Stanisław Małek

Multivariate exploration and classification applied to the chemical composition of spring waters in sanctuary forest areas

This study was carried out in the Zimnik and Czyrna catchments (ZC and CC, respectively) located in the Silesian Beskid Mountains of southern Poland. The data matrix with 870 observations of major inorganic elements (Cl−, , , , Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+), pH and electrolytic conductivity of spring water samples was carried out using linear discriminant analysis, unsupervised Kohonen self-organising maps (SOM) classification and non-parametric tests. A multivariate analysis of the chemical composition of spring water was performed, taking into consideration the geological condition of the catchment area, the prevailing forest stands, slopes facing and different water levels due to the seasonal variations. For the ZC the first discriminant function (DF) reflected general geological conditions (absence of ) while the second DF reflected the nutrient biocycle (presence of ). In case of the CC, the first DF had a complex meaning and reflected both geological conditions and the nutrient biocycles. Based on specific chemical profiles, low water level related samples and high water level related samples were distinguished from each other in both the ZC and CC, respectively. The SOM-based classification indicated that forest types and springs location were the major factors affecting the spring water chemical profile. In general, in case of springs located above 1000 m, limited weathering connected with the effect of the highly acid spruce monoculture on leaching causes a decreasing concentration of Na+, K+, Mg2+, Cl− and , while springs located between 700 and 800 m above sea level in mixed forests, showed the highest concentrations of K+ and Cl− and the lowest concentrations of , values of pH and conductivity.

The effect of environmental conditions on surface water quality in the Zimnik and Czyrna catchments of the Beskid Śląski

The effect of environmental conditions on surface water quality in the Zimnik and Czyrna catchments of the Beskid Śląski The study was carried out in the year 2004 in the Zimnik and Czyrna catchments situated on opposite slopes of Skrzyczne in the Beskid Śląski Mts. Water samples collected from streams during three sampling sessions were analysed. The first session was carried out during snowmelt (April/May), the second during intensive rainfall in the vegetation season (June) and the third - during low water level (October). A data set consisting of conductivity, water pH, concentrations of major anions (Cl-, NO3-, SO42-) and cations (NH4+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+) was produced and waters were then classified according to Polish standards (years 2002 and 2004). Chemical composition of stream waters depended on physical and geological properties of drainage areas and on seasonal changes of water level in the catchment. Water class depended also on precipitation and on forest type. It was found that water from most sampling points in streams was unfit for drinking - 66 out of collected 89 samples were beyond the first A1 category and the main reason for that was too low pH and high concentrations of NH4+ and NO3-. During intensive rainfall in the vegetation season higher washing out of cations was observed from beech and multispecies forest stands than from spruce stands, which partly neutralized water pH and in consequence improved water quality. This phenomenon should be considered while afforesting streams neighborhoods where water is or will be used as a source of drinking water. Wpływ warunków środowiskowych na jakość wód powierzchniowych w zlewni Zimnika i Czyrnej w Beskidzie Śląskim Badania zostały przeprowadzone w 2004 roku w zlewniach Zimnika i Czyrnej leżących na przeciwległych stokach Skrzycznego w Beskidzie Śląskim. Analizie poddano wody pobrane z potoków podczas trzech sesji pomiarowych. Pierwsza odbyła się podczas roztopów śniegu (kwiecień/maj), druga sesja w trakcie intensywnych opadów deszczu w okresie wegetacji (czerwiec), trzecia przy niskim stanie wód (październik). Analizowano odczyn i przewodność elektrolityczną oraz stężenie anionów (Cl-, NO3-, SO42-) i kationów (NH4+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+). Wyniki poddano klasyfikacji wód pitnych wg polskich norm (z 2002 i 2004 r.). Skład chemiczny wód powierzchniowych zależy od fizycznych i geologicznych właściwości utworów budujących zlewnie. Przynależność wód do klasy zależy również od wystąpienia i rodzaju opadów atmosferycznych oraz składu gatunkowego. Stwierdzono niezdatność dużej części badanych wód do picia - 66 z 89 pobranych prób znajdowało się poza klasa A1, głównie ze względu na niski ich odczyn oraz wysokie stężenie NH4+ i NO3-. W drzewostanach bukowych i wielogatunkowych zaobserwowano znacząco większe niż w świerkowych wymywanie kationów podczas intensywnych opadów deszczu, co w pewnym stopniu neutralizowało odczyn wód a tym samym podnosiło jakość wód. Ten fakt powinien być brany pod uwagę przy zalesianiu terenów źródliskowych i sąsiadujących z potokami w obszarach, gdzie wody te wykorzystywane są lub będą w przyszłości, jako dodatkowe ujęcia wód pitnych.

