Transfer of organic contaminants to the Baltic in the Odra Estuary

This paper describes the transfer of organic contaminants to the sea, using PAHs (12 compounds) and PCBs (11 congeners) as examples, through a eutrophicated coastal lagoon (Szczecin Lagoon, on the Polish-German border). The transfer of contaminants study was based on their concentration in recent sediments (0-10 cm), in relation to different environmental conditions such as temperature, salinity, turbidity, oxygen and nutrients in water, hydrological conditions, organic carbon and biomarkers (pigments and their derivatives) in sediments. Results include the data obtained between 1994 and 2000, also those on before and afterwards the great flood in July 1997, at different stations in the Lagoon and the adjacent Pomeranian Bay. The results indicated that the eutrophic estuary of the shape of lagoon acts as an effective trap for the hydrophobic organic pollutants. The abundance and taxonomy of plankton as well as detritus derived from it play an important role in bonding the studied compounds. The salinity gradient in the lagoon has a significant influence upon deposition of the pollutants from the water column to the sediments and the residence time of the compounds there depends strongly on oxic-anoxic status of the sediments and the strength of interaction with sediments resulting from polarity, the type and stability of associates formed, as well as on hydrological conditions. We conclude that eutrophication in this area prevents pollution of the sea to some extent.     

Stratigraphy of Fossil Pigments as a Guide to the Environmental Changes of the Kortowskie Lake,Poland

A 294 cm long sediment core is divided into 1 cm disks at intervals of 7 cm. The disks are pollen-stratigraphically dated. At the same time, the pigment content is determined by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. The pigments were determined spectrophotometrically between 200 and 800 nm, six pigments having been identified, whereas in the chromatograms 13… 36 spots are found. Chlorophyll conversion products as well as epiphasic and hypophasic carotenoids were determined by liquid adsorption. The greatest variety was found with the pigments in the Atlantic period, the minimum of diversity lies in the Subboreal period. The concentration of the chlorophyll derivatives decreases with the age of sediments, whereas the carotenoids have maxima in the Atlantic and Subatlantic periods. On the basis of the ratio of chlorophyll derivatives to carotenoids and of the ratio of epiphasic carotenoids to hypophasic ones, the trophic state of the lake between oligotrophic and eutrophic as well as the relative share of autochthonous and allochthonous feed of matter to the sediment can be represented well.     

The River Odra Estuary as a Gateway for Alien Species Immigration to the Baltic Sea Basin

The river Odra estuary belongs to those water bodies in the Baltic Sea area which are most exposed to immigration of alien species. Non-indigenous species that have appeared in the Szczecin Lagoon (i.a. Dreissena polymorpha, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, Corophium curvispinum) and in the Pomeranian Bay (Cordylophora caspia, Mya arenaria, Balanus improvisus, Acartia tonsa) in historical time and which now are dominant components of animal communities there as well as other and less abundant (or less common) alien species in the estuary (e.g. Branchiura sowerbyi, Eriocheir sinensis, Orconectes limosus) are presented. In addition, other newcomers – Marenzelleria viridis, Gammarus tigrinus, and Pontogammarus robustoides – found in the estuary in the recent ten years are described. The significance of the sea and inland water transport in the region for introduction of non-indigenous species is discussed against the background of the distribution pattern of these recently introduced polychaete and gammarid species.     

Heavy metal contamination in western Xiamen Bay sediments and its vicinity, China

Concentrations of selected heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Ni and Fe) in surface sediments from nine sites in western Xiamen Bay and its vicinity were studied in order to understand current metal contamination due to urbanization and economic development in Xiamen, China. The sediment samples were collected in December 2004 and July 2005 respectively in order to examine temporal variations. In this study, we found that heavy metal concentrations in surface sediments sampled in the western Xiamen Bay and adjacent Maluan Bay and Yuandang Lagoon varied from 19 to 97mg kg(-1) for Cu, 45 to 60mg kg(-1) for Pb, 65 to 223mg kg(-1) for Zn, 0.11 to 1.01mg kg(-1) for Cd, 37 to 134mg kg(-1) for Cr, 25 to 65mg kg(-1) for Ni and 3.08 to 4.81% for Fe. Although all metal concentrations in sediments meets Chinese National Standard Criteria for Marine Sediment Quality, both metal enrichment factors (EF) and geoaccumulation index (I(geo)) show that Pb contamination exists in the entire study area and contamination of other metals are also present in some locations depending on the sources, of which sewage outlets and commercial ports are the main sources of contaminants to the area. This study shows that using the sediment quality standard criteria only to assess sediments cannot properly reflect sediment contamination. A multiple approaches should be applied for the sediment quality assessment.     

