152 research outputs found

    Geochemical features of fossil fuel contaminants found in urban wastes (Siemianowice Śląskie, Poland)

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    In sludge samples collected in the "Centrum" wastewater treatment plant in Siemianowice Śląskie, Poland, the composition of aliphatic- and aromatic hydrocarbons and polar compound fractions were investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Samples collected in accordance with Polish standards were extracted, the extracts were separated into fractions with preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC), which next were investigated by GC-MS. The following compound groups of the geochemical origin were identified: n-alkanes in the range of n-C14 to n-C39, acyclic isoprenoids (mainly pristane and phytane), steranes, tri- and pentacyclic triterpanes. Based on the distribution of biomarkers and their parameters, it was established that the dominant component of extractable organic matter in sluge is petroleum material of an unspecified origin. Its geochemical features indicate that its most likely source was crude oil (or its products) of a relatively high degree of thermal maturity (catagenic stage of thermal evolution corresponding to vitrinite reflectance 0.7–0.8%). Aromatic hydrocarbons probably originated from petroleum also, though some of them can be attributed to the products of combustion or to sources such as bituminous coals, the ash from coal/biofuel combustion or coal wastes stored nearby

    Differences in the Occurrence of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Geochemical Markers in the Dust Emitted from Various Coal-Fired Boilers

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    Organic compounds occurring in emitted fly ashes from bituminous coal and bituminous coal and biomass combustion in various boilers were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) was applied to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for geochemical markers, such as n-alkanes, acyclic isoprenoids, steranes, pentacyclic triterpenoids (hopanes and moretanes), alkyl PAHs, and biomass markers. It was found that distributions of geochemical markers and presence are well preserved in fly ash. Particularly in fly ash from boilers of older types, thermal changes are small and mainly affect compounds of low molecular weight whereas, in fly ash from a fluidized bed combustion boiler, most geochemical markers were destroyed. It is possible that high molecular weight compounds survived the high temperature process when adsorbed in unburned or coked coal and/or biomass particles included in the dust emitted. PAH group profiles were made, while PAHs diagnostic indices and geochemical marker ratios were calculated and compared with literature data. Fly ash from coal and biomass combustion contains the highest PAH concentrations and shows the highest values of toxic equivalence (TEQ) factors among all boilers investigated. The results indicate that, whereas the distributions and ratios of geochemical markers are close to those of bituminous coals and can be applied to indicate source fuels in particulate matter, there are high differences between the values of diagnostic ratios found in this project and literature data. This indicates that PAH diagnostic ratios should be applied with care and confirmed by other data, e.g., those from geochemical markers, which may be recommended for research on the type of emission sources of particulate matter into the air

    Geochemia organiczna węgli brunatnych wybranych złóż Polski

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    The work presents results of the complex geochemical investigations concerning primary biogenic material of brown coals, its influence on brown coal features and correlations between material sedimented in different depositional environments and peat bog zones. Changes occurring with rank in organic matter were investigated together with differences in distributions of biomarkers present in brown coal bituminous fraction and in pyrolysates of their macromolecular part. Petrographic composition, bulk characteristics with Rock Eval Analysis of organic matter, measurements of huminite reflectance and solvent extraction were performed for brown coals from the Konin, Turoszów, Lubuskie and Bełchatów Brown Coal Basins (Poland). Group composition of extracts was investigated with preparative layer chromatography (PLC). Chemical compositions of compound fractions was investigated with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) while flash pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py/GC-MS) was applied for brown coal macromolecular part. The possibility to apply several geochemical biomarker parameters was tested in the work showing the values of these which have yielded significant geochemical information. Several new biomarker parameters were proposed which are based on aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and polar compounds present both in low-weight and macromolecular brown coal fractions. These parameters can be also applied for the other types of sedimentary organic matter of low rank. The biomarker parameter results, correlated with petrographic and Rock Eval Analysis data, enabled to conclude about variability of brown coals from different basins, origins and variability of their primary biogenic material, types of depositional environments, maturity stage and the influence of postdepositional processes. The influence of maceral composition, lithotype and a gellification stage on geochemical characteristics of brown coals, distributions of particular compound groups and values of geochemical parameters have been assessed, indicating these which are the most susceptible. The main depositional environments of brown coal primary material were identified. Using biomarkers distributions in the extracts (diterpenoids, pentacyclic triterpenes, fatty acids) and compositions of macromolecular part pyrolysates the main brown coal-forming organisms were identified as monocotyledonous plants (grasses) and conifers of Pinaceae, Podocarpaceae, Cupressaceae and Taxodiaceae families, with Araucariaceae to the much lower extent. Brown coal rank assessed by biomarker parameters and huminite reflectance is similar and corresponds to the middle catagenesis (the geochemical stage). In the profiles of the Lubstów, Sieniawa, Turów and Bełchatów mines there is a gradient of several maturity biomarker parameters, confirmed by values of huminite reflectance. The significant influence of water-washing on bituminous fraction composition and values of geochemical parameters has been found. Characteristic features of water-washed organic matter of low maturity and the removal of the particular compounds has been described. The ten-point scale for assessment of water washing extent has been proposed. Biomarker parameters which values are not influenced by this process have been indicated. The presence of characteristic lignin monomers in the extracts enabled to prove the occurrence of biodegradation of brown coal macromolecule, and higher resistance of xylithic than detritic brown coals due to the presence of diterpenoids in wood, which substances show fungicidal properties

