@article{2-s2.0-85192711201,

title = {Mine Wastewater Effect on the Aquatic Diversity and the Ecological Status of the Watercourses in Southern Poland},

author = { K. Mitko and P. Dydo and A.K. Milewski and J. Bok-Badura and A. Jakóbik-Kolon and T. Krawczyk and A. Cieplok and M. Krodkiewska and A. Spyra and G. Gzyl and A. Skalny and B. Kończak and M. Bałazińska and P. Labaj and A. Tetłak and M. Kyriazi and S. Klempetsani},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85192711201&doi=10.3390%2fw16091292&partnerID=40&md5=a099a75de0e233fa4e4af129f99e9ce4},

doi = {10.3390/w16091292},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Water (Switzerland)},

volume = {16},

number = {9},

publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)},

abstract = {Coal mining activity contributes to energy security and employment occupation, but is associated with environmental deterioration. Coal combustion leads to GHG emissions, while coal mining results in the generation of saline effluents. These effluents are discharged in inland surface waters, applying significant pressure on their quality, with a negative impact on aquatic life and the economy of a region. This study includes water samples that were analyzed in order to investigate the organic compounds, heavy metals, and other physicochemical parameters. Biological monitoring was done according to the Water Framework Directive methodology. The results from an aquatic area in Southern Poland, which indirectly receives coal mine effluents, indicate elevated salinity with excessive chlorides, sulfates, and sodium ions. The water quality of another non-polluted aquatic area was also assessed to examine the impact of indirect coal mine wastewater discharge on this area. The high salinity levels hinder the use of river water for drinking, agricultural, or industrial purposes. The results obtained show high pressure on the ecological status of streams and rivers that receive mine effluents, and on the density and diversity of aquatic invertebrates. This pressure is clearly visible in the structure of benthic communities and in invertebrate diversity. It also contributes to the appearance of invasive species and increasing water salinity. Limiting discharges of mine water transporting large loads of saline substances would reduce the negative impact on the quality of river waters and biological life. © 2024 by the authors.},

note = {0},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85165241666,

title = {Beavers ecosystem altering: Influence of beaver dams on aquatic invertebrates in newly created beavers ponds and small mountain river},

author = { A. Spyra and A. Cieplok and M. Krodkiewska},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85165241666&doi=10.1016%2fj.ecohyd.2023.06.009&partnerID=40&md5=e96bd299f4813c8afc0f8b5b501b1ec7},

doi = {10.1016/j.ecohyd.2023.06.009},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Ecohydrology and Hydrobiology},

volume = {24},

number = {2},

pages = {249-261},

publisher = {Elsevier B.V.},

abstract = {Beaver-created ponds constitute an important element of small water retention in forest catchments and preserving biodiversity as breeding sites for vertebrates and invertebrates. In many areas, these habitats disappear as a result of drainage melioration, drainage formed from agricultural and developmental needs, and liquidation by littering and backfilling. This study was carried out from 2017 to 2019 to understand the transformations of river valley as a result of the beaver activity in the context of newly created ponds and mountain stream and to assess the changes and biodiversity. Beavers modified in-stream habitat by constructing dams, thus creating a series of interconnected dam ponds. Organic matter retention was higher in beaver ponds relative to unmodified river section. In beaver ponds, the invertebrate aquatic assemblages was highly variable. A total of 56 taxa were identified, and significant seasonal variability of benthos assemblages. The values of diversity indices confirmed the instability of benthos assemblage in beaver ponds (variability of species amongst years and sites), which may be related to the short period of their existence. Lotic macroinvertebrate assemblages were common in the beaver-modified section of stream, with some lentic taxa also being present. The unmodified section of stream had more abundant collectors- gatherers and predators and no filter feeders, while scrapers were more abundant in modified section. The environmental variables which significantly influenced invertebrate occurrence were pH, nitrates, iron and the content of organic matter. The results contribute to ecological characteristics of these aquatic environments, and enable determining their functioning in forest areas. © 2023 European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences},

note = {3},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85175583645,

title = {Globally invasive Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray, 1843) – an indicator of the degraded water systems in relation to native aquatic invertebrates},

