Sylwia Machula

Macroelements in the surface microlayer of water of urban ponds

Abstract Analyses were conducted concerning the accumulation of four metals representing the group of macroelements, i.e. sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium in two ponds located in the city of Słupsk. Water samples for chemical analyses were collected from the surface microlayer using a Garrett net. At the same time subsurface water samples were collected. Concentrations of metals were determined using a mass spectrometer. Generally, amounts of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were similar in surface microlayer and subsurface water. Only in the case of potassium and calcium was low enrichment observed in the surface microlayer in one pond, while the greatest extent for magnesium enrichment was observed in the spring period.

Spatial and temporal variability of Copepoda in the pelagic zone of the Pomeranian Bay (2001-2003)

Spatial and temporal variability of Copepoda in the pelagic zone of the Pomeranian Bay (2001-2003) This investigation of Pomeranian Bay waters was conducted from March 2001 to August of 2003 from aboard the r/v Nawigator XXI, which is owned by the Maritime Academy in Szczecin. A total of 147 water samples were collected at 15 stations on three transects in the Pomeranian Bay from Świnoujście, Międzyzdroje, and Dziwnów to the Odra Bank. Zooplankton was sampled with a Bongo type planktonometer Ø = 20 cm with a mesh size of 80 μm during 10 min. filtering hauls in the pelagic zone from the bottom to the surface at an average vessel speed of 3 - 4 knots. The method developed and published by Orłowski was used to transform the large amount of seasonal data for the entire study period into isoline illustrations of the spatial structures in the Pomeranian Bay of mesozooplankton and selected species, namely Acartia bifilosa, Acartia longiremis, Pseudocalanus elongatus, and Temora longicornis. The average mesozooplankton aggregations in ten consecutive seasons at the 15 stations investigated from 2001 to 2003 in the entire Odra estuary area fluctuated from 2,442 to 92,200 ind. m-3. The highest species variety was noted among marine Copepoda, which was the dominant group in virtually every season investigated. Their maximum abundance reached as much as 213,493 ind. m-3. The euryhaline species A. bifilosa occurred throughout the research period and at all stations at an abundance that reached 210,443 ind. m-3. The seasonal succession series were as follows: in spring, the dominants were Acartia spp. and Evadne nordmanni; in summer - Keratella cochlearis, Bosmina coregoni maritima, and A. bifilosa; in fall - T. longicornis and Acartia spp.; in winter - T. longicornis and Centropages hamatus.

Water salinity effects on embryogenesis of the lesser sandeel, Ammodytes tobianus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Effects of water salinity (3.0–9.0 PSU) on the duration and outcome of embryogenesis in the lesser sandeel (Ammodytes tobianus (L.) as well as on survival, size, and malformation rate of the newly hatched larvae were followed, based on observations involving equipment consisting of a microscope and still and digital cameras. The images obtained and measurements of egg and larval dimensions were analyzed using the NIS elements Br. computer software package. The lowest salinity tested (3.0 PSU), similar to that in the inshore Baltic Sea waters native for the species studied, produced a lower fertilization rate and resulted in extended embryogenesis, reduced embryo survival, changes in the hatch size, and increased larval malformation rate. The high-end salinity (7.5–9.0 PSU), higher than that prevailing in the species’s spawning grounds in the Baltic Sea, resulted — similarly to the low-end salinity — in disturbed development and growth of the embryos.

Anthropogenic pressure on the largest lakes of the River Tywa catchment

Abstract The largest lakes of the River Tywa basin i.e. Strzeszowskie, Dołgie, Swobnica and Dłużec (north-west Poland, West Pomeranian Lakeland) were studied in the period 2008–2013, usually in a six week cycle. The aim of the study was to determine the degree of anthropogenic pressure on the lakes. Anthropogenic pressure was assessed against the natural vulnerability of lakes to degradation and the actual rate of eutrophication, with particular consideration of the catchment areas. Catchments of the studied lakes were classified as III class – catchment with moderate possibility of matter supply to lakes. Lakes Swobnica and Dłużec are characterised by low resistance to degradation. Lake Strzeszowskie is categorised as having moderate resistance and Lake Dołgie is non-resistant to degradation and highly susceptible to external pressure. The rate of eutrophication of lakes Strzeszowskie and Dłużec was found to be moderate, whereas lakes Dołgie and Swobnica show a high rate of eutrophication. The analysis of nutrient loading reaching the waters of the aforementioned lakes shows that the main area source is arable land, and the fundamental point source is the inflow of river waters to each of the analysed reservoirs. Nutrient loading supplied by the river is several times higher than area load. Such conditions require protective action to be taken within the catchment area and particularly, intensive implementation of good agricultural practice. In the studied lakes, there is a significant predominance of incoming nutrient loadings over dangerous and admissible loads.

