Geographia Polonica (1997) vol. 68

Structure of the solute yield in the Vistula river basin with special regard to anthropogenic components

Henryk Maruszczak, Maria Wilgat

Geographia Polonica (1997) vol. 68, pp. 31-50 | Full text

On the basis of data concerning small catchments not polluted bymunicipal and industrial sewage we calculated the solute yield from rural areas.Calculations were carried out in a simplified way, taking into consideration the meansolute concentrations from data for the years 1976-1985, and mean discharges of riverwaters. For 20 selected larger catchments of the Vistula tributaries we also calculatedthe total solute yield, i.e. including the sources of municipal and industrial wastewater.On the basis of these and other data we attempted to analyse the balance of the soluteyield. Components taken into account come from: precipitation, agricultural chemicals,farm sewage, municipal and industrial wastewater, and chemical denudation of thelithosphere. Results were considered in relation to regional differentiation. Essentialchanges in the solute yield structure were also noted in comparison with the period ofthe 1930's.

Keywords: anthropogenic impact, chemical denudation, municipal and industrial wasterwater, solute concentration and yield, Vistula River, Eastern Poland

Henryk Maruszczak, Department of Physical Geography and Paleogeography, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
Maria Wilgat, Department of Physical Geography and Paleogeography, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland