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Aquatic systems are a very important part of the environment, which requires special attention due to the constant deterioration of the quality and quantity of water globally. Aquatic environments in Poland are mostly affected by the mining and smelting industry, which is especially visible in the south of the country, and one of such anthropogenically affected rivers is the Wilga—a small tributary of the Vistula River (the biggest river in Poland). For many years, the catchment area of the Wilga River accommodated a functioning industry that was based on the use of metals (fur, leather processing, foundry and galvanizing plants), as well as the “Solvay” Kraków Soda Works, which have left behind soda waste piles, and currently, along the course of the river, there are ongoing works connected with the construction of the “Łagiewnicka Route”, which required the relocation of a section of the Wilga river bed, among other things. To determine the general condition of the river, selected physico-chemical parameters were analysed in the water (pH, conductivity, anions: Cl−, N-NO3, P-PO4 and SO4 and cations: Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn), suspended particulate matter and sediment (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn). Samples were taken before the relocation of the river bed (2019) and after its relocation (2021). The obtained data were compared with recorded historical data and this revealed that over the years, the condition of the Wilga environment has improved significantly, especially in terms of the contamination of sediments with metals, the concentrations of which fell several ten-fold. This is attributed to the closure of most industrial plants located within the river’s catchment area and to the modernization and legal regulation of the functioning of the remaining plants. An effect of leachates from the soda waste piles on the waters of Wilga has been observed (in the form of higher pH, mineralization and concentration of chlorides), which has however gradually decreased over time. However, no visible impact of road transport on the river’s environment has been observed, or any impact of the construction works or the related relocation of the river bed for that matter. The river should still be classified as polluted, but the level of this pollution has decreased significantly and the qualitative composition of the pollution has also changed.
Magdalena Strzebońska; Anna Kostka. Geochemical State of Wilga River Environment in Kraków (Poland)—Historical Aspects and Existing Issues. Minerals 2021, 11, 908 .
AMA StyleMagdalena Strzebońska, Anna Kostka. Geochemical State of Wilga River Environment in Kraków (Poland)—Historical Aspects and Existing Issues. Minerals. 2021; 11 (8):908.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMagdalena Strzebońska; Anna Kostka. 2021. "Geochemical State of Wilga River Environment in Kraków (Poland)—Historical Aspects and Existing Issues." Minerals 11, no. 8: 908.
The contamination of aquatic sediments by metals is a worldwide phenomenon and its assessment is a fairly complex issue, as numerous factors affect the distribution of particular contaminants in the environment, as well as their bioavailability. Wigry Lake, as the object of this study, is almost a perfect water body for such considerations. It has been well investigated and densely sampled (up to 459 sediment samples). The quantities of seven metals were determined using the atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-MS methods, following previous extraction in a microwave oven. The levels of concentration of the examined elements were as follows (min–max (mg·kg−1)): Cd—0.003–3.060; Cr—0.20–22.61; Cu—0.02–59.70; Fe—80–32,857; Mn—18–1698; Pb—7.0–107.5; Zn—3.1–632.1. Significant differences were also registered in terms of particular metal concentrations in different sediment types found at the lake bottom. Five different geochemical backgrounds and sediment quality guidelines implemented in the study enabled a very scrupulous contamination assessment of the lake sediments’ condition, as well as the evaluation of the natural and anthropogenic contribution to the enrichment of examined sediments in metals. Although Wigry Lake is situated in a pristine region, it is still subject to anthropopressure, which seems to be the lowest in respect to Cr and Mn, while the highest in the case of Pb. The chemoecological state of the lake was ultimately assessed as good. The study highlighted the necessity of an integrated approach to the assessment of contamination or pollution in the course of an environmental research.
Anna Kostka; Andrzej Leśniak. Natural and Anthropogenic Origin of Metals in Lacustrine Sediments; Assessment and Consequences—A Case Study of Wigry Lake (Poland). Minerals 2021, 11, 158 .
AMA StyleAnna Kostka, Andrzej Leśniak. Natural and Anthropogenic Origin of Metals in Lacustrine Sediments; Assessment and Consequences—A Case Study of Wigry Lake (Poland). Minerals. 2021; 11 (2):158.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnna Kostka; Andrzej Leśniak. 2021. "Natural and Anthropogenic Origin of Metals in Lacustrine Sediments; Assessment and Consequences—A Case Study of Wigry Lake (Poland)." Minerals 11, no. 2: 158.
