Effect of soil management on its radioisotopic composition

Radioactive isotopes, both natural and artificial, present in the environment may be convenient indicators that can be used to study a number of physical and chemical processes and transport of pollutants in the ecosystem.The main aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the type of soil use on the radioisotopic composition in its surface layers. The radioisotopic compositions of surface soil samples collected in the area of a cement plant abandoned for over 20 years and in the area of the nearby allotments were examined and compared. Calculations were performed using methods designed to study compositional variables.The results confirmed a significant impact of usage on the radioisotopic composition of the surface soil layers. However, some characteristics of the composition were common to both locations. It has been found that a significant proportion of the lead isotope - Pb-210, derived from atmospheric deposition. Other radioisotopes remain relatively close to equilibrium in their decay chains.The project was financed by the National Science Centre based on the decision number DEC-2011/03/D/ST10/05392

Radiomonitoring of the Opole industrial district

The metallurgic industry is one of the main sources of environmental pollution. It emits dust which include manganese oxides, iron oxides, zinc and lead which are deposited in  soil.The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the local metallurgical industry on soil contamination with metals released during the processing using Pb-210 as a contamination monitor. Soil samples were collected from 19 sites located around the city of Opole industrial zone which consists, for example, welding and galvanizing companies. In studies various types of sampling sites were taken into account, such as the forests, meadows, fields and allotment gardens. The activity measurements of Bi-214, Pb-214, Cs-137 and Pb-210 were performed using gamma spectrometer.Using the properties of the latter isotope the local level of soil contamination was estimated. The results indicated that the metallurgical industry is not a source of environmental pollution in the immediate vicinity. Excess lead concentrations ranged from 1 to 100 Bq/kg d.m. and were not strongly correlated with the distances from the presumed source of contaminatio

Bat Hibernation: In Groups or Individually?

This study focuses on the hibernation behavior of the western barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus) in underground systems in Poland from 2006 to 2011, specifically during the peak hibernation months of December to February. The impact of climate parameters, namely temperature (T), humidity (Rh), and air flow velocity (v), on the clustering behavior of bats during hibernation was investigated. The climate parameters varied within specific ranges: T fluctuated between 6.0 and 12.4 °C, Rh ranged from 56.4 to 91.8%, and v varied from 0.01 to 1.17 m/s. The quantile linear regression method for statistical analysis of the results was employed. This study found that certain combinations of climate parameters influenced the grouping behavior of bats during hibernation. The model structural parameters revealed the following relationships: 1. An increase in the product of T and v led to an increase in the bats’ group size. 2. For pairs of variables such as T and Rh, and Rh and v, an increase in their product resulted in a decrease in the bats’ group size. 3. When considering the product of T, Rh, and v, a decrease in the bats’ group size was also observed

Morfologia i skład pyłu zawieszonego w powietrzu obszaru miejskiego

Atmospheric pollution by particulate matter has become increasingly important in recent years, because it was found that these airborne particles have various adverse effects on the environment and human health. To extend the knowledge of such pollutants, detailed characterization of sizes, morphology and chemical composition of individual airborne particles is desired. In the presented research, the air microparticles were taken from discarded fiberglass tape filters which are commonly used in MP101M continuous suspended particulate analysers to determine the mass concentration of the particulate matter. These samples, which were collected in Kutna Hora (Czech Republic), were studied using the methods of scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Based on microscopic photographs, various geometrical parameters (Feret’s diameter, perimeter, cross-section surface area, circularity, aspect ratio, roundness and solidity) of 237 particles were assessed, while the spectroscopy measurements revealed elemental composition of these particles. Statistical evaluation of the measured data was done using the methods of principal component analysis and compositional data analysis. By these methods, certain relationships among the geometrical parameters and the content of chemical elements in the particles were found. This research also demonstrated that the fiberglass air filters can easily be reused to gain additional information about airborne particles in various places at any time. The character of the particles can also provide information about a possible source of contamination.Zanieczyszczenie powietrza przez pył zawieszony (PM) staje się w ostatnich latach coraz bardziej znaczące. Stwierdzono, że unoszące się w powietrzu cząsteczki niosą różne niekorzystne skutki dla środowiska i zdrowia ludzkiego. Aby poszerzyć wiedzę na temat takich zanieczyszczeń, pożądana jest szczegółowa charakterystyka rozmiarów, morfologii i składu chemicznego poszczególnych cząstek zawieszonych w powietrzu. W prezentowanych badaniach mikrocząsteczki powietrza zostały pobrane z filtrów taśmowych z włókna szklanego, które są powszechnie stosowane w analizatorach cząstek stałych MP101M. Próbki zostały zebrane w Kutnej Horze (Republika Czeska), były badane metodami skaningowej mikroskopii elektronowej i spektroskopii rentgenowskiej z rozpraszaniem energii. Na podstawie zdjęć mikroskopowych oceniono różne parametry geometryczne (m.in. średnicę Fereta, obwód, powierzchnię przekroju poprzecznego, krągłość, współczynnik kształtu) 237 cząstek, a pomiary spektroskopowe pozwoliły na określenie składu pierwiastkowego tych cząstek. Statystyczną ocenę otrzymanych wyników wykonano metodami analizy głównych składowych i metodami analizy zmiennych złożonych. Stwierdzono istnienie pewnych zależności pomiędzy parametrami geometrycznymi a zawartością pierwiastków chemicznych w cząstkach. Badania te wykazały również, że filtry powietrza z włókna szklanego mogą być z łatwością ponownie wykorzystane do uzyskania dodatkowych informacji o cząstkach zawieszonych w powietrzu w różnych miejscach w dowolnym czasie. Charakter cząsteczek może również dostarczyć informacji o możliwym źródle zanieczyszczeń