Dynamics of dissolved organic carbon after a cyanobacterial bloom in hypereutrophic Lake Taihu (China)

To establish the influence of the cyanobacterial bloom collapse on the characteristics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in Lake Taihu, high-molecular-weight dissolved organic matter (HMW-DOM), with sizes between 1 kDa and 0.5 μm, were collected using cross-flow ultrafiltration, from three different eutrophic regions. Isolated HMW-DOM was further characterized by atomic carbon to nitrogen ratio and neutral sugars composition by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The results indicated that the cyanobacterial cell lysis induced by nitrate depletion is the likely mechanism for DOC release. The relatively high DOC level was associated with the high chlorophyll a concentration in Meiliang Bay, one of the most eutrophic bays in the northern part of the lake. However, no significant correlations were observed between chlorophyll a concentration and HMW-DOC concentration during the demise of the cyanobacterial bloom in Lake Taihu. No significant differences were found in the HMW-DOC concentration among the three sampling sites, which were selected to represent different eutrophic status. However, a significant difference in the HMW-DOC concentration was found between October 2009 and January 2010 in all three sampling sites (p = 0.02). The HMW-DOC release may be attributed to the cyanobacterial cell lysis after the peak of summer bloom. The similarity in neutral sugar composition between the HMW-DOM and cyanobacterial exopolysaccharides suggests that the cyanobacterial bloom is the source of HMW-DOM. However, the significant correlation between the carbon to nitrogen ratio in HMW-DOM and chlorophyll a concentration was only observed in Meiliang Bay, which implies that apart from the cyanobacteria-derived DOC, a fraction of DOC was from riverine input. The decline of the cyanobacterial bloom also changed the overall DOM pool, leading to a shift in the component of HMW-DOM from a C-enriched material to an N-enriched material, as revealed by the variation in the carbon to nitrogen ratios. Overall, these results demonstrate that the quantitative and qualitative DOM is affected by the post-cyanobacterial bloom in Lake Taihu.     

Model Simulations of the Transport of Odra Flood Water through the Szczecin Lagoon into the Pomeranian Bight in July/August 1997

The Odra river flood of July through August 1997 transported a large additional volume of water into the Szczecin Lagoon area for a period of about one month. The dispersion of this water in the Szczecin Lagoon and Pomeranian Bight was simulated using the operational hydrodynamic model of the North Sea and Baltic Sea operated by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency of Germany (BSH). The model system receives as input meteorological forecast fields from the EUROPA model of the German Weather Service. As a result of the model simulation, the temporal development of the river plume can be described as follows: First the eastern part of Szczecin Lagoon, the Zalew Wielki, filled with flood water displacing θnormalρ Odra river water from that area. After about a week, Odra river flood water started to flow into the Pomeranian Bight. Its dispersion within Szczecin Lagoon was by no means uniform. The Kleines Haff, the western part of the Lagoon, was not much affected at first. When large labelled water masses had already left the Zalew Wielki area through the Swina river, at most only about half the water volume in Kleines Haff had been replaced by Odra flood water. In the Pomeranian Bight, the concentration was higher at the coast of Usedom – at least initially – than at the coast of Wolin. After 30 August 1997, northwesterly winds caused undiluted Baltic water to flow from the northern to the southern part of the Pomeranian Bight, pushing the water body marked, or distinguished, by Odra water eastward along the coast of Wolin. At the same time, outflow began from Kleines Haff through the Peenestrom into the Greifswalder Bodden. Due to light winds, and hence limited vertical mixing in summer, the proportion of freshwater in Baltic surface water reached about 50% in the southern Pomeranian Bight. Near Rügen, it fell below 10%. Within 2 months of stronger wind caused major shifts of the water bodies concerned. The scale considerations and model simulations discussed in this paper allowed qualitative estimates to be made in the course of the flood event, which were later confirmed by measurements, presented at a HELCOM (Helsinki Commission, Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission) Scientific Workshop in January 1998.     

