Józef Szpikowski

Magnitude of Fluvial Transport and Rate of Denudation in A Non‐Glacierised Catchment in A Polar Zone, Central Spitsbergen

Abstract Research into the magnitude of fluvial transport was carried out in the non‐glacierised polar ynamisk ekken catchment in the region of Petunia Bukta, in the central part of est pitsbergen. The study period included two ablation seasons (uly–ugust) in 2008 and 2009. The stream flows from the glacial cirque cutting the north‐western edge of the ordiekammen assif. The bedrock is composed of sedimentary rocks. The ynamisk ekken is periodic stream, mainly fed from snow cover from une to early eptember. The other components of the feeding in the ablation seasons are less effective precipitation and groundwater from the active layer of permafrost. Medium discharge was 27.4 dm3 s–1 ranging from 0.1 to 250.8 dm3 s–1. Average ionic composition of the water indicates the hydrogeochemical sulphate‐bicarbonate‐calcium type. A tendency of systematic increase in the proportion of sulphates and decreasing share of bicarbonate ions in the ionic composition of water during the ablation season was observed. This correlates with the gradual decrease in the discharge rate and the decrease of the meltwater in the stream feed. The proportion of geogenic components in the dissolved load material outflow from the catchment is 75%. It consists of mainly bicarbonates, sulphates and calcium, which are derived from the dissolving of limestone, gypsum and anhydrite. The average value of the chemical denudation was 0.35 t km–2 d–1 and the mechanical denudation 0.32 t km–2 d–1. The results are similar to those obtained in previous years, reflecting the relatively large stability of the polar environment.

Old Melioration Systems: The Influence Onto Functioning Of Geoecosystems Of River Valleys In The Parsęta (NW Poland)

Abstract Meliorations and their specific forms – irrigations – are one of the forms of anthropopressure within geoecosystems. The research studies conducted within the Parsęta basin focused on the sub-irrigation (seepage irrigation) systems formed in the 19th century. Query of archive materials and maps, hydrochemical and phytosociological terrain mapping and laboratory testing of water samples collected were used in the studies. In the study area were found the remains of the thirty old irrigation systems, which together occupy 2% of the Parsęta basin area. For many years most of them have not fulfilled their primary economic functions. Still, these systems have an impact on the cycle of waters and have become an important factor in increasing the geo- and biodiversity within the postglacial landscape. By expanding a range of wetland riparian areas, they fulfil relevant functions to protect surface waters against the supply of biogenic components. Some of them could be used to enlarge wetlands and floodplains within river valleys.

Long-term changes (1990–2015) in the atmospheric deposition and runoff water chemistry of sulphate, inorganic nitrogen and acidity for forested catchments in Europe in relation to changes in emissions and hydrometeorological conditions

The international Long-Term Ecological Research Network (ILTER) encompasses hundreds of long-term research/monitoring sites located in a wide array of ecosystems that can help us understand environmental change across the globe. We evaluated long-term trends (1990-2015) for bulk deposition, throughfall and runoff water chemistry and fluxes, and climatic variables in 25 forested catchments in Europe belonging to the UNECE International Cooperative Programme on Integrated Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Ecosystems (ICP IM). Many of the IM sites form part of the monitoring infrastructures of this larger ILTER network. Trends were evaluated for monthly concentrations of non-marine (anthropogenic fraction, denoted as x) sulphate (xSO4) and base cations x(Ca+Mg), hydrogen ion (H+), inorganic N (NO3 and NH4) and ANC (Acid Neutralising Capacity) and their respective fluxes into and out of the catchments and for monthly precipitation, runoff and air temperature. A significant decrease of xSO4 deposition resulted in decreases in concentrations and fluxes of xSO4 in runoff, being significant at 90% and 60% of the sites, respectively. Bulk deposition of NO3 and NH4 decreased significantly at 60-80% (concentrations) and 40-60% (fluxes) of the sites. Concentrations and fluxes of NO3 in runoff decreased at 73% and 63% of the sites, respectively, and NO3 concentrations decreased significantly at 50% of the sites. Thus, the LTER/ICP IM network confirms the positive effects of the emission reductions in Europe. Air temperature increased significantly at 61% of the sites, while trends for precipitation and runoff were rarely significant. The site-specific variation of xSO4 concentrations in runoff was most strongly explained by deposition. Climatic variables and deposition explained the variation of inorganic N concentrations in runoff at single sites poorly, and as yet there are no clear signs of a consistent deposition-driven or climate-driven increase in inorganic N exports in the catchments.

Changes within the geoecosystem of a small lake catchment in the last three decades versus changes in land use and precipitation quality (Radomyskie Lake, upper Parsęta catchment)

There are numerous ( though spread unevenly ) small run-off-free bodies of water in the Parseta basin as well as in the upper Parseta catchment. The geoecosystems of these non-run-off bodies serve various functions in the geographic environment ; they are particularly important in terms of shaping catchment retention and water circulation. They quickly react to environmental conditions, especially to changes in land use and land cover in the catchment and the supply of pollutants in waters. Radomyskie Lake is a small body of water in the upper Parseta catchment within which radical changes in land use and changes in the chemistry of the lake waters have taken place over the last 30 years. The concentration of ion components in the lake waters has become significantly reduced compared with that in the early 1980s. A comparison with Czarne Lake – a similar body of water in the upper Parseta catchment revealed that these ongoing changes have two causes : afforestation of agriculturally cultivated catchment areas around Radomyskie Lake and consequently reduced supply of fertilizer as well as a drop in precipitation mineral content, which had been noted by researchers for 20 years. Radomyskie Lake is experiencing the stage of re-naturalization and its evolution is moving towards a peat-bog geoecosystem.

Geomorphological Effects of River Valleys Anthropogenic Transformations in the Perznica Catchment During the Last 200 Years (Drawsko Lakeland, Parsęta River Basin)

Geomorphological Effects of River Valleys Anthropogenic Transformations in the Perznica Catchment During the Last 200 Years (Drawsko Lakeland, Parsęta River Basin) The studies on geomorphological aspects of environmental changes in the river valleys were part of the work carried out under the diagnosis of anthropogenic transformation of the relief of the Perznica basin (West Pomerania, Drawsko Lakeland). Human interference in the river valleys and anthropogenic changes in the natural hydrological systems in the Perznica catchment influenced the transformation of the relief and the intensity of morphogenetic processes. Numerous anthropogenic landforms were formed, including embankments, dams, dykes along the canals, ditches and canals, reservoirs basins, and peat excavations. The drainage resulted in an intensification of the river erosion, straightening, shortening and increase of the river gradient, as well as the increase of quantity of the suspended matter leaving the catchments. An increase of anthropogenic denudation on agricultural lands, due to the entering of the crops grown on drained depressions and valleys, led to the masking of the original relief with deluvial sediments and the formation and expansion of agricultural terraces on the edge of the fields.