Sławomir Szymczyk

The Ability of Leaves and Rhizomes of Aquatic Plants to Accumulate Macro- and Micronutrients

The samples of macrophytes and bottom sediments originated from the littoral zone of the Słupia River were collected in summer 2013. The aim of this study was to compare the properties of the accumulation of leaves and rhizomes of Glyceria maxima, Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia and Phalaris arundinacea for macroand micronutrients. The largest quantities of macroelements were found in the leaves of the examined species, and microelements dominated the rhizomes of most examined macrophytes except for Mn in P.australis and T.latifolia. The obtained results show that N and K dominated in the leaves of P.arundinacea, P and Mg in the leaves of P.australis, and Ca in the leaves of G.maxima. The largest quantities of N, P and K were cumulated in the rhizomes of P.arundinacea, while Mg and Ca in the rhizome of T.latifolia. The leaves of aquatic plants accumulated from 1354.9 mmolc·kg -1 (T.latifolia) to 1844.0 mmolc·kg -1 (P.arundinacea), and rhizomes from 985.8 mmolc·kg -1 (G.maxima) to 1335.2 mmolc·kg -1 (P.arundinacea) of all the analyzed components. In these species of macrophytes lower accumulated value of the sum of macroand microelements were found in the rhizomes. The share of nitrogen was 42.4–59.8% of this amount, phosphorus 4.3–8.6%, potassium 22.8–35.1%, calcium from 2,6% to 12.4%, magnesium 3.0–7.5%, and heavy metals were from 0.6% (G.maxima) to 1.2% (T.latifolia) in leaves and from 2.2% (T.latifolia) to 8.7% (G.maxima) in rhizomes.

Role of Lake Symsar in the reduction of phosphorus concentration in surface runoff from agricultural lands

Abstract The study was aimed at assessing the role of Lake Symsar in the reduction of phosphorus delivered mainly by the Symsarna River. Studies were carried out since March 2011 till October 2013 in the catchment basin of Lake Symsar situated in north-eastern Poland. Every month surface water samples representative for the catchment were taken for phosphate-phosphorus (PO4-P) and total phosphorus (TP) analyses. Obtained results were analysed with the distinction of vegetative and non-vegetative season. Lake Symsar is the last water body in the Symsarna River system. The river divides the lake into main basin and a bay part. Concentrations of PO4-P were higher by 17% in the former than in the latter part, TP concentrations showed reverse proportions. The highest concentrations of TP were noted in a forest stream and the highest concentrations of PO4-P in the Tolknicka Struga. Reduced concentrations of both P forms were found in waters of the Symsarna River downstream its outflow from the lake. With respect to the concentrations of PO4-P and TP, waters of the Symsarna River up- and downstream the lake were ascribed to the 1st class of water quality. Through-flow Lake Symsar improves the quality of waters (the Symsarna River and smaller streams) draining agricultural catchment by the reduction of concentrations of phosphorus compounds. STRESZCZENIE Celem badań była ocena roli jeziora Symsar w zmniejszaniu ilości fosforu, dopływającego do akwenu głównie rzeką, Symsarna. Badania nad wpływem jeziora Symsar w zmniejszaniu stężenia fosforu pochodzącego ze zlewni rolniczej były realizowane od marca 2011 do października 2013 r. w zlewni jeziora Symsar usytuowa nego w północno-wschodniej Polsce. Obejmowały comiesięczne pobieranie próbek wody powierzchniowej, reprezentatywnych dla badanej zlewni, w celu przeprowadzenia analizy oceny zawartości w nich fosforu fosforanowego (PO4-P) oraz ogólnego (TP). Uzyskane wyniki poddano analizie z uwzględnieniem sezonu wegetacyjnego i pozawegetacyjnego. Jezioro jest ostatnim zbiornikiem w systemie rzeki Symsarna. Rzeka dzieli akwen na dwie części - akwen główny oraz część zatokową. W wodach głównego akwenu stężenie fosforu fosforanowego było o 17% większe niż w części zatokowej, z kolei zawartość fosforu ogólnego była mniejsza. Największą koncentrację odnotowano w wodzie cieku leśnego (TP) oraz Tolknickiej Strugi (PO4-P). W wodzie rzeki Symsarna, poniżej wypływu z jeziora zaobserwowano zmniejszenie zawartości badanych form fosforu. Ze względu na zawartość fosforu fosforanowego oraz fosforu ogólnego wody rzeki Symsarna powyżej oraz poniżej jeziora kwalifikowały się do I klasy jakości. Przepływowe jezioro Symsar - poprzez zmniejszenie zawartości form fosforu w wodach rzeki Symsarna - wpłynęło na poprawę jakości wód odpływających z akwenu.

An impact of drainage system on soil water conditions at Lidzbark Warminski experimental site

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a drainage system on soil water conditions in a loam soil compared to that in undrained clay loam soil under various topographic conditions. The soils are located on a sloping area at Lidzbark Warminski experimental site (Poland) with well surface water outflow conditions and used as a pasture. The loam soil was drained with ceramic drainage pipes with an average drain spacing of 14 m and an average drain depth of 0.9 m, while the clay loam soil profile was not drained. The research was conducted during the period from 1999 to 2005. Ground water level as well as soil moisture content were measured monthly for both soil profiles. Meteorological conditions (precipitation and data for calculation of reference evapotranspiration) were also recorded. The results obtained show that in the loam soil (drained site) water level is on average 42 cm higher compared to that in the clay loam soil (not drained site). In both soils the amplitude of the ground water level changes was relatively high and exceeds 300 cm. In the drained loam soil, the water level position exceeded the depth of the drainage system in very wet, wet and average years. Under wet meteorological conditions the increase in ground water levels in the clay loam soil was slower than in the loam soil.

