Identification of Salt Stress Biomarkers in Romanian Carpathian Populations of Picea abies (L.) Karst

The Norway spruce (Picea abies), the most important tree species in European forests, is relatively sensitive to salt and does not grow in natural saline environments. Yet many trees are actually exposed to salt stress due to the common practice of de-icing of mountain roads in winter, using large amounts of NaCl. To help develop strategies for an appropriate use of reproductive seed material on reforestation sites, ensuring better chances of seedling survival in salt-affected areas, we have studied the responses of young spruce seedlings to salt treatments. The specific aim of the work was to identify the optimal salt stress biomarkers in Picea abies, using as experimental material seedlings obtained by germination of seeds with origin in seven populations from the Romanian Carpathian Mountains. These responses included general, conserved reactions such as the accumulation of ions and different osmolytes in the seedlings needles, reduction in photosynthetic pigments levels, or activation of antioxidant systems. Although changes in the contents of different compounds involved in these reactions can be associated to the degree of stress affecting the plants, we propose that the (decreasing) levels of total phenolics or total carotenoids and the (increasing) levels of Na+ or K+ ions in Picea abies needles, should be considered as the most reliable and useful biomarkers for salt stress in this species. They all show very high correlation with the intensity of salt stress, independently of the genetic background of the seeds parental population, and relatively easy, quantitative assays are available to determine their concentrations, requiring simple equipment and little amount of plant material.Funding: Sorin Schiop is a PhD student at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca. This paper was published under the frame of European Social Found, Human Resources Development Operational Programme 2007-2013, project no. POSDRU/159/1.5/S/132765. Mohamad Al Hassan is a recipient of an Erasmus Mundus pre-doctoral scholarship financed by the European Commission (Welcome Consortium).Schiop, ST.; Al Hassan, M.; Sestras, AF.; Boscaiu Neagu, MT.; Sestras, RE.; Vicente Meana, Ó. (2015). Identification of Salt Stress Biomarkers in Romanian Carpathian Populations of Picea abies (L.) Karst. PLoS ONE. 10(8). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0135419Se013541910

Prognoza popytu na nośniki energii przez park samochodowy w Polsce w perspektywie 2030 r.

The paper presents an expert assessment of the number of passenger cars and light trucks (with a maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 Mg), trucks (with a maximum mass exceeding 3.5 Mg) and buses for 2010 and forecast up to the 2030 taking into account types of energy sources (petrol, diesel fuel, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas and electricity). The average annual mileage and average operational consumption of energy sources have been estimated. On this basis, the projected energy sources consumption for the years 2010, 2015, 2020, 2025 and 2030 has been defined.W opracowaniu przedstawiono eksperckie oszacowanie liczby samochodów osobowych, lekkich samochodów ciężarowych (o masie maksymalnej nie przekraczającej 3,5 Mg), samochodów ciężarowych (o masie maksymalnej przekraczającej 3,5 Mg) i autobusów dla 2010 r. i prognozę do 2030 r. z uwzględnienie rodzajów nośników energii (benzyna, olej napędowy, skroplony gaz ropopochodny, gaz ziemny i energia elektryczna). Oszacowano średnie roczne przebiegi oraz średnie eksploatacyjne zużycie nośników energii. Na tej podstawie wyznaczono dla lat 2010, 2015, 2020, 2025 i 2030 przewidywane zużycie nośników energii

Projections of the fuel consumption by the road transport in Poland

The article presents expert estimates for 2010 and a forecast up to year 2030 regarding the number of passenger cars as well as trucks and special vehicles and buses according to the maximum weight group. In case of trucks and special vehicles, included were vehicles with maximum weight of less than 3.5 Mg and maximum weight of more than 3.5 Mg. As regards buses – the condition and forecast number of buses with maximum weight of less than 5.0 Mg and more than 5.0 Mg was presented. The forecast concerning passenger cars and other types of vehicles with maximum weight of less than 3.5 Mg (5.0 Mg in case of buses) focused on the number of vehicles by type of energy. The following types of energy were included: petrol, diesel oil, LPG, NG and electrical energy in case of passenger cars and light duty trucks. Estimates also included the average annual statistical mileage of a vehicle registered in Poland according to the specified category and type of energy. Based on the assumed assumptions in the 2030 perspective – the average fuel consumption was determined per 100 km of statistical mileage in every specified category. The predicted consumption of respective types of energy by the overall Polish car fleet was calculated and according to the specified category in years 2015, 2020, 2025 and 2030

The forecast of the pollutant emission from automotive internal combustion engines in Poland by 2030

