Present-day evolution of coastal lakes based on the example of Jamno and Bukowo (the Southern Baltic coast)

Abstract

Abstract This study presents the directions and the rate of changes occurring in the coastal lakes Jamno and Bukowo, located in northern Poland. Based on the cartographic materials and aerial photographs of those water bodies, it was established that in 1909–2012, the area of the lakes decreased by 183.6 ha (7.7%) and 250.7 ha (13.6%) for Jamno and Bukowo, respectively. Another component of lake disappearance — shallowing of lake basins — was analyzed using bathymetric plans. It turned out that water supplies of Jamno during more than 100 years decreased by 2.4 million m3 (5.9%), while in the case of Bukowo, it was 5.9 million (17.5%). Unfavorable location (inflow of pollutants from the basin) and morphometry of both lakes should be considered as the main causes of such major changes. The lakes are polymictic with a considerable area of the shallowest zone (1 m depth). This favors the vegetation succession and, consequently, shallowing of the lake basins. Moreover, direct connection with the Baltic Sea contributes to the fact that the materials of marine origin deposited in the form of a reverse delta also contribute to a decrease in the open water surface area.