Elżbieta Jekatierynczuk-Rudczyk

Long-term variations of phytoplankton primary production in a shallow, polyhumic reservoir

Multiannual and seasonal variation of phytoplankton primary production parameters were investigated in a polymictic, polyhumic dam reservoir. High values of the gross production indicate increasing eutrophication of reservoir waters already from the first years of its existence. The predominance of the total respiration over the net production is caused by substantial natural loads of dissolved organic matter fed to the reservoir from the peaty-forest catchment.

Zoosporic fungi and fungus-like organisms in the Siemianówka dam reservoir

Abstract: The occurrence of fungi in the Siemianowka dam reservoir and in the river Narew downstream and upstream of the reservoir was investigated, during the spring, summer and autumn months, taking into consideration many physicochemical factors of water. Phytoplankton chlorophyll a content was also determined. Eighty-seven fungal species, including 71 fungus-like organisms (Straminipila) and 16 species of true fungi were identified. Most species were found in the river Narew upstream of the reservoir, the fewest inside it. The latter finding can be correlated with cyanobacterial blooming recurring every year. The greatest number of species developed in the spring months, the smallest in the summer period. The surface layer of the reservoir was poorer in species than its deeper layers. Moreover, 6 rare species were detected, including Aphanodictyon apiculatum which is recorded for Poland for the first time.

Dissolved organic matter transformation in the hyporheic zone of a small lowland river.

Dissolved organic matter transformation in the hyporheic zone of a small lowland river The objective of this study was to examine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) changes in porewaters that occur over a small scale (cm) in the hyporheic zone (HZ) of a lowland stream in the Knyszynska Forest in northeast Poland. Hyporheic zone porewaters were sampled at different depths of 10, 30, 50, 70 cm at two study sites with different sediment material. The results showed significant differences in DOC concentrations between the upper and lower stream HZ. The current results indicate that small lowland sediments provide both a source and a sink of DOC for stream water, depending on the river course. The higher DOC level observed in the hyporheic zone suggests that porewater can be an autonomic site of biogeochemical changes of dissolved organic matter, which is very clear in the SUVA fluctuations.

Results of biomanipulation of a humic reservoir after four years of study

Cyanobacterial blooms dominate eutrophic lakes and reservoirs where anthropogenic nutrient water enrichment has occurred and cause serious problems for water utilization or recreation (SAGEHASHI et al. 2000). Limnological studies of eutrophication of reservoirs in seminatural catchments are very rare, as are scientific restoration studies o f reservoirs with alkaline and high-coloured water. The Siemianówka Dam Reservoir (SDR) was created in 1990. Absence of effective top-down regulation caused rapid eutrophication in the SDR from the first years after filling. In 2000, a restoration project was applied (GóRNIAK et al. 2002). The gradual decrease in fish biomass from 600 k g/ha to 300 kg/ha was the main biomanipulation activity, as well as a decrease in water volume in the reservoir (SMAKULSKA & GóRNIAK 2004 ). In this paper we present the first hydrochemical results ofbiomanipulation effects on this shallow, humic dam reservoir where in summer 1999 chlorophyll concentrations approached 1000 mg chl a/m3 (GóRNIAK et al. 2002).

Vascular plant and bryophyte species richness in response to water quality in lowland spring niches with different anthropogenic impacts

Many freshwater ecosystems face severe threats from anthropogenic disturbances. In the field, we investigated the morphology of spring niches and the species richness of vascular plants and bryophytes in 16 springs, draining the quaternary aquifers, located in two different environments—an urban area (city of Białystok) and a protected area (Knyszyn Forest Landscape Park, NE Poland). In total, 47 vascular plant and 45 bryophyte species were recorded, representing mostly crenophytes including protected species. The most important water quality parameters that can be used to evaluate variations of the spring water chemistry in NE Poland are the mineral-related parameters (electrolytic conductivity, Ca2+, SO42−, and Cl−). The organic-related parameters (DOC) and nutrients (TP, NO3−-N) were negatively involved in water quality variations. Our results show that anthropogenic activity significantly affects the biodiversity of plant communities in lowland springs. The presence or absence of crenophytes and bryophytes is indicative of the ecological status of the groundwater outflow complexes.

Ecological status of urban ponds in Białystok, Poland

Abstract Stawy Dojlidzkie (The Dojlidy Ponds) are located in the north-eastern part of Poland, near the capital of the Podlasie province, in Białystok. The Dojlidy Ponds (DP) are a complex of more than 20 reservoirs arranged adjacent to one another in an area of about 140 hectares. The largest recreation reservoir (Plażowy) is located within the city limits. Its total area is 34 hectares, it has a capacity of 597 040 m3 and a maximum depth of approximately 2.5 m. DP are supplied by a tributary of the Dojlidy Górne and the River Biała, the principal river of Bialystok. Water tests of a limnic and lenitic character in the upper part of River Biała catchment in Bialystok were conducted from March to October 2014. Referring the obtained results to the actual norms, it can be concluded that most of the parameters analyzed in DP can be assigned to the first class of surface waters. Exceptions were the iron ions, orthophosphates (SRP), total phosphorus (TP), Kjeldahl nitrogen, and also water color and DOC. According to the evaluation of trophic status, the water of DP is eutrophic. The average value of TSI was 55 in the water of the tested objects. The obtained results show that the ecological status of water in the largest pond within the DP complex, in accordance with, the Ecological State Macrophyte Index (ESMI) represent to the good state.

Long-term changes in the trophic state of Suwalki lakes – an analysis by means of indices based on abundance and composition of their rotifer fauna

Abstract Rotifer abundance and species composition in lakes of the Suwalki Landscape Park were studied in the years 1983–1985, 2009, 2012 and 2015. Rotifer trophic state indices (TSIROT) were used to assess changes in the trophic state of the studied lakes. In most lakes of the Suwalki Landscape Park, there were no changes in rotifer communities over the 25–32 year period to indicate a decline in trophy of the lakes. However, in lakes with the strongest decline in TSIROT values, the values of indicative parameters widely varied in 2015, which may indicate that the status of rotifer communities in the lakes may be dependent on non-trophic factors.

Transport of biogenes in the Szeszupa fluvial-limnic system in the Suwalski Landscape Park

Abstract Transport of biogenic matter along the course of the Szeszupa River in the Suwalski Landscape Park (SLP) occurs in accordance with the river continuum concept. Only TP concentration decreases along the river’s course. TP and TOC concentrations classify the Szeszupa River to the moderate ecological state. The ecological state of three lakes (Linówek, Pogorzałek, and Perty) in the Szeszupa River catchment was estimated as very good. The remaining lakes, due to high TP concentrations, belong to the moderate state. The management of the catchment affects the amount of biogenic matter supplied to the Szeszupa River. The highest proportion of forests in the Jaczniówka River catchment clearly results in a decrease in the amount of biogenes in the river. The remaining partial catchments, with a higher proportion of arable land, meadows, and pastures, provide higher amounts of bioelements. The loads of bioelements stored in lakes in the summer period are determined by the size of the lakes (surface area of a lake and volume of water accumulated in the lake basin). This directly suggests a lack of anthropogenic activity in the catchments or the very slight effect of it on the lakes’ ecological and trophic state.