Impact of Physicochemical Characteristics of Colluvial and Alluvial Soils on Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn Content (East Poland)

The physical and chemical parameters of soils play an important role in the binding and migration of trace elements in the environment. The study attempts to assess the correlation between the basic characteristics of colluvial and alluvial soils and the concentration of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. This will make it possible to indicate the key factors determining the binding of metals in soils. The studied soils were located in an agricultural region in Eastern Poland and subjected to generally low anthropogenic pollution. Sixteen profiles (160 samples) were analysed for total heavy metals content and selected soil properties: grain size distribution, soil organic matter (SOM) content, pH, Fe and Mn content. We used three statistical methods: principal component analysis, cluster analyses and Pearson`s correlations coefficient. Relations for colluvial and alluvial soils were different. SOM content was characteristic for the highest positive correlations with the heavy metals. The most distinct correlations with this parameter occur in the case of lead. No correlations with pH were found, the correlations with the particular fraction content were weak. Strong but diversified correlations occurred in the case of Fe and Mn. In general stronger correlations with soil characteristics were found for samples with the low heavy metals content; anthropogenic impact causing the disruption of natural correlations

Assessment of Microscale Variation of Heavy Metal Pollution of the Bystrzyca River Alluvia Downstream from Lublin

Fluvial sediments accumulated in the bottoms of river valleys downstream from large cities are characterised by higher levels of heavy metal content, which poses a threat to the environment and humans. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the degree of pollution of four alluvial sediment profiles (80 samples), collected from the bottom of the Bystrzyca river valley downstream from Lublin, conducted with the use of five geochemical indices. Channel deposits and sediments (alluvial soils) sampled from the floodplain were analysed. The content levels of the six heavy metals under study were as follows: Cd: 10.6–291.2 mg/kg, Cr: 53.1–292.4 mg/kg, Cu: 20.4–223.1 mg/kg, Ni: 2.9–19.3, Pb: 39.3–280.3, Zn: 108.9–991.4 mg/kg. The horizontal and vertical variation of the pollution level was linked with the history of anthropogenic pressure on the one hand, and the geomorphological location of a given profile on the other. Heavy metal content in the samples did not show any correlation with grain size composition, organic matter content, and Fe and Mn content. Cadmium was the element whose concentration levels were comparable with those in alluvial sediments of rivers in industrialised areas while the indices for the other metals showed varied levels of pollution: from low to high. However, the ecological risk is high for all samples as indicated by the synthetic potential ecological risk index, which takes into account the toxicity of all the metals under study

Changes in textural and geo-chemical features of alluvia in the western part of the Lublin Upland over the past 1000 years

In the study the authors analysed the diversity of the textural indices and selected geo-chemical features of sediments that accumulated in the bottoms of valleys in the western part of the Lublin Upland over the past 1000 years. Detailed studies were performed for six profiles with known stratigraphy. The sediments studied varied little in terms of textural features, with a general trend for particle diameters to increase as the depth increased. The characteristics of the sediments indicate a significant role of material supply from the slope systems (mainly gullies) to the bottoms of river valleys. The heavy metal content was characterised by greater vertical variation. In most of the profiles, the youngest deposits were characterised by greater levels of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, with enrichment indexes at an average of 1.5–2.5. The observed diversity of the features of sediments, particularly the geo-chemical features, should be attributed to the effect of human activity in the area studied

Geomorphosite assessment in the proposed Geopark Vistula River Gap (E Poland)

Geomorphosites are among major assets for the development of geotourism. An accurate assessment of spatial distribution of their scientific, educational and economic characteristics provides the basis for appropriate design and management of proposed geoparks. Although the problem of assessing their value for geotourism has been discussed by numerous authors, consistent methodology for the assessment of geomorphosites has not been devised so far. In the present study, we conducted a geotourist evaluation of geomorphosites located within the proposed geopark Vistula River Gap. We assessed a total of 76 sites using 18 assessment criteria. The results indicate not uniform spatial distribution of sites having the highest value. The application of cluster analysis to evaluation results enabled us to distinguish groups of sites with similar characteristics and thus to identify groups of geomorphosites in relation to which various measures should be taken in order to increase the possibilities of their tourist use

Underground tourist routes as an element of Poland’s cultural heritage

Underground tourist routes respond to current trends in museum development. They can be treated as interactive exhibitions focused primarily on the visitor. Former underground mines are also important elements of cultural heritage. They preserve mining equipment and traces of mining techniques. Through interactivity they can perform an educational function, presenting mining memorabilia and customs. Underground routes are also tourist destinations, attracting a significant number of visitors. The present study covered eight routes located in different regions of Poland. Their tourist value was assessed and tourists were asked to complete a survey regarding the routes. The significance of the mining heritage was described and evaluated. On this basis, the strengths and weaknesses of the underground mine routes as places of presentation of cultural heritage were identified. The sites surveyed are characterised by their high potential but the level of awareness and tourist use is not high. The underground routes with the highest cultural heritage value are also those with high tourist potential