author = { A. Cieplok and A. Spyra and R. Czerniawski},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85175583645&doi=10.1016%2fj.ecolind.2023.111194&partnerID=40&md5=809eaa4a86d0efb274c47d1c77f351af},

doi = {10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.111194},

issn = {1470160X},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Ecological Indicators},

volume = {156},

publisher = {Elsevier B.V.},

abstract = {Global changes in climate and human impact favour invasions of aquatic organisms. Along with habitat modification, the abundance of invasive species might increase, leading to their greater impact on ecosystems functioning in disturbed areas. The appearance of species, which are drivers for ecosystem pollution are useful tool for the indication of some environmental changes in the area. We examine the occurrence of P. antipodarum populations, a global invader that established rivers, oxbow lakes, dam reservoirs, sand pits, gravel pits, and subsidence ponds in Poland (Central Europe). The research aims were to determine the extent of invasion in anthropogenically impacted habitats and the relationship between the abundance of aquatic invertebrates and oxygen concentration, pH, N-NO2, N-NO3, chlorides, and ammonia. This investigation helps elucidate the potential of invader to adapt to adverse environmental conditions in aquatic systems in which it was found dominant. The abundance of P. antipodarum showed an unimodal distribution, being higher in disturbed conditions. In snail communities it was a supereudominant or eudominant species in rivers, gravel pits, sand pits and subsidence ponds. Its relative abundance was the highest in gravel pits, in which it constituted more than 50 percent of benthic fauna. We demonstrated that environmental disturbances and pollution increase the vulnerability of water biocoenoses to invasions and the origin of free niches and that P. antipodarum is an indicator of degraded water systems. Results support the management of aquatic systems colonized by invasive species and highlight the need to assess the level of pollution discharged to prevent their dispersion. Management priorities must include the reduction or halt of invader spread because new aquatic environments are and will be created in industrial areas of the world. © 2023 The Author(s)},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85149932914,

title = {Analysis of the Salinity of the Vistula River Based on Patrol Monitoring and State Environmental Monitoring},

author = { A. Woźnica and D. Absalon and M. Matysik and M. Bąk and A. Cieplok and D. Halabowski and A. Koczorowska and M. Krodkiewska and M. Libera and E.M. Sierka and A. Spyra and R. Czerniawski and Ł. Sługocki and B. Łozowski},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85149932914&doi=10.3390%2fw15050838&partnerID=40&md5=a1b9ba5b610a3021fd3cad70380682bc},

doi = {10.3390/w15050838},

issn = {20734441},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Water (Switzerland)},

volume = {15},

number = {5},

publisher = {MDPI},

abstract = {Background: Secondary salinity of river water reduces the value of ecosystem services, negatively impacting the entire aquatic ecosystem and reducing the possibility of water use. In Poland, significant anthropogenic salinity of rivers and water reservoirs is usually associated with mining activity consisting of pumping salty mine water into settling ponds or often directly into rivers. However, to assess the reasons for the salinity of the Vistula waters, it is necessary to identify all sources of salt in surface waters, enabling the assessment of the salt load in the waters. Methods: The paper presents four sources of data which have been compiled to propose a valuable method for analyzing the threat of the river. Patrol monitoring was one method of data acquisition, and State Environmental Monitoring data ware also used. Clustering and correlation statistical techniques were used for analysis. Results: Of the 20 physical and chemical parameters analyzed, chloride, calcium sulphate and magnesium ions are important for salinity. Measurements with multi-parameter probes allowed for the identification of increased salinity pressure sites, while flow analyses were required to calculate the load. Conclusions: The Vistula River had the highest concentrations of the analyzed ions in the Silesia Region. The use of patrol monitoring can be highly useful in determining the causes of emerging problems with water quality and supporting State Environmental Monitoring. © 2023 by the authors.},

note = {4},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85164674732,

title = {From extremely acidic to alkaline: Aquatic invertebrates in forest mining lakes under the pressure of acidification},

author = { A. Spyra and A. Cieplok and N. Kaszyca-Taszakowska},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85164674732&doi=10.1002%2firoh.202102121&partnerID=40&md5=bc84bed3caea666394c66166c3cad2fe},

