The spatial variation of meteorological and agricultural drought in the Bydgoszcz-Toruń region in the cultivation of sugar beet, late potato and on permanent grasslands are presented in the paper. The analysis were conducted on the basis of measurements carried out in 2011 at the meteorological stations of the Institute of Technology and Life Sciences in Bydgoszcz, the University of Technology and Life Sciences in Bydgoszcz and Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. Research area is characterized by small sums of rainfall during the growing season and big temporal and spatial variability. The intensity of meteorological drought in each month of the growing season (April–September) was assessed using the Relative Precipitation Index (RPI) and the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). Agricultural drought intensity was determined using the linear regression equations between the SPI and Crop Drought Index (CDI). The intensity of agricultural drought during the period was verified by periodic measurements of moisture of soil (in the 0–20 cm layer). At the same time it was found considerable spatial variation of meteorological drought and little spatial diversity of agricultural drought, the intensity of which depended on the available soil water.

The paper presents the resolutes of reason-result assessment of catchment influence on water quality of the Kupientyn pre-reservoir and the River Cetynia. Based on calculation of inlet and outlet pollutants concentrations in water was determinated the influence of Kupientyn pre-reservoir on the River Cetynia water. The average reduction during summer period of N-NO3 was 7,83% and 2,21% for P-PO4. The average winter reduction was low: –1,04% for N-NO3 and –5,36% for P-PO4.

The aim of this study was to verify previous assumptions and further improvement of the algorithm allows to indication of priority streams and ditches to perform maintenance work. Analyses for 24 streams and ditches of Obra’s basin within the South Obra Canal were carried out. Their results were compared on the basis of data from the years of 2000–2009, obtained from the Wielkpolska Land Reclamation and Water Units Board in Leszno. From profiles adopted to analyses, the main influence for place of streams or drainage ditches in the ranking of the maintenance needs, the catchment area, the average length, width and depth of the watercourse were. Essential importance of the current technical condition of facilities and buildings (the function of existing neglect and lack of maintenance) were given. Also, there was made an attempt in determine of importance of maintenance needs rank in facilities as a part of the water tourist route in the catchment covered by Natura 2000 areas. The result of the analyzes is a statement of differences in hierarchy of the maintenance needs on the basis of the proposed method and the actual scope of works carried out in 2000–2009 in the streams and ditches. As a main reason it can be pointed the fact that with a small amount of funding for maintenance of the equipment. In the first place works disaster of an intervention were conducted. The research and analysis showed that the method of index maintenance needs work can be a complementary tool in making decisions on efficient spending of funds in terms of their deficiencies.

Results of basic geotechnical properties of ash-slag mixture and friction characteristics between ash-slag mixture and two types of needle punched geotextiles 400 and 1200 GSM are presented in the paper. Ash-slag mixture was originated from sedimentation tank of Arcelor Mittal Poland S.A. Steel Mill. Angle of internal friction and friction coefficient tests were carried out in the direct shear box apparatus with dimensions 12 × 12 cm. Test results revealed that ash-slag mixture has a relatively high strength parameters. It was also stated that friction coefficients between ash-slag mixture and geotextiles are slightly lower than internal friction of ash-slag.

The results of investigations of soil water properties on the area influence by exploitation activity of the ZGE „Janina” in Libiąż were presented in the work. Regarding similar texture determined soils water characteristics curves were low differentiated. Only for humus horizons and for samples containing loose sands the curves abandoned from the other ones. Obtained results show either small water retention and high water permeability. Soils of such types are regarded as very susceptible for processes of hydrological degradation. Determined water properties of soil allow to state that during the following years on examined area process of hydrological degradation and geomechanical deformations of ground surface will extend.

This paper presents the results of investigation of water quality of the Drwinka river. The water stream flows through the test areas with different land development. An upper reaches flows through industrial and urban area, followed by land with the buildings used for agricultural and rural settlement areas the Niepołomice Forest. Then it flows through areas with rural buildings. In order to determine water quality indicators content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, chloride, suspended solids, pH, conductivity and dissolved solids was studied in six selected areas of research. Water samples were collected at monthly intervals in the years 2009 and 2010. The results can be used in land use planning serving the catchment areas to reduce pollution entering the Drwinka river.

In this paper the guidance of location of soil absorption system for pre-treated wastewater in relation to water supplies specified in the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure dated 12 April 2002 on the technical conditions to be met by buildings and their location [Rozporządzenie… 2002] were analysed. The flow rate of well were calculated for the volume flow of complete well with free water table, of flowing complete well and of flowing well placed in the flow of groundwater. The flow times of pollutants from sources (household wastewater treatment plant) also were calculated and the degree of risk for groundwater reservoirs were determined. The results of calculations were presented on the graphs where for available data such as the value of the hydraulic conductivity, the water level in the well, the time of pollutant flow and well flow rate were estimated.

The work concerns the pollutant chromium compounds derived from tanning in water and wastewater the Podhale area. The main center of Podhale tanning is the town and municipality of Nowy Targ. Located in this area are around a few hundred small tanneries. Often, tanning wastewater from these tanneries do not go to the sewage treatment plant in Nowy Targ, but are placed directly into sewers and surface water; as evidenced by studies showing the late autumn and winter pollution of chromium compounds in the upper Dunajec catchment. This is the period when production in tanning plants reaches its maximum. The Dunajec catchment in the river and the Czorsztyński Reservoir occurs from periodic accumulation of chromium in the bottom sediments.

