Radomir Obroślak

Spatial distribution and risk assessment of heavy metals in bottom sediments of two small dam reservoirs (south-east Poland)

Abstract Sediments of two dam reservoirs in SE Poland, Zalew Zemborzycki (ZZ) and Brody Iłżeckie (BI) were studied. The sediments from both reservoirs were sampled in the transects perpendicular to the shoreline, at the river inflow and the frontal dam. The total concentration of Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr and Ni was determined by ICP-EAS method after the sample digestion in the mixture of concentrated HNO3 and HClO4 acids. The statistical analyses: value intervals, mean values, variation coefficient, the median and the skewed distribution were performed. To estimate differences between the means for transects, Tukey’s test was applied with least significant difference (LSD) determination. The maps of the metal spatial distribution were drawn and sediment quality according to the geochemical and ecotoxicological criteria evaluated. Differences between the reservoirs in terms of heavy metals concentration in bottom sediments, and regularities in their spatial distribution were found. In the ZZ sediments the concentration was at the level of geochemical background (Zn, Cr), slightly (Cd, Cu, Ni) or moderately (Pb) contaminated sediments. The metal concentration in the sediments of the BI was up to eight times higher as compared to the ZZ. Moreover, sediments from the BI reservoir showed a greater variability of metal concentration than those from ZZ, which resulted from the dredging operation performed in the part of the reservoir. Metal concentration in sediments of the dredged part was ca. 2–5 times lower than in the undredged one, which indicates that after the dredging operation, accumulation of these metals was slight. The concentrations of Zn, Pb and Cd from the undredged part of BI were at the level of contaminated sediments and exceeded the probable effects level (PEL). In the ZZ, the greatest accumulation of metals occurred in the upper part of the reservoir and at the frontal dam, and the lowest in the middle part of the reservoir. In BI, the lower outflow of water in this reservoir caused a lower metal concentration in the sediments at the frontal dam, as compared with the other sediments in the undredged part of the reservoir. The results indicate that in small and shallow reservoirs, areas of accumulation of heavy metals depend on such factors as a parent river current, reservoir depth, water waving, reservoir shape (narrowing, coves/bays), and type of water outflow.

THE CONCEPT OF PHYTOMELIORATION OF OPEN AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE ON EXAMPLE OF WOLA IDZIKOWSKA VILLAGE

The paper presents the project of land protection from erosion in Wola Idzikowska village. Because of the type of soils and topography, about 37% of the land is threatened by medium and strong water erosion. Due to the lack of windbreak barriers, 70% of the area is threatened by wind erosion. In Wola Idzikowska village in the years of 2004–2006 land consolidation was conducted. Anti-erosion protection systems were designed but never realized. The assessment of causes of this condition, as well as new system of anti-erosion phyto-control works have been done. Afforestation of about 4.1 hectares of land, mostly fallow lands and wastelands was designed. The possibility of introducing 7.60 kilometers of shelterbelts as a windbreak barriers was also shown.

Selection of a semivariogram model in the study of spatial distribution of soil moisture

Abstract The paper presents a selection of a semivariogram model in the study of spatial variability of soil moisture in a loess agricultural catchment. Soil moisture tests were carried out in the Moszenki village, 15 km northwest of Lublin. Soil moisture measurements were performed at two dates at 104 points, located on a rectangular surface measuring 700 × 1200 m. These points were laid out in the corners of a grid of squares with sides 100 m. In addition, 6 measurements were made at a distance of less than 100 m from the nearest points. Soil moisture was measured in the soil surface (0–5 cm). ArcGis software with Geostatistical Analyst extension was used for modelling semivariograms. In both terms, five models of semivariograms were used: stable, circular, spherical, exponential and Gaussian. Kriging was used for the estimation of soil moisture values. Among the semivariogram models analyzed in this study, the largest errors in the determined values of soil moisture relative to the empirical data were observed for the exponential model, and the smallest for the Gaussian model. However, it should be emphasized that the values of the analysed errors for the individual semivariogram models were similar. Application of the ordinary kriging method for interpolation of spatial distribution of soil moisture yields good results, but it has to be kept in mind that the final shape of the spatial distribution is influenced by the choice of the semivariance function model.

