Surface Water Quality Analysis Using CORINE Data: An Application to Assess Reservoirs in Poland

The Process of Microbiological Remediation of the Polluted Słoneczko Reservoir in Poland: For Reduction of Water Pollution and Nutrients Management

The article discusses the impact of nutrients from sewage on the state of the sewage receiver. Bioremediation was carried out through the use of effective microorganisms. The potential recovery of valuable mineral and organic substances in the form of fertilizers was also examined. The Słoneczko Reservoir is a bathing area and serves many people in the summertime as a place of water recreation. Water quality deteriorated intensively from 2006 as a result of illegal wastewater discharge and the impact of fecal pollution from bathers. The high concentration of nutrients in the water was the cause of the eutrophication process and blooms of cyanobacteria, which pose a threat to human health in the bathing area. The bathing area was also closed many times by sanitary services as a result of exceeding the number of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis in the water. At the bottom of the reservoir, there was a layer of sediments with a thickness of 30–70 cm. Thus, the processes of anaerobic decomposition generated odor, causing nuisance in the reservoir area. Water transparency varied from 30 to 50 cm, due to the accumulation of suspensions and biomass of planktonic algae. The reservoir was subjected to microbiological bioremediation in 2017 and 2018 to polluted water treatment and to reduce the organic content of bottom sediments. Already after the first application of biopreparations putrefactive odors and the eutrophication process disappeared at the end of the 2017 summer season. Bioremediation reduced the value of E. coli and E. feacalis to the acceptable level. After the second application in 2018, the organic fraction of the bottom sediments was reduced to a very low level and the water transparency reached the bottom (maximum depth was 2.2 m) throughout the entire bathing area. The effect of the water remediation was maintained until 2019, and the surface water quality remained at a very good level. An important aspect in this case is also the exploitation of bottom sediments, because they are rich in nutrients and organic matter, and therefore it may have some potential as a fertilizer. The recovery of nutrients can be used in plant or pot production. However, they contain compounds that degrade quickly, causing unpleasant odors and threatening the environment. Thus, they should be managed and handled in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way.

Effects of Land Cover Changes on Sediment and Nutrient Balance in the Catchment with Cascade-Dammed Waters

It is commonly believed that changes in the use of the catchment area have a direct impact on the quality of the water environment. Rivers with dams and reservoirs are characterized by a disturbed outflow of sediments and nutrients from the catchment area. The research was based on indicating the variation in time and space of loads of selected parameters of the water quality of the Brda River (Northern Poland) against the land cover changes based on the CORINE Land Cover (CLC) data for the 1990–2018 period. In the lower part of the Brda catchment area, there are three hydropower dams with reservoirs in the form of a cascade, whose work clearly affects the hydrological regime of the river. The analysis of the dependence of the dynamics of water quality changes on the usage of CLC was based on indicators such as sediments (suspended sediment load) and nutrients (total phosphorus load and total nitrogen load). The use of hydrological data on the Brda discharge above and below the reservoirs made it possible to calculate sediment and nutrient trapping efficiency. Linking the CLC data with the indices responsible for the mechanical denudation of the catchment area made it possible to show the strength of changes taking place in the catchment area. The results of the research do not indicate any direct correlation between land cover changes and the dynamics of the denudation process and matter transport in the Brda catchment area. As our research shows, the strong influence on the hydrological regime of the catchment points out the necessity to search for still other research methods supporting the decision-making cycle in the field of water management in the face of climate change.

Degradation of Coastlines under the Pressure of Urbanization and Tourism: Evidence on the Change of Land Systems from Europe, Asia and Africa

The importance of studying coastal areas is justified by their resources, ecosystem services, and key role played in socio-economic development. Coastal landscapes are subject to increasing demands and pressures, requiring in-depth analyses for finding appropriate tools or policies for a sustainable landscape management. The present study addresses this issue globally, based on case studies from three continents: Romania (Europe), Algeria (Africa), and Vietnam (Asia), focusing on the anthropogenic pressure resulting from land use/land cover change or urban sprawl, taking into account the role of socioeconomic and political factors. The methodology consisted of producing maps and computing and analyzing indicators, correlating geospatial and socio-economic data in a synergistic manner to explore the changes of landscapes, and identify the specific driving forces. The findings show that the pressure of urbanization and tourism on coastal areas increased, while the drivers and impacts vary. Urbanization is due to derogatory planning in Romania and Algeria, and different national and local goals in Vietnam. The two drivers determine local exemptions from the national regulations, made for profit. In addition to the need for developing and enforcing policies for stopping the degradation and restoring the ecosystems, the findings underline the importance of international cooperation in policy development.

Multi-Faceted Environmental Analysis to Improve the Quality of Anthropogenic Water Reservoirs (Paprocany Reservoir Case Study)

Maintaining good condition of dam reservoirs in urban areas seems increasingly important due to their valuable role in mitigating the effects of global warming. The aim of this study is to analyze possibilities to improve water quality and ecosystem condition of the Paprocany dam reservoir (highly urbanized area of southern Poland) using current data of the water parameters, historical sources, and DPSIR (Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response) and 3D modeling concerning human activity and the global warming effects. In its history Paprocany reservoir overcame numerous hydrotechnical changes influencing its present functioning. Also, its current state is significantly influenced by saline water from the coal mine (5 g L⁻¹ of chlorides and sulphates) and biogenic elements in recreational area (about 70 mg L⁻¹ of chlorate and to 1.9 mg L⁻¹ Kjeldahl nitrogen) and in sediments (222.66 Mg of Kjeldahl nitrogen, 45.65 Mg of P, and 1.03 Mg of assimilable phosphorus). Concluding, the best solutions to improve the Paprocany reservoir water quality comprise: increasing alimentation with water and shortening the water exchange time, restoration of the 19th century water treatment plant, and wetlands and reed bed area revitalization. The study also proved the applicability of mathematical models in planning of the actions and anticipating their efficiency.