Survey of the algal biomass in the polluted area around Rovinj (Istrian coast, north Adriatic)
Abstract
A survey of biomass values of algal populations in the eulittoral and sublittoral level is given for the vicinity of Rovinj (North Adriatic). The present state is compared with that of a decade ago, when fucoids dominated the vegetation. Recent measurements revealed a decrease in algal biomass near the outfalls in the eulittoral level. In the sublittoral, seasonal algal stands, exibiting high biomas values, were found near the outfalls. In a certain distance from the sewage outlets the algal biomass was extremely decreased and macroinvertebrates dominated. The present state of the subtidal vegetation is characterised by populations of Halopteris scoparia and Dictyota dichotoma which replaced Cystoseira species in the greater part of the investigated area.
