Analysis of Precipitation and Runoff Against Quality Characteristics of Surface Water in Carpathian Areas (Based on Lysimetric Studies)

The aim of the study was to analyse precipitation, subsurface runoff and concentrations of nutrients in water (NH4 +--N, NO3 --N and PO4 3- ions). The study was conducted at the lysimetric station in Jaworki (Małe Pieniny, Nowy Targ district, Malopolska province, 600 m a.m.s.l.). Measurements were carried out during vegetation periods, from April to September. The paper consists of an analysis of data in two periods – 2001–2018 and 2019–2022. Data in the historical years (2001–2018) showed that water quality as well as its quantitative variability was low, mainly until 2015. The year 2018 indicated slow changes in this regard. Analysis of the years 2019–2022 indicated that the outflow was almost identical. The years 2019 and 2022 were characterized by significantly higher leachate concentrations. Ammonium ion contents were similar. Analysis of nitrate ions in leachate showed an increasing trend over the years. Phosphates, on the other hand, showed a similar trend to nitrate ions. The study showed which types of land use have the greatest impact on both subsurface runoff volume and leachate water quality. In mountainous conditions, the type of use, as well as the climate and soil, have an extremely significant impact on the volume and quality of runoff, which affect the quality of groundwater and surface water.