Podlasie Lowland Research Articles

The maximum extent of the Odranian Glaciation (Saalian, MIS 6) in the South Podlasie Lowland (SE Poland) in the light of sites with lacustrine deposits of the Mazovian Interglacial

Based on the analysis of the geological context and palynological studies performed on lake and bog sediments in the Southern Podlasie Lowland, a new concept of the maximum extent of the Odranian Glaciation (Saalian, MIS 6) is presented for the study area. It is depicted by the Siedlce−Łosice−Kornica zone of end moraines, which so far was considered as stadial-rank or as the Wartanian ice sheet limit. To the south of this zone, near Biała Podlaska and in the Łuków Plain, there occur numerous sites with fossil deposits of the Mazovian Interglacial (MIS 11c). Sites with new documentation, i.e., Wólka Domaszewska, Kolonia Bystrzycka, Przytulin, Hermanów, and Skrzynka are located about 30 km to the south and 60 km to the west of the Biała Podlaska area. Palynological analysis unequivocally indicates the presence of a vegetation succession characteristic of the Mazovian Interglacial. In all sites, deposits of the Mazovian Interglacial are covered by lacustrine sediments of the Liviecian Glaciation (Fuhne, MIS 11b-MIS 10) or mineral sediments of the Vistulian Glaciation (Weichselian, MIS 2) and the Holocene. The sediments infill paleolakes carved in glacial tills of the Sanian 2 Glaciation (MIS 12). The lake sediments of the Mazovian Interglacial and the overlying biogenic and mineral deposits occur in the analysed sites directly below the surface. They are never covered by glacial deposits, which suggests that the Odranian ice sheet did not cover the study area. The location of the lake and bog sites with their geological analysis allow for the precise depiction of the eastern limit of the Odranian ice sheet lobe, which in the study area correlates with the limit suggested in the late 19th century. The Odranian ice sheet did not cover Southern Podlasie.

Materiały do brioflory Polski północno-wschodniej. Mchy i wątrobowce rezerwatu Surażkowo (Puszcza Knyszyńska)

The study presents data on the bryoflora of the Surażkowo nature reserve. The reserve, is part of the Knyszyńska Forest located in the North Podlasie Lowland (north-eastern Poland). In, the study, 95 species with one variety of mosses and 23 liverworts species were noted. The occurrence, of all species is briefly described. In recorded species, 40 bryophytes species are protected, and 17 species are new to the Knyszyńska Forest. The Surażkowo nature reserve is characterized, by a significant share of the indicator taxa of old forests. In the most interesting recorded species, include Fuscocephaloziopsis catenulata, Porella platyphylla, Dicranum majus – bryophytes, regionally rare and never previously recorded from the Knyszyńska Forest and Orthotrichum pulchellum, – noted the easternmost in its range in Poland

Distribution of Myrmecophilus acervorum (Panzer, 1799) (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae) in Poland

This study summarises information on the occurrence of Myrmecophilus acervorum in Poland in the years 1851–2022. We collected information about 143 localities: 40 from literature and 103 unpublished. Myrmecophilus acervorum is reported from seven new regions: the Baltic Coast, Białowieża Primeval Forest, Eastern Sudety Mts, Kraków-Wieluń Upland, Podlasie Lowland, Sandomierska Lowland and Trzebnickie Hills. While until 2010 observations were rare (35 localities), in the years 2011–2022 the species was found in 108 new localities. A total of 443 individuals of M. acervorum were observed in Poland, but the sex was identified only for 138, of which 135 were mature females or female nymphs. Males were recorded only historically in the Pomeranian Lakeland. At present, these records should be treated with caution, as they are uncertain.

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

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.

