Monitoring of trace metal pollution in Norway spruce stands of Beskidy Mountains

In recent years the condition of spruce stands in Beskid Śląski and Żywiecki (S Poland) has decreased drastically. This process consists of many factors. One of them is intense anthropopressure, therefore monitoring of forest pollution is extremely important. An analysis of four chosen trace elements (Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn) in soil and bark of Norway spruce from 7 locations in Beskid Śląski and Żywiecki was conducted. Tree bark was considered as a very good bioindicator of environmental gaseous and dust pollution. The concentrations of investigated elements in the material did not exceed the physiological concentrations, only in the bark of spruce trees from Beskid Żywiecki elevated levels of cadmium (2 mg/kg d.w.) were measured

Wplyw metali ciezkich na rosliny rosnace na terenach poprzemyslowych - aspekt fizjologiczny

Badano akumulację metali ciężkich (Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, Cu), aktywność peroksydazy guajakolowej (POD E.C. 1.11.1.7) oraz zawartość niebiałkowych grup -SH w liściach Betula pendula Ehrh, Salix cinerea L., Silene vulgaris Moench (Garcke), Tussilago farfara L., rosnących na terenach poprzemysłowych. Zaobserwowano następujący szereg zdolności kumulacji metali przez badane rośliny: Zn > Fe > Pb > Cd > Cu. Metale ciężkie (z wyjątkiem Zn) były bardziej biodostępne na hałdzie w Piekarach niż na terenie pogalmanowym „Warpie”. Wyższe aktywności peroksydazy w liściach badanych roślin, szczególnie u Tussilago farfara stwierdzono na terenie pogalmanowym. Najwyższą zawartość niebiałkowych grup -SH stwierdzono w liściach Salix cinerea pozyskanych na hałdzie w Piekarach.The heavy metal accumulation (Zn, Pb, Cd, Fe, Cu) and activity of peroxidase (POD) E.C. 1.11.1.7 and non - protein -SH group content were investigated in Betula pendula Ehrh, Salix cinerea L, Silene vulgaris Moench (Garcke), Tussilago farfara L., grown in the postindustrial areas (1-dump after non-ferrous metal ores in Piekary, 2-calamine site in Dąbrowa Górnicza). The higher heavy metal accumulation was determined in leaves of plants collected in Piekary (except Zn). The following order of heavy metals accumulation ability in plants: Zn > Fe > Pb > Cd > Cu was found. The metals (except Zn) were more bioavailable in Piekary than in the calamine site. Higher activities of peroxidase were determined in plants (especially in Tussilago farfara), collected in the calamine site. The highest content of non-protein -SH group was found in Salix cinerea leaves collected in Piekary dump

Suitability of selected Robinia pseudoacacia organs for bioindication purposes

Celem pracy było określenie przydatności wybranych organów Robinia pseudoacacia do bioindykacji. Oznaczono zawartości wybranych pierwiastków w liściach, pędach, nasionach i łupinach nasiennych R. pseudoacacia z terenów trzech miast województwa śląskiego: Katowic, Chorzowa i Siemianowic Śląskich. W każdym z miast wytypowano po pięć stanowisk pobrania próbek. Stanowiska podzielono na 3 grupy w zależności od ich otoczenia: różniły się one pod względem poziomu zanieczyszczenia (ruch uliczny, zakłady przemysłowe). Stwierdzono statystycznie istotne różnice w poziomie zanieczyszczeń pomiędzy wyróżnionymi grupami stanowisk. Na podstawie analizy skupień oraz PCA dla poszczególnych organów wyróżniono grupy stanowisk ze wzglądu na koncentrację badanych pierwiastków w tkankach R. pseudoacacia. Przeprowadzone badania pozwalają stwierdzić, że najlepiej nadającym się do celów bioindykacyjnych organem R. pseudoacacia są liście.The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of chosen organs of Robinia pseudoacacia as bioindicators. Content of selected elements in leaves, shoots, seeds, pods and bark of R. pseudoacacia from the area of three cities of Silesia province: Katowice, Chorzow and Siemianowice Slaskie was estimated. In each of the cities five sampling points were selected. Localizations were grouped in three categories differing in terms of the level of pollution (traffic, industrial plants). Statistically significant differences between pollution level of segregated groups in investigated localizations were found. On the basis of PCA and cluster analysis for individual organs sampling points were divided into groups depending on concentration of investigated elements in tissues of R. pseudoacacia. Conducted studies suggest that the organ best suitable for bioindication are leaves of R. pseudoacacia

Sulphur and heavy metals content in the soil of meadow ecosystems adjoining the metallurgic plant Huta Katowice as an indicator of environment degradation

The content of Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe, Cd and S in the upper soil layer of meadow ecosystems surrounding the steelworks "Huta Katowice" was investigated. Sampling plots were located at a different distance and direction from the plant, but in a similar type of meadow community and soil. Spatial and seasonal variability of the investigated elements content was found. Such results indicate that the investigated area was polluted both by that steelworks and by the industrial plants situated in the Industrial Region of Upper Silesia

Mullite plasma spraying for in situ repair of cracks in mullite refractories: Simultaneous optimization of porosity and thickness by statistical design of experiments

We report a laboratory-scale study about the suitability of the plasma spraying process for "in situ" repair of cracks in mullite refractories of industrial furnaces. The "design of experiments" approach is used to investigate how the coating porosity and thickness are influenced by six experimental parameters. Arc current, secondary gas (H 2) flow rate, and stand-off distance are the most significant parameters for both responses. Several interaction terms also affect significantly the thickness response. The validity of the model equations is discussed both from a statistical point of view and regarding the physical credibility of the main model terms. Additional experiments confirm that the measured properties lie into the prediction intervals provided by the model. Using a set of parameters optimized for minimal porosity and high thickness (relevant for the crack repair application), coatings with 6% porosity and 1070 μm thickness can be prepared reproducibly. © 2013 ASM International.Project PLASMAREPA – Grant agreement n°565