The biochemical composition of sedimentary organic matter in sandy beaches of various anthropopressure

Beach sediments from two beaches at the Polish coast of the Baltic Sea were collected and analyzed. The sediments were collected in two seasons – winter and summer – at two stations, depending on the influence of the sea water on the examined sediments. At each station, surface sediments (0�5 cm) were collected as well as sedime nts at the depth of 10�15 cm. The results of the conducted tests reveal, that anthropopressure, the depth where the collected sediments were taken and the direct influence of the sea water on the sediments have impact on the chemical composition of beach sediments and their food quality for the inhabiting psammon. The conducted tests disclose that there is more organic matter and its labile forms in the sediments originating from Ustka. Strong anthropogenic pressure found at the beach in Ustka also contributes to higher concentration of uncharacterized fraction of organic carbon in the area. Analyzing alimentary usefulness of the organic matter there, it seems to be higher at the beach in Czolpino.