Assessing the Impact of a Hydropower Plant on Changes in the Properties of the Sediment of the Bystrzyca River in Poland

This study aimed to assess the impact of a hydropower plant (HP) on Bystrzyca River (left tributary Odra River, Poland) selected parameters bottom sediment within this hydrotechnical structure. The following were examined as part analyses: particle size distribution, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and concentrations Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb Zn. Field studies carried out upstream downstream HP at reference points. In addition, risk heavy metals in aquatic organisms was assessed using an ecotoxicological method. Based Wilcoxon signed-rank test, it found that influenced all tested, except pH. Comparing points closest HP, increase average grain diameter D 50 (on by 750%), decrease most metals: Ni (271%), Zn (216%), Cu (163%), Cr (83.0%), Cd (74.2%), observed. classification metal sediments indicates, cases, little or no organisms; values some samples are exceptions, where remediation synthetic zeolites, accumulation plants, electrokinetic methods, is necessary. Fine-grained fractions dominate clays sandy while sands, clay loams, dominated downstream. Frequent occurrence skeletal (>2.0 mm) observed downstream, i.e., 23.30% each sample compared 1.82% which mainly due greater anthropogenic pressure, especially tourism. dominance fine-grained HPs favors high sorption capacity these fractions. When comparing analyzed groups points, pH arranged sequence: (U) > (D) (R), EC has opposite (i.e., U < R). may support sustainable management allow for development recommendations related rational HPs.