Summary:

The paper presents the results of hydrochemical tests of the Głębieniec stream, a 4th order, right-side tributary of the Kamienica river. The stream catchment , of mountain character and area of 9.58km2, is situated in the malopolskie voivodship, limanowski county and Kamienica commune. The 81% of the catchment is managed as forest grounds, the remaining area is an extensively used agricultural land. The analyses were conducted in 2011 in five measurement-control points over a stream stretch of 3405 m. The reaction (pH), electrolytic conductivity, concentrations of oxygen saturation and dissolved oxygen were measured in water samples on site, whereas the other quality indices: dissolved solids, NH4, NO3,NO2, PO4, total phosphorus, SO4, Cl, Ca, Mg, total iron, Mn, Na, and K were assessed in a laboratory of the University of Agriculture in Krakow. On the basis of the assessment results the ecological state of the Głębieniec stream water was rates as very good in all measurement-control points. Except for the measurement-control point No.1, the stream water may be used for potable water supply, but it must be first subjected to physical and chemical treatment due to high concentrations of total iron and manganese. Also, except for point No.1 (exceeded nitrite concentrations), the water in the stream meets the environmental requirements for the water to support cyprinid and salmonid fish life in natural conditions. Statistical analysis revealed that the values of a majority of analysed indices did not differ significantly between the control-measurement points. Very good ecological state and uniform chemical composition over the investigated stretch of the Głębieniec stream evidences a low anthropopressure in the catchment.