Urban rainwater samples, collected in various districts of Kraków during the period from the spring of 2019 to the winter of 2020, were investigated, and relevant risk implications were assessed. The contents of 31 components were determined, including: bacteria, fungi, pH, EC, Cl-, N-NO3, P-PO4, SO42-, SiO2, K, Mg, Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, K, Mg, Mo, Na, Pb, Sb, and Zn. The highest contents of the investigated elements were determined in the industrial (eastern) part of Kraków. The values of toxicity potential were deg = 9.44). The total non-carcinogenic risk values, in both adults (hazard quotient (HQ) = 1.38) and children (HQ = 2.54), exceeded the acceptable level of one. Regarding individual elements in dermal contact, the acceptable level of 1 × 10−6 was exceeded in Pb (adults carcinogenic risk (CR) = 4.87 × 10−5, children CR = 2.23 × 10−5). The contents of the analyzed chemical compounds did not exceed the permissible levels adopted for drinking water; however, rainwater was significantly contaminated with respect to its microbiological parameters. Rainwater was suitable for non-potable use.
Magdalena Strzebońska; Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska; Anna Kostka. Chemistry and Microbiology of Urban Roof Runoff in Kraków, Poland with Ecological and Health Risk Implications. Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 8554 .
AMA StyleMagdalena Strzebońska, Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska, Anna Kostka. Chemistry and Microbiology of Urban Roof Runoff in Kraków, Poland with Ecological and Health Risk Implications. Applied Sciences. 2020; 10 (23):8554.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMagdalena Strzebońska; Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska; Anna Kostka. 2020. "Chemistry and Microbiology of Urban Roof Runoff in Kraków, Poland with Ecological and Health Risk Implications." Applied Sciences 10, no. 23: 8554.
Purpose The main objective of the study was the determination of the Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn distribution in Wigry Lake sediments, as well as the contamination and ecotoxicological risk assessment on the basis of a large data set. Materials and methods Select metal concentrations were determined via AAS or ICP-MS. Contamination assessment was achieved via the implementation of different geochemical background values, selected pollution indices, and by way of comparison with the limit values of the sediment quality guidelines and supported by cartographic methods. Results and discussion Metal concentrations presented in the paper were associated with a specific type of sediment and sedimentation environment. The highest concentrations of metals were found in the fluvial-lacustrine sediment covering the bottom of the bay of eutrophic character. The lowest amounts were found in the lacustrine chalk and clastic sediment present in the littoral parts of the lake, while profundal sediments were more enriched with metals. Studies revealed that the examined metals have mostly natural, but also anthropogenic origin. The assessment of lake sediments, with the use of geochemical background values and different indices, yielded highly diversified results associated with the variability of background values applied in the study. However, ultimately, the Wigry Lake sediments were found to be only slightly contaminated with Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn, while Pb concentrations were considered to be more disturbing. The potential ecotoxicological risk was assessed as low. Conclusions Particular attention in this study was paid to the significance of the geochemical background values adopted for calculations, which, in the case of Wigry Lake, gave very divergent results. A uniquely large data set facilitated the performance of a thorough analysis of metal distributions in recent lacustrine sediments and highlighted the necessity of using integrated approaches in aquatic ecosystem studies.
Urszula Aleksander-Kwaterczak; Anna Kostka; Andrzej Leśniak. Multiparameter assessment of select metal distribution in lacustrine sediments. Journal of Soils and Sediments 2020, 21, 512 -529.
AMA StyleUrszula Aleksander-Kwaterczak, Anna Kostka, Andrzej Leśniak. Multiparameter assessment of select metal distribution in lacustrine sediments. Journal of Soils and Sediments. 2020; 21 (1):512-529.
Chicago/Turabian StyleUrszula Aleksander-Kwaterczak; Anna Kostka; Andrzej Leśniak. 2020. "Multiparameter assessment of select metal distribution in lacustrine sediments." Journal of Soils and Sediments 21, no. 1: 512-529.
Heavy metals which pollute aquatic environments typically bond with bottom sediments and the analysis of the spatial distribution of metals allows to assess the geochemical purity of deposits and to identify the potential pollution sources. Research carried out on the Wigry Lake involved the collection of almost 500 samples of sediments, and the specification of the depth of their residence (0.2–71.4 m) as well as the level of concentration of three metals: Fe (80.3–32 857 mg kg−1), Mn (17.8–1698 mg kg−1) and Zn (3.14–632 mg kg−1). The geochemical and bathymetric data was interpolated using geostatistical methods and mapped with the consideration of 5 types of sediments: lacustrine chalk, carbonate gyttja, fluvial-lacustrine sediment, organic gyttja and clastic sediment. As a result, a significant increase in the concentration of metals was revealed in deeper zones, at a considerable distance from the lake shore, wherein the respective values of correlation coefficients were as follows: depth–Mn 0.77; depth–Fe 0.60; depth–Zn 0.58. A strong dependency between the concentration of analysed metals and the type of sediment, attributed to the granular and chemical composition of sediments, was also revealed. Correlations between individual metallic pairs (Fe–Mn 0.77; Fe–Zn 0.80; Mn–Zn 0.75) indicated that similar factors influence spatial distribution of metals in sediments. The implementation of 3 different geochemical backgrounds allowed to conclude that the Wigry Lake is slightly polluted with the analysed metals, and that the origin of Mn is mainly natural, while in the case of Fe and Zn anthropogenic influence can also be identified.
