Pollution of Sedimentary Ponds at an Industrial Plant in Janikowo (Poland)

The aim of the work was to determine whether the waste accumulated on the reclaimed sedimentary pond near the Janikosoda Production Plant in Janikowo is still a source of pollution of groundwater. On one of the ponds near the Production Plant in Janikowo, three points were located, in which drilling was done up to the bottom of the layer of solid waste. In each point, samples of sediments were taken to determine electrolytic conductivity and chloride concentration. In order to examine the level of groundwater pollution in the area of the Production Plant, four points around the sedimentary ponds were identified, in which regular monitoring of chloride ions has been carried out since the 1980s. Based on analysis, it was concluded that chlorides are leached from the sediments deep into the soil profile by rainwater and, with high probability, also by water seeping from the adjacent slag pond. Sedimentary ponds are still an important source of pollution released into soils and groundwater around the plant. Nevertheless, chloride concentration in solid waste and groundwater in the area of sedimentary ponds has decreased in the last 20 years.