Prognozowanie emisji zanieczyszczeń z silników spalinowych pojazdów samochodowych przeprowadza się dla skumulowanych kategorii pojazdów. Prognozowanie to musi uwzględniać zmiany: liczności i intensywności użytkowania pojazdów (średnich przebiegów rocznych), charakteru (ruch w miastach, poza miastami oraz na autostradach i drogach ekspresowych) i modelu ruchu (prędkości średniej) oraz poziomu ekologicznego silników spalinowych ze względu na emisję zanieczyszczeń. W pracy przedstawiono prognozę tych wielkości dla motoryzacji w Polsce do 2030 r. Na podstawie przyjętych danych wyznaczono emisję roczną najważniejszych zanieczyszczeń. Stwierdzono – mimo zwiększania się intensywności użytkowania samochodów – prognozowane zmniejszenie się emisji zanieczyszczeń, szczególnie tlenków azotu i cząstek stałych.The forecasting of the pollutant emission from automotive internal combustion engines carried out for the cumulative vehicle category. The forecasting must take account of the changes: multiplicity and intensity of the use of vehicles (average annual passes), traffic character (cities, rural, and motorways and express roads) and traffic model (average speed) and the level of ecological combustion engines due to the pollutant emission. The study presents the forecast of the size of the automotive industry in Poland until 2030. On the basis of accepted data set annual emission of major pollutants. It has been found – despite the increase in the intensity of the use of a car – projected reduction in pollutant emission, especially nitrogen oxides and particulate matter

THE EFFECT OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT IMPACT ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IN POLAND AND ON THE COSTS OF ROAD TRANSPORT

The structure of the article will include the characteristics, particularly, of the Polish fleet of trucks involved in the transport of cargo. The volume of transport and haulage work of the goods carrying road transport in 2011, dominant in the branch structure of transport, was presented. The number of trucks and semi-trailer tractors registered in Poland, including the estimated number of vehicles with a maximum weight exceeding 3.5 Mg, was quoted. The numbers of commercial goods carrying companies (international and domestic) in Poland have been presented. The consumption of gasoline, diesel and liquid petroleum gas by the Polish fleet of trucks, special cars and buses in 2010 and the projected consumption of these energy sources and natural gas as well as electricity by the vehicles fleet by the 2030 has been estimated. The estimates of greenhouse gases emission and selected other pollutants from the engine exhaust systems of the said fleet, in the years 2010, 2015, 2020, 2025, 2030 have been presented. Characterized were, currently in force in Poland, environmental fees and their impact on the costs of road transport companies in Poland. The conclusions should be of particular interest to both TFL sector entities as well as those who are involved in creating transport and environmental policy in Poland

Forecast of the labor market for professional drivers in Poland by the 2020

W artykule zaprezentowano rozważania dotyczące problematyki liczby kierowców, która przypuszczalnie będzie niezbędna do funkcjonowania przewozów samochodowych w Polsce.A brief assessment of the current situation and prospects of development of the Polish road transport. Estimation of the number of trucks over 3.5 tones gross vehicle weight and buses in Poland by the end of 2010 and the forecast in perspective by the 2020. Estimation of the current number of active professional drivers in Poland. Forecast of professional drivers by the 2020 and the number of drivers who should have, every year, periodic training. Discussion about possible reasons for the lack of an adequate supply of professional drivers in the labor market

Evaluation of carbon dioxide emissions in the transport chains

W artykule omówiono opracowane w UE normy i metody służące ocenie zużycia nośników energii oraz emisji dwutlenku węgla w funkcji, w poszczególnych fazach, transportowych łańcuchów dostaw ładunków. Podano przykłady takich ocen. Przedstawiono założenia międzynarodowego projektu COFRET, którego zadaniem jest zharmonizowanie dostępnych metod i próba kompleksowego ujęcia kwestii emisji dwutlenku węgla w całym łańcuchu transportowo – logistycznym.The article discusses the standards and methods developed in the EU for the evaluation of the energy sources consumption and carbon dioxide emissions as a function, in the individual phases, of the transport freight supply chains. The examples of such assessments have been shown. The assumptions of the international COFRET project have been presented, whose task is to harmonize the available methods and the attempt to comprehensively approach to the issue of carbon dioxide emissions across the entire transport - logistical chain

The effect of the road transport impact on the natural environment in poland and on the costs of road transport

The structure of the article will include the characteristics, particularly, of the Polish fleet of trucks involved in the transport of cargo. The volume of transport and haulage work of the goods carrying road transport in 2011, dominant in the branch structure of transport, was presented. The number of trucks and semi-trailer tractors registered in Poland, including the estimated number of vehicles with a maximum weight exceeding 3.5 Mg, was quoted. The numbers of commercial goods carrying companies (international and domestic) in Poland have been presented. The consumption of gasoline, diesel and liquid petroleum gas by the Polish fleet of trucks, special cars and buses in 2010 and the projected consumption of these energy sources and natural gas as well as electricity by the vehicles fleet by the 2030 has been estimated. The estimates of greenhouse gases emission and selected other pollutants from the engine exhaust systems of the said fleet, in the years 2010, 2015, 2020, 2025, 2030 have been presented. Characterized were, currently in force in Poland, environmental fees and their impact on the costs of road transport companies in Poland. The conclusions should be of particular interest to both TFL sector entities as well as those who are involved in creating transport and environmental policy in Poland