    Application of organic environmental markers in the assessment of recent and fossil organic matter input in coal wastes and river sediments : a case study from the Upper Silesia Coal Basin (Poland)

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    Various types of coal waste material (fresh, self-heated, soil-covered) and river sediments polluted by coal dust were studied. Characteristic geochemical features of recent vegetation input in river sediments were identified, e.g. the dominance of n-alkanols and n-alkanoic acids over n-alkanes. In the river sediments, several coal-related compounds were also found, e.g. n-alkylbenzenes, acetophenone and methylated phenols. The occurrence of sterols, stanols, vanillin, and methylbenzoic, benzeneacetic, oxalic, succinic and levulinic acids in coal waste samples (with the exception of fresh coal wastes) may indicate primitive soil-forming processes related to vegetation and moss cover. These compounds were also commonly identified in river sediments. Their distribution, characteristic of extant (as opposed to fossil) organic matter, was confirmed by several applied geochemical ratios, such as the EOP index (even-over-odd predominance) of fatty acids, (Σn-alkanoic acid + Σlong chain n-alkanes)/Σshort chain n-alkanes or (Σn-alkanoic acids + Σn-alkanols)/Σn-alkanes and various CPI (carbon preference indexes of n-alkanes)

    Patogene plijesni u sjemenkama različitih sorti graška u Poljskoj

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    Legume crops are exposed to infection by fungal pathogens, which often results in contamination with mycotoxins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of field resistance/susceptibility of edible and fodder pea cultivars to the colonization of seeds by fungal pathogens in two subsequent seasons, as well as to identify the pathogens present in the seeds of the tested cultivars. Alternaria spp. were the most common fungi isolated from pea seeds in both seasons, followed by Fusarium spp., Stemphylium spp., Ulocladium spp., Botrytis cinerea Pers., Epicoccum nigrum Link., and Phoma pinodella L. K. Jones. The highest percentage of infected seeds (55 %) was recorded for cultivar Ezop. The presence of a large number of fungi was found in 2012 for cultivars Santana, Tarchalska, Medal, Cysterski, Mentor, Lasso, and Ezop. Fodder cultivars displayed a lower infection level than edible cultivars. We can conclude that Alternaria spp. were the most frequent fungi present in pea seeds in Poland and Fusarium spp. were likely the most dangerous, having in mind their established mycotoxigenic abilities.Cilj ovoga istraživanja bio je procijeniti stupanj otpornosti/podložnosti jestivih sorti graška i onih koji se koriste za krmivo na kolonizaciju sjemenki patogenim plijesnima tijekom dviju sezona te identificirati patogene u sjemenkama istraživanih sorti. Najčešća plijesan izdvojena iz sjemenki tijekom obiju sezona bila je Alternaria spp., a nju su brojnošću pratile Fusarium spp., Stemphylium spp., Ulocladium spp., Botrytis cinerea Pers., Epicoccum nigrum Link. i Phoma pinodella L. K. Jones. Najviši postotak zaraženih sjemenki (55 %) zabilježen je za sortu Ezop. Prisutnost većeg broja plijesni pronađen je 2012. u sortama Santana, Tarchalska, Medal, Cysterski, Mentor, Lasso i Ezop. Sorte korištene za krmivo pokazale su općenito nižu razinu zaraženosti od jestivih. Možemo zaključiti kako je Alternaria spp. bila najčešća plijesan u sjemenkama graška u Poljskoj, a Fusarium spp. vjerojatno najopasnija, uzimajući u obzir njene ustanovljene mikotoksigenične sposobnosti

