Elevated content or heavy metals in soils is characteristic of the Dąbrowa Górnicza region. The highest concentrations of lead. cadmium and zinc exceed herc 650, 15, and 1000 mg/kg of soil, respectively. Samples of soi I from selected sites underwent the speciation analysis with the use of the Tessier method. modified according to Kersten and Forstner. Results of the investigations proved the highest concentrations or these metals in the area of Trzebiesławice. They occur here in the strongly bound forms and, mainly, their occurrence is related to presence of limestone rocks. The greatest amounts of these metals in easily assimilable to plant forms occur within the area of the town of Dąbrowa Górnicza. The most probable source ot· most of these heavy metals in soils are here contaminants emitted by the industry, mainly by the metallurgy. In the vicinity of the town of Błędów, mainly sandy soils occur, characteristic or which is low content of considered metals. Weak sorption capacities of these soils account for relatively good cxtractability of the three metals. In soils from the Lęka area, strong binding of these metals was confirmed. Occurrence or cadmium should be of special attention because this metal occurs as built in the crystal lattice of minerals.

Metals are useful raw materials used in various industries. But one of the side-effects of their production is pollution of the marine environment.

Heavy metal pollutants in the leachate of waste landfill are a potential threat to the environment. In this study, the feasibility of using municipal sewage sludge as barrier material for the containment of heavy metal pollutants from solid waste landfills was evaluated by compaction test and hydraulic conductivity test concerning compaction property, impermeability and heavy metal retardation. Results of the compaction test showed that the maximum dry density of 0.79 g·cm−3 was achieved at the optimum water content of about 60%. The hydraulic conductivities of compacted sewage sludge permeated with synthetic heavy metal solutions were in the range of 1.3×10−8 – 6.2×10−9 cm·s−1, less than 1.0 ×10−7cm·s−1 recommended by regulations for barrier materials. Chemical analyses on the effluent from the hydraulic conductivity tests indicated that the two target heavy metals, Zn and Cd in the permeants were all retarded by compacted sewage sludge, which might be attributed to the precipitation and adsorption of heavy metal ions. The results of this study suggest that specially prepared material from sewage sludge could be used as a barrier for waste landfills for its low permeability and strong retardation to heavy metal pollutants.

The heavy metal release experiments were conducted in the laboratory to examine the effects of 3 factors - pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and temperature on the metal release from sediments taken from the Huangpu River. The metal concentrations in the dry sediments ranged from 0.030 to 0.296 mg g-1 for Cr, 0.021 to 0.097 mg g-1 for Ni, 0.014 to 0.219 mg g-1 for Cu, 0.035 mg to 0.521 mg g-1 for Zn, 0.0002 to 0.001 mg g-1 for Cd and 0.023 to 0.089 mg g-1 for Pb. Most of the metals found in the sediments were in the form of residual fraction, the exchangeable fraction consisted of only a small portion of total metals. The average dissolved metal concentrations in the overlying water during the 13-day period under different conditions were ranging from 0.82 to 1.93 μg L-1 for Cr, 1.08 to 4.19 μg L-1 for Ni, 40.79 to 82.28 μg L-1 for Cu, 20.30 to 29.96 μg L-1 for Zn, 1.57 to 4.07 μg L-1 for Cd, and 22.26 to 75.50 μg L-1 for Pb, respectively. Statistical interpretation of the data indicated that pH (7, 8, 9), dissolved oxygen DO (1.0 and 5.0 mg L-1) and temperature (4, 16, 25°C) had no significant effects on the heavy metal release under the studied conditions. Cu and Pb had the highest release flux, while Cd, Pb and Cu had higher mobility. The main factors controlling the metals release might be the inherent characters of metals and sediments.

