations were according to the recommendations of the International Biological Programme and International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. The hydrochemical analyses procedures were according to 'Polskie Normy' (Polish Standards).

Sea Fisheries Institute, Research Station in Swinoujscie
pl. Slowianski 11
Swinoujscie
Zachodniopomorskie
72-600
Poland