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The Impact of Hydrological Streamflow Drought on Pollutant Concentration and Its Implications for Sustainability in a Small River in Poland

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  • Leszek Hejduk

    (Department of Hydraulics, Water and Sanitary Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Ewa Kaznowska

    (Department of Hydraulics, Water and Sanitary Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Michał Wasilewicz

    (Department of Hydraulics, Water and Sanitary Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Agnieszka Hejduk

    (Department of Environmental Management and Remote Sensing, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

The paper presents the results of investigations into the relationship between selected water quality parameters and hydrological streamflow drought in a small river situated in the Mazovian Lowlands in Poland. As hydrological streamflow drought periods become more frequent in Poland, investigations about the relationship between flow and water quality parameters can be an essential contribution to a better understanding of the impact of low flow on the status of water rivers. Data from a three-year study of a small lowland river along with significant agricultural land management was used to analyze the connection between low flows and specific water quality indicators. The separation of low-flow data from water discharge records was achieved using two criteria: Q90% (the discharge value from a flow duration curve) and a minimum low-flow duration of 10 days. During these periods, the concentration of water quality indicators was determined based on collected water samples. In total, 30 samples were gathered and examined for pH, suspended sediments, dissolved substances, hardness, ammonium, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, total phosphorus, chloride, sulfate, calcium, magnesium, and water temperature during sampling. The study’s main aim was to describe the relation between hydrological streamflow droughts and chosen water quality parameters. The analysis results demonstrate an inverse statistically significant relationship between concentration and low-flow values for total hardness and sulfate. In contrast, there was a direct relationship between nutrient indicators, suspended sediment concentration, and river hydrological streamflow drought. Statistical tests were applied to compare the datasets between years, revealing statistical differences only for nutrient indicators.

Suggested Citation

  • Leszek Hejduk & Ewa Kaznowska & Michał Wasilewicz & Agnieszka Hejduk, 2025. "The Impact of Hydrological Streamflow Drought on Pollutant Concentration and Its Implications for Sustainability in a Small River in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:15:p:6995-:d:1715360
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhang, Yongji & Liu, Lingxi & Lan, Minghui & Su, Zhi & Wang, Ke, 2024. "Climate change and economic policy uncertainty: Evidence from major countries around the world," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 1045-1060.
    2. Leszek Hejduk & Ewa Kaznowska & Michał Wasilewicz & Agnieszka Hejduk, 2021. "Dynamics of the Natural Afforestation Process of a Small Lowland Catchment and Its Possible Impact on Runoff Changes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-16, September.
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