Seasonal contributions of nutrients from small urban and agricultural watersheds in northern Poland

Study area and sampling

Gdansk with almost half a million citizens, is the biggest city and capital of Pomeranian region and of northern Poland (Statistical atlas of Pomorskie Voivodship, 2018). The city area is expanding and urbanization, expressed as the proportion of paved and built-up areas, is rapidly increasing, putting more and more stress on surface waters due to increased volume of runoff transporting higher loads of pollutants washed out from the urban catchment.

In the current study, the contribution of nutrients from streams flowing to the Baltic Sea from the territory of northern Poland (Pomerania Province) was analysed. Three short, first-order streams with different land use were selected for analysis. The catchments of two streams (the Gizdepka (G) and Bladzikowski (BS)) are dominated by agricultural land use while the third (the Oliwski Stream (OS)) flows through forests in its upper part and through a densely urbanized area of Gdansk in its lower part.

In the current study three streams in the Pomerania region outflowing directly to the Baltic Sea (Gulf of Gdansk) were studied with respect to nutrient concentrations and loads carried. All streams are short (the length is below 10 km) which makes the self-cleaning processes less effective. The land use in the watersheds differs between the streams: two of them (the BS and the G) flow through typically agricultural areas with fields, meadows and pastures, while the third one—the OS—has its source in the forests surrounding Gdansk and then flows through some city districts, mostly in an open channel.

Two of the three analysed watersheds—the BS and the G—are located close to each other in the Puck Community (Pomerania Region). The watershed of the OS , flowing through the City of Gdansk, is located around 30 km south of the G watershed (Fig. 1). Table 1 summarizes the basic characteristics of two territory units: the City of Gdansk and Puck Community, where the analysed streams and their watershed are located.

Although the three analysed watersheds are located not far from each other, some small differences in climate do, in fact, exist including: average seasonal temperatures and rainfall, which are presented in Table 2. Higher temperatures (0.7 °C) are observed in the Puck Community in all seasons; the rainfall amounts are also higher there in each season apart from summer.

The sampling points were located close to the discharge into the sea (Fig. 1). The sampling point on the BS was located 1.50 km from the mouth; the co-ordinates of the sampling point are 54.69582°N, 18.43652°E. The second sampling point on the G was approx. 0.60 km from the mouth (54.66441°N, 18.45897°E), while the sampling point on the OS was 0.1 km from the mouth (54.424691°N, 18.598976°E). The distance between first two points (BS and G) is 3.6 km in a straight line, while the last sampling point (OS) is located 32.0 km from BS and 28.2 km from G.

The Bladzikowski Stream drains the eastern part of Kepa Swarzewska (Swarzewo Elevation) while the Gizdepka drains the southern part of Kepa Pucka (Puck Elevation). The watersheds have a dense network of channels and drainage ditches regulating the water level to obtain optimal conditions for agriculture. In the analysed area two aquifers are present: the Tertiary at a depth of 5–10 m below ground and the Quaternary at a depth of 20–50 m below ground. Potrykus et al. (2018) and Szymkiewicz et al. (2018) calculated the infiltration time of groundwater (for the Tertiary aquifer) in the area, the results varied between 257 and 15,261 days. The land use of both watersheds based on GIS maps (Figs. 2 and 3) and the questionnaire responses of selected representative farms (Pietrzak, 2018; Dzierzbicka-Glowacka et al., 2019; Wojciechowska et al., 2019c) is presented in Table 3.

The OS flows through northern part of Gdansk. In the Pomerania region 64.2% of the population lives in a city. The OS has its source in the Tricity Landscape Park and the upper part of the catchment is covered by forests. In the middle and lower run, the Stream flows through residential areas with single-family and multi-family houses, receiving the runoff from parking lots, roads, roofs and park areas. The lower part of the catchment is being intensely developed and every year new housing estates and paved areas spring up there. The discharge of the OS to the Gulf of Gdansk is located at a small distance to the popular beach and bathing place. The OS mostly flows in an open channel; there are only a few intersections with roads where it is covered.

The analysed catchments were characterized by the 9 parameters listed in Table 3. In Table 3 the values of the parameters for each of the streams and watersheds are presented. The data presented in Table 3 were determined based on the analysis of maps provided by the Puck Commune and the values given by Jereczek-Korzeniewska (2010) and Zima (2019).

Among the analysed streams, the G has the largest catchment area and length. The OS has the highest watershed form ratio (area per unit length). The OS also has the highest bottom slope, resulting in a faster concentration of the runoff during rainfall events. The flow rate of the BS is only 0.04 m³/s; for the G it is four times higher while for the OS it is almost six times higher than in the BS.

