Estimating the water pollution in Potok Golawiecki, Poland, based on selected water quality indicators

Potok Golawiecki (a river in the province of Silesia) is polluted in a way typical for the Upper Silesian industrial zone. It is the river into which the Ziemowit coal mine discharges its salt waters and it also receives municipal sewage. Changes in the values of selected indicators of water quality for Potok Golawiecki along its course were determined in the paper. It was found that the hydrochemical character of the water in Potok Golawiecki depended strongly on salt water discharges from mines, which were the main factor disturbing the river's natural environment. The pollution of the river makes its water non-potable, and excludes its use even in industry.