Atmospheric air pollution with dust in the urban agglomeration of Lublin and its surroundings

Celem prowadzonych badań była analiza zanieczyszczeń pyłowych powietrza atmosferycznego na terenach o różnym nasileniu antropopresji, obejmujących aglomerację miejską i jej okolice. Materiałem badań było powietrze atmosferyczne miasta Lublina i jego okolic. Wytypowane stanowiska badawcze miały związek z lokalizacją miejsc o przypuszczalnie największej emisji zanieczyszczeń pyłowych oraz miejsc o przypuszczalnie najmniejszej emisji zanieczyszczeń pyłowych (punkty poza granicami miasta. Wartości stężenia pyłu całkowitego w lubelskiej aglomeracji miejskiej rosły od poziomu 5,93 mg/m3 na obrzeżach, poza granicami miasta, do wartości maksymalnych w centrum miasta. Najwyższe wartości stężenia w Lublinie wystąpiły przy arterii komunikacyjnej, gdzie osiągały maksymalny poziom 46,6 mg/m3. Wiosną, podczas intensywnego pylenia drzew odnotowano największe stężenia pyłu całkowitego na terenach obficie zadrzewionych. W parku miejskim stężenie pyłu całkowitego sięgało 19,1mg/m3, zaś na terenach rekreacyjnych, zalesionych aż 36.6 mg/m3, podczas gdy w pozostałych punktach odnotowano bardzo niskie stężenia, kształtujące się na poziomie od 1,60 do 4,10 mg/m3.Atmospheric air pollution with dust in the urban agglomeration of Lublin and its surroundings. The conducted research was aimed at analyzing the dust pollutants of the atmospheric air in areas under different anthropopressure including an urban agglomeration and its surroundings. The material for studies was atmospheric air of Lubin and its vicinity. The selected research points were determined in locations recognized as having the highest and the lowest emission level of dust pollutants (located outside the city borders). The concentration values of total particulate matter within the Lublin agglomeration ranged from 5,93mg/m3 at the city outskirts to maximum values in the city center. The highest PM concentrations on the level of 46,6 mg/m3 were observed by the main communication route. In spring, during intensive tree pollination, the highest PM concentrations were noted in areas with dense tree cover. In a municipal park, the total PM concentration reached 19,1 mg/m3, and in an afforested recreation area: as much as 36,6 mg/m3 while in other points very low concentrations were observed, on the level of 1,60 do 4,10 mg/m3

Possibilities of using chemical agents for the protection of Gerbera jamesonii against Phytophthora cryptogea

The objective of the study was to develop effective chemical methods of protection of Gerbera jamesonii against Phytophthora cryptogea with consideration of the way of their application. In laboratory conditions, the activity of 7 tested agents was evaluated based on growth of P. cryptogea on a medium containing fungicides, and size of necrosis in inoculated gerbera leaf blades. In greenhouse tests, growth of plants in infected substrate was assessed. The study showed variable susceptibility of Phytophthora cryptogea to the tested plant protection products. The best solution protecting gerbera crops against P. cryptogea turned out to be Ridomil Gold MZ Pepite 68 WG. In programs of gerbera protection against Phytophtora, the agent should be introduced by means of watering. Products such as Acrobat MZ 69 WG, Infinito 687.5 SC, and Mildex 711.9 WG can be considered an element of integrated protection of gerbera

Efficacy of a novel biofilter in hatchery sanitation: I. Removal of airborne bacteria, dust and endotoxin

A novel biofi lter containing organic, bentonite and halloysite media was applied for elimination of microbial pollutants from the air of an industrial hatchery. The concentrations of total mesophilic bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, thermophilic actinomycetes, dust and bacterial endotoxin were determined in the air of hatchery during 2 months before installation of the biofi lter, and during 6 months after installation of the biofi lter, at the inlet and outlet ducts from each medium. Before installation of the biofi lter, the concentrations of total mesophilic bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, thermophilic actinomycetes, dust and endotoxin in the air were within the ranges of 0.97- 131.2 × 103 cfu/m3, 0.0-34.4 × 103 cfu/m3, 0.0-0.02 × 103 cfu/m3, 0.37-4.53 mg/m3, and 50.9-520,450.4 ng/m3, respectively. Enterococcus faecalis and Gram-negative bacteria (Acinetobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, and other species) prevailed among bacterial species recovered from the air of the hatchery. A total of 56 species or genera of bacteria were identifi ed in the air samples taken in the examined hatchery; of these, 11, 11 and 6 species or genera respectively were reported as having allergenic, immunotoxic and/or infectious properties The concentrations of total mesophilic bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, Enterococcus faecalis and endotoxin found at the inlet duct of the biofi lter after its installation were signifi cantly smaller compared to those recorded before its installation (p<0.05). The concentrations of Gram-negative bacteria, Enterococcus faecalis and dust found at the outlet ducts of biofi lter after its installation were signifi cantly smaller compared to those recorded at the inlet duct of the biofi lter (p<0.01). The concentrations of total meso-philic bacteria were also smaller at the outlet ducts of the biofi lter compared to that at the inlet duct; however, the difference was not signifi cant because of the massive growth of Streptomyces species in the biofi lter’s media which contaminated the outcoming air. In conclusion, the applied biofi lter proved to be effective in the elimination of potentially pathogenic bacteria, dust and endotoxin from the air of the hatchery. The effi cacy of the biofi lter could be improved by the inhibition of the Streptomyces growth in the media of the biofi lter