Using Macroelement Content to Characterize Surficial Water Quality of Artificial Reservoirs

Abstract

The quality of surface waters in the territory of Poland, despite the implemented remedial measures, is mostly classified as bad. This article presents the results of research on the composition of water macroelements in 24 artificial reservoirs located in Opole province (southern Poland), searching for the reasons behind their pollution. Concentrations of the anions F−, Cl−, Br−, NO2−, NO3−, PO43− and SO42− and cations Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ were taken into account. An analysis of seasonal changes was carried out and, on the example of a dam reservoir (Turawa Big Reservoir), a multi-point analysis of the distribution of ion concentrations in water at the reservoir surface was also carried out. It was shown that retention and flow-through reservoirs, where the main source of pollution is the water feeding the reservoirs, are the most vulnerable to pollution. The second group consists of closed reservoirs located in industrial and agricultural areas, which are exposed to pollution from rainwater run-off and field leachate. In the case of reservoirs created in marl mining areas, a significant effect was also indicated from the chemical composition of the substrate on the formation of ionic equilibria in waters filling the excavations. The research shows that there are no hard and fast rules regarding the seasonal variability of ion concentrations during the growing season, indicating that eutrophic reservoirs show greater variability of ion concentration. Graphical Abstract

Ecological risks of dammed reservoir waters using the example of the Turawa Reservoir in southern Poland

“…In the years 2002-05 the pH in the range 7.60-9.95 was determined 32 . In 2013 pH higher than 10 was observed 24 . The studies carried out in 2011-14 indicate the pH values in the range 7.70-9.90 20 .…”

“…The data on the limits of detection and quanti cation of the apparatus and the uncertainty of the method measurement results, expressed by standard deviation sm, are summarised by 24 .…”

“…The results of the study of the ion composition of the Turawa Reservoir waters against the background of 24 water reservoirs in the Opolskie province were published in 24 . This article analyses the average surface distribution of ion concentrations in reservoir waters, and seasonal changes recorded in 2020.…”

“…The distribution of concentrations of the other analysed ions: F − , Cl − , Br − , SO 4 2− , Na + , K + , Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ are within the range: s ≤ mean, indicating a relatively uniform distribution of these ions in the reservoir waters. In 2013, a study of the ionic composition of 24 water reservoirs in the Opole Province (PL) was conducted, including the Turawa Reservoir 24 . In comparison with other dam reservoirs located in Opole Province (Otmuchów Reservoir and Nysa Reservoir), Turawa Reservoir had higher concentrations of most of the ions studied: F − , Cl − , Br − , NO 3 − , SO 4 2− , Na + , K + and Ca 2+ , as well as higher values of water conductivity and pH.…”