Multiple stressor effects on the phyto- and zooplankton communities in a mining lake affected by acid mine drainage

Before 1925, an artificial lake (TR-17) was created in a pit excavation in the area of Łuk Mużakowa (southwestern Poland). In the 19th century, this area was an active lignite mine, which means that its location was within the range of acid mine drainage. Between 1928 and 1943, the lake was transformed into a municipal bathing area with developed infrastructure. In the 1970s, a pig farm and meat processing plant were in operation. Sewage resulting from breeding and meat production was released directly into the surrounding fields. Together with surface and ground water, nutrients and toxic metals were delivered to the lake, impacting the phyto- and zooplankton communities. After the closure of the meat processing plant, the lake began to recover from both eutrophication and heavy metal pollution. During that time, other factors, such as liming and fish stocking, affected the development of phyto- and zooplankton.