Relationships between the properties of bottom surf ace sediments and the condition of phyto- and zoobenthos of the Puck Bay (1987-1999)

Basing on investigations of bottom suiface sediments of the outer Puck Bay (1995, 1999) and the inner Puck Bay (1987, 199 I, 1996), their condition and the absolute quality was determined in accordance with the adopted classification { 3]. Carried out at the same time investigations of the condition and composition of phyto- and zoobenclws allowed determining the relationships between the biotic and abiotic components of the Puck Bay bottom. In the paper, results of correlation analysis are presented. They indicate strong relationships between selected systems of components. These results show also that loading of the sediments with organic matter has a significant influence on the properties of the environment and on the biocenoses of the investigated water area.