EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SANDPITS SECURITY SYSTEM AGAINST MICROORGANISMS AND INTESTINAL PARASITES SAND CONTAMINATION

Playgrounds and sandpits (small architecture objects according to the Construction Law) are subject to meticulous supervision, both at the design stage and subsequent status checks of the objects. One of the requirements arising from the need to protect playgrounds from animals is the necessity for fencing the object (Regulation of 31 December 2002 On Safety and Hygiene in Public and Private Schools and Institutions; Polish Standard PN-EN 1176 Playground equipment and surfacing). Does fencing playgrounds really reduce contamination of sand? To verify this hypothesis, the studies have been conducted on the residential areas’ sandpits, both fence secured and unsecured, located in close proximity to one another. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of fences and nets as protection from microbial and parasite contamination of sandpits, mainly due to the access of animals to them. For several seasons of spring and summer the sand was examined in terms of the total number of heterotrophic bacteria and fungi (organic matter contamination of sand indicators) and for the presence of coliform bacteria (including Escherichia coli), bacteria of the Salmonella genus and the eggs of intestinal parasites. It can be concluded that fencing playgrounds affects sand pollution less with waste and plant material (as a consequence, it has been reported statistically significantly less heterotrophic bacteria and fungi in the fenced sandpits’ sand). Unfortunately, the fence does not eliminate the risks associated with sand pollution of coliform bacteria. Cats and birds, but also dogs, still have a continuous access to sand. Due to the repeatedly stated carelessness of children and their caregivers, gates left open to the playground do not constitute an obstacle for domestic and stray animals. Another source of sand pollution with intestinal pathogens can be a manner of carriage of new sand, as there is no legislation governing the issue of transport. It has been visually found that the sand has been transported in a vehicle used for waste disposal

THE MICROBIOLOGICAL AND SANITARY STATE OF SAND IN THE MUNICIPAL BATHING BEACH IN SZCZECIN

Artificial beaches, i.e. places in the public sphere, are usually intended for recreation, located at water reservoirs, rivers, and their surface is naturally occurring or applied sand. The urban bathing beach located in Szczecin by the Deep lake has sand purchased and distributed on the beach by the Municipal Services Office in Szczecin (a few hundred ton). The beach is divided into sectors, a volleyball court is in one part, in the next section catering and sanitary facilities are located, and the remaining area is a place intended for sunbathing and playing games. The aim of the experiment was to assess the effects of different ways of using the beach on changes of microbiological properties of the sand. The tests were taken from the beach sand in May 2013 (first term examinations), and in September, after several months of use (the second term of examinations). The sand was collected near catering and sanitary sector (the first object) and from the area of the volleyball court (the second object), as well as the playground for children (the third object). The facilities were distanced from the shoreline of the lake by approx. 8 metres. The comparison included the number of heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and the detected presence of coliform bacteria, including Escherichia coli, bacteria of the genus Salmonella and eggs of intestinal parasites. In any of the objects, or the periods of time, eggs of intestinal parasites and bacteria of the genus Salmonella were detected. The presence of coliform bacteria including E. coli was found in the sand collected from a catering-sanitary zone, there was also the biggest number of bacteria and fungi. The number of heterotrophic bacteria and fungi was similar in samples of sand taken from the volleyball court and from the playground, in this sand there was no bacteria belonging to the E. coli species, although in several samples from the playground other bacteria belonging to the coliform genus were detected. To sum up, it is possible to state that the same sand used in various ways is gaining different microbiological characteristics. The values of the studied parameters differed significantly with regards to sand taken from the area of consumption, hygiene-sanitary activities and sand collected from the area of active leisure (the court and playground). These results indicate the need for a deliberate selection of location for sunbathing (children playing in the sand) away from the sites for culinary and sanitary purposes

An Assessment of Progress in the Implementation of the BWM Convention on Ships as an Important Element in Protecting Aquatic Ecosystems

