Variability and dynamics of leaching of the flysch Carpathian slope

Abstract

The study aims at the investigation of mechanism, dynamics and variability of leaching caused by water circulation within the various flysch slopes in the Polish Carpathian Mts, with two slopes as example. Leaching on the slopes built of the Magura sandstones is less intensive than that on the slopes sculptured in the limy sandstones and marly shales. In the case of the first slope, the salts have been carried away mainly by groundwater circulating in deeper levels of the weathering covers and rocky substratum. In the second case, majority of the salts have been carried away by surface and shallow subsurface runoff. Therefore, lithological differentiation of the flysch affects the water circulation pattern and leaching of the slopes. Differentiated climatological conditions during a year result in various, characteristic for the given conditions, patterns and intensities of leaching of the slopes. Irregular influences of the oceanic and continental climates in this part of Europe cause the leaching to prevail in summer in certain years and in winter in others. Studies lasting several years indicate that leaching of slopes prevails in the winter period with particular intensification of the process in January and March. Despite the longlasting periods of leaching of the slope covers in some years, short (a few days long) periods decide about the magnitude of leaching.