Surface distribution of the coliform bacteria in the Gdańsk Bay

In 1993, during the research cruises 224 samples of sea water were taken from the stationary samples points. The most probable number of faecal coliform bacteria was determined for each sample. The results were shown on maps. The maps show ranges and directions of pollution expansion, indicate places of contamination input and confirm that the weather conditions and the shape of coastal line have an effect on pollution distribution in Gdańsk Bay. The obtained results show that range of the bacteriological contamination carried into the Gdańsk Bay from land (as municipal sewage, industrial waste and rivers) is limited to narrow coastal zone. This knowledge is of great importance when estimating the sanitary state of holiday sea resorts and also allows to plan the activities which tend towards reduction of the sewage inflow through the separation of local pollution sources.