Effect of fertilization unconventional migration of heavy metals in the soil-plant system

W pracy testowano mieszankę nawozową, składającą się z osadów ściekowych, węgla brunatnego i popiołów z węgla brunatnego, wzbogaconą o mineralny nawóz potasowy pod kątem jej wpływu na właściwości gleby, a szczególnie na mobilność Zn, Cd i Pb w glebie. Skład i dawka nawozu zostały dostosowane do wymagań uprawianej rośliny (spartiny preriowej), jakości nawożonej gleby i obowiązujących przepisów. Efekty nawożenia powyższą mieszaniną substratów porównano z nawożeniem samymi osadami (O), z mieszaniną osadów i nawozów mineralnych (O+NPK), z mieszaniną węgla brunatnego i nawozów mineralnych (W+NPK) oraz z działaniem samych nawozów mineralnych (NPK). Zastosowane rodzaje nawożenia nieznacznie wpłynęły na zmianę pH gleby, ale należy podkreślić, że po ustaleniu równowagi geochemicznej gleby nawożone O+W+P, O i O+NPK uzyskały wartość pH ok. 6,0, którą uważa się za wystarczającą dla gleb lekkich. Gleba nienawożona charakteryzowała się pojemnością sorpcyjną ok. 5,8 cmol(+)/kg, a po zastosowaniu nawożenia O+W+P uzyskała pojemność ok. 8,0 cmol(+)/kg, co kwalifikuje ją do dobrych pod względem zdolności do magazynowania składników pokarmowych. Preparaty nawozowe (O+W+P) i (W+NPK) wpłynęły najkorzystniej spośród zastosowanych rodzajów nawożenia na unieruchomienie Zn, Cd i Pb w glebie, o czym świadczy zmniejszenie rozpuszczalności tych metali w 0,01 M CaCl 2 i 1 M HCl. Wyniki badań nie wskazują na zależność między całkowitą zawartością Zn i Pb w glebie a ich biodostępnością. Pobieranie metali ciężkich przez spartinę preriową było zależne przede wszystkim od zawartości form biodostępnych metali. Stwierdzono wyższą zawartość wszystkich metali w korzeniach roślin w porównaniu do ich części nadziemnej. Zawartość Pb w korzeniach była kilkadziesiąt razy większa, natomiast kadmu i cynku maksymalnie 2-3 razy większa niż w częściach nadziemnych. Zdecydowanie wyższą translokacją z korzeni do części nadziemnych charakteryzował się kadm i cynk niż ołów. Translokacja ołowiu wynosiła maksymalnie 4,0%.The work aims to evaluate the effects of a fertilizing mixture of sewage sludge, brown coal and brown coal ash (S+BC+BCA) enriched with potassium mineral fertilizer on soil properties with special focus on mobility of Zn, Cd and Pb in soil. The formula of the investigated fertilizing mixture and its dosage was developed and tested by the authors. The composition and the dose of this mixture were adjusted to the requirements of the selected plant (i.e. Spartina pectinata), the quality of the soil and legal requirements. The effects of fertilization with this mixture were compared with (1) sewage sludge (S), (2) mixture of sewage sludge and mineral fertilizers (S+NPK), (3) mixture of brown coal and mineral fertilizers (BC+NPK), and (4) mineral fertilizers (NPK). The soil used in the experiments was sampled from the area in close vicinity to Huta Częstochowa steel works. The sampled soil showed low contamination with zinc and cadmium (II°) and elevated concentration of lead (I°). The effects of fertilization on soil pH and sorption properties, concentration of heavy metals in soil and plants were determined. The investigated types of fertilization had insignificant influence on soil pH but after reaching the geochemical equilibrium the soils fertilized with S+BC+BCA, S and S+NPK showed pH of 6.0 - which is sufficient for light soils. Fertilization of soil with sewage sludge, brown coal and mixture of sewage sludge and brown coal resulted in the increase in sorption properties of the soil. The sorption capacity of the soil without any fertilization was about 5.8 cmol(+)/kg, and after the treatment with S+BC+BCA is was about 8.0 cmol(+)/kg. Significant differences in the total concentration of zinc, cadmium and lead and their forms determined in 1 M HCl and 0.01 M CaCl 2 were observed. The investigated fertilizing mixtures (S+BC+BCA) and (BC+NPK) showed the most beneficial properties for mobilization of Zn, Cd and Pb in soil which was indicated by the decrease in solubility of these metals in 0.01 M CaCl 2 and 1 M HCl. The obtained results do not indicate that there is a relationship between the total concentration of Zn, Cd and Pb in soil and their bioavailability. Heavy metals uptake by Spartina pectinata depended mostly on the concentration of bioavailable forms of these metals. Fertilization with sewage sludge - despite the fact that it resulted in the highest concentration of heavy metals in soil - generally did not lead to higher uptake of these elements by plants. It has been found a higher content of all metals in the roots of the plants in comparison to the above-ground parts. For Pb differences were exceptionally high. The Pb content in the roots was tens of times greater while cadmium and zinc up to 2-3 times higher than in the aerial parts. Significantly higher translocation from the roots to the aerial parts was characterized by cadmium and zinc than lead. Translocation of lead was very low and was up 4.0%