The purpose of this study was to assess progress in the implementation of rules for the control and handling of ballast water and sediments, regulated by the International Convention on the Control and Handling of Ship Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention). The survey was conducted in 2018-2019 among seafarers responsible for handling ballast tanks. Analysis of the survey data revealed that despite the introduction of water treatments, ballast water continues to be a vector for the transfer of non-native organisms. This is due to the low effectiveness of the methods used, and the fact that 8% of the respondents answered that no BWT systems were used on the ships they manage. Despite this, some seafarers (4.7%) indicated that increasing environmental awareness and adherence to BWM principles should result in improved protection of aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, the global problem concerning the transport of non-native organisms via ballast water has still not been solved effectively. In the near future, improved BWT systems should be introduced, which after proper training of the crew will act as a barrier to the transfer of non-native organisms in ballast water

Struktura wieku, kondycja i wzrost długości czebaczka amurskiego (Pseudorasbora parva Schlegel 1842) w nierodzimych populacjach w niewielkich ciekach w Polsce

Monitoring studies of ichthyofauna, in particular non-indigenous species, are an important element of research on aquatic ecosystems. This information is essential for modelling population growth and predicting rates of expansion, quantifying ecological impacts and assessing the efficacy of removal and control strategies. Actually, the most compelling fish invasion in Polish freshwaters is arguably the accidental introduction of the topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva). Age and lengths structure, condition factor and growth rate of the invasive populations of the topmouth gudgeon from small Polish rivers was examined. The samples were collected from the rivers: Molnica (n = 41), Myśla (n = 21) and Wardynka (n = 101) soon after the invasion was recorded (2017). Estimated ages of topmouth gudgeon ranged from 1+ to 3+ for the Myśla River, from 1+ do 4+ for the Molnica River, and from 1+ to 5+ for the Wardynka River. The fish from the Molnica River was characterised by the lowest total and standard length (TL, SL), weight, and highest condition. The results of back-calculations and the parameters of von Bertalanffy’s growth equation revealed distinct disproportions in the standard length (mm) in individual age groups (Molnica River: Lt = 54.94 [1 – e–0.68885 (1 – 0.003404)], Myśla River: Lt = 55.39 [1 – e–0.74921 (1 – 0.030962)], Wardynka River: Lt = 66.33 [1 – e–0.69348 (1 – 0.369505)]). The introduction of the topmouth gudgeon occurred in the upper and medium sectors of small rivers, but in subsequent years the species migrated to new sites further downstream and this may have affected the native ichthyofauna.Badania monitoringowe ichtiofauny, w szczególności gatunków nierodzimych, są ważnym elementem badań nad ekosystemami wodnymi. Informacje te są niezbędne do modelowania wzrostu populacji i przewidywania tempa ekspansji, ilościowego określania skutków ekologicznych i oceny skuteczności strategii eliminacji tych ryb z wód rodzimych oraz ich kontroli. Jednym z najbardziej interesujących gatunków inwazyjnych w świecie ryb w polskich słodkowodnych wodach jest prawdopodobnie przypadkowe wprowadzenie czebaczka amurskiego (Pseudorasbora parva). W pracy analizowano strukturę wieku i długości, współczynnik kondycji i tempo wzrostu inwazyjnych populacji czebaczków amurskich z małych cieków w Polsce. Ryby złowiono w 2017 r. z rzek: Molnica (n = 41), Myśla (n = 21) i Wardynka (n = 101). Szacowany wiek czebaczków amurskich wynosił od 1+ do 3+ (Myśla), od 1+ do 4+ (Molnica) i od 1+ do 5+ (Wardynka). Ryby z Molnicy cechowały się najmniejszą długością całkowitą i długością ciała (TL, SL) oraz masą osobniczą. Odczyty wsteczne i parametry równania wzrostu von Bertalanffy’ego ujawniły wyraźne dysproporcje w długości całkowitej w poszczególnych grupach wiekowych (rzeka Molnica: Lt = 54,94 [1 – e–0,68885 (1 – 0,003404)], rzeka Myśla: Lt = 55,39 [1 – e–0,74921 (1 – 0,030962)], rzeka Wardynka: Lt = 66,33 [1 – e–0,69348 (1 – 0,369505)]). Wprowadzenie czebaczka amurskiego miało miejsce w górnej i środkowej strefie małych cieków, ale w kolejnych latach gatunek ten może migrować do nowych miejsc zlokalizowanych w dolnych odcinkach rzek i może wpływać na rodzimą ichtiofaunę

