CONTAMINATION OF SURFACE AND GROUND WATERS
BY RUNOFF WATER FROM A CATTLE FARM AT FALENTY, POLAND
S.RUSSEL, L.ROSSA
ABSTRACT. – Contamination of surface and ground waters by
runoff water from a cattle farm at Falenty, Poland. The paper presents the
results of the analysis of runoff water from a cattle farm at Falenty near
Warsaw, Poland. The water samples came from two wells collecting the outflow,
the nearest draining ditch and the nearest stream. The sampling frequency was
higher in the rain periods. The reaction, conductivity, COD, concentration of
ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate nitrogen, as well as phosphates was determined.
Additionally, the total quantity of psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria,
fungi, Proteus sp., sulphide reducing bacteria and the coliform index was also
counted. Results showed an increased level of COD and higher concentration of
phosphate ions in the rainwater in the area of the farmyard. Relatively high
microbiological indexes were also observed. During periods with rain, the values
of the biochemical demand for oxygen (COD) and concentration of phosphate ions
exceeded the thresholds for flowing waters.
Keywords: water contamination, runoff water, cattle farm