Utilisation of macroalgae from the Sopot beach (Baltic Sea)

The aim of this work was to explore the possibilities of utilising the macroalgae accumulating on the Sopot beach, a part of the Gulf of Gdańsk (Baltic Sea). During this work (2004–2006) a range of activities were undertaken: monitoring the occurrence of macroalgae, collection of plant material, taxonomic identification, laboratory analyses of contamination (metals – Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr, Hg; radionuclides – 137Cs, 40K; organic contaminants – polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), the stage of algal degradation and studying possible uses of the plant material collected on the beach. The most suitable way of utilising the plant material seems to be as a biofertiliser. Laboratory growth tests were carried out to assess this possible use; they were successful.