Richness and composition of sediment bacterial assemblages in an Atlantic port environment.

In the present study, we assessed the bacterial richness and composition of sediment samples collected in and around the port of Aveiro, on the Atlantic coast of mainland Portugal. Sediment samples were collected in five locations: two within the port harbor, two in port areas along a channel adjacent to the harbor and one in a relatively undisturbed reference location. These areas were characterized as under high, medium and no port activity, respectively.