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Environmental Observations In The Gulf Of Gdansk And Pomeranian Bay 
Following The Summer Flood In 1997 
Elzbieta Lysiak-Pastuszak 1 , Natalia Drgas 1 , Jerzy Woron 1 , Irena Ciszewska 2 & 
Elzbieta Niemkiewicz 2 
institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
Maritime Branch 
ul.Waszyngtona 42 
81-342 Gdynia 
institute of Environmental Protection 
Gdansk Branch 
ul. Kollataja 1 
81-332 Gdynia 
Abstract 
On the turn of July and August 1997 a study was undertaken in the Gulf of Gdansk and 
Pomeranian Bay to follow the immediate effects of the flood which occurred within the Polish 
rivers - Wisla and Odra - drainage areas. 
The study included measurements and observations of meteorological and hydrodynamic 
parameters, basic physico-chemical variables, certain persistant organic pollutants as well as 
heavy metals and the level of sanitary pollution. The paper presents an overview of 
environmental conditions in the bays, basing on hydrochemical data, subsequently to the inflow 
of the flood crests. Results of biological investigations, solely in the Pomeranian Bay, on 
phytoplankton abundance, biomass and species composition and zooplankton diversity are also 
illustarted together with some data on heavy metal content in water and suspended matter. The 
results of hydrochemical measurements are evaluated in comparison with long-term (1979- 
1995) monitoring data and control measurements carried out in the last decade of August.