The Immobilization of Zinc and Cadmium in the Soil as a Result of the Use of Waste Substrates

The overall goal of the presented work was to evaluate the effects of a fertilizing mixture of sewage sludge, brown coal and brown coal (O+W+P) ash on mobility of Zn and Cd in soil environment and metal uptake by Miscanthus Giganteus. The pot experiment was done in semi-natural conditions from April 2007 to January 2008. The soil that was used in the experiment was taken from surroundings of Huta Częstochowa and village Dyrdy. Both soils were poorly contaminated with zinc and cadmium (II0) but there was a difference in their profiles, pH, granulometric compositions, sorption properties etc. The soil used in experiments was taken from 30 points lying on the diagonal of the study area with a depth of 0 to 20 cm. The pots used in the experiment had a capacity of 11 dm3,filled with soil of its natural moisture content after sieving through a sieve with a mesh diameter of 5 mm. For each soil there were used 6 combinations of fertilization and each of the combination was repeated in four pots. The effect of the prepared formulation was compared with the operation of the same residues (O), the mixture of sludge and mineral fertilizer (NPK+O), a mixture of lignite and mineral fertilizer (NPK+W) and the fertilization with mineral fertilizers (NPK). During periods of no precipitation or low precipitation values, the plants were watered to obtain soil moisture level of 60%. Results of this study indicate that all types of fertilizer improved sorption properties of soils, but in varying degrees. The reason is the increase in total exchangeable cations and a significant increase in the sorption capacity of the soil and the degree of saturation of the sorption complex bases. Depending on the soil type, the application of the investigated fertilizing mixture resulted in the increase in pH by 0,3–0,4, sorption capacity by 3,0 cmol(+)kg-1 and degree of sorption complex saturation with bases by 10–40%. The applied fertilizing mixture had a significant effect on limitation of bioavailable forms of Zn and Cd in soils and the content of metals in plant biomass. The introduction of O+W+P and W + NPK mixtures mostly affected to reduction of soluble forms of Zn and Cd in 1 M HCl and 0.01 M CaCl2 in studied soils. To estimate the degree of immobilization of metals in media immobilization If ratios were calculated. If values confirmed that the fertilizations O+W +P and W+NPK contributed to the immobilization of Zn and Cd in both soils. In soil enriched with O+W +P there was an observed reduction of zinc content in plants by approximately 15.0% compared to plants grown on control soil. The reduction of the cadmium content in plants grown on enriched soil 1 O+W+P was approximately 15.0% and approximately 17.0% in soil 2 in relation to the content of the crops grown on unfertilized soils. This was primarily the result of the enrichment of soil by organic matter and soil pH increase which resulted in limiting the mobility and bioavailability of heavy metals

