Concentrations of 137Cs^{137}Cs, 40K^{40}K radionuclides and some heavy metals in soil samples of Chochołowska Valley from Tatra National Park

This paper presents the results of determination of artificial $^{137}Cs$ and natural $^{40}K$ activity concentrations and some heavy metals in soil samples from the region of one of the main valleys of Tatra National Park (Chochołowska). Our investigation concentrated on $^{137}Cs$ and heavy metal levels in mountain soil taken from Chochołowska Valley, which revealed great variability in their concentration. The results show considerably small amounts of radionuclides $^{137}Cs$ and $^{40}K$ in the soils. Larger amounts of those elements can be found in the organic surface horizons of the soils. The evaluation of the content of those elements must be based on the bulk density analysis of the soil

Preliminary studies of sediments from the Dobczyce drinking water reservoir

The analysis of river and lake sediments indicates that the physical, chemical, biochemical and geochemical processes that influence the fate of toxic compounds and elements in sediments are numerous and complex (for example: sorption - desorption, oxidation - reduction, ion-exchange, biological activity). Due to the above-mentioned general statement, only a long term and complex research programme can lead to satisfactory answers to the questions relating to possible changes of water and environmental quality in the future. The aim of our study consisted in physical and chemical characterisation of sediments in in-depth profiles taken from the Dobczyce reservoir in southern Poland that is a main source of drinking water for the city of Kraków. Due to morphological reasons, 7 layers of sediment samples were distinguished from the ground level to about 90 cm below (total thickness of the sediments in the sampling site). Analysis of grain size distribution and application of x-ray diffraction method, enabled mineralogical description of sediments. The use of proton-induced x-ray emission (PIXE) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) revealed elemental composition of the samples (Al, P, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn). Concentrations of natural 40K and artificial 137Cs radionuclides were determined by the use of gamma spectrometry. The following facts were established: 1) the oldest (deepest) and newest, recently deposited layers of sediments are similar in their physical and chemical properties. It means that the inflow of contaminants and biogenic compounds to the reservoir has changed little since it was constructed and filled with water; 2) the severe flood in 1997 changed significantly sediment composition and, in fact, led to purification of sediments in the Dobczyce reservoir

Stability of gold nanowires at large Au-Au separations

The unusual structural stability of gold nanowires at large separations of gold atoms is explained from first-principles quantum mechanical calculations. We show that undetected light atoms, in particular hydrogen, stabilize the experimentally observed structures, which would be unstable in pure gold wires. The enhanced cohesion is due to the partial charge transfer from gold to the light atoms. This finding should resolve a long-standing controversy between theoretical predictions and experimental observations.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Preliminary studies on the spatial distribution of artificial 137Cs and natural gamma radionuclides in the region of the Ojców National Park, Poland

The aim of the research is to obtain preliminary information about the spatial distribution of gamma radionuclides in the soils taken from the Ojców National Park with emphasis on the behaviour of artificial radionuclides, with 137Cs as a representative. The natural radionuclides 40K, 226Ra (uranium series), and 228Th (thorium series), which are considered as background radiation, were also determined. In total, 18 soil samples were collected during the summer periods in 2015–2017, while the sampling points were selected with respect to differences in rainfall and local topography gradient. The method was based on gamma-ray spectrometry performed on high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma detector (relative efficiency 34%). 137Cs was mostly deposited in the top soil layers, with activity in the range of 27.9÷586.6 Bq•kg–1. We found strong positive correlation of the 137Cs activity with the soil organic matter content, and at the same time, its dependence on the rainfall amount. Consequently, the soil types and local climate can control the spatial distribution of 137Cs on a small spatial scale. The quantity of natural radionuclides was highly similar in all samples with the following mean values: 38.0 Bq•kg–1 for 228Th, 33.1 Bq•kg–1 for 226Ra, and 479.9 Bq•kg–1 for 40K

From molecular modelling to nanotechnology and clean energy

W dobie ogromnego rozwoju przemysłu i gospodarki oraz katastroficznego widma wyczerpania się surowców kopalnych jako źródeł energii, istotne jest znalezienie alternatywnych źródeł pozyskiwania oraz magazynowania energii. Nanorurki węglowe, grafeny i fulereny stały się najbardziej obiecującymi materiałami XXI w. Ponadto, przewodzące materiały polimerowe mogą być wykorzystane do konwersji energii słonecznej na energię elektryczną. Modelowanie molekularne pozwala na dokładne przewidywanie właściwości fizyko-chemicznych związków chemicznych i materiałów o potencjalnym zastosowaniu w nowoczesnej energetyce (m.in. karbazoli, nanorurek węglowych, grafenów i fulerenów). W pracy przedstawiono zastosowanie modelowania molekularnego do przewidywania parametrów strukturalnych spektroskopowych.In the times of worldwide energetic crisis and catastrophic threat of depletion of fossil resources as energy source, it is important to find new alternative energy sources and methods for energy storage. Carbon nanotubes, graphenes and fullerenes have become most promising materials of 21st century. Moreover, conductive polymer materials might be use for conversion of solar energy to electricity. Molecular modelling allows to precisely predict physical and chemical properties of chemical compounds and materials that might be potentially applied in modern power industry (i.a. carbazoles, carbon nanotubes, graphenes and fullerenes). The article presents examples of molecular modelling application for prediction of spectroscopic parameters