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The area of the Tuchola Forest Biosphere Reserve (TFBR) is unique, both in terms of landscape and nature. It is constitutes one of the largest forest complexes in the northern part of Poland, which belongs to the plains of Central Europe. It is situated in the postglacial area within the range of the Weichselian glaciation (Last Glaciation, Vistulian). The study aims to provide a qualitative assessment of geodiversity by evaluation of abiotic nature objects. The geotourist evaluation of the geosites in TFBR has been conducted on the basis of the criteria proposed by Dmytrowski and Kicińska with modifications by authors. The geotouristic evaluation of 32 geosites, including mining heritage, petrological, sedimentological, geomorphological as well as hydrological and hydrogeological sites, located in the area of Tuchola Forest Biosphere Reserve (TFBR). The evaluated geosites represent both perfect examples of typical features for the physiography of the TFBR as a young glacial landscape and values proving the uniqueness of the area on both regional and international scale. The authors proposed geosites that require improving their accessibility to enhance the geotourist attractiveness, recognized the necessity of marking out geotourist trails in the most attractive and diversified areas, and noticed the influence of extreme weather phenomena (whirwinds) on changes in geotourist attractiveness of some geosites. It is believed that the results of the conducted evaluation may favorably affect the importance, position and publicity of the whole area by supplementing the well-recognized biodiversity with geodiversity presented in the study.

The aim of the present study is to monitor changes in the location of the groundwater table in the catchment area of the River Gwda within the Quaternary and Neogene water-bearing level over a 35-year period, between 1981 and 2015. In addition, on account of very diverse total annual precipitation levels in particular parts of the catchment, attempts were made to determine the influence of precipitation on the location of the groundwater table. By correlating groundwater level and meteorological parameters (precipitation), it was discovered that precipitation in the previous year made the largest impact on the groundwater table. Moreover, low precipitation totals in the southern part of the catchment are not discernible in groundwater table fluctuations, which is linked to the location of the observation well within the drainage zone as well as to water ascension from deeper aquifers.

This article discusses the problem of natural hazards connected with climatic changes and their influence on water safety. A medium-sized town in central Poland which is supplied with consumption water from both underground water intakes and surface water resources was selected as a case study. Natural hazards, such as droughts or floods, were identified and the risk of the occurrence of natural hazards concerning water supply systems assessed. The findings of the archived data analysis for the period 1971–2020 helped to identify extreme circumstances, the occurrence of which had an impact on secure water supplies in terms of quantity. Moreover, the results obtained indicate that the greatest influence had all the situations connected with the Drwęca low water discharge, which in the long term could lead to temporary water shortages. In the analyzed period, there was a significant increase in the number of days without precipitation, together with a statistically significant increase in the average annual air temperature. Meteorological hazards related to days without precipitation far outweighed the occurrence of days with intense precipitation. The analysis of water table fluctuations observed at the Jedwabno infiltration intake showed a high sensitivity of the aquifer to atmospheric conditions.

Monitoring of the groundwater quality in Poland is conducted by the representatives of the Polish Geological Institute—National Research Institute acting as Polish Hydrological Survey. The obligation to conduct the ongoing monitoring, both qualitative and quantitative, was imposed on all Member States of the European Union by the regulations of the Water Framework Directive. The specific scope of such operations is specified in the Ordinance of the Minister of Environment from November 15, 2011, regarding the forms and methods of conducting the monitoring of surface water and groundwater bodies (Journal of Laws of the Republic of Poland, 2011, No. 258, Item 1550). Within the framework of this publication the chemical properties of groundwater of the Quaternary, Palaeogene and Neogene, Cretaceous and Jurassic aquifers on a regional and point basis have been presented. Additionally, due to the size of the chapter, the assessment of the chemical properties of groundwater in Poland in the last five years has been conducted only for selected observation wells and springs. The source material has been provided by the results of chemical analyses published in Hydrogeological Annuals between 2013–2017. The main selection criterion for the assessment of changes was the completeness of the data, the aquifer mentioned in the sources as well as the location of the observation point.

