Characteristics of Selected Lakes with Aeolian and Karst Genesis in the Holy Cross Region

Abstract

In the belt of the Polish Uplands, including the Holy Cross Region, lakes occur sporadically. In some places, however, they are somewhat more abundant. They are usually objects with a small surface area. The majority of them have not been subject to thorough investigation. Therefore, the objective of the paper is the expansion of knowledge regarding these lakes. The paper among others presents the characteristics of several lakes with aeolian genesis located on the Przedbórz Upland in the catchment area of the Wierna River and in the Nida Basin near the towns of Busko-Zdrój and Pińczów. The study results determine the morphometric parameters of the lakes, also pointing to an exceptionally high variability of physical and chemical water properties, as well as the possibility of periodical disappearance of the lakes. Moreover, the study results provide a necessary and solid basis for further investigation of the lakes, which in the context of the observed increasingly serious water deficit and decrease in the level of surface waters and groundwaters is undoubtedly of high importance.

Transformation of the morphometry of Lake Osieckie – largest lake in the Holy Cross region

“…Increasingly longer periods of precipitation water deficit result in an evidently progressing process of lowering the surface water and groundwater level. As a consequence, there may be a reduction in the area, overgrowth or even disappearance of lakes (Choiński and Ptak 2008;Choiński and Kijowski 2015;Choiński and Skowron 2021). This situation triggers the necessity to pay greater attention to even small lakes and their functioning and role in the environment.…”