Ecological actions of company in the range of energy generation from biomass

Przedstawiono działania proekologiczne firmy Lesaffre, której priorytetem oprócz działalności produkcyjnej jest ciągła poprawa wpływu na środowisko naturalne. Zakład Lesaffre Polska w Wołczynie jest jednym z najbardziej nowoczesnych, opartym na innowacyjnych technologiach zakładem w Europie Centralnej. Świadectwo Przedsiębiorstwa Czystszej Produkcji świadczy o proekologicznym charakterze firmy, która w ostatnich 10 latach przeprowadziła szereg modernizacji zmniejszających oddziaływanie zakładu na środowisko. Oprócz licznie podejmowanych działań ekologicznych firma ta uprawia i wykorzystuje rośliny energetyczne na potrzebny pozyskania tzw. zielonej energii. Na terenie zakładu została wybudowana nowoczesna kotłownia parowa opalana biomasą. W artykule przedstawiono charakterystykę roślin energetycznych wykorzystywanych przez firmę, określono ilość i wartość energetyczną pozyskiwanej biomasy. Wskazano również zalety i wady wynikające z zastosowania biomasy roślin na cele energetyczne. Przedstawione działania proekologiczne firmy Lesaffre mogą stanowić pozytywny przykład dla innych firm. Podjęcie badań na powyższy temat jest umotywowane koniecznością zwiększenia udziału w naszym kraju energii odnawialnej w ogólnym bilansie energetycznym poprzez wykorzystanie biomasy roślin energetycznych. Należy nadmienić, że badane rośliny mają właściwości fitoremediacyjne szczególnie w przypadku zanieczyszczenia gleb metalami ciężkimi. Są to rośliny szybko rosnące, wieloletnie dające plony nawet do 25 Mg/ha, co kwalifikuje je do wykorzystanie na potrzeby energetyki odnawialnej.The article presents the environmental activities of Lesaffre company, whose priority, in addition to production activity, is a continuous improvement of the environmental impact. The department of Lesaffre Poland in Wołczyn is one of the most modern plant in Central Europe. The Enterprise Cleaner Production certificate demonstrates ecological character of a company, which within the last 10 years, has made a number of modernization to reduce the facility’s impact on the environment. In addition to many environmental activities that have been undertaken, the company has grown energy crops used for satisfying green energy needs. The company has also built a modern biomass-fired steam boiler. The following article shows the characteristics of energy crops used by the company, as well as the volume and value of biomass energy that is abstracted. The advantages and disadvantages of the usage of plant biomass for energy purpose shave been pointed out. The environmental measures of the company Lesaffre can provide a positive example for the other companies. Undertaking the research on this particular subject has been motivated by the need to present the possible increase the participation of Polish industry in the renewable energy within the overall energy balance through the usage of biomass energy crops. It should be noted that the tested plants have phytoremediation properties, especially in case of soil pollution with heavy metals. These are fast-growing plants, perennial crops providing up to 25 Mg/ha which qualifies them to take advantage for the purpose of renewable energy

Adsorption of Lead on ROW 08 Supra Modified Activated Carbon

The presented work is aimed at comparing two types of gaseous modification: conventional with the use of external source of energy (heat) and originally developed method with Joule heat generated during the flow of electrical current through a carbon bed. Conventional modification of ROW 08 Supra activated carbon was conducted in a rotary furnace in the atmosphere of (1) steam and carbon dioxide at temperature of 400 and 800°C and (2) air at the temperature of 400°C. The modification of activated carbon in the electric heating experimental system (referred to as SEOW) occurred in the process of heating of activated carbon during the flow of electric current through the carbon bed up to 400°C, followed by cooling down with the air or carbon dioxide. Both methods for modification of activated carbons allowed for increasing adsorption capacity towards ions Pb(II). The advantage of heating the activated carbon with the electric heating experimental system (SEOW) required far less energy than in case of conventional method (up to many fold). In case of modified carbon ROW 08 Supra, the increased adsorption efficiency was obtained for coals modified at 800°C and the carbon modified at 400°C with the participation of water vapor. As a result of modification of the SEOW carbons for all analyzed activated carbons, the adsorption percentage increased. Among all the modified activated carbon, the highest adsorption capacity has been given to carbon modified to SEOW through heating it to 400°C and air cooling as well. The results are described by the means of Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm. In order to determine the coefficients of Langmuir isotherm, five different rectilinear forms were used. Among the analyzed issues the best fit to the experimental results obtained for the I Langmuir isotherms (the highest values of the coefficients R2). The impact of pH and temperature on the effectiveness within the adsorption solution of Pb (II) was also analyzed. The most effective adsorption of lead from solutions of pH 2, 4, and 6 occurred at the highest pH, but the differences between the adsorption solution at pH 6 and pH 8 has been low. Within the adsorption from solutions having a pH of 2 a very little adsorption of lead was observed. Furthermore the size of adsorption of solutions at 20, 30 and 40°C was analyzed as well. What has been found is that through increasing the temperature the efficiency of the adsorption process within Pb (II) is raised