Spatial distribution of faecal pollution indicators in the Kaštela Bay under different meteorological conditions

Abstract

      Spatial distribution of faecal pollution indicators and the level of pollution in the Kaštela Bay were studied under different meteorological conditions typical for this area: during sirocco (SE), bora (NE) and maestral (SW) winds and during calm.

      Spatial distribution of faecal pollution indicators in the Kaštela Bay points to the essential differences in spreading of waste waters from the main pollution source (eastern bay part) under each of studied meteorological situations. The situation with maestral was found to be most favourable from the viewpoint of microbial pollution since the waste waters do not spread from the eastern bay part, that is Vranjic basin. During bora the concentration of faecal pollution indicators is reduced in the Vranjic basin being uniformly distributed all along the northern coast of the bay. Their concentration is also considerably increased along the Čiovo Island coast. During sirocco the values of faecal pollution indicators are rather high all along the northern bay coast and very low along the Čiovo coast. During calm the level of pollution is particularly high in the wider area of the eastern bay part.