Holy waters in the Podlasie region, Poland, as a witness of hydrological and hydrochemical changes

Abstract

In the lowlands, springs are quite rare. In the north-eastern Poland, many springs are attributed miraculous properties and water is considered sacred. Due to their cultural and spiritual importance they have survived to present times. Thus, they can be used to study the hydrological and hydrochemical changes in the aquifer. The level of hydrological and hydrochemical changes of the first aquifer in the North Podlasie Lowland has been assessed.We have studied 25 springs and wells considered holy waters, historically present in the geographical region of the North Podlasie Lowland. The main hydro- and physicio-chemical parameters were measured. Currently, majority of the springs have been transformed into shallow dug wells due to groundwater level lowering; only in few cases (6) did the springs survived as groundwater outflows. Their performance was relatively small; from 0.3 dm3ˑs−1. The remaining objects (19) are different depth wells capturing the first aquifer. The largest lowering of groundwater level, exceeding 3 m, was found in Bielska Plain.Their waters were characterized by excessive iron concentration, typical for shallow groundwater of the Quaternary aquifer, and increased concentration of biogenic elements associated with agricultural activity and natural processes contribute, therefore using it as a drinking water requires treatment. Elevated concentrations of DOC, nitrogen and phosphorus compounds could have been caused by changes in hydrological conditions in the region, transformation of the a spring niche through housing of the outflow or presence of surrounding buildings. The studied water bodies were of the bicarbonate-calcium type.