Research on the variability of physico-chemical parameters characterising acid precipitation at the Jeziory Ecological Station in the Wielkopolski National Park (Poland).

Here the water quality of precipitation at the Adam Mickiewicz University Ecological station is presented for the period 1992-1997 to examine one of the main factors causing the degradation of the natural environment of the Weilkopolski National Park. In the course of daily observations the amount of rainfall, its electrical conductivity and pH were measured. As much as 61% of the tested precipitation had a pH < 4.6, and 92% had a pH < 5.6; some very low pH values, even below 3.0, were occasionally observed. The annual volume-weighted average pH during the full period was 4.28 and the lowest yearly average was 3.92 (1994). The chemical composition of precipitation showed the dominance of sulphate and calcium ions. Fluoride ions also contributed significantly to the anion charge. There were also small amounts of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. A chemical analysis of throughfall showed a considerably increased concentration of some ions, in particular potassium.