THE INFLUENCE OF GYPSUM TREATMENT ON PHOSPHORUS RETENTION IN BOTTOM SEDIMENTS AND ON THE WATER OF MAN-MADE LAKE

The paper presents a research covering the stability of phosphorus retention in the bottom sediments, resulting from application of gypsum in anoxic conditions and in slightly acidic environment (pH~5) of solutions. The present work also contains an analysis of possible effects of gypsum application for water from the reservoir, on the basis of selected parameters of overlying water. Undisturbed deposit cores extracted from two research stations on the Solina Reservoir have been a subject to a 10-weeks long exposure in determinate conditions, after application of gypsum. The conducted research indicated that retention capacities of deposits, which become increased after the use of gypsum, will decrease over time (e.g. after winter period). Application of gypsum led to a quite significant increase in concentrations of calcium in solutions. Intense release of iron from the sediments into the solutions and decrease in SO42- content, during the said 10-week exposure in anoxic conditions, indicates the use of iron (III) and sulphates as electron acceptors in process of oxidization of an organic substance

Influence of Sedimentary Fe and Mn on the Oxygenation of Overlying Waters in Dam Reservoirs

This paper reports work to determine the impact that concentrations of manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) in the bottom sediments of shallow dam reservoirs exert upon the dissolved oxygen concentrations of overlying waters. Specifically, the work was conducted in the 2013-2014 period in six shallow artificial reservoirs located in SE Poland. The waters of all the reservoirs studied are relatively well oxygenated, though both supersaturation and anoxic conditions are observed seasonally across the 50-150% range. The reported reactions of bottom sediments were between pH 7.7 and 8.2, while mean concentrations of Mn and Fe were found to vary widely from site to site (Mn from 0.068 to 1.48 g/kg d.w. and Fe from 2.48 to 24.0 g/kg d.w.). It did not prove possible to demonstrate any direct relationship between sediment Fe and Mn concentrations, the Mn/Fe ratio or pH on the one hand and the oxygenation of reservoir waters on the other. However, multiple regression analysis did allow for the identification of a significant influence of both Mn content and sediment pH on oxygen concentration in reservoir waters. In simple terms, both an increase in Mn and a decrease in pH can be said to result in more fully aerobic conditions in waters

Trophic degradation predispositions and intensity in a high-flow, silted reservoir

The objective of the work was to demonstrate the relationship between the natural environmental characteristics of a reservoir and its catchment and severity of trophic degradation. The shallow, highly-silted Rzeszów Reservoir (SE Poland) was the object of study. The impact on degradation of internal supply from accumulated bottom sediments was also assessed, using water and sediment sampled in 2013 and 2014. A high value for trophic state was identified for the reservoir on the basis of TSI indexes, while assessed natural resilience to degradation and analysis of the catchment as a supplier of biogenic and organic matter both indicate high susceptibility to cultural eutrophication. Obtained values for equilibrium phosphate concentrations under anoxic conditions (EPC-0) point to the possibility of a more intensive process of internal supply in phosphorus. However, the presence of sediments poor in organic matter suggest no major threat of ongoing eutrophication. Desludging and/or dredging are likely to entail elimination from the ecosystem of a large part of the pollutants accumulated in sediments, as well as the internal supply of phosphate to the water column. However, as external sources are responsible for the advanced degradation of Rzeszów Reservoir, any attempts at reclamation within the water will fail to yield persistent effects if appropriate protective procedures in the catchment are not implemented

An assessment of water quality in dam reservoirs, considering their aggressive properties

The paper presents the water classification of four small retention reservoirs on the basis of selected physical and chemical indicators, such as: conductivity, pH level, dissolved oxygen, calcium hardness, general hardness and alkalinity. Three reservoirs (Ożanna, Kamionka and Cierpisz) are within the limits in terms of average values for the second class of water quality. Water in the Nowa Wieś reservoir does not qualify as second quality class of surface water. These reservoirs have had very irregular seasonal variations of water quality. Unambiguous correlations have not been established. Aggressive properties of water have been tested on the basis of Langelier (IL) or Ryznar (IR) indexes and calcium carbonate saturation [pHs]. Waters in the Ożanna and Nowa Wieś reservoirs do not have aggressive properties. Both the Kamionka and Cierpisz reservoirs are characterized by corrosive and leaching aggressiveness

An assessment of water quality in dam reservoirs, considering their aggressive properties

The paper presents the water classification of four small retention reservoirs on the basis of selected physical and chemical indicators, such as: conductivity, pH level, dissolved oxygen, calcium hardness, general hardness and alkalinity. Three reservoirs (Ożanna, Kamionka and Cierpisz) are within the limits in terms of average values for the second class of water quality. Water in the Nowa Wieś reservoir does not qualify as second quality class of surface water. These reservoirs have had very irregular seasonal variations of water quality. Unambiguous correlations have not been established. Aggressive properties of water have been tested on the basis of Langelier (IL) or Ryznar (IR) indexes and calcium carbonate saturation [pHs]. Waters in the Ożanna and Nowa Wieś reservoirs do not have aggressive properties. Both the Kamionka and Cierpisz reservoirs are characterized by corrosive and leaching aggressiveness

