Characteristics of the chemical composition of water in reservoirs under the influence of coal mine waste in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (southern Poland)

Sołtysiak, Marek; Różkowski, Jacek

doi:0016-7282 (print)

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Characteristics of the chemical composition of water in reservoirs under the influence of coal mine waste in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (southern Poland) Sołtysiak, MarekRóżkowski, Jacek

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Characteristics of the chemical composition of water in reservoirs under the influence of coal mine waste in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (southern Poland)

Geographia Polonica Vol. 98 No. 2 (2025)

Sołtysiak, Marek : Autor ; Różkowski, Jacek : Autor

mining waste dumps ; water reservoirs ; Upper Silesian Coal Basin ; environmental hazards

This article presents research results on the water chemistry of 16 reservoirs adjacent to post-mining waste landfills in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, sampled in 2022 and 2023. The waters of these reservoirs are anthropogenically modified; in terms of hydrochemical type, they are multi-ionic waters. The Comprehensive Pollution Index (CPI) was also used to assess the degree of water pollution. Calculations indicated that the waters are either moderately (0.47 < CPI < 1.92) or heavily polluted (CPI > 2). Research has also shown that areas reclaimed with mining waste are informal post-mining waste dumps and should be treated as potential sources of groundwater pollution. In nearby reservoirs, there is a potential threat to shallow (0-10 m) groundwater of the first aquifer, which is especially important when the first aquifer is being used.

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