A significant portion of calcium carbonate is deposited in lake sediments as a result of biological processes related to the photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton in the pelagic realm and, in addition, macrophytes in the littoral zone. Lake Wigry, one of the largest lakes in Poland (north-east Poland), is characterized by: (i) carbonate sediments with a CaCO 3 content exceeding 80% within the littoral zone; and (ii) large areas of submerged vegetation dominated by charophytes (macroscopic green algae, Characeae family). It is claimed that charophytes are highly effective in utilizing HCO 3 À and forming thick CaCO 3 encrustations. Thus, this study was aimed at evaluating the CaCO 3 production by dense Chara stands overgrowing the lake bottom reaching a depth of 4 m. In late July 2009, the fresh and dry mass of plants, the percentage contribution of calcium carbonate and the production of CaCO 3 per 1 m 2 were investigated along three transects at three depths (1 m, 2 m and 3 m, with each sample area equal to 0Á0625 m 2 ) per transect. The composition and structure of phytoplankton and the physico-chemical properties of the water analysed in both the littoral and pelagic zones served as the environmental background and demonstrated moderately low fertility in the lake. The greatest dry plant mass exceeded 1000 g m À2 and CaCO 3 encrustations constituted from 59% to over 76% of the charophyte dry weight. Thus, the maximum and average values of carbonates precipitated by charophytes were 685Á5 and 438 g m À2 , respectively, which exceeded previously reported results. A correlation of carbonate production with the depth of Chara stands was detected, and intermediate depths offered the most favourable conditions for carbonate precipitation (589 g m À2 on average). As precipitated carbonates are ultimately stored in bottom deposits, the results highlight the significance of charophytes in lacustrine CaCO 3 sedimentation.

The paper presents the results of a study of heavy metals (HMs) concentrations in six retention reservoirs located in the lowland area of western Poland. The objectives of this study were to analyze the Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations, assess contamination and ecological risk, analyze the spatial variability of HM concentrations and identify potential sources and factors determining the concentration and spatial distribution. The bottom sediment pollution by HMs was assessed on the basis of the index of geo-accumulation (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), pollution load index (PLI) and metal pollution index (MPI). To assess the ecological risk associated with multiple HMs, the mean probable effect concentration (PEC) quotient (Qm-PEC) and the toxic risk index (TRI) were used. In order to determine the similarities and differences between sampling sites in regard to the HM concentration, cluster analysis (CA) was applied. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to assess the impact of grain size, total organic matter (TOM) content and sampling site location on HM spatial distribution. Additionally, PCA was used to assess the impact of catchment, reservoir characteristics and hydrological conditions. The values of Igeo, EF, MPI and PLI show that Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb mainly originate from geogenic sources. In contrast, Zn concentrations come from point sources related to agriculture. The mean PEC quotient (Qm-PEC) and TRI value show that the greatest ecological risk occurred at the inlet to the reservoir and near the dam. The analysis showed that the HMs concentration depends on silt and sand content. However, the Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn concentrations are associated with TOM as well. The relationship between individual HMs and silt was stronger than with TOM. The PCA results indicate that HMs with the exception of Zn originate from geogenic sources—weathering of rock material. However, the Ni concentration may additionally depend on road traffic. The results show that a reservoir with more frequent water exchange has higher HMs concentrations, whereas the Zn concentration in bottom sediments is associated with agricultural point sources.

The paper presents the results of determinations of physico-chemical parameters of the Mała Wełna waters, a river situated in Wielkopolska voivodeship (Western Poland). Samples for the physico-chemical analysis were taken in eight gauging cross-sections once a month between May and November 2006. To assess the physico-chemical composition of surface water, use was made of multivariate statistical methods of data analysis, viz. cluster analysis (CA), factor analysis (FA), principal components analysis (PCA), and discriminant analysis (DA). They made it possible to observe similarities and differences in the physico-chemical composition of water in the gauging cross-sections, to identify water quality indicators suitable for characterising its temporal and spatial variability, to uncover hidden factors accounting for the structure of the data, and to assess the impact of man-made sources of water pollution.

The development of dams alters the structure and function of river ecosystems. Dam reservoirs have an impact on flow regime, sediment transport, and water quality. Damming a river decreases water velocity, which leads to an increase in suspended sediments deposition. Reservoirs often are described as water treatment plants because they trap water contaminants and suspended sediments. Suspended sediments are the principal factor for heavy metals transport [1][2]. Human activity increased input of heavy metals to water bodies where sediments are deposited [3][4][5][6][7][8]. Amin et al. [9] and Zheng et. al. [10] reported that more than 90% of the heavy metal load in the water bodies has been associated with suspended particulate matter and sediments. The spatial and seasonal variations of heavy metal loads are controlled by suspended sediment concentrations as well as water pH, which controls the absorbance of heavy metals [11].The spatial distribution of sediments in a reservoir is not uniform [12]. Toward the dam, sediments are usually more fine-grained and lithologically uniform [13]. The heavy metals concentrations generally increased with the decrease of particle size and increase of organic matter. The concentration of heavy metals in Pol. AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyze the heavy metals transport in a river-reservoir system. Sediment samples from 25 locations (9 from the Powa River and 16 from the Stare Miasto Reservoir) were analyzed for trace metals contents (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb). The relationships between heavy metal concentrations and bottom sediment physical properties were determined with the use of the multivariate statistical techniques cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). The results showed that concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments of the reservoir were higher than those in the bottom sediments of the river. Concentrations of heavy metals in bottom sediments in the river above the reservoir were characterized by lower spatial variability. Decisive influence on heavy metal concentrations of bottom sediments had silt, clay, and total organic matter content.

Stable isotope composition (d 13 C and d18 O) was analysed in mineral incrustation of Chara rudis and surrounding waters. This macroalga forms dense and extensive charophyte meadows and may significantly contribute to the calcium carbonate precipitation and deposition of marl lake sediments. The study aimed to find out if charophyte calcium carbonate was precipitated in an isotopic equilibrium with lake water and if the precipitation was related to the environmental conditions. Two apical internodes of 10 individuals of C. rudis were collected monthly between June and late October 2008 at three permanent study sites (1.0 m, 1.5 m and 2.0 m deep) in a small (15.1 ha) and shallow (mean depth: 4.3 m) mid-forest lake with extensively developed charophyte meadows (Lake Jasne, mid-Western Poland). Basic physical-chemical analyses were performed at each study site, and water samples for further laboratory determinations, including stable isotope analyses, were collected from the above searched C. rudis stands and, simultaneously, at three comparative sites in the macrophyte-free pelagial. The difference in d 13 C between incrustation and water from above C. rudis exceeded 2% V-PDB at each site. In the case of d 18 O, it exceeded 2% between July and September. Accordingly, it is postulated that calcium carbonate was not precipitated in an isotopic equilibrium with lake water. Incrustation was enriched in heavier carbon isotope, 13 C, and water was enriched in 18 O. d 13 C of incrustation and DIC were positively correlated, whereas negative relation 18 O of incrustation and water. Several dependencies were found with water chemistry above the plants. The content of mineral incrustation in Chara dry weight had negative influence on the d 18 O but not on the d 13 C. Community depth, structure and PVI had no effect. No significant differences appeared between isotope composition in the pelagic zone and Chara stands.