Maciej Markiewicz

Soil transformations in catchment of disappearing Sumówko Lake (Brodnickie Lake District, Poland)

Soil transformations in catchment of disappearing Sumówko Lake (Brodnickie Lake District, Poland) Lake disappearing is a natural process which contemporarily escalates in consequence of human activity. It is estimated that within the area of Northern Poland from the last glaciation period (ca. 17 000 years ago) a half of lakes totally have disappeared. Areas exposed after water basins desiccation have become native rocks for new soils. Reduced water level results in changes of morphology and properties of the soils situated in direct vicinity of former water basins. The aim of this study was to estimate impact of the catchment groundwater level fall on morphology and properties of direct lake catchment soils, exemplified by the lake Sumowko (Northern Poland) as well as description of new soils formed of lake sediments. The analysis covered 11 soil profiles emerging within former lake basin (newly formed soils) and soils from direct vicinity of former lake (modified through ground water level fall). Obtained results prove that newly formed soils (Limnic Histosol Drainic and Haplic Gleysol) in majority are utilized as grasslands. Soils of the former lake surroundings prove relic features of gleying while they are also subject to mucking process because of dehydration.

Geochemical assessment of soils in the German Nazi concentration camp in Stutthof (Northern Poland)

Abstract The record of changes in the environment caused by techno- and anthropopressure is undoubtedly reflected in soil morphology and properties. Scientific information regarding the chemical composition of soils in genocide areas is limited. The aim of this investigation is the assessment of the geochemistry of soils of the German Nazi concentration camp in Stutthof. The Stutthof concentration camp was located on the periphery of the Vistula Spit in northern Poland, and was in operation from 1939 to 1945 during World War II. A total of 65,000 people died as a result of exterminating living conditions as well as executions. Forty-five soil sampling points were selected in various parts of the camp. Total phosphorus, organic matter and arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe) and mercury (Hg) contents were determined. It has been observed that the mean on-site concentrations of all trace elements were generally higher than their background. The reason for enrichment was heavy techno- and anthropopressure caused by extreme density of prisoners during the time when the camp operated. The soils of the German Nazi Stutthof concentration camp have clearly been transformed due to mass killing of a large number of human beings. Such a relation is clearly evidenced by the elevated phosphorus content.

Differentiation of soils and land use changes in the vicinity of the disappeared Gardeja lake (Northern Poland)

Abstract The aims of the study were to characterize shoreline soil development and evolution and to determine land use changes (19th to 20th centuries) in the direct catchment of the completely vanished Gardeja lake. The study was based on pedological research and analysis of cartographic materials. The main factor determining the current development of shoreline zone soil cover at the former Gardeja lake was human activity (lake dewatering, further drainage and human-induced erosion). Studied soil profiles were developed from mineral, non-lacustrine materials (upper parts of the slopes) and lacustrine sediments covered with colluvium. The analyzed soil catenas are representative for the undulated young glacial landscape of Northern Poland. The biggest changes of the land use were observed for the class of grasslands that is combined with shrubs (increase of cover area).

Labile and stabile soil organic carbon fractions in surface horizons of mountain soils – relationships with vegetation and altitude

Global and local climate changes could disturb carbon sequestration and carbon stocks in forest soils. Thus, it is important to characterize the stability of soil organic matter and the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions in forest ecosystems. This study had two aims: (1) to evaluate the effects of altitude and vegetation on the content of labile and stabile forms of organic carbon in the mountain soils; and (2) to assess the impact of the properties of soil organic matter on the SOC pools under changing environmental conditions. The studies were conducted in the Karkonosze Mountains (SW Poland, Central Europe). The content of the most labile fraction of carbon (dissolved organic carbon, DOC) decreases with altitude, but the content of fulvic acids (FA), clearly increases in the zone above 1000 m asl, while the stabile fraction (humins, non-hydrolyzing carbon) significantly decreases. A higher contribution of stabile forms was found in soils under coniferous forests (Norway spruce), while a smaller - under deciduous forests (European beech) and on grasslands. The expected climate change and the ongoing land use transformations in the zone above 1000 m asl may lead to a substantial increase in the stable humus fraction (mainly of a non-hydrolyzing carbon) and an increase in the SOC pools, even if humus acids are characterized by a lower maturity and greater mobility favorable to soil podzolization. In the lower zone (below 1000 m asl), a decrease in the most stable humus forms can be expected, accompanied by an increase of DOC contribution, which will result in a reduction in SOC pools. Overall, the expected prevailing (spatial) effect is a decreasing contribution of the most stable humus fractions, which will be associated with a reduction in the SOC pools in medium-high mountains of temperate zone of Central Europe.

Remains of the homestead from the Late Bronze Age discovered in Ruda (Northern Poland) in the light of pedoarchaeological studies

On the basis of archaeological data and pedological analysis an attempt of reconstruction of functional diversity of farmstead from the Late Bronze Age in northern Poland was made. Human activity during the Late Bronze Age in the area and in the direct vicinity of the homestead led to changes in chemical properties of the soil. Different values of phosphorus and organic carbon content in the features and cultural layers may help in the interpretation of the land development plan and the use of the studied households in the past. The areas with the highest concentration are linked with the places of economic activity and a small increase in the phosphorus content in the soil from the homestead may suggest a relatively short exploitation of this place corresponding with a small number of archaeological findings from the analysed area. The current state of knowledge about the open settlements from the Late Bronze Age in the territory of Poland does not provide too many analogies with the previously described homestead. Because similar spatial assumptions are also known from the Carpathian Highlands as well as from the north – German and the south – Scandinavian terrains, we may draw a conclusion that the knowledge of this type of construction reached people living in Ruda’s surroundings as a result of contacts from the Southern or Eastern Europe.

Evidence of a homestead from the Late Bronze Age at the Ruda site (Northern Poland) based on archaeopedological studies

Abstract Based on archaeological data and pedological analysis, an attempt was made to reconstruct the functional pattern of a farmstead from the Late Bronze Age at the Ruda site (Northern Poland). Late Bronze Age human activity in the area and immediate vicinity of the homestead led to changes in the chemical properties of the soils. Different values of phosphorus and organic carbon content in the features and cultural layers may help interpretation of the past spatial development and use of the studied households. The areas with the highest concentration are linked with places of intense economic activity, and the small increase in the phosphorus content in the soil from the homestead may suggest a relatively short exploitation of this place, which would correspond with the small number of artefacts from that area. Features similar to the presented Late Bronze Age homestead have not been recorded before in the Polish territory. Analogous spatial assumptions are known from the Carpathian Highlands as well as from the north (German and Scandinavian territories).