Observations on the effects of sewage discharged into a tidal harbour

Portsmouth harbour, a partially enclosed tidal inlet, receives a large discharge of sewage effluent. Investigations involving the measurement of nutrient concentrations, dissolved oxygen, heavy metals in sediments and faunal distributions have shown that gross effects are confined to an area near the discharge point. Surveys over 3 years have shown most of the harbour to be capable of supporting large mats of macroalgae, probably stimulated by the nutrient in the effluent which is to be removed by 1980.