The possibilities of the environmental use of bottom sediments from the silted inlet zone of the Rożnów Reservoir

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the properties of bottom sediments from the inlet zone of the Rożnów Reservoir (South Poland) and to analyse the potential possibilities to use them for environmental purposes. The inlet zone of the reservoir is particularly intensely shallowed by means of the silts of the Dunajec River. A total of 20 samples were collected from the designated cross-sections. In air-dry samples of the sediments, granulometric composition, pH electrolytic conductivity (EC), sorption properties, organic carbon carbonates and macroelements content were determined. Bottom sediments from the Rożnów Reservoir indicate a great potential possibility to use them for environmental purposes (agriculture, reclamation). However, in order to fully evaluate the possibility of bottom sediment management, it is necessary to carry out an analysis of the ecological risk related to the content of heavy metals, PAHs, PCBs and to evaluate their eco-toxicity. Moreover, the main barriers to the environmental application of bottom sediments are a lack of appropriate legislation.

Content of nutrients, trace elements, and ecotoxicity of sediment cores from Rożnów reservoir (Southern Poland)

“…However, the bottom sediments form the backwater zone of the Rożnów reservoir had relatively low content of TOC and nutrients (N, P, and S) and mineral character. The previous study showed dominance of silt and clay fraction in bottom sediments of the backwater zone of the Rożnów Reservoir (Tarnawski et al 2017). Other authors have also found that bottom sediments from the Rożnów reservoir are rich in clay and silt fraction and contain small amount of organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus (14–21 g/kg TOC; 1.0–3.1 g/kg N; 0.07–1.57 g/kg P) (Szarek-Gwiazda and Mazurkiewicz-Boroń 2010; Szarek-Gwiazda 2014).…”

“…The high portion of nickel is generally bound to stable geochemical fractions, which suggests its limited potential bioavailability (Szarek-Gwiazda et al 2011). Moreover, Tarnawski et al (2017) found that bottom sediments from the inlet zone of the Rożnów reservoir were characterized by high sorption capacity, which is essential for limiting migration and bioavailability of pollutants.…”

“…Silting process is one of the main factors limiting the proper use of water reservoirs and also affecting the quality of their waters. It is responsible for the inflow of fine (mineral or organic) fractions of both natural and anthropogenic origin (Tarnawski et al 2017). The Rożnów reservoir, especially its backwater area, is the fastest silting dam reservoir in Poland (Szarek-Gwiazda and Mazurkiewicz-Boroń 2010; Szarek-Gwiazda 2014; Tarnawski et al 2017).…”

“…It is responsible for the inflow of fine (mineral or organic) fractions of both natural and anthropogenic origin (Tarnawski et al 2017). The Rożnów reservoir, especially its backwater area, is the fastest silting dam reservoir in Poland (Szarek-Gwiazda and Mazurkiewicz-Boroń 2010; Szarek-Gwiazda 2014; Tarnawski et al 2017). The research conducted by Tarnawski et al (2015) shows that, after 50 years of operation, there is over 16 million m 3 of sediment in the inlet area of the reservoir.…”

Effects of soil amendment with PCB-contaminated sediment on the growth of two cucurbit species

“…Physico-chemical properties of soil and sediment medium Analyses of sediment properties are important for determining their potential as a soil amendment (Urbaniak et al 2016;Tarnawski et al 2017). For economic and ecological reasons, uncontaminated or less-contaminated dredged sediments are recommended for use in agriculture, especially for the cultivation of non-edible crops (Macía et al 2014).…”