    Inspiracja pieśnią roratnią Rorate caeli desuper w Koncercie na altówkę i orkiestrę smyczkową

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    The author describes the inspiration for and background to the creation of the Concerto for viola and string orchestra. It elaborates the sphere of the composer’s inspiration: the religious period of Advent (rorate mass and its song Rorate caeli desuper) with the accompanying reflection on the symbolism of luminosity and darkness. The basic idea of sound in the concerto for viola and string orchestra was inspired by a musical quotation from the initial motif of the rorate song Rorate caeli desuper. The opening tunes of the song became the foundation for the development and shaping of the sound material in the subsequent movements of the viola concerto. The musical architecture and dramatic content of the entire piece rests on the aforementioned quote, which integrates the particular movements in accordance with the concept of unity in diversity understood as coherent input sound material whose narration is enriched by being presented in various sound contexts. Autorka opisuje inspirację i tło powstania Koncertu na altówkę i orkiestrę smyczkową. Nakreśla tło bezpośredniej inspiracji powstania utworu: religijny okres Adwentu (msza roratnia oraz pieśń Rorate caeli desuper) wraz z towarzyszącą mu symboliką światła i mroku. Podstawowa idea dźwiękowa w koncercie została zainspirowana muzycznym cytatem z pierwotnego motywu pieśni roratniej Rorate caeli desuper. Motywy otwierające utwór stały się podstawą do rozwoju i kształtowania materiału dźwiękowego w kolejnych częściach koncertu. Architektura muzyczna i dramatyczna treść całego utworu opierają się na wspomnianym cytacie, który integruje poszczególne części zgodnie z koncepcją jedności w różnorodności rozumianej jako spójny wyjściowy materiał dźwiękowy, prezentowany w różnych kontekstach, wzbogacający muzyczną narrację.

    Plant occurrence on burning coal waste - a case study from the Katowice-Wełnowiec dump, Poland

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    Coal-waste dumps superimposed on former rubbish dump frequently undergo selfheating and selfignition of organic matter dispersed in the waste. The special conditions for plant growth generated as a result have been investigated since 2008 on the municipal dump reclaimed with coal wastes in Katowice-Welnowiec, Poland. The plants observed most frequently where heating has occurred are Sisymbrium loeselii, Artemisia vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Chenopodium album, Achillea millefolium, Cirsium arvense, Amaranthus retrollexus, Atriplex niters and Solanum nigrum. Some new, rare species such as Portulaca oleracea, first noticed in 2011, may be added. Most of encroaching species are annual, alien archeophytes and neophytes. Native species are mainly perennials. The majority of these species show a tendency to form specimens of huge size (gigantism). The abundance of emitted CO2 and nitrogen compounds is the likely cause of this. Additionally, the plants growing there are not attacked by insects. The heating of the ground liquidates the natural seed bank. After cooling, these places are seeded by species providing seeds at that very moment (pioneer species). Heated places on the dumps allow plant growth even in the middle of winter. As the seasonal vegetation cycle is disturbed, plants may be found seeding, blooming and fruiting at the same time

    Geochemical markers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in solvent extracts from diesel engine particulate matter

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    Exhaust particulate from compression ignition (CI) engines running on engine and chassis dynamometers was studied. Particulate dichloromethane extracts were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and biomarkers by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS). PAH group profiles were made and the PAH group shares according to the number of rings (2 or 3; 4; 5 or more) as well as diagnostic indices were calculated. Values of geochemical ratios of selected biomarkers and alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons were compared with literature values. A geochemical interpretation was carried out using these values and biomarker and alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon distributions. It has been shown that geochemical features are unequivocally connected to the emission of fossil fuels and biofuels burned in CI engines. The effect of the exothermic combustion process is limited to low-molecular-weight compounds, which shows that the applied methodology permits source identification of PAHs coexisting in the particulate emitted
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