Chemistry of Bottom Sediments from Selected Karst Lakes in the Vicinity of Staszów (Nida Basin)

Abstract The aim of this study was to reveal the chemical composition of bottom sediments in karst lakes located in the northern part of Połaniec Basin (eastern part of the Nida Basin, vicinity of Staszów municipality). A field investigation was carried out in 2010 on four lakes: Duży Staw, Donica, Dziki Staw and Łajba. The contents of a very wide range of chemical elements were determined, which is a rarity. On the basis of our research, it was found that the analysed lakes differed considerably between each other in spite of their close location. In general, sediments contained fair amounts of organic substances as well as Fe, Al, Ca and Mg due to the type of source rock and soligenic lake water supply. Increased concentrations of V, Cr and Ni might be explained by the weathering of rock material. In turn, higher contents of Zn, Pb, Cu and Co in the bottom sediments from Duży Staw indicated anthropopression. The measurement results obtained in this study will allow a future comparative analysis with bottom sediments from other lakes.