Abstract
The aim of the presented research was to examine the concentration of biogenic compounds and heavy metals in the bottom sediments of the Sulejów Reservoir (Central Poland) from October 2018. Based on the obtained research results, maps of the spatial distribution were prepared. The following parameters were analyzed: total phosphorus (TP), total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total organic carbon (TOC), ratio of total organic carbon to nitrogen (C:N), organic matter content as well as Cd, Cr and Pb concentrations. The sediments were collected at 28 sampling sites, covering the whole area of the reservoir. The differences in the content of individual biogenic compounds result from the composition of the debris applied by the supplying rivers, as well as the content of this elements in the water, long retention time (40 days) and depth from which the tested sediments were taken. The distribution of examined compounds was largely influenced by the agricultural activity in the studied area, as well as the presence of ports and recreational points. Based on the measurements, the highest amounts of biogenic components deposit in sediments of deep parts in slow-flowing waters, in stagnation zones, areas adjacent to arable land, and the sites where fine-size fractions prevail in the deposited material. Biogenic compounds in sediments of the Sulejów Reservoir showed a pattern of gradual increase along the reservoir from lower values in the back-water part. A similar relationship is visible for heavy metals. Referring to the ecotoxicological criteria, it can be stated that bottom sediments from the Sulejów Reservoir collected in 2018 are not toxicologically contaminated in terms of cadmium, lead and chromium content.
Highlights
Determining the chemical status of bottom sediments and water quality in dam reservoirs is an important aspect in basin management [1,2,3]
The content of total organic carbon in the examined bottom sediment samples was determined by coulometric method using the Behr apparatus
Compare to the results provided by Smal [26], the concentrations of total phosphorus in the sediments reach higher values than in other lowland reservoirs in Poland
Summary
Determining the chemical status of bottom sediments and water quality in dam reservoirs is an important aspect in basin management [1,2,3]. Sediments act as sinks for different type of pollutants, which achieve their higher concentrations than in water and may be chemically transformed and deposited on the bottom or liberated to overlying water under certain conditions and being biologically available. They may be potentially dangerous especially in dam reservoirs gathering water for drinking purposes, agricultural irrigation or being recreationally used [14,15]. The largest number of retention reservoirs were constructed in lowland areas of Poland Their location in the agricultural landscape means that they are exposed to a high supply of biogenic compounds mainly nitrogen and phosphorus [4]. Due to the importance of the subject, which is silting up of water reservoirs, monitoring and analysis of the composition of bottom sediments should be an important aspect of managing water reservoirs that are vulnerable to accumulation of sediments
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