Characteristics of sedimentary environments in brackish marsh soils in relation to organic matter properties (Puck Lagoon, Northern Poland)

The research focused on brackish marsh soils located within the coastal zone of Puck Lagoon (the Beka botanical and ornithological nature reserve). They are characterised by the presence of layers rich with allochthonous organic matter, derived from washing out of peat deposits. The objective of the research was to determine sedimentary environments of the soil organic matter based on selected properties. The obtained results indicated that despite similar morphological characteristics, these soils might have developed in slightly different environmental conditions, determined mostly by the Baltic water levels and morphology of the coast. The organic matter of the studied soils was characterised by relatively low aromaticity, which may indicate the ongoing process of decomposition. The presence of both peat-bog, rush and ruderal plants, as well as trees in the species composition of macroremains proved the heterogeneity of sedimentary environments and confirmed the allochthonous origin of organic matter accumulated in the studied brackish marsh soils

Technogenic Layers in Organic Soils as a Result of the Impact of the Soda Industry

This study focused on characterization of salt-affected organic soils with thin surface mineral layers affected by waste of soda industry in the Inowrocław city area, Poland. The obtained results pointed out that the eolian supply of mineral material from waste ponds and locally, its transport by surface runoff can effect formation of layers contained up to 43% of carbonates. In addition, it was shown that these seemingly small transformations in the soil morphology can have a significant impact on functioning of the studied soils in the landscape. In this regard, the most important were deterioration of water properties and reduction of plant growth due to the salinization and sodification. Specific features of the studied soils could be well reflected in the WRB soil name as Eutric Murshic Histosols (Akromineralic, Salic, Sodic, Prototechnic). However, in the Author’s opinion, the introduction of the new qualifier defining the artifact type in the name (i.e. Calcitechnic) would be advisable

Changes in soil properties and plant biomass under the influence of soda waste ponds in Inowrocław, Poland

Nowadays, the waste ponds of the Inowrocław Chemical Plants “Soda-Mątwy” SA are not used for regular disposal of pollutant materials. Despite this, the salinity level of groundwater and soils in the neighbourhood of these ponds is still very high. The main reasons of this are the huge amount of waste stored for decades and very unfavourable location of this factory in the river valley. In the salty area there are saline meadows with halophytes such as: Salicornia europaea, Glaux maritima, Triglochin maritima, Aster tripolium, Puccinellia distans, Atriplex hastata var. salina and Spergularia salina

Abiotic factors influencing the occurrence of Salicornia europaea in West Estonia

The occurrence of Salicornia europaea in Western Estonia (Kassari and Topu bays) is the result of complex processes occurring in the Baltic coastal zone and conditioned by such abiotic factors as topography, lithology, hydrogeology and climate. This is reflected by very high salinity level of groundwater and soils

Classification of technogenic soils according to WRB system in the light of Polish experiences

Technosols are relatively young soil group in WRB soil system, and there is still a lot of to do to better understand processes taking place in these soils and to classify them in a proper way. The objectives of this paper were to (1) evaluate Technosol and 'technogenic' qualifiers for other Reference Soil Groups, and (2) propose new solutions which would improve the classification of technogenic soils in WRB. New qualifiers – Edific, Nekric, Misceric, Artefactic, Radioactivic and new specifier – Technic – are proposed to be added to keys to Technosols. Moreover, Salic and Sodic qualifiers should be also available for Technosols. Furthermore, the supplementation of definitions of thionic horizon and sulphidic material with reference to Technosols is also suggested.Technolose są młodą jednostką glebową w klasyfikacji WRB. Konieczne są dalsze badania naukowe, ukierunko wane na zrozumienie procesów zachodzących w tych glebach oraz na prawidłową ich klasyfikację. Celem artykułu jest (1) ocena kwalifikatorów używanych w stosunku do technosoli oraz związanych z technogeniczną naturą gleb, jak również (2) zaproponowanie nowych rozwiązań, które ulepszyłyby WRB w kontekście klasyfikacji gleb Technosols. Proponuje się wprowadzenie nowych kwalifikatorów (Edific, Nekric, Misceric, Artefactic, Radioactivic) oraz przedrostka uściślającego Technic do klucza dla grupy Tech nosols. Proponuje się również dodanie do tego klucza kwalifikatorów Salic i Sodic. Ponadto potrzebne jest uzupełnienie definicji poziomu thionic i materiału sulphidic oraz dopuszczenie stosowania kwalifikatora thionic w Technosolach

The impact of environmental conditions on water salinity in the area of the city of Inowrocław (north-central Poland)

The article presents the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on the chemical and physical properties of surface and ground waters in the area of the city of Inowrocław. It has been shown that the properties of the waters were most strongly affected by the specific geological structure (the city is located within the Zechstein salt dome) as well as the long-term influence of a salt mine and soda plant. The composition of most analysed samples was dominated by Ca 2+ , Na + and Cl - ions. In places of heavy industrial activity, some water parameters were several time higher than permissible values according to Polish standards. It is concluded that, due to the threat to the city’s ground drinking water resources and fertile soils, the surface and ground waters in the area in question require permanent monitoring

Bacterial and Fungal Endophytic Microbiomes of Salicornia europaea

We examined Salicornia europaea, a nonmycorrhizal halophyte associated with specific and unique endophytic bacteria and fungi. The microbial community structure was analyzed at two sites differing in salinization history (anthropogenic and naturally saline site), in contrasting seasons (spring and fall) and in two plant organs (shoots and roots) via 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer amplicon sequencing. We observed distinct communities at the two sites, and in shoots and roots, while the season was of no importance. The bacterial community was less diverse in shoot libraries than in roots, regardless of the site and season, whereas no significant differences were observed for the fungal community. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes dominated bacterial assemblages, and Ascomycetes were the most frequent fungi. A root core microbiome operational taxonomic unit belonging to the genus Marinimicrobium was identified. We detected a significant influence of the Salicornia bacterial community on the fungal one by means of cocorrespondence analysis. In addition, pathways and potential functions of the bacterial community in Salicornia europaea were inferred and discussed. We can conclude that bacterial and fungal microbiomes of S. europaea are determined by the origin of salinity at the sites. Bacterial communities seemed to influence fungal ones, but not the other way around, which takes us closer to understanding of interactions between the two microbial groups. In addition, the plant organs of the halophyte filter the microbial community composition