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In particular branches of the Earth sciences the term estuary is used with various meanings. The term estuary is applied to objects that often differ from the original geographic meaning of the word. The phenomena that accompany them and processes that cause them are called also estuary phenomena and processes. The aim of the study is to describe, in a geographic context, the range in meaning of both the term and names of phenomena and processes derived from it. In the years 2002 -2005, a survey of the distribution of chloride concentrations was conducted on five lakes characteristic of the southern Baltic coast: Jamno, Bukowo, Wicko, Kopań and Łebsko. It was observed that seawater intrusions into the coastal lakes only resembles those that occur in classic estuaries, though the results are similar to seawater intrusion processes. In the Polish section of the southern Baltic coast, coastal lakes are not the only places where these phenomena are observed. We suggest that all inland water bodies that are under the influence of marine intrusions should be called coastal waters, instead of the misleading term estuary.

In this paper we demonstrate spatial and seasonal changes in the pathways of microbial decomposition of organic matter within the surface sediments of Lake Sarbsko, a coastal water body located on the middle Polish-Baltic coast. We studied lake waters and bottom sediments at 11 sampling stations throughout the basin and in different seasons between November 2007 and September 2008. It was established that, in this very productive and shallow lake, microbial activity increases in warmer seasons and ceases during winter. In spring, bacterial activity is fuelled by increased influx of highly reactive planktonic organic matter, which is decomposed via methanogenesis, reduction of NO3 -, SO4 2-, and Fe and Mn oxides. On the other hand, during summer, oxidation processes (mainly oxidation of CH4) tend to predominate. The change from reduction to oxidation is attributed to wind-induced vertical mixing of Lake Sarbsko waters and resuspension of bottom deposits. Degradation of sedimentary organic matter in Lake Sarbsko results in appreciable changes in the pH and the concentrations of red-ox sensitive ions in pore waters, but it has little effect on the chemistry of bottom and surface waters. However, release of PO4 3- from the sediments might be a source of this nutrient in the lake. Internal loading of phosphates in Lake Sarbsko occurs under both oxic/mildly reducing and anoxic conditions

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The aim of the study was to locate and describe groundwater outflows in a selected lake basin and measure the spring output of water and the physical characteristics of the studied waters (temperature and conductivity). The final aim was to gauge the effects of the spring output on the lake hydrology. The time scope of the work included the period from January 2011 to September 2012. The spatial scope of the work included the area of Lake Raduńskie Górne and its direct catchment located in the Kashubian Lake District in northern Poland. Four groundwater outflows were located in the course of the study. Their total output was 4.6 L s −1 and ranged between 0.5 and 2.5 L s −1. This produces an annual yield of about 145 000 m 3 year −1. These results confirm that one of the forms of supply to the lakes are the under-lake springs. For lakes located in the area of young glacial accumulation this can be decisive.