Phosphorus retention and release by sediments in the eutrophic Mai Po Marshes, Hong Kong

This study examined the phosphorus retention and release characteristics of sediments in the eutrophic Mai Po Marshes in Hong Kong. Results of chemical fractionation show that the sum of inorganic P pools exceeded 50% of the total sediment P content, with the redox-sensitive iron-bound P (Fe(OOH) approximately P) being the dominant P fraction. Given the considerable average Fe(OOH) approximately P concentration of 912 microg g(-1), Mai Po sediments demonstrated a great potential to release bioavailable P under low sediment redox potentials. This was further supported by the high mean anaerobic P flux of 31.8 mg m(-2)d(-1) recorded in Mai Po sediment cores, indicating the role of bottom sediments as a net P source. Although sediments in Mai Po had appreciable Langmuir adsorption maxima (1642-3582 mg kg(-1)), the high zero equilibrium P concentrations (0.02-0.51 mg L(-1)) obtained suggest that sediment sorption processes would contribute to sustaining the eutrophic conditions in overlying water column even with a further reduction in external P load. Concerted efforts should be made to reduce internal loading of P, especially under reducing conditions, to complement the implementation of zero discharge policy for Deep Bay for effective eutrophication abatement and long-term water quality improvement in the Mai Po Marshes.     

Predicting the effects of sediment based internal nutrient loads on eutrophication in Kücükcekmece Lagoon for rehabilitation planning

In deep stratified coastal lagoons, hypoxic waters that result from phytoplankton decomposition in the stratified bottom waters are often associated with eutrophication. Decomposing biomass reaches the bottom sediments and enriches them with nutrients and organic matter. Nutrients trapped in sediments are released with time and promote excessive phytoplankton growth in the surface water. Because eutrophication in lentic ecosystems progresses in a self-fuelling cycle, outflow is the only available process for exporting excess nutrients to recover from eutrophication. Thus, rehabilitation of eutrophic coastal lagoons that have limited seawater interactions is a long term process. The importance of nutrient release from sediments on eutrophication and the delay effect of internal nutrient loading on the rehabilitation of a eutrophic coastal lagoon with limited seawater exchange were analysed in this study.An ecological model that couples the water column and the sediment diagenesis processes, was developed for water quality management purposes. Our findings indicate that the recovery of the Lagoon from eutrophication will be taken decades even in the absence of external nutrient loading. Therefore, we suggest applying rehabilitation strategies that control the nutrient fluxes from sediments for a faster recovery from heavily eutrophic conditions. Land-based nutrient sources must also be controlled because they feed water column and the bottom sediments with nutrients.     

太湖底泥表层越冬藻类群落动态的荧光分析法初步研究

为探索春季湖泊底泥表层不同藻类群落的复苏规律,本实验采集了太湖梅梁湾地区的底泥,应用荧光分析法测定藻蓝素,同时测定湖泊底泥中的叶绿素a和叶绿素b,确定春季梅梁湾底泥中不同藻类类群的色素含量变化,说明荧光分析法可以应用于底泥色素分析中,初步探讨了蓝藻群落和非蓝藻群落在春季温度上升期间恢复生长过程的差异。     

Levels of estrogenic compounds in Xiamen Bay sediment, China

Concentrations of seven estrogenic compounds, i.e., estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethynylestradiol(EE2), diethylstilbestrol (DES), nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol (OP) and bisphenol A (BPA), were determined in sediments and pore water from Xiamen Bay in China, and their distributions and potential risks in the Bay were assessed. Total estrogenic compounds concentrations varied from 49.20 to 1230.69 ng/g dw in sediments and from 102.33 to 4376.60 ng/L in pore water. The highest levels of these compounds were found at Yundang Lagoon. The results showed that estrogenic compounds in Xiamen Bay originated mainly from municipal wastewaters. Compared with other areas, Xiamen Bay was contaminated with high levels of estrogen hormones. This contamination poses a potential threat to benthic organisms. Although a good relationship (r = 0.94) was observed between the estrogenic compounds concentrations and total organic carbon (TOC) contents in sediments, which did not indicate that the sediment organic matter favors the accumulation of the detected estrogenic compounds.     