6,4–PP Photolyase Encoded by AtUVR3 is Localized in Nuclei, Chloroplasts and Mitochondria and its Expression is Down-Regulated by Light in a Photosynthesis-Dependent Manner

search input Abstract Pyrimidine dimers are the most important DNA lesions induced by UVB irradiation. They can be repaired directly by photoreactivation or indirectly by the excision repair pathways. Photoreactivation is carried out by photolyases, enzymes which bind to the dimers and use the energy of blue light or UVA to split bonds between adjacent pyrimidines. Arabidopsis thaliana has three known photolyases: AtPHR1, AtCRY3 and AtUVR3. Little is known about the cellular localization and regulation of AtUVR3 expression. We have found that its transcript level is down-regulated by light (red, blue or white) in a photosynthesis-dependent manner. The down-regulatory effect of red light is absent in mature leaves of the phyB mutant, but present in leaves of phyAphyB. UVB irradiation does not increase AtUVR3 expression in leaves. Transiently expressed AtUVR3–green fluorescent protein (GFP) is found in the nuclei, chloroplasts and mitochondria of Nicotiana benthamiana epidermal cells. In the nucleoplasm, AtUVR3–GFP is distributed uniformly, while in the nucleolus it forms speckles. Truncated AtUVR3 and muteins were used to identify the sequences responsible for its subcellular localization. Mitochondrial and chloroplast localization of AtUVR3 is independent of its N-terminal sequence. Amino acids located at the C-terminal loop of the protein are involved in its transport into chloroplasts and its retention inside the nucleolus

Fine tuning chloroplast movements through physical interactions between phototropins

Phototropins are plant photoreceptors which regulate numerous responses to blue light, including chloroplast relocation. Weak blue light induces chloroplast accumulation, whereas strong light leads to an avoidance response. Two Arabidopsis phototropins are characterized by different light sensitivities. Under continuous light, both can elicit chloroplast accumulation, but the avoidance response is controlled solely by phot2. As well as continuous light, brief light pulses also induce chloroplast displacements. Pulses of 0.1s and 0.2s of fluence rate saturating the avoidance response lead to transient chloroplast accumulation. Longer pulses (up to 20s) trigger a biphasic response, namely transient avoidance followed by transient accumulation. This work presents a detailed study of transient chloroplast responses in Arabidopsis. Phototropin mutants display altered chloroplast movements as compared with the wild type: phot1 is characterized by weaker responses, while phot2 exhibits enhanced chloroplast accumulation, especially after 0.1s and 0.2s pulses. To determine the cause of these differences, the abundance and phosphorylation levels of both phototropins, as well as the interactions between phototropin molecules are examined. The formation of phototropin homo- and heterocomplexes is the most plausible explanation of the observed phenomena. The physiological consequences of this interplay are discussed, suggesting the universal character of this mechanism that fine-tunes plant reactions to blue light. Additionally, responses in mutants of different protein phosphatase 2A subunits are examined to assess the role of protein phosphorylation in signaling of chloroplast movements

The potential of permanent gullies in Europe as geomorphosites

Geotourism is a useful way to educate societies in the field of geomorphology and natural hazards. Geosites, including geomorphosites, represent the basis for the development of this type of tourism. This study describes twelve representative gully regions within nine European countries. The characteristics of 42 permanent gullies, gully systems and badland landscapes are presented and a geotouristic assessment of these gullies was made, based on scientific, educational, functional and touristic indicators. This assessment demonstrates a large difference between the selected gully sites, particularly with regard to functional and tourist values. The geotouristic potential of gullies is the highest in Italy and Spain and the lowest in Romania and Latvia. In some countries, permanent gullies are not regarded as geotouristic attractions at all, while in others they constitute a significant element of their tourism development strategy. Based on the analysis of scientific values of the gully sites, educational lessons to be learned were identified that are mainly related to i) gullies as a geological window, ii) present-day geomorphological processes, and iii) stages of historical gully erosion reflecting past human-environment interactions. These must be part of a broader strategy for the development of geotourism in gully regions. Gullies are potential geosites within existing or planned geoparks. Values of gullies for other forms of tourism (active, cultural, nature), should be also emphasized

Present and past sedimentation rates in loess areas of the Lublin Upland (E Poland)

The sedimentation rate in the bottoms of valleys of various orders provides important data concerning the direction and intensity of geomorphological processes taking place in drainage basins. Based on an analysis of the vertical distribution of heavy metals, phosphorus and 137Cs concentrations as well as radiocarbon dating, trends in the changes in the slope and fluvial sediment deposition rate in eastern Poland were determined. The studies were conducted in loess-covered areas in the western part of the Lublin Upland. A total of 53 sediment profiles of various origins were analysed, and the results of 36 radiocarbon dates were used. The limitations and opportunities resulting from the use of chemostratigraphy in geomorphology were indicated. A distinctive increase in the sedimentation rate was found in the period under study. During 8000 years, the average sedimentation rate was approximately 0.3 mm/a (colluvia) and 0.1-0.7 mm/a (alluvia). The present-day intensity of this process is 3-25 mm/a and 3-16 mm/a respectively. Human activity (deforestation) should be viewed as the primary cause of the distinctive increase in the sedimentation rate.La vitesse de remblaiement des fonds de vallée de tailles variées fournit des informations fondamentales relatives au sens et à l’intensité des processus géomorphologiques intervenant dans les bassins versants. A la suite d’une analyse de la diversité verticale des concentrations en métaux lourds, phosphore et 137Cs, ainsi que des datations 14C, on a déterminé la tendance des changements des taux de sédimentation le long des fleuves et sur les versants en Pologne orientale. L’étude a été menée dans les régions de lœss de la partie ouest du Plateau de Lublin. Au total, les contraintes et les possibilités offertes par la chimiostratigraphie en géomorphologie ont été précisées grâce à l’analyse de 53 coupes stratigraphiques d’origines diverses et aux résultats de 36 datations 14C. Une nette croissance des taux de sédimentation a été mise en évidence au cours de l’Holocène. Alors que depuis 8000 ans, le taux moyen de sédimentation a été de 0,3 mm/a pour les colluvions et de 0,1-0,7 mm/a pour les alluvions, l’intensité actuelle des processus s’élève à 3-25 mm/a et 3-16 mm/a, respectivement. La pression anthropique (déforestation) est probablement la cause principale de la nette augmentation des taux de sédimentation