Agnieszka Policht-Latawiec

VARIABILITY OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF WATER OF THE TRANSBOUNDARY POPRAD RIVER

The results of five-year (2008–2012) hydrochemical research of the Poprad river, the right bank tributary to the Dunajec, were analyzed in the paper. The Poprad, 167 km long and with the catchment area of 2077.3 km2, flows for over 100 km through the territory of Slovakia, along the length of 31.1 km is a transboundary river, whereas its 31.0 km long reach is situated in Poland. Concerning its abiotic character, it is an eastern upland river of type 15. The research was conducted in three measurement-control points: 1) located in Leluchow on the Polish-Slovak border at 61.1 kilometer of the river course, 2) in Piwniczna-Zdroj – 23.9 km and 3) in Stary Sącz – 2.9 km before the Poprad outlet to the Dunajec. 21 physicochemical indices and 2 microbiological indicators were assessed in the water samples once a month using referential methods. The paper assesses changes of water quality classes and its usable values along the analyzed Poprad river reach. Moreover, statistical differences between the values of individual indices assessed in various measurement-control points were estimated by means of Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test. On the basis of the conducted analyses of the empirical data it was stated that due to the physicochemical indices, water quality along the whole length of the analyzed river reach was good (class II) – in points 1 and 3 it was determined by mean concentration of total suspended solids, whereas in point 2 COD-Mn values.

Characteristics of selected physicochemical indices of upland carbonate stream water with coarse-grained substrate

Hydrochemical research was conducted in 2011 at three measurement-control points on the Sztola river, a left-bank tributary to the Biala Przemsza river. Water temperature and pH, dissolved oxygen concentration, oxygen saturation and electrolytic conductivity were measured directly in the field. 11 selected physicochemical indices of the Sztola surface water were assessed in the laboratory. The analysis of the research results revealed that the water of the Sztola along the analyzed river reach was first class quality. The analysis of water usable qualities proved that at point 1 it can be used for water supply after high-performance physical and chemical treatment, whereas at other points after a typical physical and chemical treatment, due to high manganese concentrations. Water does not meet the requirements of natural habitat for the Salmonoid fish only at point 1 because of exceeded standard values for nitrites. The Cyp rinid fish have the proper habitat conditions along the examined river reach. Among 15 analysed physiochemical indices of water, 7 were statistically higher in the lower course, but they did not affect worsening of the Sztola river water quality. Greater water pollution in the central and lower river reach is caused by the anthropogenic pressure connected mainly with the operations of extraction industry in the catchment.

Influence of Sitkówka sewage treatment plant on the Bobrza River water quality

Abstract The paper presents an analysis of 20 physicochemical elements in the Bobrza River water sampled above and below the treated sewage discharge point. Sitkówka mechanical and biological sewage treatment plant with a value of 289 000 People Equivalent discharges on average 51 000 m3 of treated sewage daily, which makes up 29% of mean daily flow in the Bobrza River. On the basis of hydrochemical analyses it was stated that the discharge of treated sewage led to worsening of 18 out of 20 studied water quality indices in the Bobrza River. In the river water below the sewage discharge statistically significantly higher values of electrolytic conductivity, dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium were registered. A decrease in dissolved oxygen content in the water and increase in its electrolytic conductivity caused a change of water quality class in the Bobrza River from the maximum potential to potential below good. On the other hand, increase in concentrations of dissolved solids and sulphates caused a change of the water class from the maximum potential to good potential. Statistical factor analysis (FA) made possible a reduction of a set of 20 physicochemical elements to four mutually orthogonal factors explaining 95% (above the treatment plant) and 96% (below the treatment plant) of the internal structure of primary data. The first factor is connected with point source pollution (sewage discharge), the second describes oxygen conditions in water, the third results from seasonality and is responsible for the pollutants from natural sources, whereas the fourth factor has not been unanimously defined yet.

THE IMPACT OF ANTHROPOPRESSURE ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL STATE OF THE KORZKIEWKA STREAM

The aim of the paper was the identification and assessment of the area of anthropogenic impacts on water quality in the catchment of the Korzkiewka stream flowing through the areas of the Malopolska region. Analyses of physicochemical indices revealed that waters along the whole length of the stream qualified for below good status due to the exceeded EC and nitrate nitrogen concentrations. It was found that among 21 analyzed physicochemical indices, statistically significant differences occurred for 5: total dissolved solids, SO4 2-, Mg2+, K+ and water pH. In the headwaters section values of four salinity indices were significantly higher in relation to the other part of the stream. Assessment of anthropogenic factors affecting the catchment water resources conducted on the basis of unitary and percent indices revealed that the dominant category shaping the physicochemical status of the Korzkiewka stream water is municipal economy. The intensity of the influence of the factors from this category was from medium to very high, while in case of sewage discharged through the sewage network, even to outlier intensity. Forestry and agriculture exerted medium pressure, whereas the factors from the industry category had hardly any influence on water in the stream.