Methodology

Samples were collected with a frequency of 1–3 samples per month. The sampling period lasted from July 2017 to December 2018 for the BS and the G and from October 2016 to March 2018 for the OS. In total, 50 samples were taken from each stream. The analysis was carried out in a laboratory at Gdansk University of Technology. The measurements of the concentrations of nitrates (V) (N-NO₃), ammonium nitrogen (N-NH₄), orthophosphates (P-PO₄), total phosphorus (Ptot), total nitrogen (Ntot) and COD were carried out using spectrophotometric methods based on the Hach cuvette tests. The nitrate concentrations (V) were measured according to EN 38405 D-2, ammonia nitrogen – ISO 7150-1, DIN 38406 E5-1, UNI 11669: 2017, phosphate phosphorus and total phosphorus – EN ISO 6878, total nitrogen - EN ISO 11905-1 and COD according to PN-74/C-04578/03. The measurements were performed with a VIS DR3900 spectrophotometer Hach, and the HT200S Hach thermostat was used for mineralization. The tests were carried out in three replicates for each sample and the final result is an arithmetic mean. Total nitrogen was measured in BS and G, but it was not measured in PO.

The load of nutrients and organic matter discharged by the three analysed streams was calculated based on concentration measurements (2–3 measurements per month) and the flow rate measured while sampling. In each point the geodetic measurement of the stream cross-section was made, which allowed for determination of the cross section area after each change of the water level. Additionally, the flow velocity was measured during each sampling. Those two parameters allow for determination of the flow rate. The flow rate was determined by using hydrometric plumbs (Flo-Mate 2000 produced by Marsh McBirney). The monthly loads were described and the annual loads (L_a) were calculated using the monthly loads (L_mi).

The average daily load (L_di) in each month was calculated according formula (1) and the monthly load (L_mi) according to formula (2). The average annual load (L_a) was calculated as a sum of monthly loads. Apart from flow measurements, geodetic measurements were also performed at each cross-section.

(1)${\displaystyle L_{d_i}=\frac{\sum _1^n{Q}_i\cdot c_i}{n}\left[\frac{mg}{day}\right]}$ (2)${\displaystyle L_{m_i}=L_{d_i}\cdot m\left[\frac{mg}{month}\right]}$ (3)${\displaystyle L_a=\sum _1^{12}{L}_{m_i}\left[\frac{mg}{a}\right]}$

where:

n, number of measurements per month,

Q_i, instantaneous flow rate [L/day],

c_i, instantaneous concentration [mg/L],

m, number of days in a month.

Statistical analysis of the results was carried out using the Statistica® 13.1. Descriptive statistics and analysis of the main components were used. Principal Component Analysis was used to determine the relationship between the variables.

Mean concentrations

In Fig. 2 the ranges of concentrations of nutrients and COD during the whole period of analyses are presented. The highest concentrations of nitrogen compounds (N-NO${}_3^{-}$ and N-NH${}_4^{+}$) were measured in the BS. The COD concentrations were highest in G, although the concentrations in the BS were only slightly lower. In turn, the highest total phosphorus concentrations were present in the OS. The ranges of all measured compounds were high, which is shown on the box plots.

Annual loads and land Use

The annual loads of nutrients discharged by the analysed streams are presented in Table 4. Additionally, the aerial loads (the ratio of pollutant loads to the watershed area) were calculated for the watersheds of all streams and the results are presented in Table 5.

The highest load of nitrates (V) was discharged by the G (the stream flowing through agricultural and forested areas). However, in terms of loads per catchment area, the highest load was discharged by the OS flowing through an urban catchment (>42% of the catchment is urbanized). Also the ammonia nitrogen loads (total and aerial) were highest for an urban stream. The highest load of phosphates was discharged by the G, while the lowest was by the BS (with agricultural fields, meadows and pastures occupying almost 90% of the catchment area).

Comparing the aerial loads of P-PO${}_4^{3-}$, the values for the G and the OS were quite similar. The total phosphorus loads per year were again highest in the case of the OS, and lowest for the BS. The highest annual loads of organic matter (COD) were discharged by the G, which had a high share of forests in its catchment (<40%).

The concentrations of total nitrogen in Błądzikowski Stream were approximately 3 times higher than in Gizdepka (the median in BS was equal to 3.20 mg N/L while in G it was 1.13 mg N/L). Nitrates had the largest share in the load of total nitrogen – 64% for Błądzikowski Stream and 83% for Gizdepka.

