Long-Term Changes in the Thermal and Ice Regime of the Biebrza River (Northeastern Poland) in the Era of Global Warming
Type
Journal article
Language
English
Date issued
2024
Author
Faculty
Wydział Inżynierii Środowiska i Inżynierii Mechanicznej
PBN discipline
environmental engineering, mining and energy
Journal
Water (Switzerland)
ISSN
2073-4441
Web address
Volume
16
Number
22
Pages from-to
art. 3211
Abstract (EN)
In the context of ongoing environmental changes, particularly against the backdrop of global warming, significant attention is being given to areas of exceptional natural value that, in many aspects, retain a pristine character. One such area is the Biebrza River in northeastern Poland, which, together with the wetlands in its basin, forms one of the most valuable ecosystems of its kind in Europe. This study analyses the changes in the thermal and ice regime for two hydrological stations, Sztabin and Burzyn, in the period from 1959 to 2023. It was found that the average annual water temperature in this period for the Biebrza River increased by 0.28 °C/decade, and in the case of ice phenomena, statistically significant changes for both stations showed a decline, with an acceleration of the ice cover disappearance by an average of 3 days/decade. These recorded changes should be considered unfavourable, as they will affect the transformation of both the biotic and abiotic characteristics of the river itself, as well as the natural elements associated with it.
License
CC-BY - Attribution
Open access date
November 8, 2024