Detoxification of Copper and Chromium Via Dark Hydrogen Fermentation of Potato Waste by Clostridium butyricum Strain 92

The accumulation of various types of waste containing both organic and inorganic metal-containing compounds is extremely hazardous for living organisms. The possibility of polymer degradation, biohydrogen synthesis, and metal detoxification via the dark fermentation of model potato waste was investigated. For this purpose, the strict anaerobic strain was isolated and identified as Clostridium butyricum. The high efficiency of dark hydrogen fermentation of potatoes with yield of hydrogen in 85.8 ± 15.3 L kg−1 VSpotato was observed. The copperand chromium salts solutions were added to the culture fluid to obtain the concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mg L−1 Cu(II) and Cr(VI) in the active phase of growth (19 h of cultivation). Metals at a concentration of 200 mg L−1 inhibited the fermentation process the most. The hydrogen yield decreased in 7.2 and 3.6 times to 11.9 ± 2.1 and 23.8 ± 5.6 L kg−1 VSpotato in the presence of 200 mg L−1 Cu(II) and Cr(VI), respectively. The efficiencies of the chromium bioremoval in all variants of the experiment were 100%, and those of copper bioremoval were about 90%. A pure culture of strict anaerobes Clostridium butyricum strain 92 was used for the first time for the detoxification of metals. The presented results confirmed the possibility of this promising strain application for industrial H2 production and the bioremediation of contaminated sites

Effectiveness of the influence of selected essential oils on the growth of parasitic fusarium isolated from wheat kernels from central Europe

The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of selected seven commercial essential oils (EsO) (grapefruit, lemongrass, tea tree (TTO), thyme, verbena, cajeput, and Litsea cubeba) on isolates of common Central European parasitic fungal species of Fusarium obtained from infected wheat kernels, and to evaluate the oils as potential natural fungicides. The study was conducted in 2 stages. At each stage, the fungicidal activity of EsO (with concentrations of 0.025; 0.05; 0.125; 0.25; 0.50; 1.0, and 2.0%) against Fusarium spp. was evaluated using the disc plate method and zones of growth inhibition were measured. At the first stage, the fungistatic activity of EsO was evaluated against four species of Fusarium from the Polish population (F. avenaceum FAPL, F. culmorum FCPL, F. graminearum FGPL and F. oxysporum FOPL). The correlation coefficient between the mycelial growth rate index (T) and the fungistatic activity (FA) was calculated. At the second stage, on the basis of the mycelium growth rate index, the effectiveness of the EsO in limiting the development of Fusarium isolates from the German population (F. culmorum FC1D, F. culmorum FC2D, F. graminearum FG1D, F. graminearum FG2D and F. poae FP0D) was assessed. The first and second stage results presented as a growth rate index were then used to indicate essential oils (as potential natural fungicides) effectively limiting the development of various common Central European parasitic species Fusarium spp. Finally, the sensitivity of four Fusarium isolates from the Polish population and five Fusarium isolates from the German population was compared. The data were compiled in STATISTICA 13.0 (StatSoft, Inc, CA, USA) at the significance level of 0.05. Fusarium isolates from the German population were generally more sensitive than those from the Polish population. The sensitivity of individual Fusarium species varied. Their vulnerability, regardless of the isolate origin, in order from the most to the least sensitive, is as follows: F. culmorum, F. graminearum, F. poae, F. avenaceum and F. oxysporum. The strongest fungicidal activity, similar to Funaben T, showed thyme oil (regardless of the concentration). Performance of citral oils (lemongrass and Litsea cubeba) was similar but at a concentration above 0.025%

