Stanisław Chmiel

Lake water stage dynamics in the Łęczna-Włodawa Lake District in 1991-2010

Lake water stage dynamics in the Łęczna-Włodawa Lake District in 1991-2010 In the years 1991-2010 the water stages of 38 lakes in the Łęczna-Włodawa Lake District were observed. Water stage dynamics of the Łęczna-Włodawa lakes was varied. A multi-annual trend with seasonal water stage variability was clearly observable. Low water stages were observed in the years 1994-1996 and 2004-2005, whereas the highest water stages were reported for 2002 and 2010. The water stages of Lake Piaseczno, the deepest lake, were consistent with solar activity changes. Land improvement works in the Łęczna-Włodawa Lake District and black coal mining caused further local changes in the directions of flow of surface and underground water, as well as modifying the water stage regime of some of the lakes.

The role of atmospheric precipitation in introducing contaminants to the surface waters of the Fuglebekken catchment, Spitsbergen

Although the Svalbard Archipelago is located at a high latitude, far from potential contaminant sources, it is not free from anthropogenic impact. Towards the Fuglebekken catchment, in the southern part of Spitsbergen, north of Hornsund fjord, contaminants can be transported from mainland pollution sources. In the precipitation and surface water collected in the catchment, the following elements were detected and quantified: Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Cs, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Tl, U, V and Zn. Additionally, pH, electrical conductivity and total organic carbon (TOC) were determined in those samples. The acidic reaction of precipitation waters was identified as an important factor intensifying the metal migration in this Arctic tundra environment. The air mass trajectory, surprisingly, explained the variability of only a small fraction of trace elements in precipitation water. The air mass origin area was correlated only with the concentrations of As, V and Cr. Wind directions were helpful in explaining the variability of Mn, U and Ba concentrations (east–north-easterly wind) and the contents of B, As, Rb, Se, Sr and Li in precipitation (south-westerly wind), which may indicate the local geological source of those. Atmospheric deposition was found to play a key role in the transport of contaminants into the Fuglebekken catchment; however, the surface water composition was modified by its pH and TOC content.

Impact of a newly-formed periglacial environment and other factors on fresh water chemistry at the western shore of Admiralty Bay in the summer of 2016 (King George Island, Maritime Antarctica)

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the inorganic chemistry of flowing water at the western shore of Admiralty Bay. In the water samples, ions, and major and trace metals (and B) were detected and quantified. Additionally, the parameters of pH, specific electrolytic conductivity (SEC25) and total organic carbon (TOC) were determined. Moreover, multivariate data set was created and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed. Generally, the water has low total content of the measured mineral constituents <100mgL-1. PCA analysis we distinguished two groups of chemical variables shaping water chemistry in the investigated creeks: I - components of marine aerosol origin (presence of Na+, Cl- and B) and II - those associated with chemical weathering processes (presence of Al and Fe). Furthermore, the results showed that the flowing water in the newly-formed periglacial areas (formed over the last 30years) are rich in easily soluble Al and Fe and have lower total measured contents of mineral constituents during the summer period than creeks in non-glacial catchments. Permafrost influence on water chemistry is difficult to identify. The rather insignificant difference between TOC concentrations in waters during summer indicates that permafrost is not a store of organic matter in the studied area. Moreover, local biological factors (lichens and mosses) and those limited to the sea-shore vicinity (seabirds and mammals activity) are significant sources of PO43-, NO3-, and NH4+. Despite the described geological and biological features influencing water chemistry, the impact of anthropogenic activity still needs to be verified, especially in terms of heavy metal concentrations.