Surprisingly, the watershed of the OS (mostly urban) turned out to have the highest aerial loads of four out of five examined pollutants: N-NO${}_3^{-}$, N-NH${}_4^{+}$, P-PO${}_4^{3-}$ and Ptot. This finding was different from previous observations, where mainly the increase in nutrient concentration in the Baltic countries was analysed, inter alia due to the extended vegetation period caused by global warming (Iital et al., 2014; Øygarden et al., 2014; Nausch et al., 2017). Comparison of the loads of nutrients and COD discharged by analysed streams to the Baltic Sea showed that despite the high concentrations, the loads carried by the BS were not so high as other streams, due to its low flow rate.

Seasonal changes

The average yearly concentrations and loads of nutrients and organic matter give some general idea of the scale of pollution discharged into the Baltic Sea, showing differences between the streams of differently used watersheds. We also analysed the seasonal patterns and differences between agricultural and urban watersheds.

In spring, the highest concentrations of nitrogen species were present in the BS with mean concentrations of N-NO${}_3^{-}$ and N-NH${}_4^{+}$ even 7 times higher than in the OS. The highest concentrations of phosphorus compounds occurred in the G, over 3 times higher than in the OS. Concentrations of organic matter (COD) in the G and the BS were at a similar level, higher than in the OS.

In summer, concentrations of P-PO4³⁻, N-NO${}_3^{-}$ and N-NH${}_4^{+}$ were again highest in the BS. Total phosphorus concentrations were highest in the OS, almost 2 times greater than in the G and 4 times higher than in the BS. COD concentrations were higher in the G and the BS than in the OS, similarly as in spring.

In autumn, the valuesregarding nitrogen compound concentrations were similar to spring and summer. Small discrepancies between phosphorus compound concentrations were observed, with average concentrations slightly higher in BS and G than in OS. COD concentrations were again higher in BS and G.

In winter, concentrations of N-NO${}_3^{-}$ were over 3 times higher in the BS than in the OS and N-NH${}_4^{+}$ concentrations were 2 times higher in BS than OS. Average concentrations of P-PO${}_4^{3-}$in all streams were at a similar level, although the highest variation range occurred in the OS. Concentrations of Ptot decreased in the following order: BS, G, OS. COD concentrations remained higher in the streams flowing through agricultural watersheds than in OS.

To summarize, spring concentrations of all analysed compounds were higher in streams with agricultural watersheds. Concentrations of nitrogen compounds and organic matter were higher in streams with an agricultural catchment than in the OS in all seasons. Total phosphorus concentrations in summer were highest in the OS. The highest yearly Ptot concentrations calculated for the OS resulted from high summer concentrations.

Analysis of maximal concentrations showed that all maximum concentrations occurred in the OS (in summer: N-NH${}_4^{+}=0.36$ mg/L, P-PO${}_4^{3-}=0.22$ mg/L, Ptot = 0.42 mg/L, in autumn: N-NO${}_3^{-}=4.42$ mg/L and COD = 36.0 mgO₂/L). The out-of-scale values were not shown on Figs. 3 and 4.

The results presented in Table 6 were used to evaluate the trends of seasonal changes in different compound concentrations in the streams analysed. In the OS, a summer increase in all nutrient concentrations was observed; in case of N-NH${}_4^{+}$ this elevation lasted until winter. The organic matter concentrations varied they increased in spring and autumn but decreased in summer and winter. In the BS, a summer elevation of concentrations of phosphorus compounds and N-NH${}_4^{+}$ was noted, while the concentration of N-NO${}_3^{-}$ increased between spring and autumn; COD concentrations were higher in autumn and winter than in summer. Concentrations of phosphorus compounds increased in the G in summer, yet then decreased in autumn and winter. Concentrations of N-NH${}_4^{+}$ increased subsequently in spring, summer and autumn, while COD increased in autumn and winter.

A generally observed trend was an increase in N-NH${}_4^{+}$ and phosphorus compound concentrations in summer, regardless of the type of watershed (agricultural vs urban). In streams flowing through agricultural watersheds, concentrations of N-NO${}_3^{-}$ and COD increased in autumn and winter. In BS, with agricultural land use of the watershed dominating, the increase in Ptot concentration occurred in winter and N-NO${}_3^{-}$ concentrations elevation was observed in spring. In the G, where the watershed is partly covered by forests, meadows and pastures, concentrations of all compounds (apart from organic matter) decreased only in winter.

Principal component analysis

Prinicpal Component Analysis was used to carry out a quantitative assessment of how a number of catchment area characteristics influence the quality of streams. The results of the analysis in relation to seasons are presented in Fig. 5.

