Abstract

The article examines thermal parameters of rivers during climate warming, focusing on quasi-natural rivers and those heavily impacted by humans. It compares two periods (1961-1992 and 1993-2020) based on daily water temperatures. Results show rivers warmed by 0.7-1.0°C in the second period, except those strongly polluted, like the Przemsza River, which cooled by up to -1.2°C. In quasi-natural rivers, the largest temperature rise occurred in spring (up to 3.5°C). In contrast, heavily impacted rivers showed lower, often negative changes. The study highlights the impact of climate warming and human activity on river thermal regime.

Keywords: river thermal regime, climate change, water temperature fluctuations

Przemysław Tomalski [przemyslaw.tomalski@geo.uni.lodz.pl], Faculty of Geographical Sciences University of Łódź Narutowicza 68, 90-139 Łódź: Poland
Bożena Pius [bpius@umk.pl], Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń: Poland
Paweł Jokiel [pawel.jokiel@geo.uni.lodz.pl], Faculty of Geographical Sciences University of Łódź Narutowicza 68, 90-139 Łódź: Poland
Włodzimierz Marszelewski [marszel@umk.pl], Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń: Poland

Abstract

This study attempted to determine temperature changes in southern Poland due to changes in the thermal characteristics of individual air masses. For this purpose, the daily air temperature values at the Kraków-Balice synoptic station were used, as well as the types of atmospheric circulation and air masses for southern Poland from the daily Calendar of Atmospheric Circulation Types for southern Poland. The study showed that the temperature increase of individual air masses was most significant in tropical airmasses and was noticeable in both average and extreme daily temperature values. It was also found that the increase in temperature in particular air masses is associated with an increased number of warmer days, although not necessarily hot ones.

Keywords: atmospheric circulation, air masses temperature, southern Poland • Europe

Zuzanna Bielec-Bąkowska [zuzanna.bielec-bakowska@us.edu.pl], Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Earth Sciences University of Silesia in Katowice Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec: Poland

Abstract

The first multi-year examination of the phenological phases of lake ice cover in this area utilized a two-source method to address the constraints of this environment. Higher air temperatures impacted the reduction in ice cover duration, while its fluctuation and windiness influenced the occurrence of repeated freeze-thaw events, ultimately extending these periods. The extended duration of ice cover at higher elevation lake (CID +56 days,IP +75 days) can be attributed to later and prolonged break-ups (BUS +48 days, BUE +64 days, BUD +16 days). Studying these factors’ interaction with the lake’s characteristics (such as their morphology and the presenceof flow) and their surroundings (including topography) has enhanced our understanding of the dynamics of this crucial component of the high mountain cryosphere.

Keywords: high mountain cryosphere, lake ice phenomena, optical satellite images, Sentinel-2, webcam images, climatic and local factors

Kristína Hrivnáková [kristina.hrivnakova@ukf.sk], Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01 Nitra: Slovak Republic
Silvia Čajková, Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01 Nitra: Slovak Republic
Juraj Hreško [jhresko@ukf.sk], Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01 Nitra: Slovak Republic

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify the impact of the basic soil properties and slope inclination on the distribution and stability of water-stable aggregates in three different land uses (deciduous forest, vineyard, arable soil) across three soil types (Luvic Chernic Phaeozem, Eutric Cambisol, Vermic Chernozem) on slopes in the Nitra Valley, western Slovakia. The analysis revealed that soil type significantly influences aggregate stability and soil structure vulnerability, while soil depth and organic carbon content do not. Changes in primary soilorganic matter affected soil aggregation. Increased mineralization of soil organic matter (SOM) supported the formation of primarily large water-stable macro-aggregates (WSAma) > 3 mm, whereas the immobilizationof organic carbon in SOM led to the formation and stabilization of smaller WSAma 1-0.25 mm and water stablemicro-aggregates. Cambisol exhibited the highest stability in both dry and wet conditions as well as thelowest vulnerability of soil structure.

Keywords: aggregate stability, soil structure vulnerability, soil types, humus horizon, soil organic matter, human activity

Bogusława Kruczkowska [boguslawa_kruczkowska@sggw.edu.pl], Institute of Agriculture Warsaw University of Life Sciences Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw: Poland
Edyta Regulska [eregulska@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw: Poland
Martin Juriga [martin.juriga@uniag.sk], Institute of Agrochemistry and Soil Science Slovak University of Agriculture 949 76 Nitra: Slovak Republic
Michał Jankowski [mijank@umk.pl], Department of Soil Science and Landscape Ecology Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń: Poland
Maciej Markiewicz [mawicz@umk.pl], Department of Soil Science and Landscape Ecology Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń: Poland
Vladimir Šimanský [vladimir.simansky@uniag.sk], Institute of Agrochemistry and Soil Science Slovak University of Agriculture 949 76 Nitra: Slovak Republic