Environmental emissions dispersion modelling, principles and algorithms; cross-border CZ-PL course for master’s students

Regular mathematical modelling of the dispersion of emissions from large sources is required by law in all EU countries. It is also used in risk analysis to predict releases of toxic substances from various technologies, from volcanic activity and possibly also terrorist acts. However, there is a shortage of experts in this very specific and demanding profession in the labour market in most EU countries. In a collaboration between academicians from neighbouring University of Hradec Králové and University of Opole and experts from important ecological companies of both regions we designed and verified as a part of a four-year pedagogical project supported by the EU a comprehensive education system in mathematical modelling of emission dispersion with exchange field trips and internships of students during cross-border Polish-Czech university education. The paper consists of two separate parts. The first part is focused on implementation of innovative lesson ”Principles, algorithms, and differences of environmental dispersion emissions models”, used on both sides of Polish-Czech border region. An example of the use of the educational package of the Gaussian plume model with PC Templates, who was modified in cooperation between teachers from both cross-border universities and experts from professional companies is presented here too. Our four-year experience with student motivational field trips to professional companies in both border regions and exchange one-month professional internships for interested students to two Czech professional companies, where students learn to work with to the Gaussian plume model and one Polish professional company, where students are introduced to the Gaussian puff model is also discussed. The following separate second part will be focused on the innovative lesson of multivariate statistical methods of environmental data analysis, which are required for processing materials for modern mathematical modelling of the dispersion of emissions in practice. The target users of this two-part innovative courses are students of the MSc degree in Physical Measurement and Modelling at the University of Hradec Králové and students of the MSc degree in environmental studies at the University of Opole. However, it is also open to other Czech and foreign students and professionals

The use of mosses in biomonitoring of selected areas in Poland and Spitsbergen in the years from 1975 to 2014

We have compared historical changes in concentrations of the heavy metals Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb accumulated in samples from the Polish woodlands of Beskidy and Karkonosze (S, SE Poland) and the north-east regions of the country, versus the relatively little polluted areas of Spitsbergen of the Svalbard Archipelago. We have combined the results from literature with new results from 2014. The regions of Beskidy and Karkonosze were the most exposed to heavy metals deposition. However, from 1975 to 2014 there was a considerable decrease of concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb at all Polish sites, clearly signifying improvement of environmental quality. For example, the average Cd concentration in mosses samples collected in Karkonosze decreased from 0.002 mg/g in 1975 to 0.0006 mg/g in 2014. It is interesting to observe relatively large concentrations of nickel in moss samples collected in 2014 in the Svalbard archipelago, in the vicinity of Longyearbyen (average 0.018 mg/g) which most likely originate from local mine waste piles. air pollutions, biomonitoring, heavy metals, mosses, Poland, Svalbar

The effect of bark stripping by deer (Cervus elaphus L.) on biometric parameters of the scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Bark stripping by red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) is one of the most acute instances of damage wrought by these animals in a forest. Because of its location, bark stripping causes damage to the thickest and most valuable part of the tree trunk, which lowers the quality of the wood due to technical flaws. The research was conducted in 25 sampling sites of pine stands aged 35 years in a mixed, fresh forest habitat in south-western Poland. The study was aimed at assessing the influence of bark damage by deer on biometric parameters of pine stands (Pinus sylvestris L.). The assessment involved the diameter at breast height, height, basal area and volume of the tree stands. The results revealed a strong deer-specific pressure on the analysed pine stands. The share of bark stripped trees ranged from 65% to 96%. The number of bark damage instances (NBDI) on a given tree was found to significantly affect its diameter at breast height. The strip-damaged trees had breast height diameters lower by 23% on average, and their mean height was lower by 8.7% as compared with the trees without damage. The mean reduction in basal area increments (G1.3) of the trees was identified at 39%. In a similar way to the diameter at breast height and the basal area, the losses in tree stand volume growth caused by deer stripping were significant and oscillated at 41%

The Length of Leukocyte and Femoral Artery Telomeres in Patients with Peripheral Atherosclerosis

The length of telomeres (TLs) that protect chromosome ends may reflect the age of cells as well as the degree of genetic material damage caused by external factors. Since leukocyte telomere length is associated with cardiovascular diseases, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether leukocyte TL reflects femoral artery wall telomeres of patients with atherosclerosis and lower limb ischemia. Samples of femoral artery wall and blood were collected from 32 patients qualified to surgical revascularization. The analysis included blood and artery wall telomere length measurement and biochemical parameters. The study indicated that there was a moderate correlation between artery wall TL and leukocyte TL. Leukocyte TL was, on average, two times shorter than artery wall TL and correlated with the number of white blood cells. In turn, artery TL was impacted by total cholesterol level. The results suggest that the length of leukocyte telomeres may reflect artery wall TL and indirectly reflect the processes taking place in the artery wall in patients with atherosclerosis

The Length of Leukocyte and Femoral Artery Telomeres in Patients with Peripheral Atherosclerosis

The length of telomeres (TLs) that protect chromosome ends may reflect the age of cells as well as the degree of genetic material damage caused by external factors. Since leukocyte telomere length is associated with cardiovascular diseases, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether leukocyte TL reflects femoral artery wall telomeres of patients with atherosclerosis and lower limb ischemia. Samples of femoral artery wall and blood were collected from 32 patients qualified to surgical revascularization. The analysis included blood and artery wall telomere length measurement and biochemical parameters. The study indicated that there was a moderate correlation between artery wall TL and leukocyte TL. Leukocyte TL was, on average, two times shorter than artery wall TL and correlated with the number of white blood cells. In turn, artery TL was impacted by total cholesterol level. The results suggest that the length of leukocyte telomeres may reflect artery wall TL and indirectly reflect the processes taking place in the artery wall in patients with atherosclerosis