During a 1-day cruise in June 1995, samples of water and bottom sediments were collected east and west of the shipping channel off the River Świna discharge site into the Pomeranian Bay. Water temperature, and dissolved oxygen content were measured in the near-bottom layer; salinity and contents of suspended particulates and chloroplastic pigments (chlorophyll a and phaeopigments) were determined near the water surface and in the near-bottom layer. In addition, sediment granulometry, organic matter content, and chloroplastic pigments were analysed separately in the uppermost 1 cm and deeper in the sediment. Non-parametric statistical test was applied to evaluate concordance in changes of sediment characteristics in the entire area of study. Near-bottom water and sediment characteristics on both sides of the shipping channel showed a number of differences. The differences in water parameters analysed resulted from instantaneous changes in structural characteristics of the water column at the moment of sampling, while differences in sediment characteristics are persistent. West of the shipping channel, the bottom sediment is dominated by very fine sand fraction; the contents of silt/clay, organic matter, and chloroplastic pigments are higher there than east of the channel. The sediment chlorophyll a content is indicative of a higher input of fresh plant material from the water surface and its enhanced retention west of the channel.

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