Microorganisms’ communities from ballast water transferred into the Odra River estuary

Ballast water is a significant vector for the transport and introduction of aquatic organisms, microorganisms and chemical pollutants which impacts on ecosystems worldwide. In the study, ballast water from short- and long- range vessels with treatment systems was microbiologically evaluated in spring (April 20th) and summer (July 19th) and compared with waters of the main Police Seaport in the Odra River Estuary, southern Baltic Sea. All collected samples were evaluated for their physicochemical properties by standard methods. The number of individual groups of microorganisms was determined using the indirect culture method, according to the technique of inoculation of serial dilutions of samples of the examined waters. The results showed differences in the microorganisms in analysed samples. The phylogenetic analysis of bacteria recorded from the ballast water of short-range ships in spring showed the presence of six species of the genus Bordetella, while in summer four species of the genus Clostridium. In the ballast water of long-range ships, proteolytic bacteria pre-dominated in spring and halophilic bacteria in summer. In the summer period, eight species of bacteria were recorded, of which six belonged to the genus Clostridium. The ballast water treatment processes used on ships influence the composition of bacterial communities through selective recolonisation of water, which may transform bacterial functions as an important element of the marine food web. On the other hand, the presence of pathogenic bacterial species in the tested samples indicates improvement necessity of ballast water treatment systems used on vessels

Habitat Conditions of the Microbiota in Ballast Water of Ships Entering the Oder Estuary

Ballast water is a vector for the transfer of microorganisms between ecospheres that can subsequently have a negative impact on native species of aquatic fauna. In this study, we determined the microbiota and selected physicochemical properties of ballast water from long- and short-range ships entering a southern Baltic port within a large estuary in autumn and winter (Police, Poland). Microbiological tests of the ballast water samples were carried out according to ISO 6887-1, and physicochemical tests were performed according to standard methods. Low amounts of oxygen (1.6–3.10 mg/dm3 in autumn and 0.60–2.10 mg/dm3 in winter) were recorded in all ship ballast water samples, with pH (above 7.90) and PSU (above 1.20) were higher than in the port waters. Yeast, mold, Pseudomonas bacteria (including Pseudomonas fluorescens), and halophilic bacteria as well as lipolytic, amylolytic, and proteolytic bacteria were found in the ballast water samples. Heterotrophic bacteria and mold fungi (log. 2.45–3.26) dominated in the autumn period, while Pseudomonas bacteria (log. 3.32–4.40) dominated in the winter period. In addition, the ballast water samples taken during the autumn period were characterized by a statistically significantly higher (p < 0.1) abundance of microorganisms (log 1.97–2.55) than in the winter period (log 1.39–2.27)

Plant parasitic nematodes in the soil and roots of Winter wheat grown in crop rotation and long – term monoculture

The species structure of plant parasitic nematode populations from the rhizosphere of winter wheat grown with crop rotation or in 48-year-old monoculture was analyzed and compared. Dominating species: Bitylenchus dubius, Merlinius microdorus, Paratylenchus neglectus and Heterodera avenae, in monoculture plots, had higher populations than in crop rotation plots. Heterodera avenae eggs and larvae were infected by pathogenic fungi in 68% of the monoculture crops (vs. 65–66% of the cysts from crop rotation), 12–20% of Paratylenchus sp. specimens were colonized by bacteria, mainly by Bacillus penetrans. This study shows nematological changes occurring in long-term wheat breeding, thus providing additional information necessary to fight dangerous viral vectors of the examined cereal

Nicienie w glebie i korzeniach jęczmienia jarego uprawianego w płodozmianie i monokulturze długookresowej