doi = {10.1002/iroh.202102121},

issn = {14342944},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {International Review of Hydrobiology},

volume = {108},

number = {1-3},

pages = {5-16},

publisher = {John Wiley and Sons Inc},

abstract = {Human activities, including the mining industry, have considerably degraded water habitats worldwide. Acidification has severely affected aquatic environments and biodiversity by altering food webs and reducing species richness. The study area in southern Poland is unique in addressing the effects of mining-related acidification on biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems along a broad pH gradient (2.4–9.6) in mining lakes. Study was designed to test for effect of human induced acidification. Using multivariate ordination techniques, we analyzed how variations in invertebrate composition are related to environmental factors. The results indicated that pH, hardness, total dissolved solids, and the content of ammonia and calcium were significantly associated with the distribution of invertebrates in the studied mining lakes. The highest iron content, relatively high values of conductivity, and chlorides were found in the extremely acidic mining lakes. A clear trend in decreasing density with decreasing pH was observed for taxa such as Oligochaeta, Chironomidae, Glossiphonidae, and certain taxa of snails. However, the density of other taxa such as Lestidae, Libellulidae, Caenidae, Sialidae, Helodidae, Hydrophilidae, and Polycentropodidae increased with decreasing pH. Specific communities were found with increasing acidity. Therefore, a further increase in acidity will probably cause a stronger decline in most of taxa and their density, and on water chemistry (e.g.; calcium concentration; nitrites; and hardness). The data yielded offer an opportunity to fill knowledge gaps on acidic stress concerning less-studied environments such as mining lakes and link environmental pollution with communities, which is especially important, because aquatic forest habitats are especially exposed to different climatic factors and threats. © 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85143676533,

title = {The Role of Habitat Protection in Maintaining the Diversity of Aquatic Fauna in Rural and Industrial Areas},

author = { A. Cieplok and M. Krodkiewska and I. Franiel and R. Starzak and Ma. Sowa and A. Spyra},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85143676533&doi=10.3390%2fw14233983&partnerID=40&md5=a6e31eb7e469de2646afd7adeb0a50e9},

doi = {10.3390/w14233983},

issn = {20734441},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Water (Switzerland)},

volume = {14},

number = {23},

publisher = {MDPI},

abstract = {In Natural Landscape Complexes and Ecological Sites, local environmental protection is used to cover previous industrial activities, fragments of the cultural landscape, and habitats of both vertebrates and invertebrates. In water bodies within the different types of habitat protection, aquatic invertebrate fauna was studied to investigate whether it is a general rule that different forms of protection ensure the diversity of aquatic invertebrates in rural and industrial areas. The research revealed differences between invertebrate assemblages within complexes and between reservoirs. Compared with unprotected reservoirs located in the same area, in the majority of the studied water bodies, either no alien species were found or their relative abundance in assemblages was very low. Significant differences in the density, the number of taxa, the diversity, and the percentage of alien species were observed between different geographical locations. The location of water bodies within the protected area plays an important role in maintaining benthos diversity in industrial areas. These findings are useful for comparison with those of future research to document possible improvements or ongoing ecological regression in the quality of aquatic ecosystems in industrial areas. This study can help guide revisions of protected habitat networks for adequate protection of freshwater biodiversity in industrial areas. © 2022 by the authors.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85138463371,

title = {Assessment of pollution, and ecological status in rivers located in the Vistula and Oder river basins impacted by the mining industry in Central Europe (Poland)},

author = { M. Krodkiewska and A. Spyra and A. Cieplok},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85138463371&doi=10.1016%2fj.ecolind.2022.109505&partnerID=40&md5=974d1ce39f7efff73b82d34b605e32c4},

doi = {10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109505},

issn = {1470160X},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Ecological Indicators},