Distribution and sources of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in Mangrove surficial sediments of Deep Bay, China

Twelve sediment samples collected from three transects of mangrove swamp of Deep Bay, Shenzhen, China, were determined for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The total PAHs concentrations ranged from 237 to 726 ng g(-1) dry weight, and showed strong correlation with total organic carbon (TOC), clay content and Pb concentrations. The highest PAHs concentrations were found in the samples from mangrove sediments. Overall, PAHs in Deep Bay sediment were lower than those in other developed areas. The biological effect due to PAHs alone in Deep Bay is expected to be low, based on the comparisons of individual and total PAHs concentrations determined in the sediment with those in USEPA sediment quality guidelines. Four and five-ring compounds dominated the PAHs composition pattern profiles. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to further investigate the source of PAHs. The PAH sources of Deep Bay mangrove swamp were suggested to be primarily combustion of fossil fuel, especially leaded-gasoline exhaust.     

Evaluation of Microphytobenthos Productivity in Lake Pleshcheevo Based on Plant Pigment Stock

Results of spectrophotometric determination of plant pigments (chlorophylls, phaeo-pigments, and carotenoids) in the upper 3-cm layer of the littoral and sublittoral lake bottom sediments are presented for the depths corresponding to water transparency of 0.2, 0.5; 1, 2, and 3. Pigment characteristics are analyzed for the conditions, theoretically ensuring the possibility of photosynthesis and development of microphytobenthos. The presence of live algae in the bottom sediments is confirmed by directly counting the cells capable of positive photokinesis. The specific character of pigments' horizontal distribution is determined by a circum-bathymetric structure of the lake sediment complex and by illumination conditions. Potentially active, “pure” chlorophyll prevails in the euphotic area in the zone of light saturation, whereas phaeo-pigments prevail in the area of limited illumination. Regression equations describing relations between pigments concentration and depth have been obtained. The ratio between chlorophyll concentration in microphytobenthos and that of phytoplankton in the lake is estimated.     

Chloropigments a in the Gulf of Gdańsk (Baltic Sea) as markers of the state of this environment

The Gulf of Gdańsk receives the waters of the Wis?a (Vistula), the largest Polish river and the second largest river flowing into the Baltic Sea. Chloropigments a (chlorophyll a and its derivatives) were determined in water and sediments from the Gulf. Samples were collected during cruises of R.V. 'Oceania' at 19 stations located at different water depths and distances from the shore, in May (2003) and October (2004), i.e., at the beginning and at the end of the growing season, respectively. Seawater was also sampled on the beach at Sopot in June, July and August 2004, i.e., during the height of the growing season. All water samples were collected with a bathometer and passed through Whatman GF/F filters. Recent sediments (0-10 cm) were collected with a core sampler and divided into sub-samples (0-1, 1-5 and 5-10 cm). The pigments were determined using HPLC-DAD. The results were first correlated with a set of parameters measured in situ during sample collection (salinity, temperature, oxygen content of seawater) and determined in the same material (organic carbon content, granulometry), then worked up statistically. Although this investigation shows that particular chloropigments a in recent sediments are indicative of the prevailing environmental conditions in the study area and the trends in their variations, they should be treated as a relative and not an absolute measure, since this is the first such study based on a large and coherent set containing both chloropigment a and environmental data. In addition, a chlorophyll a budget is estimated for the Gulf of Gdańsk on the basis of the literature and the authors' own data. Only c. 10% of the chlorophyll a produced annually in the Gulf of Gdańsk is transferred to sediments in the form of chloropigments a; 2.8% is in the form of undecomposed chlorophyll a and 7.2% in the form of chlorophyll a derivatives. About 90% of chlorophyll a is decomposed to colourless products.     

Trace metals in sediments of Raritan bay

Marine sediments are the ultimate recipient of nearly all trace metals introduced by man into aquatic ecosystems. This study examined the amounts and distribution of six trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in sediments of Raritan Bay, apolluted estuary. The highest levels of these metals found in Raritan Bay were: Cd-15, Cr-260, Cu-1230, Ni-50, Pb-985, Zn-815. Three metals regimes within Raritan Bay are readily apparent. An area of high values extends across the Bay from the mouth of the Raritan Riverand Arthur Killinto Sandy Hook Bay. This is bounded on the south and northeast by areas of somewhat lower concentrations. An area of relatively low concentrations, near background values, occupies the region at the mouth of the Bay between Sandy Hook peninsula and Coney Island, New York. Metals values from Raritan Bay are compared with other areas and with a few exceptions, the Raritan Bay maximum levels were similar in magnitude to those of areas in Corpus Christi Harbour (U.S.A), Severn Estuary (U.K.), Deep Sea and Florida Lakes, River Blyth (U.K.), dump sites off New York City, various basins off South California, and in Long Island Sound.     