Background. Species structure of plant parasitic nematode populations from the rhizosphere of spring barley grown in an 18-year-old crop rotation and in a 48-year-old monoculture were analyzed and compared. Material and methods. Plots were established in fields of spring barley grown in an 18-year-old crop rotation and in a 48-year-old monoculture. Four $1 m^2$ plots were located in each corner of each field. Four soil samples from each $1 m^2$ plot were taken by a pedestrian cane of a $3 cm$ section at a depth of $40 cm$ in the vicinity of the barley roots at start (BBCH 09) and a day after harvest (BBCH 99). Each soil sample weighed 1 kg and contained 50 g of fresh roots and spikes. The sample from each of the four $1 m^2$ plots was a replicate (and at the same time, the combination of the soil + roots + stems), hence the isolated nematode from each part of the sample was a set of nematodes associated with the host on $1 m^2$. Results. Populations of dominating species such as Bitylenchus dubius, Merlinius microdorus, Pratylenchus neglectus and Heterodera avenae became higher in the monoculture than in the crop rotation. H. avenae eggs and larvae were infected by pathogenic fungi in 50% of samples from the monoculture (vs. 60% of the cysts from the crop rotation), and 18–35% of Pratylenchus specimens were colonized by bacteria, mainly by Bacillus penetrans. Conclusion. The results illustrated nematological changes occurring in long-term cropping systems and provided additional information necessary to fight dangerous viral vectors for the examined cereal.W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań struktury gatunków pasożytniczych populacji nicieni roślinnych z ryzosfery jęczmienia jarego uprawianego w 18-letnim płodozmianie i 48-letniej monokulturze. W każdym rogu obu pól znajdowały się cztery poletka o powierzchni $1 m^2$. Cztery próbki gleby z każdego poletka pobrano laską glebową o przekroju $3 cm$ na głębokości $40 cm$ w pobliżu korzeni jęczmienia na początku (BBCH 09) i dzień po zbiorach (BBCH 99). Każda próbka gleby ważyła 1 kg, z czego 50 g stanowiły świeże korzenie i kłosy. Każda próbka, z której wyizolowano nicienie, stanowi połączenie powtórzeń każdego wariantu doświadczenia (połączenie gleba + korzenie + łodygi). Populacje gatunków dominujących, takich jak Bitylenchus dubius, Merlinius microdorus, Pratylenchus neglectus i Heterodera avenae, są znacznie wyższe w monokulturze niż w płodozmianie. Jaja i larwy gatunku H. avenae zostały zainfekowane chorobotwórczymi grzybami w 60% próbek pochodzących z monokultury jęczmienia (w porównaniu z płodozmianem, którego infekcja dotyczyła 50% cyst). Z kolei bakterie, głównie Bacillus penetrans, skolonizowały nicienie z rodzaju Pratylenchus, co stanowiło przedział 18–35% pobranych próbek. Uzyskane wyniki obrazują zmiany nematologiczne zachodzące w długotrwałych systemach uprawy jęczmienia jarego. Dostarczają one dodatkowych informacji niezbędnych do podjęcia odpowiednich działań w celu zwalczania niebezpiecznych wektorów wirusowych dla badanego zboża

Dispersed Power Production in Terms of the Potential of Briquettes Made from Straw and Willow as Renewable Sources of Energy

The rapid development of agricultural technologies has triggered new possibilities of using plant waste as fuel. Briquetting plant material is one of the methods of using crop residue as permanent energy carriers. Nevertheless, to maintain the normalised properties of briquettes, their small-scale production should follow an established and well-considered deliberate technological process limiting production costs. The material to be used for energy production should, in particular, be pre-prepared in terms of crushing and moisture content to ensure the right product parameters. The article aims to provide an analysis of briquettes with varied physicochemical parameters to determine and order homogenous groups for selected parameters characteristic for briquettes made from various bioenergy materials. The specific aim of the article required a statistical analysis as a tool for separating the selected factors. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was involved, together with a post-hoc Duncan test. The analyses demonstrated that the briquette composition, such as bulk value, moisture, and ash content can enhance the briquette quality. In discussion, the straw used was compared with other kinds of agricultural biomass samples and considerable differences were identified. The chemical analysis showed a high content of carbon (from 42.64 to 45.66%) and oxygen (from 47.60 to 49.68%). The percentage share of hydrogen in the chemical structure of the materials accounted for approximately 6%. The ash content found while investigating various straw types ranged from 3.67 to 4.26%, making it lower than reported in the literature. The study also looked at the energetic potential of straw and wood biomass. It was noticed that bioenergetic sources are much potentially higher than the materials used in the traditional power sector. Especially where it concerns an unlimited source that can be provided to the bio-energetic sector. The study is intended to focus the future energy sector on the use of bioenergy in terms of applying straw to energy production purposes