volume = {144},

publisher = {Elsevier B.V.},

abstract = {Many regions of the world are industrialised and urbanized like the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB), which is located in one of the most industrialized areas of Europe. Due to the presence of coal and other mineral deposits and their excavation, this area is subject to extensive industrialization, including the functioning of mining and metallurgy industries. According to the Water Framework Directive, water released from mines contains a wide range of pollutants and hence poses a serious threat to the ecology of river systems, eventually resulting in their degradation. The aim of this study was to assess the ecological status of rivers located in the Vistula and Oder river basins, which are affected by the coal mining industry. In this study, macroinvertebrates were used as biological response on the water pollution, and were collected at 30 sampling sites in 12 rivers following the methodology of monitoring studies. The results revealed major differences in the parameters related to river salinity and nutrient loads in the studied rivers. Only the two rivers, Żylica and Liswarta, showed good ecological status, while bad ecological status was recorded for Bierawka, Rawa, Łęgoń, and Biała Przemsza rivers. A redundancy analysis of the results indicated the following: the quality class was positively related to the degree of conductivity; the density of macroinvertebrates was positively related to a higher content of N-NO2 (Nitrite nitrogen) and EPT (The number of families from Ephemeropthera; Plecoptera and Trichoptera), ASPT (average score per taxon PL), and 1-GOLD (abundance of Gastropod; Oligochaeta; and Diptera) indices were positively related to a higher content of dissolved oxygen. The condition of water and benthic invertebrates was significantly influenced by the industrial catchment, which was apparent from the ecological status of the studied systems. The rivers in the most industrialized part of this area were found to be characterized by worse conditions. © 2022 The Authors},

note = {3},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85137359333,

title = {Structure and dynamics of gastropod communities in highly transformed aquatic environments colonized and uncolonized by globally invasive Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray, 1843)},

author = { A. Spyra and A. Cieplok},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85137359333&doi=10.3391%2fai.2022.17.3.07&partnerID=40&md5=c54bcdbe91e29bec40bfcd4a305befa4},

doi = {10.3391/ai.2022.17.3.07},

issn = {17986540},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Aquatic Invasions},

volume = {17},

number = {3},

pages = {431-452},

publisher = {Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre},

abstract = {We examined the association between habitat parameters and gastropod communities across a number of freshwater ecosystems, whose biodiversity has been affected by increased mining activities over decades. Reservoirs inhabited by the New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray; 1843)) exhibited different abiotic conditions than waterbodies that were not, such as higher salinity indicators (max. conductivity 13400 μS/cm; TDS 7700 mg/l and chlorides 7200 mg/l), and degraded water quality. In such water bodies P. antipodarum density was high (max. 23686/m2). Further, invaded waters were inhabited by less diverse gastropod communities than reservoirs without P. antipodarum. The invader has established reproducing populations and were the dominant species (D 87.53%), or formed mono-specific assemblages, in the reservoirs. Our results indicate that P. antipodarum occurred in habitats whose conditions are unfavorable or less preferred by other species, such as those with high conductivity, and high concentrations of chlorides and calcium. Since this snail is known to inhabit water bodies with degraded water quality, we assumed that along with the progressing development of industries worldwide, this species will continue to spread to industrial areas and will inhabit increasing numbers of anthropogenically affected water environments. Our study contributes to the global understanding of the mechanisms involved in successful establishment in waters by P. antipodarum, and is especially novel in addressing its occurrence in anthropogenically created ecosystems. Our results showed that human impact is the cause of the trend in P. antipodarum populations, and compared habitats from the perspective of both abiotic parameters and community structure. Human activities can have a significant impact on water quality that can result in the permanent establishment of P. antipodarum populations, especially when the environment is not favorable for the native species. © Spyra and Cieplok.},

note = {1},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85137843078,

title = {Morphological diversification of alien and native aquatic snails of the genus Physa and Aplexa (Gastropoda: Physidae) of Western and Central European range},

author = { A. Cieplok and R. Anderson and M. Gawlak and T. Kałuski and A. Spyra},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85137843078&doi=10.11646%2fzootaxa.5168.2.1&partnerID=40&md5=0fcf1fccdc1278eeb426f94c7a389c0c},

doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.5168.2.1},

issn = {11755326},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Zootaxa},

volume = {5168},

number = {2},

pages = {101-118},

publisher = {Magnolia Press},

abstract = {This is the first comparative study on alien and native Physidae (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia) from Western and Central Europe. Morphology, ecological features and distribution are presented for each physid species. We analysed taxonomical features of physid snails from Europe in great detail. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods were used to elucidate the external morphology of the shells of physid gastropods that occur in Western and Central Europe. On comparison we found significant differences in the external morphology among the species. Morphological analyses facilitate the recognition of variations of physid shells. An interspecific similarities were noted within Physidae while interspecific differences were identified in the morphology of apex and spires. The lowest intraspecific variability in shells was noted between particular individuals of P. fontinalis and A. hypnorum. The most characteristic features and differences of representatives of Physidae are presented and discussed. This is especially important for the identification of Physa gyrina and the worldwide invasive species Physa acuta which resemble each other in shape and are difficult to distinguish. We also present a new identification key for physid species, including the results of ecological assessment and discuss current distribution of these species in Europe. Copyright © 2022 Magnolia Press.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85119096100,

title = {The colonization of a cold spring ecosystem by the invasive species potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray, 1843) (gastropoda: Tateidae) (southern poland)},

author = { M. Krodkiewska and A. Cieplok and A. Spyra},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85119096100&doi=10.3390%2fw13223209&partnerID=40&md5=f9c9eb273b7f03a828f904b3492b15d4},

doi = {10.3390/w13223209},

issn = {20734441},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Water (Switzerland)},

volume = {13},

number = {22},

publisher = {MDPI},

abstract = {Springs are unique aquatic environments that support specific biota, including endemic species and rare species listed in Red Lists. Due to their usually small size, springs are highly sensitive to disturbance. Many of them are threatened by aquifer depletion, contamination, surface-water diversion, livestock trampling, recreation, and invasive species. The aim of this study was to assess the colonization success of the invasive New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) in a cold spring ecosystem in southern Poland. In Europe, this species has recently been added to the top “hundred worst” alien species due to its impact on invaded ecosystems. The study was carried out in two areas of the spring ecosystem—in the springhead and the springbrook—over a four-year period. Potamopyrus antipodarum dominated the benthic macroinvertebrate communities in both areas of the spring ecosystem. Nevertheless, its abundance in the springbrook was significantly greater, and increased noticeably during subsequent years compared to that in the springhead. The populations of P. antipodarum were exclusively composed of females. Smaller-sized New Zealand mudsnails were more abundant near the spring’s source than at the second site. The females at the springhead became fecund at sizes as small as 3.7 mm (the number of embryos was between 0 and 37), while at the springbrook, embryos were found in snails as small as 3.4 mm (the number of embryos was between 0 and 42). Our results suggest that the lower water temperature at the spring-head may limit the population size of P. antipodarum, thus making its density too low to be able to affect the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates, including the spring snail Bythinella cf. austriaca. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85088046677,

title = {The roles of spatial and environmental variables in the appearance of a globally invasive Physa acuta in water bodies created due to human activity},

author = { A. Cieplok and A. Spyra},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85088046677&doi=10.1016%2fj.scitotenv.2020.140928&partnerID=40&md5=7c362839b9b41f8ca8dbcee7b2681d32},

doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140928},

issn = {00489697},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Science of the Total Environment},

volume = {744},

publisher = {Elsevier B.V.},

abstract = {Anthropogenic pollution of freshwater environments is a subject of serious international concern since they affect freshwater and land environments. The disturbances in the functioning of ecosystems that result from various forms of human activity permit them to be settled by alien species. Research was carried out in 84 anthropogenic water bodies using quantitative methods for sampling, laboratory analysis and multivariate statistical methods. The appearance of P. acuta in these water bodies seems to depend on their water chemistry. Physa acuta primarily occurred in waters with a very low content of ammonia, medium salinity and hardness, and in waters with a higher pH. The density of P. acuta decreased along with its dominance index, which indicates that in water bodies in which its density was low, the other snail species achieved higher densities. This suggest competitive displacement of native species at high densities of P. acuta. Cluster analysis showed that water bodies in which P. acuta was abundant were similar in the snail community composition in contrast to water bodies in which it wasn't present. Research on colonisation of freshwater habitats by alien species in freshwater habitats is important because in the future, the number of alien species is likely to increase as a result of climate change and their ability to overcome the existing barriers as well as with the progressive colonisation of new areas outside of their native range. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.},

