Elżbieta Radzka

The assessment of atmospheric drought during vegetation season (according to standardized precipitation index SPI) in central-eastern Poland

The paper presents an assessment of atmospheric drought during vegetation season defined on the basis of standardized precipitation index (SPI). The data used in this paper come from nine IMWM stations from central-eastern region of Poland, and they were registered in 1971–2005. The frequency of occurrence of vegetation season’s months was determined in particular drought classes. Spatial distribution of SPI index values was shown in all of the vegetation season’s months on the area examined. The direction and significance of values changes tendency of the analyzed index during the vegetation season were also defined. It was noticed that extreme droughts appeared four times less frequently than the normal months. Very dry months were noted most frequently in September while moderately dry – in August. The analysis of the frequency of spatial distribution of particular drought classes showed that extreme dry and very dry months occurred most frequently in western part of the area examined, while the moderately dry months also in south-eastern part. On the basis of the linear trend analysis it can be said that the SPI index values were slightly decreasing year by year.

Multi-trait analysis of agroclimate variations during the growing season in east-central Poland (1971-2005)

Abstract The work is based on meteorological data recorded by nine stations of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management located in east-central Poland from 1971 to 2005. The region encompasses the North Podlasian Lowland and the South Podlasian Lowland. Average values of selected agroclimate indicators for the growing season were determined. Moreover, principal component analysis was conducted to indicate elements that exerted the greatest influence on the agroclimate. Also, cluster analysis was carried out to select stations with similar agroclimate. Ward method was used for clustering and the Euclidean distance was applied. Principal component analysis revealed that the agroclimate of east-central Poland was predominantly affected by climatic water balance, number of days of active plant growth, length of the farming period, and the average air temperature during the growing season (Apr-Sept). Based on the analysis, the region of east-central Poland was divided into two groups (areas) with different agroclimatic conditions. The first area comprized the following stations: Szepietowo and Białowieża located in the North Podlasian Lowland and Biała Podlaska situated in the northern part of the South Podlasian Lowland. This area was characterized by shorter farming periods and a lower average air temperature during the growing season. The other group included the remaining stations located in the western part of both the Lowlands which was warmer and where greater water deficits were recorded.

The assessment of drinking water quality using zero unitarization method

Abstract The work is an attempt to assess piped water quality in four counties located in east central Poland. Piped water was analysed for three successive years in each county. Water samples were tested for the following physical and chemical parameters: turbidity, colour, conductivity, taste, odour, pH, nitrates (III), nitrates (V), iron and manganese. They were compared with the current standard values. Preliminary data analysis included an analysis of maximum and minimum values of physical and chemical parameters, and it revealed that turbidity, colour, iron and manganese contents exceeded the permissible standards in all the counties. Percentages of parameters exceedances and mean values of the exceedances were used to rank the counties in terms of water quality. The ranking was obtained by means of multidimensional comparative analysis. It was demonstrated that best quality water was supplied by Węgrów County water supply system which was followed by Mińsk Mazowiecki County. The third rank was assigned to Łosice County and the poorest quality water was found to be supplied by Siedlce County water supply system.

PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS AND CLUSTER ANALYSIS IN MULTIVARIATE ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY

This paper deals with the use of multivariate methods in drinking water analysis. During a five-year project, from 2008 to 2012, selected chemical parameters in 11 water supply networks of the Siedlce County were studied. Throughout that period drinking water was of satisfactory quality, with only iron and manganese ions exceeding the limits (21 times and 12 times, respectively). In accordance with the results of cluster analysis, all water networks were put into three groups of different water quality. A high concentration of chlorides, sulphates, and manganese and a low concentration of copper and sodium was found in the water of Group 1 supply networks. The water in Group 2 had a high concentration of copper and sodium, and a low concentration of iron and sulphates. The water from Group 3 had a low concentration of chlorides and manganese, but a high concentration of fluorides. Using principal component analysis and cluster analysis, multivariate correlation between the studied parameters was determined, helping to put water supply networks into groups according to similar water quality.