The water-physical properties of drained top peat-moorsh soil layers (0–30 cm) were investigated. The measurements were performed on Biebrza 29 site (Kuwasy peatlands, middle basin of Biebrza river valley). The soil moisture content (using TDR and gravimetric methods), pressure head, bulk density and groundwater depth were measured. The relationships between groundwater depth and moisture content (a) and pressure head (b) were proposed. The influence of bulk density on volumetric moisture content of top layers was shown. Based on measured data (pressure head and moisture content) in the field and laboratory conditions the comparison between retention characteristics were presented. The pF curves are very similar in the range observed in the natural conditions. The histeresis (differences between pF curves during sorption and desorption of water ) was observed for the top layer 0–10 cm.

Hydrochemical analyses of the Szabasówka river were conducted in 2009. Determined were 18 selected physicochemical indices of the surface water at ten dates from two measurement-control points. Analysis of results revealed that in the upper river in Łaziska village, two indices: total suspended solids and dissolved oxygen content classified the water to II purity class, whereas four indices classified the water to the same class in Mniszek locality (point 2). The other indices classified the water to I purity class. Investigations of utility values of the Szabasówka river revealed that in point 1 its water cannot be used for for domestic water supply because of high concentration of total suspended solids. Along the whole analysed stretch, water did not meet the requirements for a natural habitat of the Salmonids because of high temperature and low content of dissolved oxygen. Cyprinids have adequate environmental conditions only in point 2.

Comparison of various methods for K-USLE soil erodibility factor determination was the purpose of this work. The used methods were: Wischmeier’s, Wischmeier’s and Smith’s, Monchareonm’s, Wiliams et al., Renard’s et al., Torii’s et al., Stone’s and Hilborn’s, and two methods NRCS. Calculations were carried out for mountainous basin of the Kasińczanka stream, tributary of the Raba river in the Western Carpathians. The obtained results shows that methods used for soil erodibility factor determination differ considerably. Mean values obtained by analyzed methods fluctuated between 0,138 and 0,354 Mg · ha–1 · Je–1.

The paper presents the results of water quality examination of stream Osielec, where contraction of small reservoir is planned. Test of biological (IO) and physicochemical (26) were made in 2010. The results indicate that the water in first class quality and may be used for human consumption and it is not threatened by eutrophication. Moreover, if the reservoir will be built, it could serve as a watering place.

The current Polish Water Law requires adjustment and improvement of water quality. The assessment of the status of water is carried out mainly on the basis of biotic, physical and chemical parameters. Question about the quality of hydromorphological parameters does not appear when the state of flowing water is very good, and when it is good and average the result should be consistent with the other valorization. This approach is aimed at evaluating the effects and does not respond to the questions about reasons why good judgment is given for considered reach of the river. The current evaluation doesn’t indicate the stability of the ecosystem or trends the developing the future state. Do not be in such a situation, the useful life of the existing ecosystem or trends which may be in the future. An important element of the valuation is to determine the intensity of fluvial processes in the riverbed, and the possible dynamics of their changes. Hydromorphological pressures cause disturbances of hydrodynamic balance manifested by changes of the channel types, the channel incision and change the composition of the grain size distribution of the bed surface. This article attempts to indexation fluvial processes. The result can be used to accurately assess the current quality and possible changes in the mountain river beds.

The aim of this work was examination of Equi-pF device for determination of retention and hydraulic parameters of clay soils using inverse method. The measurements were performed in Porous Media Physics laboratory, Water Center WULS in Warsaw using Equi-pF device. Heavy clay soil samples were collected from Lidzbark Warmiński experimental site. For determination of retention and hydraulic properties inverse method included in HYDRUS-1D model was applied. Performed research shows that measured by Equi-pF device data concerning water outflow from soil sample as a function of time can be use as a input parameters for HYDRUS-1D model, which enables evaluation of soil water retention and hydraulic properties by inverse method.

In this article the authors presented the characteristics of heavy precipitation events which occurred in May and June 2010. During this period of time two significant flood peaks occurred in the upper watershed of the Vistula river. Hourly precipitation sums were registered by automatic channel rain gauges, which have been placed at three different measurement sites situated in separate Krakow districts: Sidzina, Bielany and Skotniki, as well as at two nearby located townships: Gdów and Nowe Brzesko (situated 30–40 km from Kraków). In contrast to most often used characteristics of precipitation (daily sums) the authors employed a unique analysis of separate rain events. In order to compare the results long term precipitation sequences have been used from the Kraków UJ historical weather station. This study confirms that monthly precipitation sums in May 2010 (284.7 mm) have been highest in the observed period of time (1901–2011) and constituted over 400% of the precipitation norm (1971–2000). Precipitation totals in the subsequent weather sites were as follows: 357.6 mm (Sidzina), 232.0 mm (Bielany), 219.6 mm (Skotniki), 404.7 mm (Gdów) and 167.4 mm (Nowe Brzesko). Similar and extremely high precipitation sums have been observed in June 2010 and equaled 170.1, 80.5, 119.5, 221.1 and 170.4 mm respectively. In contrast the historical weather station in Kraków registered 154.3 mm of precipitation which equaled to about 168% of the norm. It should be noted that during May of 2010, 27 days of precipitation have been registered and 15 rainy days were noted in June. Heavy rains, which formed the first flood peak occurred for 6 days in a row (15–20 May). The second flood peak occurred between May 30 and June 4. The total precipitation sum during this particular period equaled 213.7 mm in Sidzina and 207.4 mm in Gdow during the first flood peak and 118.8 mm and 192.3 mm during the second flood peak. It should be pointed out that heavy precipitation during the first flood peak lasted for three consecutive days (May 15–18) with heaviest precipitation falling during the evening hours. The precipitation totals equaled 200.3 mm in Gdow and 200.8 mm in Sidzina. In contrast the second flood peak comprised of five separate rain events.