Morphological and geochemical record of historical erosion on the example of small alluvial and deluvial fans accumulated on the Bug River terraces in the Neple area (Podlasie Lowland, eastern Poland)

The gullies in the vicinity of Neple (Podlaska Lowland, eastern Poland) are relatively young and were created due to the land use and climate changes. The aim of the research was to determine the variability of selected alluvial-diluvial fans occurring in the Bug River valley and their age using interdisciplinary methods (e.g. absolute dating, geochemical analyzes, cartographic data). Geological mapping and several drillings (both within the fans, valleys or gullies bottoms and glacial or fluvioglacial plateaus) were done. Historical data dealing with the human economic activity in the region were analyzed. The obtained radiocarbon dating and geochemical features of sediments building the alluvial and diluvial fans proved that these forms are not older than some 500 years. Due to the lateral movement of the Bug River channel only some of the forms are preserved in the area under study. The rest of them disappeared due to the fluvial erosion.

ХХ українсько-польський науковий семінар “Кліматичні цикли плейстоцену в записі осадової секвенції Підляської низовини”

A brief commentary is given on the XX Ukrainian-Polish scientific field seminar “Pleistocene climatic cycles in the record of the sedimentary sequence of the Podlasie Lowland” held in July 2018 in Mielnik (Poland).

Reaction of the lake environment to the Holocene warming depending on the distance to the maximum extent of the Vistulian ice sheet

This study presents 1) the results of a stable isotope and subfossil Cladocera analyses of lacustrine sediments from Maliszewskie Lake (E Poland) and next 2) different reaction of the lake environments depending on the lake's localization. Maliszewskie Lake is located in North Podlasie Lowland ca. 30 km to the south of the Vistulian ice sheet limit. The approximately 4.80-m-thick sediments (Maliszewo I profile) are mainly comprised of calcareous gyttja covered by peat and organic detritus gyttja. Pollen analysis documents that the sediments accumulated from the Late Glacial (Allerød period) to recent times. Based on the results of stable isotope and subfossil Cladocera analyses of sediments, the lake environmental changes were reconstructed. A positive trend in δ18O and δ13C values documents a gradual climatic warming. The fluctuations of the oxygen isotopic values suggest the multiple oscillation of water level due to a change in the evaporation/precipitation ratio. The subfossil cladoceran fauna in the Maliszewo I profile is represented by 21 species belonging to five families. Three zones of Cladocera development were distinguished. The Cladocera species indicate the initial oligotrophic status of the lake and its subsequent increase of trophic status. Currently, Maliszewskie Lake is a very shallow, declining reservoir. The initial period of its existence probably saw its maximal depth. In presented studies we compared our results with data from three other sites documenting the reaction of the lake environment during the Late Glacial and Holocene transformation. At that time we observed different reactions to the climate amelioration. In the northern, postglacial lakes, the Holocene warming at first provoked an input cold melting water characterized by more negative oxygen isotope values and then a rise in water temperature. In the lakes further away from the glaciation border (periglacial lakes), the increase in water temperature, documented by e.g. more positive oxygen isotopic immediately occurred. The climate warming is commonly manifested by a significant increase of number of species and individuals of Cladocera.

History of Development and Terrestrialization of Lake Starowlany in the Eemian Interglacial Based on Cladocera Analysis (Sokόłka Hills, Ne Poland)

Abstract This paper presents development of the paleolake Starowlany existing in the Eemian Interglacial (MIS 5e) in north - eastern Poland. The lake history is based on Cladocera analysis. The paleolake Starowlany is located in the central part of the Sokółka Hills, approximately 9 km north of the town of Sokółka in the North Podlasie Lowland. The sediments studied filled a southern part of a tunnel valley formed during the Warta Glaciation. The coring was carried out with a geological drilling and constituted a part of the frame work aimed at preparing the Sokółka sheet for the Detailed Geological Map of Poland in scale 1:50000. The core was 7 m long. Peaty silt, peats and organic silt were present at the depth of 4.0-6.6 m, under deluvial sands, tills and silt. Organic series was over lain by a clayey silt with no glacial cover. Cladocera analysis was conducted with 20 samples from a depth interval 6.6-4.1 m. Remains of 17 species of Cladocera were found, representing the families: Chydoridae, Sididae and Bosminidae. A vast majority of them were the littoral species. In the paleolake Starowlany four development zones were distinguished that reflected changes as regards temperature, trophic levels and changes of water level in the lake. The paleolake existed from the early until the middle Eemian. The high est water level and the most favorable conditions for zooplankton development occurred in zones SCZ I and II. The highest trophic level took place in SCZ III (middle Eemian). In the late Eemian the water level dropped and the paleolake was transformed into a wetland. At certain points, the higher water level enabled existence of a few Cladocera species. The reasons for disappearance of the paleolake Starowlany included a local decrease in ground water levels as well as morphometric and geological characteristics of the lake.