The Impact of Precipitation Conditions on Medium-Early Cultivars of Potato Yielding

This elaboration was based on yields of nine medium-early cultivars of potato grown in Karzniczka station belonging to COBORU(Research Centre for Cultivar Testing) and on monthly precipitation sums during the growing season (April – August). For each of the cultivars separately in subsequent years and for precipitation sums in particular months of the growing season (IV–VII) polynomial regression models of precipitation – cultivar’s yield – were calculated. At the beginning of the growing season the yield of medium-early cultivars of potato was negatively correlated with monthly precipitation sums, while in the final stage of vegetation – this correlation was positive. The lowest yield of Stasia cultivar was noted with monthly precipitation sum of 34–38 mm in April, Tajfun cultivar with May precipitation from 100 to 120 mm, Finezja and Jurek cultivars with monthly June precipitation of 120 mm. Whereas maximum yield of Cekin and Jurek cultivars was noted with August precipitation of about 100 mm.

THE EFFECT OF HYDROTHERMAL CONDITIONS ON OATS YIELDS IN EAST-CENTRAL POLAND (1975–2005)

The objective of the work was to evaluate the effect of hydrothermal conditions on oats yields produced in east-central Poland. Hydrothermal conditions were determined based on the Sielianinov’s hydrothermal coefficient for nine IMGW (Institute of Meteorology and Water Management) stations located in the study area. The second data set consisted of oats yields compiled and published by the Main Statistical Office. Average yields as well as minimum and maximum yields were analysed. The relationship between oats yields and hydrothermal conditions was examined using a step-wise linear regression model. Correlation coefficients were negative in April and positive in June at all the stations. The relationships were confirmed by an analysis of regression equations. The regression equations also included coefficients for May and June which, however, were not statistically significant. Yield variation, described by regression equations of the dependence of oats yield on Sielianinov’s hydrothermal coefficient value was accounted for from 19 (Siedlce, Biała Podlaska) to 50% (Ostrołeka).

INFLUENCE OF PRECIPITATION AND THERMAL CONDITIONS ON STARCH CONTENT IN POTATO TUBERS FROM MEDIUM-EARLY CULTIVARS GROUP

The basis of this elaboration constituted data concerning mean starch content in nine medium-early cultivars of potato grown in six experimental stations belonging to COBORU (Research Centre for Cultivar Testing) in years 2010–2013. Using stepwise regression analysis the influence of thermal and precipitation conditions on starch content in potato cultivars was examined. Such analysis was performed for locations, years and particular cultivars. The analysis showed that starch content in tubers of medium-early potato cultivars depends more on precipitation than on thermal conditions. The relationship between starch content in tubers and precipitation and thermal conditions varied in different stations. In four stations (Karżniczka, Sulejów, Uhnin, Węgrzce) it depended on precipitation noted in August, in two (Uhnin and Słupia) – in July and in other two (Naroczyce and Słupia) – in June. Positive influence of temperature on starch content was noted only in August in Karżniczka. Starch content in tubers of Ametyst and Gawin cultivars depended on precipitation sum in August, Satina cultivar – in July, Oberon cultivar – in June and July, and Cekin, Finezja, Jurek, Stasia and Tajfun cultivars – on precipitation in July and August.

Classification of precipitation intensity during vegetation season in central-eastern Poland (1971–2005)

The data used in this paper come from nine IMGW stations from central-eastern region of Poland and they were registered between the years 1971–2005. On the basis of daily precipitation sums analysis during vegetation season, the number of days with precipitation was determined in particular classes. In central-eastern Poland during vegetation season days with very little and little precipitation were noted most frequently. Very little precipitation occurred most frequently in April; little, moderate and moderately strong precipitation - in June, and strong precipitation - in July. Whereas very strong precipitation was noted most frequently in June and July. Days with very little and little precipitation were noted most frequently in northern and north-eastern part of the area examined. While the number of days with moderate, moderately strong and strong precipitation showed little spatial diversity. Very strong precipitation was noted the most frequently in the area of Legionowo and Ostroleka. The number of days with very little precipitation during vegetation season was decreasing in subsequent years of the study. Statistically significant negative directional coefficients of the trend were noted most frequently in April. The number of days with very strong precipitation was also decreasing significantly in most of the stations.