Estimation of Biomass Increase and CUE at a Young Temperate Scots Pine Stand Concerning Drought Occurrence by Combining Eddy Covariance and Biometric Methods

The accurate estimation of an increase in forest stand biomass has remained a challenge. Traditionally, in situ measurements are done by inventorying a number of trees and their biometric parameters such as diameter at the breast height (DBH) and height; sometimes these are complemented by carbon (C) content studies. Here we present the estimation of net primary productivity (NPP) over a two years period (2019–2020) at a 25-year-old Scots pine stand. Research was based on allometric equations made by direct biomass analysis (tree extraction) and carbon content estimations in individual components of sampled trees, combined with a series of stem diameter increments recorded by a network of band dendrometers. Site-specific allometric equations were obtained using two different approaches: using the whole tree biomass vs DBH (M1), and total dry biomass-derived as a sum of the results from individual tree components’ biomass vs DBH (M2). Moreover, equations for similar forest stands from the literature were used for comparison. Gross primary productivity (GPP) estimated from the eddy-covariance measurements allowed the calculation of carbon use efficiency (CUE = NPP/GPP). The two investigated years differed in terms of the sum and patterns of precipitation distribution, with a moderately dry year of 2019 that followed the extremely dry 2018, and the relatively average year of 2020. As expected, a higher increase in biomass was recorded in 2020 compared to 2019, as determined by both allometric equations based on in situ and literature data. For the former approach, annual NPP estimates reached ca. 2.0–2.1 t C ha−1 in 2019 and 2.6–2.7 t C ha−1 in 2020 depending on the “in situ equations” (M1-M2) used, while literature-derived equations for the same site resulted in NPP values ca. 20–30% lower. CUE was higher in 2020, which resulted from a higher NPP total than in 2019, with lower summer and spring GPP in 2020. However, the CUE values were lower than those reported in the literature for comparable temperate forest stands. A thorough analysis of the low CUE value would require a full interpretation of interrelated physiological responses to extreme conditions

Preliminary effects of fertilization on ecochemical soil condition in mature spruce stands experiencing dieback in the Beskid Śla̧ski and Żywiecki Mountains, Poland

In recent years, there has been the phenomena of spruce dieback in Europe. Significant areas of spruce low mortality now cover both sides of the Polish southern border. We evaluated ecochemical parameters influencing the heavy dieback occurring in mature spruce stands in the Polish Carpathian Mountains. Dolomite, magnesite and serpentinite fertilizers were applied to experimental plots located in 100-year-old stands in the autumn of 2008. The experimental plots were located in the mid-elevational forest zone (900-950 m) on two nappes of the flysch Carpathians: Magura (Ujsoły Forest District) and Silesian (Wisła Forest District). The saturation of the studied soils demonstrates moderate resilience of soils in Wisła Forest District in relation to acid load and high flexibility of the Ujsoły soils. After application of the fertilizers, an increase of Mg, Ca and Mb was noted in the soil solution, determined in the overlaying highly acidic organic horizons through the ion-exchange buffering mechanism of highly protonated functional groups with high buffering capacity. Magnesium concentration increased following fertilization, presenting a potential improvement of forest growth capacity without the hazard of adverse side effects of liming. Aluminium stress in old spruce is unlikely, while trees in the control plots in Wisła Forest District may already be sensitive to aluminium stress. Serpentinite fertilization improved the supply of soils in magnesium without causing significant changes in the pH of the soil. Such changes in the pH were found in dolomite and magnesite fertilizer. © The Author(s) 2014

Determining the enzymatic activities of iodothyronine 5’-deiodinases in renal medulla and cortex