Water quality, phosphorus input reductions, analytical methods and lake internal/self-purification measures: A case study of lake Frøylandsvatn, Norway

Lake Frøylandsvatn is a shallow eutrophic lake which has frequent blooms of various species of blue-green algae, often producing toxins. The lake receives heavy nutrient loads, mainly from agriculture, as well as a large internal load from its own sediments. It also shows several signs of being an unbalanced ecosystem. It has been calculated that phosphorus and chlorophyll levels need to be reduced by approximately 50% to improve the water quality enough for swimming. The analysis presented here makes it possible to compare the cost-effectiveness of different measures, including both catchment area and lake-internal methods. In addition to conventional means of reducing phosphorus pollution caused by agricultural activities and sewage, other measures, including biomanipulation and self-purification processes through artificial ponds and wetlands, will be necessary to achieve the ambitious goal that has been set.     

Matrix bound phosphine in sediments of the yellow sea and its coastal areas

Matrix bound phosphine (MBP), a kind of chemically reduced phosphorus, has received limited attention in prevailing modeling of the phosphorus biogeochemical cycle. MBP has been found to occur in marine sediments. MBP in the sediments of the Yellow Sea and its coastal areas was measured by gas chromatography from 2004 to 2007. MBP levels in surface sediments were 0.19–38.24 ng kg⁻¹ in the shelf of the Yellow Sea, 0.34–17.15 ng kg⁻¹ in the Jiaozhou Bay, 2.11–71.79 ng kg⁻¹ in the Sanggou Bay and 0.28–319.32 ng kg⁻¹ in the rivers around the Jiaozhou Bay. High levels of MBP occurred in the northern and middle areas of the Yellow Sea. Obvious seasonal variation of MBP was observed in surface sediments of the Sanggou Bay, with the highest MBP level occurring in summer and the lowest in winter. MBP in surface sediments of the inner Jiaozhou Bay was higher than those in the outer region. MBP levels increased with depth in the top 5–10 cm sediments of the Jiaozhou Bay and on the intertidal flats. Environmental factors such as type of sediments, temperature, organic matter and human activity were found to affect the concentrations and distribution of MBP in marine sediments.     

Sedimentation und Phosphorhaushalt im Vierwaldstättersee (Horwer Bucht) und im Rotsee

In 1969/70, chemical and physical parameters, phytoplankton and recent sedimentation at different levels were investigated in the mesotrophic Lake of Lucerne (Horw Bay) and in the highly eutrophic Rotsee. The rates of sedimentation came to 1277.4 g dry matter/m²·year in Horw Bay and to 879.3 g dry matter/m²·year in the Rotsee. The chemical analysis of sediments included the following components: total organic substance (loss on ignition), organic C, clay minerals (HCl-insoluble fraction), Ca, Mg, P, N, Fe and Mn. The Rotsee is distinguished by higher nutrient concentrations, higher rates of sedimentation (exceptions: clay minerals, Fe, to a certain extent N and Mn) and by a greater biomass of phytoplankton. The distribution and succession of selected species and groups of phytoplankton are discussed, the velocity of sinking, the degradation, the growth dynamics and the measure of trophic state are calculated. For both lakes, a phosphorus and a nitrogen balance have been drawn up. The N:P ratio continually decreases running through the nutrient cycle from the input to the storing into the bottom sediments. The intrabiocoenotic phosphorus cycle in the epilimnion is very intensive and supplies approximately two thirds of the nutrient requirements for primary production in both the Horw Bay and the Rotsee.     

