Light Pollution as a Potential Factor in Eutrophication – the Example of Urban Water Bodies in Kraków

Agnieszka Chechelska

Abstract


Light pollution affects multiple components of the environment, yet its impact on aquatic ecosystems remains poorly understood. Studies suggest that artificial light at night can disrupt the vertical migration of zooplankton and initiate phytoplankton photosynthesis at inappropriate times, promoting eutrophication and water quality deterioration. To verify this hypothesis, four water reservoirs in Kraków were monitored from April to September 2024. Chlorophyll a concentrations were analyzed in relation to the brightness of the night sky, as measured by the Light Pollution Monitoring Laboratory (Cracow University of Technology). Periods when temperature exceeded 10°C were taken into account, and monthly average values were used. In two reservoirs, a strong correlation was found between the level of light pollution and the concentration of chlorophyll a (r = 0.75 and r = 0.7). In the reservoir located in the Dłubnia River basin, which flows through agricultural areas, a low correlation (r = 0.18) was found, which may result from intensive nutrient inflow masking the potential impact of light. In contrast, in the reservoir where no correlation was observed (r = –0.03), low chlorophyll a concentrations were also recorded, which may indicate limited susceptibility to eutrophication. The results indicate the potential impact of light pollution on trophic processes and justify the need for further long-term research in this area.


Keywords


eutrophication; light pollution; aquatic ecosystems

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17951/b.2026.81.0.109-122
Date of publication: 2026-07-27 00:00:00
Date of submission: 2025-12-30 22:17:55


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