Preliminary evaluation of nutrients concentration in quarry lakes located on the rural areas

The paper presents the results of the research of nutrients concentration (total nitrogen – TN, NH4, NO3, NO2, total phosphorus – TP, PO4) in the waters of inactive quarries. The aim of research was to assess the condition of quarry lakes. Average concentration of TN was within 1.10-3.50 mgN×dm-3and TP in the range of 0.39–1.08 mgP·dm-3. No risk of reservoir enrichment by nitrates from agricultural sources was found, the maximum NO3 concentration was 1.06 mgNO3·dm -3. High concentration of TP (>0,1 mgP·dm-3) causes eutrophication, occurring in all reservoirs, manifested by algal blooms and affects poor water status assessment. The worst water quality was found in the quarry lakes KG-3 and KG-2 exposed to the sewage from farms. The examined indicators of water pollution in quarry lakes KG-1, KŁ-4, KM-5 fulfill the requirements of category A1 and potentially may be a source of water for consumption (after water treatment). Keyword: quarry lake, water reservoir, quarry, nutrients, nitrates, phosphates, water quality Inżynieria Ekologiczna Ecological Engineering Volume 19, Issue 6, December 2018, pages 1–13 https://doi.org/10.12912/23920629/94957 Received: 2018.09.15 Accepted: 2018.11.02 Published: 2018.12.01 „Europejski Fundusz Rolny na rzecz Rozwoju Obszarów Wiejskich: Europa inwestująca w obszary wiejskie”. Artykuł opracowany na zlecenie Centrum Doradztwa Rolniczego w Brwinowie. Artykuł współfinansowany ze środków Unii Europejskiej w ramach II Schematu Pomocy Technicznej „Krajowa Sieć Obszarów Wiejskich” Program Rozwoju Obszarów Wiejskich na lata 2014–2020. Instytucja Zarządzająca Programem Rozwoju Obszarów Wiejskich na lata 2014-2020 – Minister Rolnictwa i Rozwoju Wsi.