Biodiversity of the benthic diatom flora in the coastal zone of the Gulf of Gdańsk: a case study of the Gdynia–Sopot transect

The objective of this study is to determine microhabitat preferences benthic species occurring in epilithic (living on stones), epipsammic (growing sand), epipelic mud) and epiphytic seagrass) assemblages the shallows Gulf Gdańsk (southern Baltic Sea). material was collected from 19 sites along Gdynia–Sopot coastal zone, including Port Gdynia. Most identified diatom taxa were observed two or three microhabitats. However, living only one type those all analyzed microhabitats also recorded. Autecological diatoms indicate organic pollution zone Gdynia Sopot. a higher frequency α-mesosaprobionts polysaprobionts indicates an increase Marina Sopot, which associated with intense port activity large tourist traffic.