Our study was conducted in the area of the Parseta and Radew rivers in 2012 and 2013. Samples were taken of water and bottom sediments. In terms of their physico-chemical composition, the tested waters can be characterized as slightly polluted. In terms of zinc and copper concentrations, the waters belong to purity class I, but the contents of cadmium, lead, and nickel exceed the Proposed Environmental Quality Standards for Priority Substances.
As far as copper, nickel, zinc, and cadmium are concerned, the studied sediments were not polluted, and the geo-chemical index values were within class I. The relevant accumulation rates for metals in sediments can be ordered as follows: Cd The studied parameters changed (in both rivers) according to how far down the stream samples were taken. The sites nearest the Petroleum and Natural Gas Mine at Karlino had the highest concentrations of all the metals in question. Further down the stream the values fell and the river water self-purification process was evident. It is encouraging to see that despite a clear impact of the operation of the mine on the examined water quality, the aquatic environment seems not only able to absorb pollutants, but also to recover over a relatively short section of the river.