Risk of occupational infections caused by Borrelia burgdorferi among forestry workers and farmers

The aim of the work was to analyze the incidence of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi in forestry workers and farmers, major groups occupationally exposed to tick bites. The study group included 275 workers (171 foresters and 104 farmers). The control group consisted of 45 people, who have not been occupationally exposed to tick bites. The screening Elisa and Wb tests for the presence of anti-Borrelia IgM/IgG antibodies were performed in all subjects of the study and control groups. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi2 test. The positive results denoting the presence of anti-Borrelia IgM/IgG antibodies were found in 55% of farmers and 28% of foresters occupationally exposed to Lyme borreliosis and coming from the area of South Podlasie Lowland and Lublin Polesie. The differences between the forestry workers and the control group (p < or = 0.00001) and between farmers and the control group (p < or = 0.001) were statistically significant. The species, such as B. spielmanii and B. bavariensis, which have not yet been reported in Poland, are significant etiologic agents of Lyme disease. The risk of occupational exposure to the B. burgdorferi infection is high for foresters and farmers, and the infection with spirochetes is frequently confirmed on the basis of positive results of the Wb test. The presence of specific antibodies against protein antigens of B. spielmanii and B. bavariensis suggest that these bacteria can cause Lyme disease both independently and in participation with other Borrelia species, which influences the development of the clinical manifestations of infection.

Czerwona lista porostów zagrożonych w Polsce północno-wschodniej [Red List of threatened lichens in North-Eastern Poland

The second regional list of threatened lichens and allied fungi is presented. The list is a result of investigation studies in North-Eastern Poland. In physicogeographic regionalization this area comprises 4 macroregions: Staropruska Lowland, Litewskie (Lithuanian) Lakeland, Mazurian Lakeland and South Podlasie Lowland. It is characterized by the presence of large forest complexes, including the Białowieża Old-growth Forest, the Knyszyńska Old-growth Forest, the Augustowska Old-growth Forest, the Romincka Old-growth Forest, the Borecka Old-growth Forest and the Piska Old-growth Forest. The status of threat to the lichen and allied fungi species listed has been determined according to the IUCN Red List Categories in version 3.1 (2001). The data obtained were compared with historical ones. Changes of the species main frequency were used as an additional indicator of their threat status. The Red List includes 310 taxa of lichens, lichenicolous and saprobic fungi, which constitute 52% of the NE Poland total lichen biota and 19.4% of Polish biota. The status of threatened biota has the following categories: Regionally Extinct (RE) -49 taxa, Critically Endangered (CR) - 58, Endangered (EN) - 41, Vulnerable (VU) - 39, Near Threatened (NT) - 24, Least Concern (LC) - 19 and Data Deficient (DD) - 80. Epiphytes constitute 84% of extinct and critically endangered species.

Distribution of nickel fractions in forest Luvisols in the South Podlasie Lowland

Sequential extraction methods enable identification of chemical fractions of heavy metals in soil environment as well as evaluation of their availability and potential toxicity to biotic elements of a trophic chain. The study aimed at separating nickel fractions from particular genetic horizons of forest Luvisols by means of three sequential extraction methods (modified Tessier’s, Zeien and Brummer’s as well as Hedley’s with Tiessen and Moir’s modifications methods), and to compare the metal content in four fractions: easily soluble, exchangeable, organic, and residual, along with their distribution within studied soils’ profiles. Nickel concentrations in the examined fractions varied: the largest amounts of the heavy metal (regardless of the analytical procedure applied) were found in residual fraction Fresid (mineral horizons) and organic fraction Forg (forest litter horizons – Ol), while the smallest ones occurred in easily soluble fraction F1 (all genetic horizons). Statistical processing revealed significant dependences between the four nickel fractions as well as between the fractions and selected properties of analyzed soils (except soil pH and total nickel content Ni t ).

