ORIGINAL RESEARCH
The Role of Hydrocharitetum morsus-ranae
in Shaping the Chemical Composition
of Surface Waters
Andrzej Skwierawski1, Małgorzata Skwierawska2
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1Department of Land Improvement and Environmental Management,
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Lódzki 2, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
2Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Environmental Protection,
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 8, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2013;22(6):1825-1833
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The characteristic species of Hydrocharitetum morsus-ranae (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae and Stratiotes
aloides) are used to determine the ecological condition of surface waters in many countries of the European
Union. Aquatic and marshland plants play an important role in shaping the chemical composition of the littoral
zone of eutrophic and mezotrophic water reservoirs. The aim of this study was to determine the influence
of the extent of coverage of water surface by Hydrocharicetum morsus-ranae on the physicochemical and
chemical properties of water inhabited by both plant species. Conducted field studies indicate that
Hydrocharicetum morsus-ranae existed in reservoirs that are considered polluted due to the concentration of
lead. The cumulation of mineral nutrients by plants inhabiting the studied reservoirs affected the chemical
composition of the analyzed waters by limiting the influence of Hydrocharis morsus-ranae and Stratiotes
aloides on the quality of these waters. The ecological range of occurrence of Hydrocharis morsus-ranae relative
to most chemical water quality indicators is wider than that of Stratiotes aloides.