The interaction between bacterial abundance and selected pollutants concentration levels in an arctic catchment (southwest Spitsbergen, Svalbard)

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been a topic of interest in environmental sciences for >60years. POPs in the Arctic have been investigated since the 1970s, when first atmospheric measurements revealed the presence of these pollutants in the polar regions. Major contaminant transport routes to the Arctic include atmospheric and oceanic transport, as well as inflow from rivers and sea ice. The sources of pollutants, such as industry, power generators, vehicle and ship exhausts, introduce the PAHs, phenols, formaldehyde or metals into the Arctic. Transport via sea currents, however, can take several years. The highest concentration levels of total PAHs were observed in two samples from the tributaries in July 2015 and were 1069ngL-1 and 3141ngL-1 and in September 2015, the highest concentrations were observed in samples collected from Revvatnet lake and were 978ngL-1 and 1823ngL-1. The highest concentrations of trace elements in both months were 41μgL-1 in the sample from the highest tributary (July 2015) and 79μgL-1 in the same sample (September 2015). The purpose of this study was also to determine abundance of bacteria in the Arctic freshwater of different types. Microbes are omnipresent and represent diverse biological communities. In the freshwater ecosystems, microorganisms form the base of the food chain supporting higher trophic levels. Although microbes are generally thought to live in the warm regions of Earth, many of them develop in cold climates. In the Revelva catchment, the biggest number of bacteria were detected at the river estuary in July 2015 and at the sampling point located in the Revvatnet lake in September 2015. Generally, the bacterial abundance indices depended on nutrient levels to a small extent, showing the environment of the Revelva catchment not to be nutrient limited, which is in accordance with its rich biological life also in macroscale.

Water chemistry of tundra lakes in the periglacial zone of the Bellsund Fiord (Svalbard) in the summer of 2013

Climate changes observed in the Arctic (e.g. permafrost degradation, glacier retreat) may have significant influence on sensitive polar wetlands. The main objectives of this paper are defining chemical features of water within six small arctic lakes located in Bellsund (Svalbard) in the area of continuous permafrost occurrence. The unique environmental conditions of the study area offer an opportunity to observe phenomena influencing water chemistry, such as: chemical weathering, permafrost thawing, marine aerosols, atmospheric deposition and biological inputs. In the water samples collected during the summer 2013, detailed tundra lake water chemistry characteristics regarding ions, trace elements, pH and specific electrolytic conductivity (SEC25) analysis were determined. Moreover, water chemistry of the studied lakes was compared to the water samples from the Tyvjobekken Creek and precipitation water samples. As a final step of data analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed. Detailed chemical analysis allowed us to conclude what follows: (1) Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42-, Sr are of geogenic origin, (2) NO3- present in tundra lakes and the Tyvjobekken Creek water samples (ranging from 0.31 to 1.69mgL-1 and from 0.25 to 1.58mgL-1 respectively) may be of mixed origin, i.e. from biological processes and permafrost thawing, (3) high contribution of non-sea-salt SO42->80% in majority of studied samples indicate considerable inflow of sulphate-rich air to the study area, (4) high content of chlorides in tundra lakes (range: 25.6-32.0% meqL-1) indicates marine aerosol influence, (5) PCA result shows that atmospheric transport may constitute a source of Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Ga, Ba and Cd. However, further detailed inter-season and multi-seasonal study of tundra lakes in the Arctic are recommended. Especially in terms of detailed differentiation of sources influence (atmospheric transport vs. permafrost degradation).

Concentration of soil CO2 as an indicator of the decalcification rate after liming treatment

Abstract This paper presents the results of investigation of decalcification of acid sandy and loamy sand soils by infiltration waters, and potential Ca-leaching after liming treatment. For this purpose, monthly measurements were made of the concentration of CO2 in the soil air, dissolved inorganic carbon in the soil waters, and their ionic composition. The determined dissolved inorganic carbon ranged from 5.9 to 10.6 mg dm−3 and from 9.9 to 16.5 mg dm−3 for the sandy and loamy sand soil, respectively. The Ca concentration in soil waters was determined as 5.9-12.4 mg dm−3 in sandy soil and 14.2-19.8 mg dm−3 in soil loamy sand. The calculated rate of decalcification amounted to 23.0 kg ha−1 year−1 in soil sandy and 19.4 kg ha−1 year−1 in loamy sand soil. The potential Ca-leaching is predicted as 124 kg ha−1 year−1 for S and 87 kg ha−1 year−1 for loamy sand soil. At the treatment level of 3 000 kg ha−1 4 year−1 of CaO, ~20% of the Ca-fertilizer can be leached after the liming treatment. The results of the CO2 concentration in the soil air may be useful in estimation of Ca-leaching from soils developed by slightly clayey sands and clayey sands in zones with a moderate climate.