Zagrożenia biotopów w agroekosystemach

One of the conditions of the species continuity is a natural living space (habitat), in which the species achieves its basic needs. Large area of agriculture and forestry monoculture are not conducive to existence of game animals. Permanent devastation of game preserves, windbreaks, liquidation of foraging sites and shelterbelts force the wild animals to feed in the field and forest crops. In modern agrotechnique – the usage of plant protection products deprives the wild species (eg the hare) of forage, on the other hand it causes contamination of food absorbed by animals. Not only does it disorganise the trophic pyramide, but also can cause permanent damage to the organism – environment networks system, which is essential for proper circulation of matter and energy in ecosystems. The aim of the study is to draw attention to the effects of the changes in the biotypes caused by agriculture

Szkody łowieckie w uprawach rolnych

In the recent years the damage caused by the game animals to the agricultural crops has increased considerably. An immediate cause of this situation is an expanding population of big game, especially wild boar. This increase is primarily due to the changes in agrocenoses, dominated by large area maize cropping. The crop damage is compensated by hunting associations leasing the specific areas. The aim of this paper was to present the costs of the compensation incurred by the lease-holders of the hunting grounds. A cause - effect relationship between greater game damage and increased harvest of the game animals was demonstrated. The analysis was based on the data provided in the Statistical Yearbooks of the Central Statistical Office for 2000-2013. The study also indicated a problem of a decline in roe deer population, caused by more intense harvest resulting from farmer compensation claims

Wpływ przemysłu cementowo-wapienniczego na właściwości chemiczne opadów podokapowych

This study is a continuation of earlier research aimed at determining the changes in the quality of precipitation beneath the canopy in pine stands affected by the emission of alkaline pollutants. This study was conducted in the Gorazdze Forest District, in a forest complex in south-western Poland affected by the cement and limestone industry. The rainwater measurements under the canopy of Scots pine were made according to the methodology of the environmental monitoring. Wet and dry deposits, thus the total pollution load brought into the forest ecosystem, were analysed. The pH and electrical conductivity was measured in collected water samples. The results showed differences between precipitation in winter (1.10–31.03 next year; fourth and first quarters), and in the growth season (during the second and third quarters – 1.04–30.09). Precipitation sampled beneath tree canopies in the winter half year had higher pH than those from the growth season half year (Table 2).Prowadzone badania są kontynuacją wcześniejszych prac, których celem jest określenie dynamiki zmian jakości wód opadowych pod okapem drzewostanów sosnowych, znajdujących się pod wpływem imisji zanieczyszczeń alkalicznych. W pracy przedstawiono wyniki trzyletniego okresu badawczego, obejmującego lata 2015–2017. Badania prowadzono w kompleksie leśnym w południowo-zachodniej części Polski (Leśnictwo Górażdże), będącym pod wpływem przemysłu cementowo-wapienniczego. Pomiary wody deszczowej pod okapem sosny zwyczajnej wykonano zgodnie z metodologią monitoringu środowiska Analizie podlegał zarówno depozyt mokry jak i suchy, czyli łączny ładunek zanieczyszczeń jaki wnoszony jest do ekosystemów leśnych. W pobranych próbach wody oznaczono odczyn (pH) oraz przewodnośæ elektrolityczną. Trzyletnie badania wykazały znaczne zróżnicowanie odczynu i przewodności elektrolitycznej opadów atmosferycznych. Uzyskane wartości pH mieściły się w przedziale 3,54–7,97 (tab. 1). Wyniki badań wskazują na różnicę między opadami zimowymi (1.10–31.03 następnego roku IV i I kwartał) a opadami w okresie wegetacyjnym (1.04–30.09; II i III kwartał). Opady podokapowe półrocza zimowego miały wyższy odczyn niż w miesiącach przypadających na okres wegetacyjny (tab. 2)