The aim of this paper was to investigate the relationship between magnetic susceptibility of topsoil and content of heavy metal being the result of urban and industrial dust-fall. Tools for this study were some complementary statistic methods such as: correlation analysis using Pearson correlation coefficient, Spearman rank correlation coefficient, stepwise regression and .chi-kwadrat" test. The base for statistic analysis was dataset of ca. 600 topsoil samples (20 cm) form Upper Silesian Industrial Region, including content ofAs, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb as well as values of low-field specific magnetic susceptibility (x) measured for the same samples. The study clearly confirms a significant correlation between the level of inorganic contamination and the measured susceptibility value, although the correlations in soil are usually more sophisticated. The most often observed correlation coefficients between magnetic susceptibility and heavy metals content were on medium (r = 0.5--0.7) and high (r = 0.7--0.9) level. The statistic analysis of the studied parameters can not be based only on Pearson correlation coefficient. The use of some complementary statistic methods allows for more correct interpretation of existing relationships. The comparable values of Pearson linear correlation coefficient and Spearman rank the correlation coefficient, observed in studied dataset within the range of accuracy used, shows the existence of linear correlation. The similar conclusions have been drawn from the analysis of reverse stepwise regression. The observed model of linear multiple regression explains almost 80% of variability of the X value. Foregoing statistical analysis confirms some earlier observations that magnetometry based on topsoil magnetic susceptibility measurement could be a very interesting and alternative or complementary method for monitoring anthropogenic soil pollution and especially heavy metal contamination level.

The research system of soils for evaluation of the ecological state of farm-land soils in Poland is presented in this paper. Granulometrie composition, pH, organic matter content and the content of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in soils were determined. On the basis of existing criteria (tab. 1) the state of soil pollution with heavy metals for separate provinces and whole country was estimated. The average heavy metal contents (mg/kg) in surface layer of soils in Poland are as follows: Cd-0.21, Cu-6.5, Ni-6.2, Pb-13.6, and Zn-32.4. The farm-land soils of Poland generally contain natural and slightly elevated level of the investigated heavy metals. This allows to produce high quality of agricultural materials appropriate for consumption and feeding of animals.

The research of the soil quality was made in Markowice, the district of Racibórz, the town situated in the South of Poland. The soils of Racibórz were expected to be contaminated with heavy metals after the heavy flood in 1997, which devastated great part of Poland, especially the town. The assays covered macroand microcomponents, contents of total calcium, iron, manganese, sulphur, bioavailable magnesium, potassium and phosphorus, contents of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, zinc, chromium, nickel and copper), electrolytic conductivity, pH of soil, and finally organic matter content in soil. The research showed that soils of the district of Racibórz have a natural content of heavy metals, but the soils have the deficiency of macrocornponcnts, such as phosphorus, magnesium and calcium.

The contents or Cd, Pb. Cu, Mn, Zn, Ni and Fe in different organs or Typha latifolia L., coming from six sites selected within Jezioro Wielkie (Leszczyńskie Lakeland in western Poland), were determined. Three groups or metals, cach with a different accumulation pattern within the plant were distinguished in this study. Pb, Zn and Cu were found to be the least mobile and shown the following accumulation scheme: roots> rhizomes> lower leave part> top leave part. 13y contrast, Mn, a metal which is both easily transported in plants and accumulated in green plant organs, exhibited the following accumulation scheme: roots> top leave part> lower leave part> rhizomes. Ni, Cd and re were accumulated by the cattail as follows: roots> rhizomes> top leaf part> lower leaf part. The fact that Tvpha tatifol io L. had the highest proportion 01· all the metals studied in its roots can suggest that some kind of protection barrier exists which prevents toxic compounds permeating from that part or this plant to its rhizomes and its aerial parts. The confirmation or this thesis requires some further research.

Joint action by the countries surrounding the Baltic is crucial for the conservation of the sea’s unique ecosystem.

In the years 1987-1995 studies were carried out on the content of Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb and Cd in plants and soil in the Bellsund area, Western Spitsbergen. For the studies the author used predominating species of vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens collected from beaches littoral planes, valleys, slopes and mountain peaks. Some plant species, largely bryophytes and lichens, were shown to contain increased amounts of Zn, Pb and Cd, whilst in others Cu deficiency was found. This paper is summing up studies concerning the content of Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb and Cd in plants of Western Spitsbergen, which were conducted over many years.

The contents of copper, manganese, zinc, lead and cadmium have been determined in plants of the Spitsbergen tundra, collected at Calypsostranda, Lyellstranda and Chamberlindalen in 1987. Five species of vascular plants, four species of mosses and fourteen species of lichens have been investigated. Manganese content in all the studied plants falls in the physiological limits of this element. Appreciable concentrations of copper, and zinc exceeding the physiological concentrations of these elements and presence of lead and cadmium have been shown for many plants.

