Water parameters and species composition of macrophytes in reclamation lakes in the area of a former sulphur borehole mine (SE Poland)

Abstract

Macrophytes and selected physical-chemical water properties were studied in 17 post-mining lakes of Jeziórko Sulphur Mine – one of the largest borehole sulphur mines in the world. Artificial lakes were constructed in subsidence depressions during the reclamation process of mining fields. They were characterized by high mineralization – conductivity ranged from 723 to 2295 μS/cm. The reaction was near neutral, or more frequently, slightly alkaline. Concentrations of phosphorus and organic matter were low. In the group of hydrophytes, Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Najas marina, Utricularia vulgaris, Eleocharis acicularis, Potamogeton pectinatus, Potamogeton natans and Potamogeton pusillus were frequently dominant. In several lakes, large macroscopic algae dominated – charophytes forming large, dense Chara meadows. In marsh communities, Phragmites australis was the most expansive. Reclamation process had a positive effect on diversity, some of the species found in the study area are regionally rare, including one species which is threatened in Poland (Najas minor). No alien species were recorded.