Geochemistry of waters and bottom sediments in landslide lakes in Babiogórski National Park

The aim of this work was to assess the contamination of the landslide lakes located within Babiogórski National Park. For this purpose, samples of water and bottom sediment from 12 lakes were collected. Chemical analyses of the waters (including main cation and anion concentrations, trace-metal levels and selected physicochemical parameters) and of the sediments (including heavy metals) were performed. The waters are acidic to neutral and are characterized by low mineralization. Concentrations of trace elements are commonly low. Elevated levels of Fe, Mn and Al are probably related to natural geochemical processes. The sediments are strongly contaminated by Cd, whereas other trace metals levels are at their hydrogeochemical background. The high level of Cd contamination is most probably related to long-range industrial emissions.