The trials on the influence of knapsack sprayer technical condition on operator exposure as an input to the risk assessment for human health

Operator exposure to spray applied with knapsack sprayers was measured in the open field during the spraying of the low, medium and high plants (strawberries, young apple orchard and bearing fruits one). The samples were attached to the protective clothes in 13 locations. The BSF fluorescent tracer was added to the spray. The operator exposure was expressed as the part of the dose applied (ppm). The data on operator exposure was used to predict the risk for operator. The risk for humans was done by computer modeling according to German BBA model, taking into account field data for different sprayer technical conditions and 15 different pesticides. The most important influence of the sprayer technical condition on the operator exposition and the human health risk was observed for high crops

Effects of heavy metals on the activity of dehydrogenases, phosphatases and urease in naturally and artificially contaminated soils

Most of the processes occurring in soil are catalysed by enzymes. As a result of their sensitivity towards heavy metals, enzymes in contaminated soils are usually less active. The purpose of this paper was to assess the influence of bioavailable forms of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn on the activity of dehydrogenases, urease, acid and alkaline phosphatase, and to compare the results obtained from naturally and artificially contaminated soils. A pot experiment was carried out on two loamy sand soils, naturally and artificially contaminated with Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. The total content of heavy metals classified these soils as very heavily contaminated with Cu, heavily contaminated with Pb and contaminated with Cd and Zn, all according to the IUNG system (1995). One of the following organic materials: swine manure or triticale straw, was added to the soil batches. The experiment was carried out in three replications, in two pH ranges: slightly acid and acid. Soil samples for analyses were taken after 14, 28, 165 and 450 days of incubation. The results of the experiment showed that the activity of soil enzymes depended on the content of bioavailable heavy metals; the total concentration of trace elements and H+ were less important. However, considerable differences were found in enzyme activity between naturally and artificially contaminated soils. This indicates that results obtained from other research conducted on freshly contaminated soils cannot be easily transferred to field conditions. The analysed enzymes responded differently to the concentration of bioavailable forms of heavy metals. Alkaline phosphatase was the least tolerant to bioavailable forms of heavy metals, unlike urease, which was the most tolerant soil enzyme. A similar pattern of sensitivity toward trace elements, which could be ordered as Zn > Cd > Cu > Pb, was noticed for dehydrogenases, acid and alkaline phosphatases. Urease was found to be more tolerant to Zn

Chemical speciation of selected dissolved components of groundwater in the catena of the Poznań Lakeland