Wstęp: Zaburzenia hormonów tarczycy u pacjentów z przewlekłą chorobą nerek (PChN) są wynikiem zaburzeń konwersji T4 do T3. Znaczenie nerek w konwersji hormonów tarczycy nie jest w pełni poznane. Działania różnych typów dejodynaz jodotyroninowych w strukturach nerek, nie zostały jeszcze określone. Celem badań było określenie aktywności dejodynazy typu 1 (D1) i typu 2 (D2) w korze i rdzeniu nerek u chorych z rakiem nerki. Materiał i metody: Próbki kory i rdzenia nerek (10 pacjentów) lub tylko samej kory (13 pacjentów) były pobrane z przeciwnego bieguna tej samej nerki do guza , z nerek usuniętych z powodu raka. Resekcje wykonano u 23 chorych (7 kobiet i 16 mężczyzn) w wieku 52&#8211;82 lat. Wyniki: Aktywność D1 w korze nerki wynosiła 3,785 &#177; 2,041 fmol 125I/mg białka/min., a aktywność D2 wynosiła 0,236 &#177; 0,125 fmol 125I/ mg białka/min. Znaleziono silną, dodatnią korelację pomiędzy aktywnością D1 i D2 w korze nerki (r = 0,890, p < 0,001). Aktywność D1 w rdzeniu nerek wynosiła 2,157 &#177; 2,176 fmol 125I/mg białka /min., a aktywność D2 wynosiła 0,168 &#177; 0,095 fmol 125I/mg białka/min. Zaobserwowano również dodatni związek pomiędzy aktywnością D1 i D2 w rdzeniu nerek (r = 0,661, p = 0,038). Stwierdzono silną dodatnią korelację aktywności D1 w korze i rdzeniu (r = 0,794, p = 0,006) oraz brak korelacji aktywności D2 w korze i rdzeniu (r = 0,224, p = 0,553). Wnioski: Wyniki przedstawionej pracy sugerują, że aktwność dejodynaz 1 i 2 zarówno w korze jak i w rdzeniu nerki może miec wpływ na metabolizm hormonów tarczycy. To ustalenie może mieć znaczenie kliniczne dla chorych z upośledzoną funkcją nerek. (Endokrynol Pol 2013; 64 (3): 182&#8211;185)Introduction: Thyroid hormone disorders in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are a result of impaired conversion of T4 to T3. The importance of kidneys in thyroid hormones conversion is not fully understood. The activities of different types of iodothyronine deiodinases in the kidney structures have not been determined yet. The aim of this study was to determine the activity of deiodinase type 1 (D1) and type 2 (D2) in renal cortex and medulla in renal cancer patients. Material and methods: Samples of renal cortex and medulla (ten patients) or renal cortex alone (13 patients) were taken from kidneys resected because of malignant cancer, from a site opposite to the cancer. Resections were performed in the 23 patients (seven female and 16 male) who were 52&#8211;82 years old. The material was stored at &#8211;72 oC. Results: Activity of D1 in renal cortex was 3.785 &#177; 2.041 fmol 125I/mg protein/minute and activity of D2 was 0.236 &#177; 0.125 fmol 125I/mg protein/minute. There was a strong positive correlation between D1 and D2 activities in renal cortex (r = 0.890, p < 0.001). Activity of D1 in renal medulla was 2.157 &#177; 2.176 fmol 125I/mg protein/minute, and activity of D2 was 0.168 &#177; 0.095 fmol 125I/mg protein/minute. A positive correlation between D1 and D2 in renal medulla (r = 0.661, p = 0.038) was observed as well. Activities of D1 in cortex and medulla were strongly and positively associated (r = 0.794, p = 0.006), whereas there was no correlation between the activities of D2 in cortex and medulla (r = 0.224, p = 0.553). Conclusions: Results presented in this study suggest that both cortical and medullary D1 and D2 may be involved in thyroid hormone metabolism. This finding could be of clinical relevance in patients with impaired renal function. (Endokrynol Pol 2013; 64 (3): 182&#8211;185

Hyvät käytännöt suojavyöhykkeiden muodostamiseen vesistöjen varsille Itämeren alueella – Käsikirja

Lyhennelmä (4.12.2018)Tässä lyhennelmässä tiivistetään tärkeimmät seikat, jotka on hyvä ottaa huomioon muodostettaessa suojavyöhykkeitä vesistöjen varsille. Lyhennelmä pohjautuu laajempaan englanninkieliseen raporttiin "Good practices for forest buffers to improve surface water quality in the Baltic Sea region” (Ring et al. 2018). Molemmat raportit on tuotettu WAMBAF –hankkeessa (Water Management in Baltic Forests), joka on saanut rahoitusta EU:n Itämeren alueen Interreg –ohjelmasta 1.3.2016–28.2.2019. WAMBAF ̶̶hanke perustettiin kehittämään metsätalouden vesiensuojelua ja tarkastelun kohteena ovat olleet erityisesti ravinteiden, kiintoaineen ja elohopean huuhtoutuminen vesistöihin. Suojavyöhykkeet voivat olla monimuotoisuuden kannalta arvokkaita elinympäristöjä. Tässä raportissa keskitytään kuitenkin siihen, miten metsäisiä suojavyöhykkeitä voidaan käyttää vesistöjen veden laadun suojelemiseen. Tämä raportti on pääpiirteiltään samansisältöinen kuin julkaisu Ring ym. (2018), mutta ei sisällä viittauksia. Julkaisu, joka sisältää myös täydellisen viiteluettelon on seuraava: Ring, E., Andersson, E., Armolaitis, K., Eklöf, K., Finér, L., Gil, W., Glazko, Z., Janek, M., Lībiete, Z., Lode, E., Małek, S. and Piirainen, S. 2018. Good practices for forest buffers to improve surface water quality in the Baltic Sea region. Skogforsk Arbetsrapport no. 995-2018, 59 s. https://www.skogforsk.se/english/news/2018/good-practices-for-forest-buffers-to-improve-surface-water-quality-in-the-baltic-sea-region/201