In each season the new variables were determined that replaced the 13 initial (primary) variables. The initial variables were very well represented by the new ones, which is confirmed by the length of the vectors showing the primary variables were equal to unity. The new variables for each season represent 100% of the initial variables.

In spring the concentrations of COD, P-PO${}_4^{3-}$ and Ptot were related to the stream length (L) and reversely co-related to the urbanized area (Ap) and the stream slope (dp). Additionally, P-PO${}_4^{3-}$ concentration is positively co-related to agricultural area (Aa). The changes in N-NO${}_3^{-}$ and N-NH${}_4^{+}$ concentrations were negatively related to the total area of the catchment (A) and area covered by parks, forests and pastures (Ag).

In summer, concentrations of Ptot and COD depended on the amount of green area (Ag) and total catchment area (A). This can be explained by runoff pollution with animal excrement (Pitt et al., 2004). Ptot concentration was also related to the flow rate (Q) and form ratio (F). P-PO${}_4^{3-}$, N-NO${}_3^{-}$ i N-NH${}_4^{+}$ have a common origin co-related to the size of urbanized area (Ap); all of these factors were negatively related to stream length (L).

High summer concentrations of all analysed compounds observed in an urban stream result from the land use of the catchments. In agricultural watersheds, an increase in nutrient concentrations was not observed probably due to vegetation cover on the fields and meadows, followed by nutrient uptake by the intense growth of plant biomass. Water uptake by plants and infiltration through permeable soil (Yang et al., 2016) resulted in smaller runoff volume and thus a lower amount of nutrients in the streams.

In autumn, concentrations of Ptot and N-NO${}_3^{-}$ were related to the paved area (Ap) and catchment slope (dp). Concentrations of phosphate phosphorus were related to agricultural area (Aa). The stream characteristics length, flow rate, catchment form ratio were less significant than in other seasons.

In autumn and winter, a decrease in phosphorus concentrations was expected, and in fact did occur throughout the majority of these seasons. Some peaks in concentrations can be associated to the release of phosphorus compounds from the sediments found in retention tanks, as was reported by Bitschofsky & Nausch (2019) in the Warnow catchment in Germany. The autumn increase in N-NO${}_3^{-}$ concentrations in comparison to the spring period, observed only in agricultural watersheds, was probably caused by washing out the fertilizing compounds applied to the fields earlier in autumn.

In winter, concentrations of organic matter (COD) were positively co-related to urbanized area (Ap) and also to N-NO${}_3^{-}$ and Ptot concentrations. Concentrations of P-PO${}_4^{-}$ in this season were related to agricultural area (Aa). Probably the phosphates added to the soil with autumn fertilization are washed out in the winter period as the soil has no vegetation cover (Wojciechowska et al., 2019a); also some additional winter supply of fertilizers could be the reason. According to the questionnaire conducted in the agricultural catchments, some farmers indicated that they also use fertilizers in November, December and January (Pietrzak, 2018). Concentrations of N-NH${}_4^{+}$ in winter were dependent on the total catchment area (A) and stream length (L).

Separate observations were carried out in each of the seasons, which, however, made it possible to systematize the main parameters affecting the concentrations of the analyzed compounds. Total phosphorus concentrations depended on catchment parameters from spring to autumn. In spring and summer these were the length, flow rate, catchment shape factor or its slope, while in autumn paved area was more important. Nitrogen (N-NO${}_3^{-}$ and N-NH${}_4^{+}$) concentrations in summer and autumn depended mainly on the area of urbanized land, only in winter the entire catchment area and the length of the watercourse were important. However, the COD concentration was associated with the method of covering the catchment area, with the most important being the area covered with meadows, pastures and parks in summer and the paved area in autumn.

Principal component analysis indicated the origin of phosphorus compounds (P-PO${}_4^{-}$ and Ptot) in every season of the year. Spring was the only season when both forms of phosphorus were associated with a common source: the urbanized area and stream slope. Concentration of P-PO${}_4^{-}$ was also linked to the agricultural area; this correlation was strongest in winter, but also relevant in spring and autumn. PCA was also helpful to some extent in explanation of nitrogen species origin (N-NO${}_3^{-}$ and N-NH${}_4^{+}$). In spring and summer the reverse relationships were observed between nitrogen forms concentrations and total area as well as area covered by meadows, pastures and parks. In autumn the N-NO${}_3^{-}$ concentration was dependent on Ap and dp, while in winter the N-NH${}_4^{+}$ concentration was related to A and L. The lowest significance of 9 analysed stream and watershed parameters had form ratio, flow rate and length.