Physicochemical properties of water in the Glinianki pit lake in Kielce (SE Poland)

Abstract The article presents research results on the physicochemical properties of water and species composition of plants in the ecological site Glinianki, protecting a small pit lake in Kielce (SE Poland). The water level in the lake and water quality changed seasonally due to the inflow of snowmelt and water from adjacent episodic pools, which are rich in calcium, sulphates, and nitrates. Despite high precipitation sums in summer, water level decreased due to increased evaporation. The floral list of the Glinianki pit lake contains 37 species, mainly plants of the shoreline, emergent plants of reed beds, sedge beds and submerged rooted plants. Among the taxa found in the ecological site, there are species included in national and regional red lists, such as the Greater Bladderwort Utricularia vulgaris , the Eurasian Watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum and the Whorl-leaf Watermilfoil Myriophyllum verticillatum. Although located in the city, the catchment of the pit lake is not yet urbanised, and it should be protected to preserve the ecological site.