Anna Kostka; Andrzej Leśniak. Spatial and geochemical aspects of heavy metal distribution in lacustrine sediments, using the example of Lake Wigry (Poland). Chemosphere 2019, 240, 124879 .
AMA StyleAnna Kostka, Andrzej Leśniak. Spatial and geochemical aspects of heavy metal distribution in lacustrine sediments, using the example of Lake Wigry (Poland). Chemosphere. 2019; 240 ():124879.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnna Kostka; Andrzej Leśniak. 2019. "Spatial and geochemical aspects of heavy metal distribution in lacustrine sediments, using the example of Lake Wigry (Poland)." Chemosphere 240, no. : 124879.
Anna Kostka; Magdalena Strzebońska; Maciej Sobczyk; Marta Zakrzewska; Anna Bochenek. The effect of de-icing roads with salt on the environment in Krakow (Poland). Geology, Geophysics & Environment 2019, 45, 1 .
AMA StyleAnna Kostka, Magdalena Strzebońska, Maciej Sobczyk, Marta Zakrzewska, Anna Bochenek. The effect of de-icing roads with salt on the environment in Krakow (Poland). Geology, Geophysics & Environment. 2019; 45 (3):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnna Kostka; Magdalena Strzebońska; Maciej Sobczyk; Marta Zakrzewska; Anna Bochenek. 2019. "The effect of de-icing roads with salt on the environment in Krakow (Poland)." Geology, Geophysics & Environment 45, no. 3: 1.
Elżbieta Jarosz-Krzemińska; Magdalena Strzebońska; Anna Kostka; Edeltrauda Helios-Rybicka. Effect of Flooding on Heavy Metals Contamination of Vistula Floodplain Sediments in Cracow; Historical Mining and Smelting as the Most Important Source of Pollution. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 2015, 24, 1317 -1326.
AMA StyleElżbieta Jarosz-Krzemińska, Magdalena Strzebońska, Anna Kostka, Edeltrauda Helios-Rybicka. Effect of Flooding on Heavy Metals Contamination of Vistula Floodplain Sediments in Cracow; Historical Mining and Smelting as the Most Important Source of Pollution. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies. 2015; 24 ():1317-1326.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElżbieta Jarosz-Krzemińska; Magdalena Strzebońska; Anna Kostka; Edeltrauda Helios-Rybicka. 2015. "Effect of Flooding on Heavy Metals Contamination of Vistula Floodplain Sediments in Cracow; Historical Mining and Smelting as the Most Important Source of Pollution." Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 24, no. : 1317-1326.
Lead in the environment of Lake Wigry (NE Poland)Analysis was performed for lead content in the sediments of Lake Wigry (NE Poland), taking into account lithology, basic chemical component content and physical characteristics of sediment, Several hundred sediment samples from different parts of the lake and peatland around the lake, were collected. Their locations were determined by GPS and the depth of sediment by echosounder. The surface layer (0-10 cm) of sediment and sediment cores were taken to determine the spatial and vertical distribution of Pb. Concentrations of lead in the surface sediment range from 2.52 to 469 mg kg-1. One of the most important factors influencing spatial distribution of Pb is sediment type. The highest content of Pb was found in samples of organic gyttja and the lowest in clastic sediment samples. Strong positive linear correlation (r = 0.7) between organic matter content and Pb concentration in sediment was observed. It may be the result of simple bio-accumulation of lead. A large influence of sediment location on Pb distribution was found. The largest concentration of this element was found in sediment of the Wigry Basin. The major part of Pb accumulates in the surface layer of sediment.
Urszula Aleksander-Kwaterczak; Anna Kostka. Lead in the environment of Lake Wigry (NE Poland). Limnological Review 2011, 11, 59 -68.
AMA StyleUrszula Aleksander-Kwaterczak, Anna Kostka. Lead in the environment of Lake Wigry (NE Poland). Limnological Review. 2011; 11 (2):59-68.
Chicago/Turabian StyleUrszula Aleksander-Kwaterczak; Anna Kostka. 2011. "Lead in the environment of Lake Wigry (NE Poland)." Limnological Review 11, no. 2: 59-68.