The impact of the cultivation of Salix viminalis L. on concentration of components in groundwater

Abstract

The influence of the cultivation of the common osier on sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium concentrations in groundwater was evaluated between January 2011 and December 2012 in north-eastern Poland. The analyzed site is situated in Sam3awki on the premises of the Educational and Research Station in £e?any administered by the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. Groundwater samples for chemical analyses were collected once a month from seven piezometers. Four piezometers were installed in a willow plantation: one on a hilltop, one on a slope and two varied-depth piezometers (904A – depth of 1.62 m, 904B – depth of 2.65 m) in a surface depression. The remaining three piezometers were installed for comparative purposes on arable land, in a forest on a hilltop and in a surface depression. Magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium concentrations were determined in water samples by standard methods. The highest groundwater levels were noted in arable land (110.8 53.7 cm below ground level), and the lowest levels – on the forest hilltop (572.8 27.0 cm below ground level). In the willow plantation, the highest groundwater table was noted in a surface depression (272.0 25.4 cm below ground level). Growing common osiers for energy significantly influenced magnesium and calcium concentrations in groundwater, which were highest on the slope of the plantation (15.1 3.8 mgMg dm and 88.8 26.4 mgCa dm) and on the hilltop (13.6 4.5 mgMg dm and 109.1 22.3 mgCa dm). The highest sodium levels in groundwater were noted on the plantation hilltop (10.2 1.6 mgNa dm) and in arable land (11.5 2.0 mgNa dm). Potassium concentrations in groundwater were determined by the height of the groundwater table, and they were highest on hilltops in the willow plantation (5.2 4.4 mgK dm) and in the forest (4.3 2.7 mgK dm).