Oecologia Montana

Analysis of organic compounds in Javorinka mountain stream in the High Tatra Mountains

T. Burkoňová, T. Pitoňáková, J. Solár — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0200

Research focused on the analysis of organic compounds, namely anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene, and fluoranthene, in water samples from Javorinka mountain stream. The research was carried out between 2019 and 2022. Water samples were collected from two sampling sites - Javorina and Podspády and then analysed following extraction using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results showed that seasonality has the greatest influence on the concentrations of PAHs in water. All organic compounds studied showed the highest values during winter and spring seasons, except benzo[a]pyrene, which had the highest values during autumn and winter. Fluoranthene, chrysene and benzo[a]pyrene were significant within seasonality. Significance associated with season was also shown in total dissolved solids (TDS).

Elemental content in the tissues of the song thrush Turdus philomelos I. Accumulation of macro- and microminerals in internal organs and tissues

M. Haas, M. Kočvara — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0200

The study provides a basic picture of the level of accumulation of metallic elements in the tissues of the song thrush Turdus philomelos. Between 1995 and 2022, thrush carcasses were randomly collected on roads in the High Tatras region (Slovakia). Elements in heart, liver, kidney, pectoral, femoral uscle and femur tissue were analysed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry from dead individuals. The highest measured values (> 1000 ppm) were found for the elements P, S, Cl, K, Ca and Fe. The trend of accumulation of these elements is approximately the same in internal organs. The content of other elements (Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Mo, Ba, Pb, Hg) was an order of magnitude lower (< 200 ppm) in organs and tissues, and the trend of accumulation in individual organs is variable. We also focused on the correlation between individual elements and tissues. Evaluation in relation to other factors such as gender, location and season will be the subject of an upcoming study.

Analysis of water chemistry in the alpine lake Kolové pleso, the Tatra Mountains

L. Benčeková, T. Pitoňáková — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0200

The study focuses on the long-term observation of physical variables as well as inorganic and organic contents in the water of the lake Kolové pleso (High Tatras). Physical variables were measured directly at the sampling site at regular monthly intervals. The chemical composition of the collected water samples was analysed by photometric method. Organic substances were detected by GC/MS and chemical oxygen demand (COD) method. The study confirmed the seasonal dependence in water temperature, total water hardness and oxygen saturation. The amount of sulphates and nitrates also varied over the seasons. Significant inter-annual differences were also observed in the amount of athracene.

Biology of alpine accentor (Prunella collaris) VIII. Growth and postnatal development

M. Janiga — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0200

62 measurements of 91 nestlings and juveniles of Prunella collaris were taken in the High and Low Tatras (Western Carpathians). Growth curves of head, bill, hind limbs, forelimbs, primaries, rectrices, as well as total wing and body weight were described. The strong isometry between the tarsometatarsal and antebrachial skeletons and the rapid growth of the wing bones in the first half of nestling development should be correlated with the intensity of activities involving the fore and hind limbs. The hind limbs of birds are not only responsible for supporting the body and moving about on the ground, but also play a key role in flight during take-off and landing. The bones of the legs are subjected to axial, bending, and torsional loads. Accentors do not show a typical sigmoidal curve in weight gain like some other altricial species. Particularly in the first few days after hatching, weight gain is high, indicating a short-term presence of chicks in the nest. Hatchlings grow at about the same rate during the first half of the nestling period, and later, hatched nestlings grow at about the same rate as their older siblings, only lagging in development at the time of hatching. During the second half of the nestling period, the rate of feather growth relative to weight is higher in younger chicks than in older chicks. In older chicks, feather growth slows as the weight of the internal organs increases, so that by the time the nestlings leave the nest, younger and older siblings are already at approximately the same developmental level. This is achieved over a period of two or three days as the chicks move around under rocks.

Analysis of a mountain lake using sonar with GPS

J. Škodová, J. Solár — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0200

Mountain lakes are sensitive ecosystems that require detailed research using modern techniques. Little attention is paid to monitoring the morphology of alpine lakes in the Tatras. Therefore, in this work, we focused on diverse ways of monitoring the morphology of high mountain lakes and comparing the used techniques. Our main goal was to test procedures for monitoring the morphology of mountain lakes using sonar and remote-controlled boats at selected experimental locations (artificial: Ždiar, Žilina, natural: High and Western Tatras) over the course of two years (2021 – 2022). During the survey, we recorded and evaluated individual settings and environmental conditions that could influence the result of the measurements. To achieve satisfactory results, it is necessary to consider the choice of location in terms of size and depth, the type of mobile device in terms of load capacity, overall immersion, and manoeuvrability, as well as weather conditions that can reduce battery life. It is also important to process the collected sonar data and preserve quality of the GPS signal. In this work, we discuss the possibilities of changing the technique, the advantages, and disadvantages of their use, and offer recommendations suitable for smoothing when using this technique.

Monitoring of chemical and elemental substances in snow over two years (2022/2023) in Malá Fatra

T. Pitoňáková, T. Sabadková, J. Solár — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0200

Data on chemical parameters and heavy metals in snow collected and processed during March 2022 and 2023 from two localities in Malá Fatra (Lúčanská Malá Fatra and Krivánska Malá Fatra at various altitudes; Slovakia). The analysis of chemical parameters (CaCO₃, P, PO₄^3-, N, NO₃, N, NH₃, NH₄, Cl, NaCl) was performed by direct-read photometers with the use of chemical reagents. Afterwards, analysis of P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Rb, Zn, Mn, Mb, Fe, Ti, Sn, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Pb, Sb, Ba, Hg, Cr, Ag, Cd by XRF spectrophotometer was performed. Only the elements that were detected are listed in the results. Some variables were significantly different between years and two study sites. And some were significantly different within one year at both sites.

In memoriam: Associate Professor Rudolf Šoltés (April *8, 1945 – January †9, 2023)

M. Haas, L. Zábojníková, J. Repetná — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0200

In January 2023, the scientific community lost Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Rudolf Šoltés, CSc., one of the first co-editors of our journal, Oecologia Montana, which he edited from 1992 to 1996.