note = {9},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85087506322,

title = {Neo-and paleo-limnological studies on diatom and cladoceran communities of subsidence ponds affected by mine waters (S. Poland)},

author = { A. Pociecha and A.Z. Wojtal and E. Szarek-Gwiazda and A. Cieplok and D. Ciszewski and S. Cichoń},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85087506322&doi=10.3390%2fW12061581&partnerID=40&md5=f8eccfd367b3e4fea076c7995467c6ac},

doi = {10.3390/W12061581},

issn = {20734441},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Water (Switzerland)},

volume = {12},

number = {6},

publisher = {MDPI AG},

abstract = {Plankton assemblages can be altered to different degrees by mining. Here, we test how diatoms and cladocerans in ponds along a river in southern Poland respond to the cessation of the long-term Pb-Zn mining. There are two groups of subsidence ponds in the river valley. One of them (DOWN) was contaminated over a period of mining, which ceased in 2009, whereas the other (UP) appeared after the mining had stopped. We used diatoms and cladocerans (complete organisms in plankton and their remains in sediments) to reveal the influence of environmental change on the structure and density of organisms. The water of UP pond was more contaminated by major ions (SO4 2-; Cl-) and nutrients (NO3-; PO43-) than the DOWN ponds. Inversely, concentrations of Zn, Cd, Cu and Pb were significantly higher in sediment cores of DOWN ponds in comparison to those in the UP pond. Ponds during mining had higher diversity of diatoms and cladocerans than the pond formed after the mining had stopped. CCA showed that diatom and cladoceran communities related most significantly to concentrations of Pb in sediment cores. Comparison of diatom and cladoceran communities in plankton and sediment suggests significant recovery of assemblages in recent years and reduction of the harmful effect of mine-originating heavy metals. Some features of ponds such as the rate of water exchange by river flow and the presence of water plants influenced plankton communities more than the content of dissolved heavy metals. © 2020 by the authors.},

note = {3},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85072585985,

title = {Freshwater alien species Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) - A possible model for bioaccumulation of heavy metals},

author = { A. Spyra and A. Cieplok and M. Strzelec and A. Babczyńska},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85072585985&doi=10.1016%2fj.ecoenv.2019.109703&partnerID=40&md5=168ce730e37013c197802ec6cd528950},

doi = {10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109703},

issn = {01476513},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-01-01},

journal = {Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety},

volume = {185},

publisher = {Academic Press},

abstract = {In this study we focused on Physella acuta, an alien snail species in order to determine their ability of bioaccumulation of heavy metals in their shells, bodies, the difference in accumulation in relation to age classes, and the influence of ecological variables on the community composition and density. On the basis of the results of ecological, toxicological, and experimental analyses we aimed to study the potential invasive features of P. acuta in comparision with the native species Stagnicola palustris. The content of Cu and Zn in the substratum and ammonia in the water was strongly related to the patterns of distribution of P. acuta. The content of Cd, Pb, and Cu in the shell fraction was always significantly lower than in the body fraction. A comparison of accumulation with respect to the size classes of P. acuta indicated that the lowest metal concentration in the body was typical for the largest individuals, except for Zn. Metal content in the bodies of the native species did not differ from the content measured in their analogous group of the largest individuals of P. acuta. The lowest value of bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was found for the large class of specimens of this species for each metal. A distinct decrease in the value of BAF in relation to the size of snails was found for cadmium. A 100% hatching success found in masses collected from pond confirmed the high reproductive potential of P. acuta which can be a factor that promotes its invasive features following its ability to occur in very high densities, but not necessarily the ability of metal accumulation in the body. Physella acuta can be used as a model organism in the studies on the accumulation of heavy metals however, the extend of accumulation can differ among the age classes. Because of the high tolerance of P. acuta to heavy metal pollution, in the future this species can be found in significantly polluted habitats, inhabiting free ecological niches, and occurring in high densities in snail communities. © 2019 The Authors},

