Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium and Sodium Content in Groundwater and Surface Water in Arable Lands in the Commune (gmina) of K¥ty Wroc£awskie

This paper discusses some aspects of the research conducted in the hydrological years 2000/2001-2002/2003 on arable areas around several small water bodies located on the outskirts of villages in the commune of K1ty Wroc3awskie. The aim of the paper was to assess the content of selected chemical elements in the groundwater and small water bodies. The water bodies included in the research appeared a few decades ago as a result of human activity; in Zybiszów and Bli¿ they are small post-mine water bodies, whereas in Smolec and Rybnica they are ponds filling former clay excavation sites. Their surface ranges widely between 0.05 and 2.2 ha, while the average depth reaches 1.2 to 3.5 m. Since no flows come to these water bodies, they are fed only by ground and rain water. In the research period the water level of the bodies fluctuated between 3 and 40 cm, while the maximum changes in the groundwater level were above 1 m. The examined waters contained elevated levels of elements, the fact which is directly related to the kind of soils in the region. Another factor affecting the content of elements is whether or not soils are used agriculturally. It has been observed that arable areas are distinguished by positive correlation of magnesium, potassium and sodium concentrations in ground and surface waters. Increased content of these elements in Rybnica suggests that the waters receive pollutants from nearby houses. In the groundwater examined the ratio of calcium and magnesium concentrations ranged from 2.7 to 6.9, whereas in the surface water it varied from 1.2 to 5.1. Values below dr in¿. Wojciech Orzepowski, Institute of Environmental Development and Protection, Wroc3aw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 24, 50 – 363 Wroc3aw, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]