CO2 Emission to the Atmosphere from Carbonate Waters: The Study Case of the Lublin Upland and Roztocze Regions

Abstract The concentration of carbon dioxide dissolved in water (CO2(aq)) was measured in consecutive phases of the hydrological cycle. Its potentially possible degassing from groundwaters to the atmosphere was also assessed. The research was conducted in the area of occurrence of carbonate rocks of the Lublin Upland and Roztocze (SE Poland). The results of the measurements of CO2(aq) concentration varied as follows (min-max/mean): precipitation waters < 1-3/2.6 mg · dm−3, soil waters 3-50/14.2 mg · dm−3, groundwaters 10-70/30.3 mg · dm−3, river waters < 1-21/7.6 mg · dm−3. The measure of degassing of carbon dioxide from groundwaters to the atmosphere was a decrease in CO2(aq) concentration in fluvial outflow. Based on the value of groundwater outflow from the Lublin Upland and Roztocze, the annual carbon dioxide emission from waters to the atmosphere was calculated at a level of 50 thousand Mg · year−1. This value constitutes approximately 1% of anthropogenic emission of carbon dioxide originating from environmentally harmful industrial plants in the Lublin province.

Hydrochemical characteristics of a spring snowmelt flood in the Upper Wieprz River basin (Roztocze region) in year 2006

Hydrochemical characteristics of a spring snowmelt flood in the Upper Wieprz River basin (Roztocze region) in year 2006 In order to help develop a better understanding of relevant catchment processes, this paper presents the changes in physico-chemical features of the Wieprz River water during the spring snowmelt flood of 2006. The obtained results showed that the groundwater sampled from the springs and the water sampled from the river had a similar and quite stable composition of the basic physicochemical features in the period of solely groundwater feeding (the river is fed only with the water coming from underground sources). The physico-chemical composition of river water during snowmelt depended on the contribution of surface runoff in total outflow and the flood phase. The correlation coefficients between the discharge in the Wieprz River and the concentrations in the studied indices were significantly negative: pH, SEC, HCO3, Ca, Mg, Na, Sr, SiO2, Cl, SO4, F. Significantly positive correlations associated with an increase in discharge were observed in the case of: K, NO3, NO2, total organic carbon, chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand. Step and bidirectional responses were noted during the snowmelt flood in the case of the content of NH4 and PO4. Hydrochemiczna charakterystyka wiosennego wezbrania roztopowego w zlewni górnego Wieprza w 2006 r. (Roztocze) W pracy przedstawiono zmiany cech fizyczno-chemicznych wody rzeki Wieprz w Guciowie (SE Polska) w czasie wiosennego wezbrania roztopowego 2006 roku. Wyniki badań wykazały, że wody gruntowe pobrane ze źródeł oraz wody pobrane z koryta rzeki Wieprz w okresie wyłącznego zasilania podziemnego, miały zbliżony i stabilny skład podstawowych wskaźników fizyczno-chemicznych. Podczas roztopów wartości parametrów fizyczno-chemicznych wody w rzece były uzależnione od stopnia przemarznięcia pokrywy glebowej, udziału spływu powierzchniowego w odpływie całkowitym oraz fazy wezbrania. Współczynniki korelacji między przepływem wody w rzece Wieprz a stężeniem badanego wskaźnika były istotne ujemne w przypadku: pH -0,78, SEC -0,92, TH -0,92, HCO3 -0,93, Ca -0,89, Mg -0,88, Na -0,81, Sr -0,87, SiO2 -0,81, Cl -0,87, SO4 -0,83, F -0,59. Istotnie dodatnie zależności związane ze zwiększeniem przepływu zanotowano w przypadku: K 0,73, NO3 0,71, NO2 0,58, TOC 0,62, COD 0,63 i BOD 0,62. Skokową i różnokierunkową reakcję podczas wezbrania roztopowego notowano w przypadku: NH4 0,34 i PO4 0,13.