Quantitative and Qualitative Changes of Precipitation Input to the Ojców National Park (South Poland) during 1997–1999

Changes of the qualitative and quantitative features of snow and rain during the winter and the vegetation period, respectively, were studied during three years (1997–1999). The sites were located on Chełmova Góra Mt. in the Ojców National Park (South Poland), which is one of the most polluted areas in Poland. Standard methods of measuring bulk precipitation were used according to the ICP Forest Manual. One plot was near the summit part (OPN2), and the other plot was in the lower part close to the foot (OPN5) of the Chełmowa Góra Mt. The total amount of Ca decreased during the study period, while NO3− and SO4−2 decreased only in the vegetation period. During the winter period the snow carried high amounts of Cl−, NO3−, SO4−2, Na, Mg, and Ca. A decrease in pH was noticed during the winter periods, whereas an increase in pH was found during the vegetation period. Higher element concentrations were always found in the upper plot compared to the lower situated plot. This indicated that the upper and more exposed parts of the mountains in the Park were under higher pollution stress.

Effect of deforestation on stream and spring water chemistry in Malinowski and Czyrna catchments in Beskid Âlàski Mts.

Abstract Dieback of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst) which has been observed in the Western Carpathians is of interest to scientists from many disciplines.. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of deforestation on water chemical composition in mountainous streams and springs. The research was carried out in 2004 and 2013 in two catchments of the Skrzyczne massif in the Silesian Beskid Mountains. Field studies included measurements of water pH and conductivity. Under laboratory conditions, there were determined concentrations: Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, NH4+, Cl-, NO3-, SO42 in each water sample. The results of physical and chemical analyses of water collected within the Malinowski catchment (covered mainly with spruce stands) and on northern slopes of the Skrzyczne massif - within the Czyrna catchment (covered mainly with beech stands), showed higher contents of base cations when compared to deforested areas. The highest concentrations of the ions analysed were recorded within the Czyrna catchment. Such phenomena should be taken into consideration during forest reconstruction after spruce dieback.

THE EFFECT OF "ACID RAIN" AND MINERAL FERTILIZERS ON THE BIOMETRICAL FEATURES OF LARIX DECIDUA MILL. SEEDLINGS

The purpose of the present experiment was to describe the influence of various mineral fertilizers on the development of Larix decidua Mill. seedlings subject to the influence of simulated acid rain of pH 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5. The seedlings were fertilized every month (from April up to October), in order to counteract acid rain. The composition of the fertilizers was diversified in order to select an optimum variant. Fertilizer with NK applied to the needles (Florovit) and NPK applied to the soil (Fruktus 2) as well as dolomite lime applied to the soil. One row per set was left without fertilization as a control for each pH step of acid rain treatment. The analysis of biometric characteristics showed that a two-year period of investigations was too short to estimate effects on Larix decidua Mill. seedlings. It, however, indicated important trends. High correlations were found between particular growth parameters i.e. diameter of root neck, root mass, total mass of: seedlings, needles, main shoots, lateral shoots, ligneous parts, total overground parts. No strong correlations were observed between the above mentioned parameters and the total height of the seedlings. Among the different treatments the best development was achieved at pH 4.0, whereas the weakest development was observed at pH 2.5. The analysis showed a decrease in biometrical features along with an increase in acidity of acid rain solution. The first year of the experiment had the greatest influence upon the growth of Larix decidua Mill. seedlings. Significant improvement in growth, in relation to control plots, was achieved by using NK-fertilizers onto needles — the best results, and NPK onto soil. The best increment of the height of seedling was noticed at pH 3.5. In the second year of the experiment the effects of pH of acid rain and fertilization decreased — no significant effect on biometrical features was observed. Applaying NPK fertilizer onto soil showed a positive effect in relation to dolomite treatment. The best increment was noticed at pH 4.0.

Counteracting the negative effects of simulated acid rain on the development of Larix decidua Mill. seedlings by means of mineral fertilization (NPK)

The experiment was aimed at estimating the effect of mineral fertilization with ternary mineral fertilizers (NPK) on the development of Larix decidua Mill. seedlings remaining under the influence of simulated acid rain. The soils with a mechanical composition of poor loamy sands were treated with water solutions of H2SO4 of pH: 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 7.8. and selected biometric features were measured. The experiment was carried over a period of 2 yr. The analysis of changes in the biometric features demonstrated that the poor alkaline reaction of water solutions (7.8), and strong acid (2.5) has a negative effect on the development of the Larix decidua Mill. seedlings, resulting in the limitation of the length increment, decrease in the mass of seedlings, mass of needles etc. Optimal development of the seedlings was at pH 4.0. A decrease in the biometric features analyzed together with an increase in the acidity of water solution was observed.