This study aims to identify potential geosites and show existing geosites in a young glacial landscape in northern Poland through a qualitative assessment of the local geoheritage. Three areas of diversified morphology and geology located within the extent of the last Scandinavian Ice Sheet have been selected as the research polygons: the north-eastern part of the Dobrzyń Lake District, the Lower Vistula Valley and the Kashubian Lake District. Three basic abiotic components of the environment have been analysed: geology, terrain relief and hydrology. This research is based on some specific materials including maps and photographs. Methodology of this research includes the inventory, characterization and assessment of selected areas. The final results are proposals for geosites of high educational value in each of the three investigated regions. For the north-eastern part of the Dobrzyń Lake District, the creation of a geopark has been proposed, and the geosites of the Lower Vistula Valley provide the potential for a geotourist footpath to be designed. The Kashubian Lake District is characterised by the occurrence of numerous glacial landforms and sediments as well as high denivelations and a concentration of erratic boulders. Therefore, this region also has the potential to be selected for valuable geosites and the designing of a geotourist footpath.

The paper presents the results of a preliminary study of geology and hydrogeological conditions of a Grudziądz groundwater intake. The focus of the study was to develop a conceptual model that will be used in further investigation to create a hydrogeological model. In the intake area two multi-aquifer formations have been distinguished: Quaternary and Paleocene-Cretaceous. The Quartenary multi-aquifer formation, which consists of two aquifers separated by poorly permeable rocks, is primary utility. Groundwater in the Paleocene-Cretaceous aquifer has an elevated mineral content, which makes it not usable. The intake is located near Grudziądz and areas of intense farming, which leads to a hazard of anthropopressure, and may have a negative impact on the groundwater quality and quantity. In-office work conducted for the preparation of article included gathering and description of archival data from over 120 years of intake existence. Data from 53 hydrogeological boreholes have been analyzed. In 2017, field work was also conducted, including several measurements of water table in wells and piezometers of the intake. Water samples have also been collected for chemical analyses. An efficiency assessment of some observation wells has been made, establishing their hydrogeological parameters using the PARAMEX method.

This article discusses the problem of natural hazards connected with climatic changes and their influence on water safety. A medium-sized town in central Poland which is supplied with consumption water from both underground water intakes and surface water resources was selected as a case study. Natural hazards, such as droughts or floods, were identified and the risk of the occurrence of natural hazards concerning water supply systems assessed. The findings of the archived data analysis for the period 1971–2020 helped to identify extreme circumstances, the occurrence of which had an impact on secure water supplies in terms of quantity. Moreover, the results obtained indicate that the greatest influence had all the situations connected with the Drwęca low water discharge, which in the long term could lead to temporary water shortages. In the analyzed period, there was a significant increase in the number of days without precipitation, together with a statistically significant increase in the average annual air temperature. Meteorological hazards related to days without precipitation far outweighed the occurrence of days with intense precipitation. The analysis of water table fluctuations observed at the Jedwabno infiltration intake showed a high sensitivity of the aquifer to atmospheric conditions.

Australia, labelled the continent of contrasts, is one of the most geologically interesting places in the world. Australia is home to some of the oldest rocks and minerals in the world. Some of the oldest parts of Australia are incredibly well preserved, with rocks that appear as though they could have formed yesterday. The majority of Australians live in coastal areas, because the interior of the country, called the Outback can be a very arid area with many deserts and a lack of water. The largest cities, like Sydney, Perth and Melbourne, are situated along the coast. Great distances between the cities are surprising to foreigners. In these areas, buildings or people are not the most interesting attractions. In fact, it is the geology that is most interesting.

The following article presents the description of seven geological and tourist routes in the southern part of the Danish island called Bornholm. The fi eldwork, which took place during the expedition of the Geography Students’ Scientifi c Group from the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, included photographic documentation and the location of rock concentrations by means of a GPS receiver. The researched routes reveal both geological diversity of the island – Precambrian, Palaeozoic, and Mesozoic rocks, as well as tourist sites, such as round churches, historical windmills, rune stones and numerous attractions of major cities of the island.