IMPACT OF MUNICIPAL LANDFILL SITE ON WATER QUALITY IN THE WŁOSANKA STREAM

Hydrochemical research conducted in the years 2007–2010 comprised monitoring of the Włosanka stream waters and leachate waters from the municipal landfill in Kulerzów in the Malopolskie province. 16 leachate samples were collected from the container taking into consideration the vertical stratification of the quality and samples of water from the Włosanka stream in measurement points situated before and after the landfill. Concentrations of metals: calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese and heavy metals: chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel and lead were determined in the leachates and the stream water. Analysis of the studied metals in the leachates revealed that only potassium concentration exceeded the highest admissible value which is the condition of introducing sewage to water bodies or to soil. Water along the investigated reach of the Włosanka stream, both above and below the municipal landfill was of quality class 1. The landfill had no significant effect on the studied metal concentrations in the stream water – no statistically significant differences were registered between the concentrations of the studied metals (including heavy metals) either in the point above or below the landfill. However, statistical tests comparing values of metal concentrations in the landfill leachates with the stream water revealed that the concentrations of 7 out of 12 tested metals were significantly higher in the leachates. Therefore, the landfill site monitoring should be continued, leachate waters should be collected in the container and supplied to the sewage treatment plant to prevent any threat to human life and health, or to the environment.

The effect of purified sewage discharge from a sewage treatment plant on the physicochemical state of water in the receiver

Abstract The paper presents changes in the contents of physicochemical indices of the Sudół stream water caused by a discharge of purified municipal sewage from a small mechanical-biological treatment plant with throughput of 300 m3·d−1 and a population equivalent (p.e.) – 1,250 people. The discharge of purified sewage caused a worsening of the stream water quality. Most of the studied indices values increased in water below the treatment plant. Almost a 100-fold increase in ammonium nitrogen, 17-fold increase in phosphate concentrations and 12-fold raise in BOD5 concentrations were registered. Due to high values of these indices, the water physicochemical state was below good. Statistical analysis revealed a considerable effect of the purified sewage discharge on the stream water physicochemical state. A statistically significant increase in 10 indices values (BOD5, COD-Mn, EC, TDS, Cl−, Na+, K+, PO43−, N-NH4+ and N-NO2) as well as significant decline in the degree of water saturation with oxygen were noted below the sewage treatment plant. On the other hand, no statistically significant differences between the water indices values were registered between the measurement points localised 150 and 1,000 m below the purified sewage discharge. It evidences a slow process of the stream water self-purification caused by an excessive loading with pollutants originating from the purified sewage discharge.

HYDROCHEMICAL CONDITIONS OF THE ŁOSOSINA RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE AREA OF TYMBARK

Sustainable use of waters requires not only determining the amount, but primarily the quality of the available water resources and developing a long-term programme of their protection. The analysis of the Łososina river water in the area of Tymbark city was presented in the paper. The water was tested in a view of the requirements as the natural fish habitat and its potential use for people supply in potable water. The river water samples were taken in 2014 at randomly selected dates, once a month in 5 measurement points. 21 physicochemical indices were assessed in the samples. The assessment of the Łososina river water quality was made on the basis of the results of both: on site and laboratory testing, which were compared with the Regulation of the Minister of Environment of 23 October 2014. The utility values were assessed on the basis of the Regulations of the Minister of Environment of 27 November and 04 October 2014. The analysis of the results demonstrated that the Łososina river water met the requirements of quality class I water in points 1, 2 and 3. Below Tymbark the Łososina river water was polluted, so due to high BOD5 in points 4 and 5, and phosphate concentrations in point 4, it was classified as class II, i.e. good state. Pollution coefficients computed according to Burchard and Dubaniewicz classify the Łososina river water as clean along the whole investigated stretch. Below Tymbark city (points 4 and 5) the Łososina river water cannot be used for drinking water supply because of high BOD5 and iron concentrations. In the other points it could be used for water supply following appropriate physical and chemical treatment. The water does not meet the requirements for salmonid or cyprinid fish along the whole stretch because of high nitrite concentrations, except point 3, where the Łososina river water provided a proper natural habitat for carp.