1 Introduction to the “Quality of Water Resources in Poland”
9
environmental requirements that directly result from the provisions of European law
(including WFD) but also from the national level (including RBMPs). The influence
of anthropopressure on the dynamics of river sediment transport in the longitudinal
profile is presented on the example of the two largest Polish rivers (Vistula and
Oder). The authors own research results presented here. In addition, the investments
listed in RBMPs that have a potential impact on the transport of sludge have been
characterized.
The next chapter presents “Environmental and Anthropogenic Determinants of
Water Chemistry in the Carpathians”. Factors affecting stream water and groundwater chemistry in the Carpathians were identified mainly on the basis of hydrochemical case studies from numerous small headwater catchments. The most important environmental factor affecting water chemistry in the Carpathians is noted to
be geology. Complex geologic structure of Carpathians determines significant variances in stream water and groundwater chemistry across the region. Hydrologic factor
(changes in discharge) controls stream water and spring water chemistry changes in
time. Elevation and geographic location of streams and springs in given climate zone
and vegetation zone are natural factors affecting water chemistry in Carpathians in
some extend. Anthropogenic factors affecting water chemistry in the Carpathians
include acid rain, deforestation, agriculture, and tourist-generated wastewater.
The chapter “Surface Water Eutrophication in Poland: Assessment, Impacts
and Mitigation”. Anthropogenic eutrophication belongs to global processes which
intensity has increased significantly in recent decades, affecting the surface waters in
many countries and leading to deterioration of their ecological status and functional
properties. Now anthropogenic eutrophication has become the research focus for
the specialists in the field of water protection, ecological engineering and water
resources management. Diagnostics of eutrophication causes and factors, the control
and prognosis of its development are of great theoretical and practical importance.
Regardless of the broad-scale projects implemented in Poland and other Baltic Sea
basin countries, aimed at reduction of biogenic loads discharged to the sea and related
huge capital expenditures, the expected effects in eutrophication abatement were not
achieved and cost-benefit ratio is rather high. The chapter presents an overview
concerning the essence of the eutrophication process, its causes and effects, provides
a review of methodological approaches to trophic status assessing, discusses the
methods of protection against eutrophication and a comprehensive analysis of this
problem in Poland.
The next chapter presents “Monitoring of Small Catchments in Poland as Part
of the Integrated Environmental Monitoring Program: Functioning of the Agricultural Catchment of Struga Toru ´
nska”. The Struga Toru´ nska catchment represents the dominant form of land use in Poland—arable land. The catchment is under
strong pressure from agricultural activity. The influence of the nearby city—Toru´ n
is significant. Here, the processes of the typical suburban area take place: land use
changes, residential houses are being built, the industry develops, service facilities are created, the network of roads and highways is expanding. The functioning
of the agricultural catchment of Struga Toru´ nska is influenced by climate change,
air temperature increases, there is often no thermal winter, and the growing season
9
environmental requirements that directly result from the provisions of European law
(including WFD) but also from the national level (including RBMPs). The influence
of anthropopressure on the dynamics of river sediment transport in the longitudinal
profile is presented on the example of the two largest Polish rivers (Vistula and
Oder). The authors own research results presented here. In addition, the investments
listed in RBMPs that have a potential impact on the transport of sludge have been
characterized.
The next chapter presents “Environmental and Anthropogenic Determinants of
Water Chemistry in the Carpathians”. Factors affecting stream water and groundwater chemistry in the Carpathians were identified mainly on the basis of hydrochemical case studies from numerous small headwater catchments. The most important environmental factor affecting water chemistry in the Carpathians is noted to
be geology. Complex geologic structure of Carpathians determines significant variances in stream water and groundwater chemistry across the region. Hydrologic factor
(changes in discharge) controls stream water and spring water chemistry changes in
time. Elevation and geographic location of streams and springs in given climate zone
and vegetation zone are natural factors affecting water chemistry in Carpathians in
some extend. Anthropogenic factors affecting water chemistry in the Carpathians
include acid rain, deforestation, agriculture, and tourist-generated wastewater.
The chapter “Surface Water Eutrophication in Poland: Assessment, Impacts
and Mitigation”. Anthropogenic eutrophication belongs to global processes which
intensity has increased significantly in recent decades, affecting the surface waters in
many countries and leading to deterioration of their ecological status and functional
properties. Now anthropogenic eutrophication has become the research focus for
the specialists in the field of water protection, ecological engineering and water
resources management. Diagnostics of eutrophication causes and factors, the control
and prognosis of its development are of great theoretical and practical importance.
Regardless of the broad-scale projects implemented in Poland and other Baltic Sea
basin countries, aimed at reduction of biogenic loads discharged to the sea and related
huge capital expenditures, the expected effects in eutrophication abatement were not
achieved and cost-benefit ratio is rather high. The chapter presents an overview
concerning the essence of the eutrophication process, its causes and effects, provides
a review of methodological approaches to trophic status assessing, discusses the
methods of protection against eutrophication and a comprehensive analysis of this
problem in Poland.
The next chapter presents “Monitoring of Small Catchments in Poland as Part
of the Integrated Environmental Monitoring Program: Functioning of the Agricultural Catchment of Struga Toru ´
nska”. The Struga Toru´ nska catchment represents the dominant form of land use in Poland—arable land. The catchment is under
strong pressure from agricultural activity. The influence of the nearby city—Toru´ n
is significant. Here, the processes of the typical suburban area take place: land use
changes, residential houses are being built, the industry develops, service facilities are created, the network of roads and highways is expanding. The functioning
of the agricultural catchment of Struga Toru´ nska is influenced by climate change,
air temperature increases, there is often no thermal winter, and the growing season