LOADING THE WATERS OF THE RIVER GWDA WITH BIOGENIC SUBSTANCES WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARIES OF THE TOWN OF PIŁA (NORTH-WEST POLAND)

The results of hydrochemical tests of the Gwdy river in the area of the town of Piła are presented in this study. The catchment area of the Gwda river comprises the area of 4942.8 km2. The surface of catchment area is covered with forest in 43.1%, arable land constitutes 36.5%, and grassland 7.2%. The Gwda river is a right-bank tributary of the Noteć River of IV order. Water samplings were collected in 2009 from three measurement and control points located between 13 and 24 kilometre of the course of the river. During the tests thermal and oxygen conditions were marked and biogenic substances (nitrate acid, ammonia nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and mineral phosphorus). Concentrations of most of the indicators examined qualified the waters of Gwda to the waters of good quality. The indicator whose concentrations exceeded the limit values for the waters of quality was general phosphorus.

BOTTOM SEDIMENTS AS AN ELEMENT OF THE KRĄPIEL RIVER ECOSYSTEM

Research on the structure of sediments was carried out in 2015 in the river Krąpiel and its tributaries. The main objectives of this study were to classify the types of sediments with grain size analyzing according three different criteria, as well as influence of the substrate on the abundance and diversity of macrobenthic organisms, and to determine the quality of the ground for natural breeding of salmonids. It was found that according to Polish standards, bottom sediments of the Krąpiel river and its tributaries belong to the coarse – gravel type or sandy – gravel type, whereas according to the method used in Anglo-Saxon countries – these are sandy sediments. It was also shown that the grain size of bottom sediments of the Krąpiel river and its tributaries determine friendly living environment for macroinvertebrates and for breeding salmonids.

STABILITY OF MACROZOOBENTIC COMMUNITIES IN RIVER MAŁA INA, A LEFT-BANK TRIBUTARY OF RIVER INA (NW POLAND)

The study results presented include an analysis of the biological material collected in May 2007 and 2012 from the Mała Ina river located in the Ina River basin. These served as the basis for determining the taxonomic structure of macrobenthos. The river studied varied with regard to the qualitative and quantitative structures of individual taxa, and the biodiversity in the streams was very low. Despite a significant difference in the number of individuals making up the benthos in the analyzed periods, in terms of quality, this group consisted of almost the same in terms of taxonomic organisms.

STAŁOŚĆ FAUNY MAKROBENTOSOWEJ NA PRZYKŁADZIE RZEKI MAŁA INA LEWOBRZEŻNEGO DOPŁYWU INY (POMORZE ZACHODNIE)

The study results presented include an analysis of the biological material collected in May 2007 and 2012 from the Mała Ina river located in the Ina River basin. These served as the basis for determining the taxonomic structure of macrobenthos. The river studied varied with regard to the qualitative and quantitative structures of individual taxa, and the biodiversity in the streams was very low. Despite a significant difference in the number of individuals making up the benthos in the analyzed periods, in terms of quality, this group consisted of almost the same in terms of taxonomic organisms.

Stałość fauny makrobentosowej na przykładzie rzeki Mała Ina lewobrzeżnego dopływu Iny (Pomorze Zachodnie)

The study results presented include an analysis of the biological material collected in May 2007 and 2012 from the Mała Ina river located in the Ina River basin. These served as the basis for determining the taxonomic structure of macrobenthos. The river studied varied with regard to the qualitative and quantitative structures of individual taxa, and the biodiversity in the streams was very low. Despite a significant difference in the number of individuals making up the benthos in the analyzed periods, in terms of quality, this group consisted of almost the same in terms of taxonomic organisms.

CONCENTRATION OF URANIUM IN WATERS OF THE BIGGEST LAKES OF THE TYWA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN

The paper presents the results of research of uranium concentrations in its different kinds – suspended and dissolved – in waters of the largest lakes located in the catchment area of the River Tywa – Strzeszowskie Lake, Dluzyna Lake, Dlugie Lake and Dluzec Lake. Small (or the order of several 0,01 µg/l) variations in concentration of uranium in different lakes were noted. The study has also shown a seasonal variation – in a similar range – in concentrations of the above species of uranium, as well as total uranium. The content of dissolved uranium was highest in the autumn and winter, lower in the spring and summer. Overall, total uranium was found in greatest concentrations during the fall, in other seasons concentrations were lower and similar to each other. Suspended uranium was found in largest concentrations in autumn and summer, in lower ones in spring and winter. Concentrations of the different species of uranium during the study period showed a small variation – variation coefficient below 10% for total uranium and dissolved uranium, and about 25% for suspended uranium. The observed concentrations of uranium were typical of uncontaminated unpolluted water.