The Assessment of Heavy Metals Content in Total and Bioavailable forms in the Soils Surrounding Cementownia Chelm S.A. in Chelm, Poland

The study consisted in assessing the impact of the cement industry on the selected physicochemical properties and total and bioavailable content of heavy metals in soils located in the vicinity of the factory. The sampling points were located in the four transects to the east, west, north and south of the plant, at an increasing distance of 0 - 250 - 500 - 1500 and 2000 m. The soil samples were collected from the depth of 0-20 cm. The analysed soils were characterised by the significant presence of calcium carbonate, distributed evenly in all directions. Concentrations of heavy metals were characterised by high variation, depending on the direction and distance from the cement factory. The percentages of bioavailable forms of heavy metals in the general pool did not exceed 10%

Soil Genesis WEATHERING PROCESSES IN THE SOILS OF TUNDRA OF WESTERN SPITSBERGEN

Abstract.The soils studied represent Gelic Cambisols and Gelic Gleysols of Calypsostranda, Western Spitsbergen. They are characterized by varied basic properties and total composition. The studies allow us to conclude that the relationship Fe d /Fe t % facilitates to the determination of the soil weathering degree from the studied indicators, while the Parker's indicator, although giving similar results like the relationship Fe d /Fe t %, requires increased workload in the laboratory. The usage of the remaining indicators needs further studies on a larger scale and on more varied soil material. The chemical weathering processes of rocks lead to products whose chemical composition is changed in relation to the final material. Chesworth Iron contained in primary minerals is released under the influence of weathering processes and it is removed into the surrounding environment. Under its influence and together with the passage of time, secondary iron minerals are formed. They are crystal compounds, for example, goethite, lepidocrokite, hematite, poorly ordered -ferrihydrite, also amorphic. According to Mehra, Jackson, citrate buffer with strong reductive reactionary, dithionit

The impact of seabirds on the content of various forms of phosphorus in organic soils of the Bellsund coast, western Spitsbergen

In areas isolated from direct human impact, such as Spitsbergen, environmental changes result mainly from natural processes, which include nutrient enrichment caused by seabirds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the degree of nutrient enrichment of organic soils fertilized by seabirds, indicated by the phosphorus content and transformations. This study encompassed two areas on the Bellsund coast. A profile without the influence of seabirds and profiles located at different distances from the colony of birds (0–150 m) were analysed. A sequential phosphorus fractionation method was used, and three inorganic P (Pi) fractions were obtained as a result: Pi-L (labile P), Pi-FeAl (P associated with Fe and Al) and Pi-CaMg (P associated with Ca and Mg); and two fractions of organic P (Po): Po-HuAc (P associated with humic acids) and Po-Res (residual P). Polar organic soils not subjected to the direct seabird impact contained amounts of total phosphorus (Pt) similar to organic soils in other climate zones. The presence of the seabird colony increased the Pt content and changed the distribution between the ratio of organic and inorganic P fractions. Within the inorganic P fraction, the Pi–CaMg component was dominant and its distribution was modified by the fertilizing effect of bird droppings. The nutrient enrichment of organic soils by birds in the polar zone was therefore very strong.Keywords: Phosphorus fractions; organic soils; seabirds; nutrient enrichment; Spitsbergen.(Published: 17 October 2014)Citation: Polar Research 2014, 33, 19986, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v33.1998

Trogossitidae, Lophocateridae, Peltidae and Thymalidae (Coleoptera: Cleroidea) of Poland: distribution, biology and conservation

Distributional data for 10 species of Peltidae, Lophocateridae, Trogossitidae and Thymalidae recorded from Poland are summarised, and numerous unpublished records are reported. Data on feeding and habitat preferences are analysed. Calitys scabra and Temnoscheila caerulea are probably extinct in Poland. Grynocharis oblonga, Nemozoma elongatum and Tenebroides mauritanicus are relatively common in Poland. Nemozoma caucasicum is currently spreading within Europe and several new records in Poland are reported. Peltis ferruginea, P. grossa, and Thymalus limbatus are restricted to natural forests in Poland, where they are sometimes abundant. We suggest adding Peltis ferruginea and Thymalus limbatus to the Polish Red List of Animals. The opinion that Grynocharis oblonga and Tenebroides mauritanicus are relicts of natural forests does not seem justified