Continuous and Periodic Monitoring System of Surface Water Quality of an Impounding Reservoir: Sulejow Reservoir, Poland

Abstract

The paper presents results of water quality monitoring conducted within the frame of the MONSUL project. The main goal was to analyse and assess the impact of factors determining the ecological status of a dam reservoir on the basis of the Sulejow Reservoir located in Central Poland. The project implementation plan based on comprehensive research-based monitoring covered the following parameters characterising the ecological potential of the reservoir: water temperature, pH, oxygen concentration, chlorophyll “a” and blue-green algae, concentration of ammonium ion, nitrate nitrogen phosphates as well as total organic carbon, chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand. The parameters were measured with a mobile and stationary monitoring system and supplemented by an off-line analysis of water samples in the laboratory. The study was carried out during two seasons: May–October 2015 and April–November 2016; the results were analysed also with regard to the weather conditions. Despite the similar temperatures of water and air in the analysed seasons, significant differences were observed for atmospheric precipitation; 2015 was a dry year, and the climatic water balance for the analysed area was negative, which caused limited surface runoff and decreased the concentrations of nutrient in the reservoir waters. Data from continuous monitoring, supplemented with the results of laboratory measurements, indicated that the values of TOC (Total Organic Carbon) and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) parameters were within the purity class I; exceedances refer to the BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) value, which confirmed the presence of biodegradable organic compounds in the reservoir waters. The values of chlorophyll “a” and the presence of algae during the vegetation season testify to eutrophication of the Sulejow Reservoir.