Problemy zanieczyszczenia atmosfery aglomeracji krakowskiej

Abstract

Cracow lies on the boundary of three extensive physiographic units: the Cracow upland with its horst structure, flysch subcarpathians foothill and tectonic Sandomierz Basin. These units of varying structure are connected by the Vistula river. In the western part of the city the river follows one of the rift valleys of the Cracow upland. Farther to the east the Vistula dissects the Miocene clays of the Sandomierz Basin. Five, big geomorphological units can be distinguished in the relief of the discussed area. They are: the old valley of the Vistula, the Minor Polish Upland slopes, the Sowiniec horst, the isolated horsts of the Cracow Gate-way and the Cracow Plateau. There are thick and long lasting mists on the area, especially on low river terraces. Air pollution is great. The north facing slopes, swampy areas and narrow valleys may be included to the areas with unfavorable climatic conditions. The period without frost is short and natural ventilation is poor. Territory of Cracow is under intensive man’s activity so this fact must be included into factors influencing climate of Cracow. Cracow covers an area of 1% of the total surface of Poland and it is inhabited by more than 3% of population of Poland. More than 4% of global industrial production is made there and 11%. of gas, 6% of dust pollution is emitted to the atmosphere. About 6% of sewage is transported to surface waters, about 3% of total industrial waste is produced in Cracow. Ecological knowledge has increased lately and people require real activities aiming at natural environment protection. Degradation of natural environment in Cracow caused that sick and death rates have increased. Inhabitants of Cracow suffer of air-passages, circulatory systems, allergic illness and of some types of tumours. Mean ratio for Poland is much less than those in Cracow. The other problems concerns the speed of monuments destructions. Accumulation of toxic compounds of heavy metals and other chemical pollution in soils couses worse quality of vegetables and makes that sometimes the vegetables must not be used. The state of surface waters is very bad. The pollution caused that Cracow must be supplied with drinking water from distant regions. The pollution of the Vistula caused also that its waters can be hardly used for industrial purposes. It is so salty that it destroys technical equipment and final products are of less quality. During the economic process of development the greater man’s interferrence with natural systems caused changes in natural environment. Possibilities of anthropogenic transformation of natural conditions are estimated by natural rules, ways of economic use and culture of production. The problem of natural environment degradation from the aspect of natural resources use is one of the main problems of Cracow agglomeration. The aim of this paper is presenting amount and reach of natural environment degradation in Cracow. The paper deals only with degradation connected with air and water pollution and waste deposition. Presented, chosen problems of natural environment do not allow completely to estimate the imminence of natural environment in Cracow. Mem’s influence on natural environment has not shown all results. Density and extent of natural environment degradation point out that the spatial order of the Cracow agglomeration requires proper management of natural resources. Rational economy concerning natural resources leads to natural order which is the base for spatial order. Cracow agglomeration in an example of sharp, impossible to stop, conflict which reflects in contrast of unique natural values and imminence caused by man. Development of the city was stopped some years ago. No new industrial plants can be built. Other towns and suburban areas are the best places for development. The situation has recently improved. Cracow has been recognized as a zone of special protection. New communal systems, new investments aiming at natural environment improvement will be undertaken. It has been also planned to modernize industry of Cracow, and all these activities should really improve the situation of natural environment in Cracow agglomeration.