Natural and Anthropogenic Conditions of the Chemical Composition of Pit Lake Waters (Based on Example Pit Lakes from Central Europe)

Abstract

The article presents a classification of hydrochemical types of waters in pit lakes. Although natural factors significantly influence the chemical composition of water, the differences between hydrochemical types are also determined by anthropogenic factors. The chemical composition of the water in pit lakes is primarily determined by the kind of rocks mined during the excavation, while secondary anthropogenic impacts can modify the chemical composition of the water. A multidimensional clustering analysis of the water was performed, which allowed three main types of hydrochemical reservoirs to be delimited for the pit lakes assessed in this study: a bicarbonate–magnesium–calcium water type (HCO3–Mg–Ca), a bicarbonate–calcium water type (HCO3–Ca), and a sulphate–calcium water type (SO4–Ca).