THE POSSIBILITY OF DISPOSING OF SPENT COFFEE GROUND WITH ENERGY RECYCLING

The current policy of waste management requires, above all, a gradual reduction of waste amount and, to a larger extent, forces us to seek new methods of waste disposal. Recycling the energy contained in biomass waste is a more and more universally applied method of thermal converting. Biomass combustion allows saving fossil fuels which fits into sustainable development. This paper checks the possibility of using spent coffee ground (SCG) in energy recycling using a combustion process. This particular biomass type up to now has not been widely examined, which inclines to consider its usage as a potential additive to alternative fuels. In the study, we examined the quality of fuel, which was in a form of briquette, made of beech shavings with 10 and 25% of post-exploitation waste obtained during the process of coffee infusion. This waste, if fresh, is distinguished by its high hydration. However, after drying it may constitute a valuable additive to alternative fuels. It increases the calorific value of fuel and reduces briquettes’ hardness what contributes to reducing resistance of conveying screw in stoves

THE POSSIBILITY OF DISPOSING OF SPENT COFFEE GROUND WITH ENERGY RECYCLING

The current policy of waste management requires, above all, a gradual reduction of waste amount and, to a larger extent, forces us to seek new methods of waste disposal. Recycling the energy contained in biomass waste is a more and more universally applied method of thermal converting. Biomass combustion allows saving fossil fuels which fits into sustainable development. This paper checks the possibility of using spent coffee ground (SCG) in energy recycling using a combustion process. This particular biomass type up to now has not been widely examined, which inclines to consider its usage as a potential additive to alternative fuels. In the study, we examined the quality of fuel, which was in a form of briquette, made of beech shavings with 10 and 25% of post-exploitation waste obtained during the process of coffee infusion. This waste, if fresh, is distinguished by its high hydration. However, after drying it may constitute a valuable additive to alternative fuels. It increases the calorific value of fuel and reduces briquettes’ hardness what contributes to reducing resistance of conveying screw in stoves

Bakteriobójcze działanie ekstraktów z Humulus lupulus l odmiany marynka na wybrane bakterie

The aim of the research was to obtain extracts of Humulus lupulus L hop cones of the Marynka variety and to evaluate their antibacterial properties against three strains of gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 10536, E. coli IPS and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and against two strains of gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus hirae ATCC 10541 and Bacillus cereus ATCC 12826). The research material consisted of dried Marynka variety hop cones, from which extracts in the form essential oil (EO), infusion and decoction were obtained. EO was obtained in the process of hydrodistillation. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was evaluated by the plate-cylinder diffusion method against the tested gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Diverse antibacterial activity of water extracts of H. lupulus L hop cones of the Marynka variety (essential oil, infusion and decoction) on the tested bacteria was demonstrated, with higher sensitivity of gram-positive than gram-negative bacteria. The highest resistance to hop extracts was demonstrated by P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853. The best antibacterial properties were demonstrated by the essential oil at a concentration of 2.0 %. In the group of gram-positive bacteria, E. hirae ATCC 10541 was more sensitive to EO, and E. coli IPS in the group of gram-negative bacteria. In the case of B. cereus ATCC 12826, the sensitivity to infusions and decoctions of hop cones requires further investigation, as the obtained large zones of growth inhibition were unstable

The effect of bark stripping by deer (Cervus elaphus L.) on biometric parameters of the scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Bark stripping by red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) is one of the most acute instances of damage wrought by these animals in a forest. Because of its location, bark stripping causes damage to the thickest and most valuable part of the tree trunk, which lowers the quality of the wood due to technical flaws. The research was conducted in 25 sampling sites of pine stands aged 35 years in a mixed, fresh forest habitat in south-western Poland. The study was aimed at assessing the influence of bark damage by deer on biometric parameters of pine stands (Pinus sylvestris L.). The assessment involved the diameter at breast height, height, basal area and volume of the tree stands. The results revealed a strong deer-specific pressure on the analysed pine stands. The share of bark stripped trees ranged from 65% to 96%. The number of bark damage instances (NBDI) on a given tree was found to significantly affect its diameter at breast height. The strip-damaged trees had breast height diameters lower by 23% on average, and their mean height was lower by 8.7% as compared with the trees without damage. The mean reduction in basal area increments (G1.3) of the trees was identified at 39%. In a similar way to the diameter at breast height and the basal area, the losses in tree stand volume growth caused by deer stripping were significant and oscillated at 41%