Coexistence of Placobdella costata (Fr. Müller, 1846) (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) and mud turtle Emys orbicularis

Emys orbicularis is receding from Europe, mainly due to anthropogenic habitat changes. Its parasite, Placobdella costata, is widely distributed within both the former and the present distribution range of the host. Though closely associated with the mud turtle, it may have other hosts (birds, amphibians, reptiles). Its reproductive period coincides with that of its host’s migration to the breeding grounds, thus facilitating dispersal of the parasite. Based on literature data we have analyzed the geographic spread of P. costata and mud turtle to observe the possible overlap of their habitats. Observations on the population of mud turtle and the associated leech species (P. costata) were carried out in eastern Poland — Podlasie Lowland. The studies were conducted in spring and summer in 1986–1993. The leeches were collected from the turtles caught in the water and on land. Observations showed that most leeches were found on turtles inhabiting the lake or moving to a breeding area. The greatest intensity of invasion was observed in June and July and that most leeches were observed in female E. orbicularis characterized by greater length of the carapace and weight, compared with males and juvenile individuals.

Interdisciplinary studies of spring mire deposits from Radzików (South Podlasie Lowland, East Poland) and their significance for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions

The paper presents the results of interdisciplinary (multiproxy) palaeoenvironmental studies of peat — calcareous tufa depositional sequences of spring mire from Radzików site (east Poland). Analyses of three biotic proxies (plant macrofossils, pollen, molluscs) were supplemented with sedimentological, geochemical, oxygen and carbon stable isotopes analyses and radiocarbon dating and used for reconstruction of environmental changes in Late Glacial and Holocene. The obtained results enable us to (1) reconstruct main phases of mire development and (2) determine environmental factors influencing changes of water supply. The object started to develop in Allerød. The Late Glacial and Early Holocene deposit sequence is relatively thick (about 1.0 m), with good palaeoecological record. The boundary between Younger Dryas and Preboreal is especially well confirmed by palynological and malacological analyses as well as radiocarbon dating. The Mesoholocene deposits are considerably worse preserved. Mire development was evaluated in terms of general mire ecology.

137Cs and 40K isotopes in forest and wasteland soils in a selected region of eastern Poland 20 years after the Chernobyl accident

The vertical (137)Cs profile of forest and wasteland soils was analyzed in the south of the Podlasie Lowland area (Eastern Poland) about 20 years after the Chernobyl accident. In addition, the concentration of (40)K in soils of the investigated area was measured. Below the litter layer (mean thickness 3 cm), the soil samples were collected up to a depth of 12 cm and then divided into three layers: 0-3, 3-7, 7-12 cm. The behavior of (137)Cs and (40)K isotopes in soils was analyzed depending on the depth from which the soil samples were collected, as well as on the content of organic carbon, pH of soil and its granulometric composition. It was established that the density of (137)Cs in the litter layer equals 2.17 kBq m(-2); it is the highest in layer 0-3 cm where it equals 3.44 kBq m(-2), and it decreases with the depth to the value of 0.76 kBq m(-2) in layer 7-12 cm. No similar pattern was observed in wasteland soils. The concentrations of (40)K in forest and wasteland soils did not change significantly with depth.

Mechanism of marginal zone formation of the Toczna lobe of the Warthanian ice sheet (the Podlasie Lowland)

Mechanism of marginal zone formation of the Toczna lobe of the Warthanian ice sheet (the Podlasie Lowland)

Molluscs of the Liwiec River (South Podlasie and Middle Mazovian Lowlands)

1. Longitudinal pattern of mollusc assemblages within A medium-sized lowland river: Liwiec (East Poland) Ewa Jurkiewicz-Karnkowska Folia Malacologica CrossRef