Analysis of Erosion Control Constructions Effectiveness. The Case of a Road Gully In Wielkopole (Lublin Upland)

The paper contains analysis of the anti-erosion system in the road gully in Wielkopole, Lublin Upland. The solution implemented in the gully’s bottom is effective against line erosion – there is no gully deepening. Lack of protection of slopes results in an intense earthmass movements. At the brim zone of the gully suffosion processes occur leading to the gully widening. The eroded material is accumulated on the road and colmatage drainage system of voivodship road no. 842, what is dangerous to traffic and generates expenses. That is why anti-erosion systems should be implemented comprehensively, protecting both the slopes and the bottom of gullies. Projects of such systems should be consulted with specialist.

Using terrestrial laser scanning in inventorying of a hybrid constructed wetland system

The goal of this paper was to evaluate the possibility of using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) for inventorying of a hybrid constructed wetland (CW) wastewater treatment plant. The object under study was a turtle-shaped system built in 2015 in Eastern Poland. Its main purpose is the treatment of wastewater from the Museum and Education Centre of Polesie National Park. The study showed that the CW system had been built in compliance with the technical documentation, as differences between values obtained from the object and those given in the design project (max. ± 20 cm for situation and ±5 cm for elevation) were within the range defined by the legislator. It was also shown that the results were sufficiently precise to be used for as-built surveying of the aboveground elements of the CW system. The TLS technique can also be employed to analyse quantitative changes in object geometry arising during long-term use (e.g. landmass slides or erosion), the identification of which can help in selecting the hot-spots at risk of damage and thus restore the object to its original state as well as prevent new changes.

Assessment of tillage translocation and tillage erosion on loess slope by contour mouldboard tillage

This paper reports the results of tillage experiments that were set up to investigate the intensity of net soil displacement and the associated tillage erosivity for mouldboard tillage carried out in direction parallel to the contour lines (contour tillage). Tillage was performed with typical set of cultivation for an average farm on soil developed from loess located on a slope with 7.5 to 13.5% decrease. Aluminium cubes of 15 cm edge-length were used as tracers. The studies showed that average translocation of soil along the slope (perpendicular to tillage direction) was 0,35 m and 0,28 m respectively for tillage with downslope and upslope direction of soil overturning. It means that each year about 2,89 Mg per hectare of soil is net displaced in downslope direction per plough operation. The studies indicated that contour moldboard tillage is also an important factor in relief and soil transformation of eroded areas.

EFFECT OF ANTHROPOGENIC POLLUTANTS ON THE QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS AND GROUNDWATERS IN THE CATCHMENT BASIN OF LAKE BIALSKIE

The work evaluates the effect of anthropogenic pollutants on the quality of water in Lake Bialskie (51o32’07” N 23o00’55” E) and its catchment basin. Samples of water were taken from the lake (4 sampling points) and from wells dug within the catchment basin. The quality of water was analysed in May, June, August and November 2015. In the wells only in single cases was the level of chemical pollution found to exceed drinking water standards. However, in all samples the standard content of manganese was exceeded. In waters from the lake the concentrations of total phosphorus, which can contribute to eutrophication were recorded above the standard level. Both in waters from the lake and from the well a large count of mesoand psychrophiles and Coli and faecal coliforms as well as faecal Enterococci was found, which points to a high degree of contamination of the analysed waters with anthropogenic faeces. The phenomenon was observed to intensify in summer months, which can be associated with increased tourist traffic around the lake in this period.

ASSESSMENT OF BIOMASS RESOURCES FROM THE CARE OF PINE STAND

The paper presents the results of the research of the potential of woody biomass derived from the afforestation tending. Evaluation of the quantity and energy characteristics of biomass acquired from care of 20 year old pine stand (late cutting). Moreover, based on the CSO data about the size of afforestation in subsequent years, the amount of waste from plantings care obtainable in the country was determined. It was found that the surfaces for afforestation already in the phase of greenwood can be useful source of energy. Biomass sourced from the care of plantings can be valuable raw material, especially at the local level.