Status of Biodiversity in the Baltic Sea

The brackish Baltic Sea hosts species of various origins and environmental tolerances. These immigrated to the sea 10,000 to 15,000 years ago or have been introduced to the area over the relatively recent history of the system. The Baltic Sea has only one known endemic species. While information on some abiotic parameters extends back as long as five centuries and first quantitative snapshot data on biota (on exploited fish populations) originate generally from the same time, international coordination of research began in the early twentieth century. Continuous, annual Baltic Sea-wide long-term datasets on several organism groups (plankton, benthos, fish) are generally available since the mid-1950s. Based on a variety of available data sources (published papers, reports, grey literature, unpublished data), the Baltic Sea, incl. Kattegat, hosts altogether at least 6,065 species, including at least 1,700 phytoplankton, 442 phytobenthos, at least 1,199 zooplankton, at least 569 meiozoobenthos, 1,476 macrozoobenthos, at least 380 vertebrate parasites, about 200 fish, 3 seal, and 83 bird species. In general, but not in all organism groups, high sub-regional total species richness is associated with elevated salinity. Although in comparison with fully marine areas the Baltic Sea supports fewer species, several facets of the system's diversity remain underexplored to this day, such as micro-organisms, foraminiferans, meiobenthos and parasites. In the future, climate change and its interactions with multiple anthropogenic forcings are likely to have major impacts on the Baltic biodiversity

Properties, preparation and applications of hydrogen peroxide of 98%+ HTP class

Przedstawiono podstawowe, a zarazem dość unikalne, właściwości stężonych roztworów nadtlenku wodoru klasy HTP (High Test Peroxide). Pokazano rownież zarys historyczny oraz możliwości zastosowania tego związku chemicznego w napędach wraz z uwzględnieniem aktualnych tendencji rozwojowych silników rakietowych wykorzystujących nadtlenek wodoru klasy HTP. Zwrócono także uwagę na możliwość wykorzystania dostępnych w Polsce 60%, chemicznie czystych, roztworów nadtlenku wodoru w celu otrzymania roztworów klasy HTP. Dodatkowo, opisano również proces preparatyki nadtlenku wodoru opracowany w Laboratorium Materiałów Pędnych będącego częścią Zakładu Technologii Kosmicznych Instytutu Lotnictwa. Wykazano także konkurencyjność w zakresie jakości oraz kosztów związanych z preparatyką własnego HTP w Instytucie Lotnictwa, w stosunku do aktualnie komercyjnie dostępnego w Europie.The paper presents potentially "novel" and "green" rocket chemical propellant known as hydrogen peroxide of HTP class. The laboratory technology of obtaining the substance has been developed at IoA. However, the compound already is under extensive experimental research for its practical utilisation within the space propulsion applications. This liquid rocket propellant may be successfully used in various rocket engines. What more, recently has become promising alternative for utilised so far toxic propellants. The novel (in terms of its quality and renewed interest) high-energy liquid green propellant called HTP is 98%+ aqua solution of hydrogen peroxide of high purity (High Test Peroxide). It does not suffer from the disadvantages of typically used rocket propellants. The paper also presents the authors1 work in the field of HTP utilisation within the relevant industry

Influence of titanium dioxide activated under visible light on survival of mold fungi

Background In public and residential buildings, fungi are usually found in the dust or growing on building materials medium such. It has been known that a number of their spores may contaminate the indoor environment and deteriorate air quality in accommodation spaces. Previously designed air cleaning systems do not guarantee a complete removal of agents harmful to humans and animals. Therefore, there is a great need to develop a new solution to remove molds from indoor air. In recent years, photocatalysis based on titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) has been proposed as an effective method for air pollutants removal. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of TiO 2 activated under artificial sun light (UV-VIS – ultraviolet – visible spectroscopy) on survival of fungi Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus niger. Material and Methods The commercial P 25 (Aeroxide P 25, Evonik, Germany) and nitrogen modified titanium dioxide (N-TiO 2 ) were used. The microbiological study was performed using Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus niger fungi. The survival of fungi was determined on the basis of changes in their concentration. Results It was found that N-TiO 2 has a stronger antifungal activity against P. chrysogenum and A. niger than P 25. For N-TiO2, the complete elimination of molds was possible after 3 h under artificial solar light activation. The minimal concentration of photocatalyst was 0.01 g×dm –3 ( P. chrysogenum ) and 0.1 g×dm –3 ( A. niger ). Conclusions The nitrogen modification of titanium dioxide produced expected results and N-TiO 2 presented good antifungal activity. The findings of the presented investigation can lead to the development of air filter to be used for removal of harmful agents (including molds) from indoor environment. Med Pr 2018;69(1):59–6

Influence of titanium dioxide modification on the antibacterial properties

Antibacterial properties of 15 titania photocatalysts, mono- and dual-modified with nitrogen and carbon were examined. Amorphous TiO2 , supplied by Azoty Group Chemical Factory Police S.A., was used as titania source (Ar-TiO2 , C-TiO2 , N-TiO2 ;2 and N,C-Ti2 2 calcined at 300°C, 400°C, 500°C, 600°C, 700°C). The disinfection ability was examined against Escherichia coli K12 under irradiation with UV and artificial sunlight and in dark conditions. It has been found the development of new photocatalysts with enhanced interaction ability with microorganisms might be a useful strategy to improve disinfection method conducted under artificial sunlight irradiation. The efficiency of disinfection process conducted under artificial sunlight irradiation with carbon (C-TiO2 ) and carbon/nitrogen (N,C-TiO2 ) photocatalysts was similar as obtained under UV irradiation. Furthermore, during dark incubation, any toxicity of the photocatalyst was noted

The Benefits of Using Saccharose for Photocatalytic Water Disinfection

In this work, the characteristics of saccharose (sucrose)-modified TiO2 (C/TiO2) photocatalysts obtained using a hydrothermal method at low temperature (100 °C) are presented. The influence of C/TiO2 on survivability and enzyme activity (catalase and superoxide dismutase) of Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (ATCC 29425) and Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 49461) under UV-A and artificial solar light (ASL) were examined. The obtained TiO2-1%-S-100 photocatalysts were capable of total E. coli and S. epidermidis inactivation under ASL irradiation in less than 1 h. In addition, the impacts of sugars on the photocatalytic activity and disinfection performance are discussed