Heavy Metal Accumulation in Sediments of Small Retention Reservoirs—Ecological Risk and the Impact of Humic Substances Distribution

Anthropogenic pollutants that accumulate in bottom sediments may pose a serious threat to the aquatic environment and humans. The aim of the study was to determine the ecological risk related to the contamination of sediment with heavy metals and the relationship between the accumulation of heavy metals and various granulometric fractions and humic substances in the bottom sediments of small retention reservoirs located in catchments of varying anthropopressure. The research objects were five small dam reservoirs located in south-eastern Poland. The sediments of the reservoir exposed to the greatest anthropopressure from the catchment area posed a serious threat to aquatic organisms feeding at the bottom. The bottom sediments of the remaining reservoirs showed a low level of potential toxicity (or non-toxicity). The observed relationship between the enrichment of sediments with organic matter (OM) and the increased risk of their ecotoxic impact on aquatic organisms was determined by excessive exposure to heavy metal contamination. The sand content did not appear to have a clear effect on the metal accumulation, although it was associated with enrichment in OM. Due to diverse environmental conditions, it was not possible to unequivocally confirm that the accumulation of heavy metals in the sediments of small retention reservoirs directly depends on the content of organic matter and humic substances, but such relationships were observed in most of the objects

Heavy Metal Accumulation in Sediments of Small Retention Reservoirs—Ecological Risk and the Impact of Humic Substances Distribution

Anthropogenic pollutants that accumulate in bottom sediments may pose a serious threat to the aquatic environment and humans. The aim of the study was to determine the ecological risk related to the contamination of sediment with heavy metals and the relationship between the accumulation of heavy metals and various granulometric fractions and humic substances in the bottom sediments of small retention reservoirs located in catchments of varying anthropopressure. The research objects were five small dam reservoirs located in south-eastern Poland. The sediments of the reservoir exposed to the greatest anthropopressure from the catchment area posed a serious threat to aquatic organisms feeding at the bottom. The bottom sediments of the remaining reservoirs showed a low level of potential toxicity (or non-toxicity). The observed relationship between the enrichment of sediments with organic matter (OM) and the increased risk of their ecotoxic impact on aquatic organisms was determined by excessive exposure to heavy metal contamination. The sand content did not appear to have a clear effect on the metal accumulation, although it was associated with enrichment in OM. Due to diverse environmental conditions, it was not possible to unequivocally confirm that the accumulation of heavy metals in the sediments of small retention reservoirs directly depends on the content of organic matter and humic substances, but such relationships were observed in most of the objects

Spatial Diversity Characterising Certain Chemical Substances in Sediments of Besko Reservoir

The article reports the conducted analyses of certain chemical parameters characterising the sediments of Poland’s Besko Reservoir. Specificall, determinations concerned the pH value, percentage organic matter (OM), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), carbonates (CO 3 2- ), total phosphorus (TP) and its fractions, as well as heavy metals (Fe, Al, Cr, Cu, Ni, Cd, Zn, Mn). The sediments have a slight alkaline reaction, with pH values correlating positively with the high content of carbonates. The sediments have low organic matter content, while organic carbon accounts for about 30% of OM. The values for the C:N ratio point to an allochthonous origin for organic matter. The analysis of phosphorus fractionation showed that inorganic phosphorus (IP) is predominant at every research station. The lowest percentage for a fraction was in turn obtained for NAIP. This testifiesto a slight anthropogenic impact of the catchment area. The sediments can be classifiedas of the 2 nd purity class (according to PIG), due to their highest concentration of chromium. According to Müller’s classification,the sediments can be classifiedas purity class 3 (i.e. with moderate contamination). The values noted for the EF coefficienconfirma very strong enrichment by chromium ions. In addition, chromium, copper, nickel and cadmium have a negative effecton aquatic organisms. The results show that the sediments can be used for example in building and maintaining hydraulic structures

A Preliminary Study Into the Possibility of δ13C Being Used as a Sensitive Indicator of the Trophic and Hydrobiological Status of Aquatic Ecosystems

There is a need to search for additional indicators allowing for more accurate identification of both the trophic status of waters and its chemical and biological consequences. Work detailed here involved a preliminary analysis of the possibility of an isotopic index being used in association with values for trophic and saprobic indicators in describing a dam reservoir experiencing far-reaching eutrophication. Water samples for physicochemical analysis were collected from three sites along the axis of the dam reservoir in Rzeszów three times during the spring and summer of 2013. Results sustained classification of the Reservoir’s waters as hypertrophic, irrespective of the particular zone sampled. While phytoplankton blooms characterised by reference to numbers of organisms per unit volume of water were also similar throughout the Reservoir, diversification in terms of taxonomic composition was to be noted, given the occurrence of cyanobacteria among the dominant diatoms in the area close to the dam. This presence was accompanied by enrichment of the Reservoir’s suspended organic matter in carbon of the heavier 13C isotope. On this basis, the δ13C isotopic index can be regarded as a potentially useful indicator allowing for more accurate identification of both the level and the nature of the trophic degradation ongoing in bodies of water