Analysis of the Water Leakage Rate from the Cells of Nursery Containers

In container production, the key issue is proper irrigation and fertilization. Typically, the water required for plant growth is supplied through an irrigation ramp system, which can also perform fertilization. The frequency of irrigation and the amount of water supplied by the ramp depends on several factors, such as the species of plants grown, the container used, the substrate, and atmospheric factors accompanying production. For effective irrigation, the substrate in the container cell must retain the supplied water long enough for plant absorption. However, any excess water should drain from the container. To optimize irrigation, it is important to determine the parameter of the water outflow speed from the container cell, which is difficult to determine. This work proposes a new solution for a station that can measure the water outflow speed from various container cells (patent application P.443675 2022). In tests, the water outflow speed was assessed for two Styrofoam container types (V150—650/312/150 mm, 74 cells, and 0.145 dm3 cell volume; and V300—650/312/180 mm, 53 cells, and 0.275 dm3 cell volume). Both were filled with a peat and perlite substrate (95/5%) using the Urbinati Ypsilon line (V150 substrate moisture 75.7 ± 1.1%, and V300 75.9 ± 2.1%, efficiency of the line 400 containers∙h−1, vibration intensity of the vibrating table—maximum acceleration 12 G). The results indicated that the water outflow speed varied between container types. The V300 container had a higher outflow speed (0.0344 cm·s−1) compared to the V150 (0.0252 cm·s−1). This discrepancy may be due to differences in dry bulk density, with a correlation of r = −0.523. The V300 had a lower actual and dry bulk density (0.418 g·cm−3; 0.079 g·cm−3) compared to V150 (0.322 g·cm−3; 0.103 g·cm−3). This highlights the need for individual selection of parameters on the backfilling line for different container types when filling. Using identical parameters for diverse containers can lead to varying substrate volume densities, impacting water outflow rates

A rare indium-bearing mineral (Zn-In-Cu-Fe sulphide) from the Stara Kamienica Schist Belt (Sudetes, SW Poland)

A rare indium-bearing mineral from the stratiform Czerniawa Zdrój-Krobica Sn deposit in the Sudetes (NE part of the Bohemian Massif) has been recognized in the qualitative-quantitative chemical composition studies of sulphide-cassiterite samples by electron microprobe (EMPA). This indium-bearing mineral occurs in the form of separate hipautomorphic microscopic grains (diameter 5–20 μm) and as intergrowths and disseminations in chalcopyrite. Observations indicate that this phase crystallized with the main generation of chalcopyrite, sphalerite and also with a younger generation of cassiterite in the mineral succession. The chemical composition of this mineral is as follows: S – 29.38–30.77 wt.%, Zn – 29.76–34.02 wt.%, In – 17.52–19.40 wt.%, Cu – 9.05–10.75 wt.%, Fe – 7.76–8.7 wt.% and Sn – 0.03–0.1 wt.%. Its calculated chemical formula is: (Zn2.09In0.67Cu0.65Fe0.64Cd0.02)∑=4.07 and it is characterized by enrichment of Zn with simultaneous depletion in Cu and Sn relative to the ideal chemical composition of sakuraiite – the most similar mineral in terms of chemical composition. In the light of our new data, it should be considered as a yet unnamed Zn-In-Cu-Fe sulphide mineral. In addition, coexisting sulphide minerals – chalcopyrite (max. 1580 ppm of In) and sphalerite (max. 1640 ppm of In) were identified as indium carriers

Geochemical-mineralogical research of the rare and associated element concentrations within cassiterite-sulphide mineralization in the Stara Kamienica schist belt in the Western Sudetes - preliminary results

Abstract. The main task of research was to quantitatively and qualitatively identify rare and associated elements that occur within a cassiterite-sulphide mineralization zone hosted Precambrian - Lower Paleozoic metamorphic rochi in the Stara Kamienica schist belt making up the part of the Izera-Karhonosze Massif. Over 70 samples from archive boreholes and abandoned Sn-ore mines were examined using modern methods like portable pXRF, geochemical analysis (ICP-MS, WD-XRF, GF-AAS), polarizing microscopy, electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) and scaning electron microscopy with EDS system (SEM-EDS). Preliminary results show interesting concentrations of associated elements such as Zn (max 0.56%), Pb (max 0.7%), Cu (max 0.33%), As (max 0.55%), and some rare elements like In, Re, Nb, Co, Bi, Pt, V, La and Ce

Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation in Post-Agricultural Soils under the Influence Birch Stands

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effects birch renewal on the soil organic carbon accumulation and on dehydrogenase activity. We selected 12 research plots with birch stands of different ages (1&ndash;4 years, 5&ndash;8 years, 9&ndash;12 years, and 13&ndash;17 years) to determine soil texture, pH, total carbon and nitrogen levels, and base cation content. The total organic carbon stock was calculated for the soil profiles. Additionally, dehydrogenase activity was determined. Naturally regenerated birch stands on post-agricultural land facilitated carbon accumulation. Based on our results, dehydrogenase activity is useful in assessing the condition of post-agricultural soils, and its determination allowed for us to assess the processes occurring in post-agricultural soils that are associated with the formation and carbon distribution