Evaluation of the hydrological role of wetlands in the Włodawka River catchment (Polesie Lubelskie)

Evaluation of the hydrological role of wetlands in the Włodawka River catchment (Polesie Lubelskie) The Włodawka River catchment of an area of 725 km2 covers the central and eastern part of the Łęczna-Włodawa Lake District. Evaluation of the role of hydrogenic areas in runoff creation was based on materials of the Department of Hydrography and the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management data. The analysis was conducted for selected catchments in which additional hydrometric measurements and water quality tests were done. Such parameters as: the share of hydrogenic surfaces in total catchment area, types of wetlands, their hypsometric location and position with reference to drainage streams were taken into consideration for evaluation. The degree of anthropogenic transformation of the marshland was expressed in terms of density and depth of the drainage ditches that dissect it. It was found that the drained gyttja of Krowie Bagno plays a considerable role in increasing the minimum discharge. Wetlands in the Włodawka River catchment influence the conditions of the runoff and water quality, which is noticeable, primarily, in the concentration of organic carbon, and of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. Ocena hydrologicznej roli obszarów podmokłych w dorzeczu Włodawki (Polesie Lubelskie) Zlewnia Włodawki o powierzchni 725 km2 została uformowana przede wszystkim przez połączenie wielu podmokłych obszarów bezodpływowych w spójny hydrologicznie system. Składa się on z 13 zlewni cząstkowych. Obszary podmokłe zajmują 31% zlewni, a w zlewniach cząstkowych ich udział wynosi od 12 do 56%. Niektóre z nich stanowią cenne przyrodniczo fragmenty Poleskiego Parku Narodowego, jego otuliny oraz Sobiborskiego Parku Krajobrazowego, two-rzących Międzynarodowy Rezerwat Biosfery. Ich morfometria, budowa geologiczna oraz użytkowanie ziemi wykazują duże zróżnicowanie, co przejawia się złożonym obiegiem wody. Badane zlewnie na znacznych przestrzeniach porozcinane są siecią rowów melioracyjnych, których średnia gęstość wynosi 2 km·km-2, osiągając w zlewniach cząstkowych wartość około 5 km·km-2, a w obrębie obszarów podmokłych nawet 8,5 km·km-2 (Krowie Bagno). Średni odpływ jednostkowy w zlewni Włodawki w latach 1984-2008 wynosił 3,33 dm3·s-1 km-2. Chwilowe odpływy jednostkowe w okresach letnich na terenie niektórych zlewni zmniejszają się do 0,1 dm3·s-1·km-2. Trwały odpływ zarejestrowano wówczas z obszarów podmokłych. W wodach rzeki Włodawka i jej dopływów stwierdzono dużą zawartość węgla organicznego (8-36 mg·dm-3). Ze zlewni Włodawki odprowadzane było w latach 2007-2008 przeciętnie 2436 t·rok-1 DOC, z czego ponad 90% pochodzi z obszarów organogenicznych. Średni odpływ azotu w latach 2007-2008 wynosił 237 t·rok-1, a fosforu 21,6 t·rok-1. Wyniki badań wskazują na złożony system krążenia wody w zlewni Włodawki oraz na decydujący wpływ obszarów podmokłych w kształtowaniu jej ilości i jakości. W tej sytuacji racjonalne gospodarowanie wodą wymaga zorganizowania stałej sieci monitoringu hydrologicznego i hydrochemicznego, obejmującego Włodawkę i jej zlewnie cząstkowe, a ewentualne zabiegi hydrotechniczne powinny doprowadzać do spowolnienia odpływu i zatrzymywania wody w zlewni. Jednakże ze względu na znaczny potencjał eutroficzny wód rzecznych budowa dużych zbiorników retencyjnych na badanym obszarze będzie wpływała niekorzystnie na jakość wód.