Variability of the water availability in a river lake system – A case study of Lake Symsar

Abstract It is predicted that climate change will result in the diminution of water resources available both on global and regional scales. Local climate change is harder to observe and therefore, while counteracting its effects, it seems advisable to undertake studies on pertinent regional and local conditions. In this research, our aim was to assess the impact of a river and its catchment on fluctuations in the water availability in a natural lake which belongs to a post-glacial river and lake system. River and lake systems behave most often like a single interacting hydrological unit, and the intensity of water exchange in these systems is quite high, which may cause temporary water losses. This study showed that water in the analyzed river and lake system was exchanged approx. every 66 days, which resulted from the total (horizontal and vertical) water exchange. Also, the management of a catchment area seems to play a crucial role in the local water availability, as demonstrated by this research, where water retention was favoured by wooded and marshy areas. More intensive water retention was observed in a catchment dominated by forests, pastures and wetlands. Wasteland and large differences in the land elevation in the tested catchment are unfavourable to water retention because they intensify soil evaporation and accelerate the water run-off outside of the catchment. Among the actions which should be undertaken in order to counteract water deficiencies in catchment areas, rational use and management of the land resources in the catchment are most often mentioned.

Inorganic Nitrogen Compounds in Water Mains in Northern Poland and Their Implication for Health Risk

AbstractThe presence of nitrogen compounds significantly affects the quality of water intended for human consumption. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) of nitrogen in potable water in Poland was set up as follows: NO2−–0.5 and NO3––50  mg/L, NH4+–0.50  mg/L. For this reason, the objective of the study was to monitor the chemical composition of water as a priority basis for the water quality information system to provide consumers with water that meets the appropriate health and quality standards. The results of a multiyear study (1992–2003) carried out in four regions and at 12 monitoring sites in northern Poland showed NO2− and NO3− levels significantly below MCL limits. Low nitrate concentrations in water drawn from Quaternary water-bearing horizons indicate the absence of point sources of pollution. Ammonia levels exceeded MCL values at every monitoring site. Supernormal ammonia concentrations in raw water are indicative of the natural origin of ammonia ions. They are correlated with the depth of the...

Profiling of groundwater quality based on its utilization

This paper presents an analysis of groundwater from the intakes “Park” and “Motlawa” situated in Tczew (Poland). These water intakes have varied hydrological conditions and volume of utilized resources (wells). In this area, the deepest drillings extend to 180 m (cretaceous stage) with 20% being constituted by tertiary-quaternary formations with depths ranging from 60 to 63.7 m. The distribution of water from the intakes depended on the population to which it was supplied and the average production of water ranged from 5,802.4 to 7,591.5 m 3 per day on “Motlawa” intake and from 3,196.3 to 4,125.4 m 3 /day on “Park” intake and did not exceed the production capacity specified by the regulations. In 1994–2009, analyses of water intended for consump tion from the above-mentioned intakes in Tczew were performed by testing the water reaction and the content of ammonium ions and chlorides. In the period of the studies, the permissible reaction was not exceeded and the concentrations of ammonium ion and chlorides were on a relatively steady level.

CHANGES IN THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE NAREW RIVER (BETWEEN OSTROŁĘKA AND ŁOMŻA) IN VIEW OF NATURAL FACTORS AND ANTHROPOGENIC PRESSURES

Contemporary and archive cartographic materials illustrating horizontal profile of the middle channel of the Narew River (between Ostrołęka and Łomża) were compared in the GeoMedia application. The results of the analysis revealed that natural and anthropogenic factors had not significantly contributed to changes in the channel profile over a period of two centuries. Narew is a meandering river, and its activity is associated with intensified erosion of right-bank bends and lateral movement along its flat-bed channel. The most noticeable changes include reduced area of oxbow lakes, mainly due to succession, and suburban settlement in floodplains that had been regarded as unfit for development in the 20th century.

OCENA STANU JAKOŚCI WÓD RZEK OMULEW I ROZOGA NA PODSTAWIE MAKROFITÓW

The paper presents the assessment of water quality of the rivers Omulew and Rozoga with Macrophytes Method of Assessing Rivers (Mmore). The method uses the indicating features of the aquatic plants. An inventory of the vegetation for species composition and participation in covering the surveyed positions has been carried on selected 100-meter sections of the both rivers. The obtained data, in line with the adopted method, allowed to develop the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of aquatic vegetation within the designated sections of rivers. Subsequently, they gave foundation to determining the degree of degradation, associated with the trophic pollution of the rivers, expressed in Macrophyte River Index (MIR). Based on the range of values of the trophic and ecological tolerance, waters of the surveyed rivers acquired the characteristics of the mesotrophic environment, meanwhile in the Omulew river significant (4.5%) share in covering the ground had sensitive to the pollution Ranunculus aquatilis. According to the calculated values of the MIR, the river Omulew water was classified as Class II of the water quality and good ecological status. MIR for the tested Rozoga river section was appropriate for Class III of the water quality and medium ecological status.

Groundwater Contamination with Nitrogen Compounds in Northern Poland and its Implication for Health Risk Assessment

The presence of nitrogen compounds significantly affects the quality of water intended for human consumption. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) of nitrogen in potable water in Poland was set up as follows: NO2 - - 0.5 mg/L and NO3 - - 50 mg/L, NH4 + - 0.50 mg/L. For this reason, the objective of our study was to monitor the chemical composition of water as a priority basis for the water quality information system to provide consumers with water that meets the appropriate health and quality standards.