The purpose of this research was to assess speciations of dissolved components of groundwater in a typical for the Poznan Lakeland catena of arable Albeluvisols and Chernozem. The researches were carried out in the cultivated catchment area of the Przybroda Experimental Station located in the north-central part of the Poznan Lakeland (west part of Poland) within the Szamotuly Plain. Every two or four weeks from 04.2005 to 03.2006 the groundwater samples, from six stationary points (wells) were collected. In groundwater samples the concentration of fallowing ions Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, HCO3-, CO32-, SO2-4, PO43-, and pH, EC were determined. Taking into consideration that dissolved components in groundwater can occur in many chemical forms, the computer programs Visual Mineq was used to assess their speciations. The observed values of groundwater pH were ranged from 6.3 to 8.3, therefore the simulations of speciation at 7.0, and 8.0 pH were done. The results of the researches indicate, that the quantity of dissolved components in groundwater was connected both with soil location in the relief and properties of soil parent materials. The groundwater of soil located higher in a catena were characterized by lower concentrations of the analyzed components, compared with water of lowest elements of the slope. It would seem that the chemistry of groundwater in P4 well should be characterized by concentrations of the analyzed components similar to those observed in P5 and P6 soils. However, studies show that the quantities of these components in groundwater of P4 well were similar to P1-P3. It could be related to water inflow from the higher parts of catena which are neutralized and less aggressive to components contained in the soil. Result obtained from simulation showed that calcium at pH 7.0 occurs mainly as a free ion (Ca2+), whose share ranged from 85% (P5) to 90% (P3). The second form of calcium was a aqua complex CaSO4(aq) (7-13%), and third-CaHCO3- (1-3%). The content of FCa2+, CaSO4(aq) and CaHCO3- significantly decreases when pH increases to the value 8. From geochemical point of view at a thermodynamic equilibrium state there were conditions suitable for precipitation of calcium in the form of calcite and dolomite. In groundwater of the Albeluvisols calcite is precipitated mainly calcite while in Chernozem dolomite. Magnesium also accrued mainly as a free ion Mg2+ (87-92%), aqua complex MgSO4(aq) and MgHCO3- at pH 7. The increase to pH 8caused the precipitation of magnesium in the form of dolomite. In Albeluvisols (P1-P3) groundwater, this form do not exceed 30% of the total amount of magnesium speciation, whereas in the groundwater of Chernozem (P4-P6) the participation of CaMg(CO3)2was much higher. Potassium and sodium, these two metals occurred mainly as a free ion at 7 and 8 pH. At pH 7.0 in the analyzed groundwater from carbonate speciations bicarbonate (HCO3-) occurred most frequently (75%). Aqua complex H2CO3(aq) was a second speciation of carbonates (from 21% to 22%). CaHCO3- and MgHCO3- accounted for about 1% of all carbonate speciations, but in the groundwater of Chernozem the participation of MgHCO3- was greater than CaHCO3-, while in the groundwater of Albeluvisols vice versa. Significant changes in speciations of carbonates occurred when the pH increased to value 8. At this pH, content of HCO3- decreased to about 60% in groundwater of Albeluvisols while in Chernozem to 67%. The share of H2CO3(aq) also decreased to 2%. This decrease of HCO3- and H3CO3 (aq) in the analyzed groundwater was due to the precipitation of calcite and dolomite. In the P1-P4 wells carbonates could be precipitated both in form of calcite and dolomite (predominantly calcite), while in the groundwater of the P5 and P6 wells in the form of dolomite. In the analyzed groundwater a free ion of SO42- was a dominant speciation of sulphates, whose participation increased from 75-80% (pH 7) to 83-91% (pH 8.0) with increasing pH. Other important forms of sulphates MgSO4 (aq) and CaSO4 (aq) but in the P1-P4 were more CaSO4(aq) then CaSO4(aq), while in groundwater of the P5 and P6 vice versa. At 7.0 pH among phosphate spetiations H2PO4- ion dominated (38-43%), followed by HPO42-(from 34% to 36%). Also, a large percentage of MgHPO4 (aq) and CaHPO4(aq) were observed. In groundwater of P1-P4 wells CaHPO4 (aq) dominated over MgHPO4(aq), when in P5 and P6 reverse. The increase of pH to value 8 resulted in the dominance of HPO42- ion. Result from simulation test showed that analysed elements occur mainly as a free ions and aqua-complexes at 7.0 pH. At a higher pH, from thermodynamic point of view, conditions for precipitation of calcium and calcium-magnesium carbonates occurred. Furthermore, quantity of dissolved elements in groundwater and their speciations are connected with soil (well) location in the catena and properties of soil parent material

K^hα_1,2 X-ray hypersatellite line broadening as a signature of K-shell double photoionization followed by outer-shell ionization and excitation

We propose a novel approach for the theoretical analysis of the photoinduced high-resolution Khα1,2 x-ray hypersatellite spectra, which allows us to obtain reliable values of lifetimes of the doubly K-shell ionized states and fundamental information about the relative role of K-shell double photoionization (DPI) mechanisms. It is demonstrated for the first time that the Khα1,2 hypersatellite natural line broadening observed for selected metal atoms with 20≤Z≤30 can be well reproduced quantitatively by taking into account the influences of the open-shell valence configuration (adopted from predictions of the band-structure method) and the outer-shell ionization and excitation following the DPI process

