Department of Environmental Resources and Geohazards
About Department
The Department of Environmental Resources and Geohazards has been long known as the Department of Geomorphology and Hydrology of Lowlands (until the middle of 2011). This research unit was established on 15th November 1953 initially as the Laboratory of Geomorphological and Hydrographic Map. Its organizer and first head was Prof. Rajmund Galon. Initially, its basic task was to conduct a detailed geomorphological and hydrographic mapping in North Poland. This mapping was conducted by the first staff of the Department: Mieczysław Liberacki, Tadeusz Murawski, Tadeusz Celmer and Jan Szupryczyński. Mapping was performed in the areas: Dobrzyńskie and Krajeńskie Highland, the Brda River plain outwash, the old valley of the Noteć-Warta Rivers. As a result of detailed studies, new data were obtained concerning the course of deglaciation in the time of the last Pleistocene glacial cycle within the area of Polish Lowland.
In the midlle of 1968, Prof. Jan Szupryczyński took charge of the Department. Since 1969, studies has been initiated on the Włocławek water reservoir and its surroundings. The main research problem was to investigate the effects of this hydrotechnical object on the geographical environment of the Vistula River Valley.
Simultaneously, the research studies were conducted that related to evolution of the Lower Vistual River, as well as to Vistulian stratigraphy on the surrounding areas (Eugeniusz Drozdowski). In 2004, Assoc. Prof. Mirosława Błaszkiewicz became the head of our Department.
Research profile
- Evolution of fluvial-lacustrine systems in the young-glacial areas against the backdrop of climatic-vegetation transformations and human activity.
- Conditions and mechanisms of bed load carried in the Vistula River.
- Investigation and monitoring of the contemporary geodynamic processes in the Lower Vistula River with a particular consideration of the landslides.
- Use of GIS tools in geomorphology.
- Anthropogenic transformations in river outflow conditions from Zgłowiączka river basin, with a particular focus on effects of small hydroelectric power stations.
- Evolution of peat bog and lacustrine systems in the light of ecological and paleoecological studies.
- Ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys of natural and anthropogenic forms and Quaternary sediments.
- Development of shore zone in the man-made water reservoirs in Poland (Włocławek, Jeziorsko and Pakoski reservoirs) and Russia (Irkutsk and Bratsk reservoirs on the Angara River – East Syberia).
Achievements
Among most remarkable achievements of the Department are:
- devising methodology of a detailed geomorphological mapping for the area of Polish Lowland as well as elaborating geomorphological map on a scale 1:50,000 (1950-1960),
- determining the impact of the Włocławek Reservoir on the abiotic components of natural environment in its surroundings (since 1970 – until today),
- synthesis of the Vistulian stratigraphy in the region of Lower Vistula River Valley (1970-1990),
- devising model of evolution of the fluvial-lacustrine systems in the young-glacial area of Poland.