太湖富营养化湖区秋季水体和沉积物中硝化微生物分布特征及控制因素

微生物参与下的氮循环是富营养化湖泊十分重要的生物地球化学循环过程.采用基于amoA功能基因和16S rRNA基因的荧光定量PCR、PCR-DGGE与高通量测序等分子生物学技术,调查秋季太湖不同水体和表层沉积物中氨氧化古菌(AOA)、氨氧化细菌(AOB)和亚硝酸盐氧化菌(NOB)群落丰度和组成,探讨影响硝化微生物分布的关键环境因子.结果表明,中度富营养化的梅梁湾湖区水体表层、中层和底层水样和表层底泥中AOA amoA基因的丰度分别低于轻度富营养化的湖心区,而不同层水样中AOB amoA基因的丰度分别高于湖心区.梅梁湾湖区和湖心区水样中AOA群落组成基本相似,2个湖区表层沉积物样品中AOA群落组成亦基本相似,水体中AOA群落组成与表层沉积物中AOA群落组成有差异,AOA群落丰度显著受硝态氮、pH和DO影响;表层沉积物中AOB群落丰度有明显差异且显著受总氮含量影响,表层沉积物中NOB群落丰度也有明显差异且显著受亚硝态氮含量影响.太湖梅梁湾湖区和湖心区水体与表层沉积物AOA群落包括Nitrosopumilium和Nitrosotalea两大属;表层沉积物AOB群落主要包括亚硝化单胞菌(Nitrosomonas)和亚硝化螺菌(Nitrosospira)两大属,NOB群落主要包括硝化刺菌(Nitrospina)和硝化螺菌(Nitrospira)两大属,其中硝化螺菌属是淡水湖泊中比较少见的亚硝酸盐氧化菌.影响太湖水体和沉积物中AOA和AOB丰度的最主要环境因子为总氮、总磷与铵态氮.研究表明典型富营养指标(总氮、总磷、铵态氮、硝态氮和硝态氮等)是影响太湖梅梁湾和湖心区水体和沉积物中AOA或AOB丰度以及硝化微生物群落丰度的重要因素.     

Organochlorine pesticides in sediments of Laizhou Bay and its adjacent rivers, North China

Organochlorine pesticides (HCHs, DDTs and HCB) have been investigated in sediments of Laizhou Bay and its adjacent rivers. The average concentrations of HCHs, DDTs and HCBs are 0.09 ng/g dw, 0.59 and 0.05 for marine sediments and 0.55, 8.6 and 1.1 for riverine sediments, respectively. Laizhou Bay is less contaminated by HCHs and DDTs in comparison with other coastal regions around the world, including the other two biggest bays in Bohai Sea. Fresh input of lindane and dicofol-type DDT were found in several riverine sites. Relatively strong TOC-dependence of HCB distribution in the entire studied area suggested no point source existed and/or water-sediment equilibrium achieved. No significant difference of α/γ-HCH ratios have been observed between marine and riverine sediments. However, o,p′-DDT/p,p′-DDT ratios varied largely between the two regions.     

Carbon speciation and composition of natural microbial communities in polluted and pristine sediments of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Sediment samples collected from polluted (Augusta Bay) and pristine regions of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (South Ionian Sea, Thracian Sea) were analyzed for black carbon, aliphatic hydrocarbons and phospholipid ester-linked fatty acids (PLFA). The aim of the study was to investigate the anthropogenic and biogenic inputs into the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and to evaluate the effects of refractory organic matter (e.g. black carbon) and the level of hydrocarbon contamination on benthic microbial community composition. Black carbon, generally considered to be chemically and biologically inert, comprised a significant but highly variable fraction of the sedimentary carbon pool in the analyzed sediments with a ratio to total organic carbon ranging from 0.02 to 0.66. Principal component analysis of the chemical characteristics of the sediments (organic carbon content, black carbon, bioavailable organic carbon, chlorophyll a, phaeopigments, aliphatic hydrocarbons) revealed clustering of samples along a gradient from the most productive and contaminated region of Augusta Bay to the carbon-poor and pristine sediments of the Thracian Sea. PLFA analysis revealed that gram-negative bacteria and microeukaryotes were most abundant in Augusta Bay and in the most impacted station of the Thracian Sea. The high levels of branched and odd-chain fatty acids recorded for these stations is probably linked to the elevated amounts of hydrocarbons at these stations; e.g. microbial communities may have developed the ability to degrade either naturally occurring aliphatic hydrocarbons or hydrocarbons derived from oil contamination.