Hypsometric factors for differences in chemical composition of Tatra National Park spring waters

The aim of this study was to verify a hypothesis about the differences in chemical composition of spring waters as determined by hypsometric factors (relief) in the Tatra Mountains. During our research, 1,505 hydrological objects were inventoried, but this research was conducted on 872 selected outflows (swamps and springs). Temperature, conductivity, and pH were measured together with discharge in the field. A 0.5 dm3 water sample was taken from each hydrological object. The chemical composition was determined by ion chromatography. The role of hypsometric factors in the formation of chemical composition of spring waters is reflected throughout the TNP as a systematic reduction of the importance of two major hydrochemical classes of spring waters (HCO3-Ca, HCO3-Ca-Mg) in favor of waters containing a large share of SO4 2-. The lower and ridge parts of the mountains are characterized by low hydrochemical diversity for the entire Tatra range.