Quality water in Bogdanka stream

W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań jakości wody cieku Bogdanka oraz zbiorników przez które przepływa, w okresach wegetacyjnych lat 2011–2012. Próbki do analiz laboratoryjnych pobierane były w siedmiu punktach pomiarowo-kontrolnych i obejmowały oznaczenie wybranych elementów fizykochemicznych tj. O2, BZT5, ChZT, pH, przewodność w 20° C, N-NO3, N-NH4 i PO43-. Analiza otrzymanych wyników wykazała, że jakość wody w górnym biegu Bogdanki była lepsza niż w jej dolnym biegu – poniżej jeziora Rusałka oraz Stawu Sołackiego. Wielkość stężeń niektórych badanych wskaźników fizykochemicznych (ChZT, BZT5 i PO43-) przekraczały wartości graniczne klasy II i dlatego stan cieku określono jako poniżej dobrego.The paper concerns with water quality of Bogdanka Stream and its reservoirs, which flow trough it, during vegetation period of 2011–2012. The water samples for physico-chemical analysis were collected from seven control points and analyzed for: O2, BOD5, COD, pH, EC, N-NO3, N-NH4 and PO43-. Results obtained showed that water quality in the upper-course of Bogdanka was better than in the lower-course – bellow Rusałka and Staw Sołacki Lakes. Some parameters such as: COD, BOD5 and PO43- exceeded threshold values for second class and classified water as below good

Evaluation of the soil quality in the vicinity of Inowrocław soda plants

The aims of this study were to assess the quality of soils affected by strongly saline waste products and to analyze the spatial distribution pattern of soil properties influenced by a soda plant. Soil samples were analyzed for electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), pH, trace element content and dehydrogenases activity. The research was conducted in the vicinity of the waste ponds of the Ciech Soda Poland S.A. company (Central Poland), where 35 groundwaters, 63 surface (0–20 cm) and 60 subsurface (80–100 cm) samples were collected. Although the waste ponds are currently not used for regular disposal of waste products, a high level of salinity of groundwater and soil, especially in the subsurface layer, is still being observed. The electrical conductivity of soil saturation extract (ECse) values varied between 0.9–15.4 and 1.0–87.2 dS·m-1 for surface and subsurface layer, respectively. Analysis of the spatial distribution of soil salinity reveals a correlation with microrelief and groundwater levels. Maps of the spatial distribution of heavy metals showed that their content in the subsurface layer was a result of chemical migration from the waste ponds, and in the surface layer by other sources (atmospheric deposition). The soil salinity did not influence dehydrogenases activity

Can renal oncocytoma be distinguished from chromophobe renal cell carcinoma by the presence of fibrous capsule?

The most important differential diagnosis of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (CRCC) is renal oncocytoma. Due to overlapping morphological characteristics of renal oncocytoma and CRCC, particularly its eosinophilic variant, making a correct diagnosis can be challenging. To date, no data are available on the presence of the tumor fibrous capsule as a diagnostic feature in differentiating these tumors. The main purpose of this study was to establish the presence and compare the thickness of the tumor fibrous capsule between two tumor groups. A total of 37 tumors--18 cases of CRCC (three eosinophilic and 15 classic) and 19 cases of renal oncocytoma--were analyzed. Four slides of each tumor stained with hematoxylin and eosin were first scanned at low-power magnification (x40) to assess the presence of the capsule. If present, the capsule was measured in three different thickest areas at higher magnification (x200). The mean value of capsule thickness was calculated and taken into consideration. The capsule was present in 12 (66.7%) cases of CRCCs and in only two (10.5%) cases of renal oncocytomas. Statistical analysis showed significant difference between the presence of fibrous capsule in these two observed tumor groups (P = 0.001). Average thickness of capsule in CRCCs was 337.7 microm, and 115.4 microm in renal oncocytomas, but the median was not statistically significant (P = 0.198). Studies with a larger number of cases are needed to conclude if this characteristic could be a low-cost, reliable microscopic feature in differentiating between CRCC and renal oncocytoma