note = {13},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85065026296,

title = {Response of Cladocera fauna to heavy metal pollution, based on sediments from subsidence ponds downstream of a mine discharge (S. Poland)},

author = { A. Pociecha and A.Z. Wojtal and E. Szarek-Gwiazda and A. Cieplok and D. Ciszewski and A. Kownacki},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85065026296&doi=10.3390%2fw11040810&partnerID=40&md5=7489af40be8911cd3907b5bff05b8a16},

doi = {10.3390/w11040810},

issn = {20734441},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-01-01},

journal = {Water (Switzerland)},

volume = {11},

number = {4},

publisher = {MDPI AG},

abstract = {Mining is recognized to deeply influence invertebrate assemblages in aquatic systems, but different invertebrates respond in different ways to mining cessation. Here, we document the response of the cladoceran assemblage of the Chechło river, S. Poland (southern Poland) to the cessation of Pb-Zn ore mining. The aquatic system includes the river and associated subsidence ponds in the valley. Some ponds were contaminated during the period of mining, which ceased in 2009, while one of the ponds only appeared after mining had stopped. We used Cladocera to reveal how the cessation of mine water discharge reflected on the structure and density of organisms. A total of 20 Cladocera taxa were identified in the sediment of subsidence ponds. Their density ranged from 0 to 109 ind./1 cm3. The concentrations of Zn, Cd, Cu and Pb were much higher in sediments of the ponds formed during peak mining than in the ponds formed after the closure of the mine. Statistical analysis (CCA) showed that Alonella nana, Alona affinis, Alona sp. and Pleuroxus sp. strongly correlated with pond age and did not tolerate high concentrations of heavy metals (Cu and Cd). This analysis indicated that the rate of water exchange by the river flow and the presence of aquatic plants, affect species composition more than pond age itself. © 2019 by the authors.},

note = {5},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85032108892,

title = {Ecology of moss-dwelling rotifers in a raised bog: Differentiation of rotifer communities in microhabitats},

author = { I. Bielańska-Grajner and T. Mieczan and A. Cieplok},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85032108892&doi=10.1515%2fbiolog-2017-0014&partnerID=40&md5=6cab338b81879226bf2a17afcc40fa68},

doi = {10.1515/biolog-2017-0014},

issn = {00063088},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Biologia (Poland)},

volume = {72},

number = {2},

pages = {175-183},

publisher = {De Gruyter Open Ltd},

abstract = {Peat bogs play key roles in preserving the stability of ecological relationships, but are some of the fastest disappearing and most endangered ecosystems in Europe. The aims of this study were: (1) to compare the distribution, species richness, diversity, and density of rotifers in microhabitats of a raised bog; and (2) to verify the hypothesis that rotifer density and species composition are dependent on seasonal factors, moss moisture content, and the dominant species of mosses in the microhabitats. Sampling was done monthly from April to November in 2013-2014 in the bog Moszne in eastern Poland (51°27′28.7″ N; 23°07′15.8″ E). The microhabitats sampled included hummocks, slopes, and hollows. A total of 40 rotifer taxa were identified. The highest species richness occurred in the hollows (40), dominated by Sphagnum angustifolium. Markedly lower numbers of taxa were observed on the slopes (28) dominated by Sphagnum magellanicum and Sphagnum rubellum, and in the hummocks dominated by S. magellanicum and Polytrichum sp. During the entire study period all the studied microhabitats were dominated by the Bdelloidea: Habrotrocha angusticollis, Habrotrocha lata, Habrotrocha sp., Dissotrocha macrostyla, Philodina sp. as well as Rotaria rotatoria and Rotaria tardigrada. The greatest species diversity of rotifers was recorded in the hollows (diversity index H′ = 2.307) and the smallest in the hummocks (H′ = 0.769). The density of rotifers was also the highest in the hollows. Statistically significant differences in densities of rotifers between the microhabitats were found (Kruskal-Wallis test: H′(2; n = 33)= 10.33; P = 0.005). The greatest diversity of rotifers and the greatest density were observed in spring. © 2017 Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences.},

note = {5},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}