A reconnaissance-scale GIS-based multicriteria decision analysis to support sustainable biochar use: Poland as a case study

Although increasing numbers of research papers regarding biochar are being published worldwide, in some countries growing interest in biochar has only recently been observed; this is true of Poland. We analysed information on biochar research in Poland alongside lessons learned elsewhere in order to identify the significant opportunities and risks associated with biochar use. This data fed into a GIS-based multicriteria analysis to identify areas where biochar application could deliver greatest benefit. We found that 21.8% of agricultural land in Poland has at least moderate indication for biochar use (soil organic matter below 2% and pH below 5.5), while 1.5% was categorized as a priority as it also exhibited contamination. Potential barriers identified included biomass availability and associated risks of indirect land-use change due to possible national and transnational biomass production displacement. Biochar use could have positive global consequences as a climate change mitigation strategy, particularly relevant in a country with limited alternatives. Scaling up a mitigation technology that is viable on account of its co-benefits might be cost-effective, which could, in turn, adjust national perspectives and stronger involvement in developing mitigation policies at the regional level. Biochar has much promise in temperate conditions and further research should therefore be assigned to explore biochar’s environmental and socio-economic impacts

THE ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED WASTES AND PLANTS USABILITY FOR RECLAMATION OF COPPER INDUSTRY DUMPING SITE

The aim of the study was to determine the usefulness of a few selected mineral substances for revitalization of the post-flotation sediments generated in the process of copper ore output, and deposited in the mine waste dump in Iwiny near Bolesławiec, in the region of Lower Silesia. In the course of greenhouse and field experiments the mine sand, quarry overlay, barren rock and phosphogypsum individually as well as in the mixture with different proportion of phosphogypsum, were examined. Second objective of the study was selection of the plant species with the highest growth capacity available under the conditions above. Pea (Pisum sativum), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and red clover (Trifolium pratanse), as well as the mixtures of the three species mentioned or red clover and grasses, were chosen for testing. Throughout the experiment the species best equipped for settling in the habitat discussed was shown to be pea and alfalfa, with the highest crop yield. By contrast, the lowest growth rate and the productivity were observed for the mixture of red clover and grasses. The best mineral waste selected for the revitalization of the post-flotation dump was demonstrated to be phosphogypsum mixed in various proportions with the mine sand and the quarry overlay. The macroelements composition measured in the selected species tissues was uniform with the one characterized in the plants grown in the natural land, and the heavy metals content determined has established within the permissible norm

THE ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED WASTES AND PLANTS USABILITY FOR RECLAMATION OF COPPER INDUSTRY DUMPING SITE

The aim of the study was to determine the usefulness of a few selected mineral substances for revitalization of the post-flotation sediments generated in the process of copper ore output, and deposited in the mine waste dump in Iwiny near Bolesławiec, in the region of Lower Silesia. In the course of greenhouse and field experiments the mine sand, quarry overlay, barren rock and phosphogypsum individually as well as in the mixture with different proportion of phosphogypsum, were examined. Second objective of the study was selection of the plant species with the highest growth capacity available under the conditions above. Pea (Pisum sativum), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and red clover (Trifolium pratanse), as well as the mixtures of the three species mentioned or red clover and grasses, were chosen for testing. Throughout the experiment the species best equipped for settling in the habitat discussed was shown to be pea and alfalfa, with the highest crop yield. By contrast, the lowest growth rate and the productivity were observed for the mixture of red clover and grasses. The best mineral waste selected for the revitalization of the post-flotation dump was demonstrated to be phosphogypsum mixed in various proportions with the mine sand and the quarry overlay. The macroelements composition measured in the selected species tissues was uniform with the one characterized in the plants grown in the natural land, and the heavy metals content determined has established within the permissible norm