The aim of this study was to evaluate foundry waste used for various applications in terms of heavy metals quantity of fractions of their binding. The novelty of these studies is the use of speciation procedures to assess the fraction of heavy metals in foundry waste. The two most popular speciation procedures, the Tessier method and the SM&T, and also the TCLP single extraction procedure were used to evaluate the use of foundry waste in agritechnique, road engineering and construction in this research. Additionally, local soils were analyzed and compared to landfill foundry waste (LFW). It was found that LFW may have a negative impact on the natural environment when used for agrotechnological applications due to the increased concentration of mobile and bioavailable fractions (mean 9–18%) of metals. Foundry dusts were characterized by a low percentage of mobile and bioavailable (mean 2–6%) forms, although this does not include electric arc fournance dust (EAFD) (mean 17%). The metal content in TCLP extracts was low in all foundry waste samples and allowed the use of the analyzed wastes in construction and road construction. The usefulness of both speciation procedures for the assessment of the leaching of heavy metal forms from foundry waste was confirmed. However, the SM&T procedure was more effective in leaching mobile and bioavailable forms of heavy metals in foundry waste and soil samples.

Metallurgical slag is often treated as a material which could be used in the waste management, especially for production different kinds of aggregate. So it is necessary to know that material not only considering technical properties, but also its mineral and chemical composition. Such researches could deliver many valuable information during the waste utilization. Researches were made for samples of the metallurgical slag after steel and Zn-Pb production. Samples were taken from chosen dumps localized in the Upper Silesian District. Beside metallic aggregates, silicate and oxide phases, glaze is one of the main component of the metallurgical slag. The following stages of the glaze devitrification were presented; from not transformed and isotropic glaze pieces to the strong weathered glaze. Transformed glaze is red or brown with the cracks on the surface. Cracks are often filled by the metals oxides, which can be liberated during the glaze devitrification. On the base of researches executed using the electron microprobe the chemical glaze composition was presented. The chemical composition of the glaze is variable what is connected with the kind of the metallurgical slag. The following main elements were distinguished in the metallurgical slag: Si, Al, Fe, Ca and Mg. Slag after steel production contains also Mn, P, S and the slag after Zn-Pb production contains: As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Ti, Zn, Na, K, P and S.

This paper discusses the agrotechnical use of foundry waste based on spent foundry sands (SFS). The advantage of foundry waste use is its high concentration of quartz sands and its similar physical properties to soils, including good permeability and filtration rate. An important component of foundry waste containing a mineral binders (green sands) is the presence of a clay fraction. In contrast, organic binders in some foundry wastes increase the percentage of organic matter. However, organic binders may contain toxic substances that are hazardous to the biota. Therefore, it is not recommended to use foundry waste with organic binders in agriculture or horticulture. Moreover, heavy metals may be problematic in the agrotechnical use of foundry waste mainly derived from cast metal. The disadvantage of using foundry waste as soil substrates is the low proportion of fertilizing components. Due to the low content of nutrients in foundry waste, it is recommended that it is used as a structural component mixed with other additives, such as sewage sludge or compost. The paper presents the results of research on the content of pollutants and the assessment of the biotoxicity of foundry waste. Based on the analyzed literature reports and own research, it was found that the use of foundry waste for non-industrial purposes, such as the production of artificial horticultural substrates, soilless substrates and artificial soils (Technosols), should be preceded by numerous studies to confirm the absence of negative impacts on the environment and human health.

The aim of the study was fractionation of Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb in the bottom sediments of two small reservoirs: at Krempna on the Wisłoka River and at Zcslwicc on the Dlubnia River. The partitioning of metals for various fractions was performed with the use of Tessier's sequential chemical extraction method. All together five metal fractions were distinguished: exchangeable metals (fraction I), metals bound to carbonates (fraction II), metals bound to hydrate Fe-Mn oxides (fraction III), metals bound to organic matter (fraction IV), and metals bound to minerals (fraction V). The largest quantities of metals were bound with fraction V, the smallest occurred in the forms most easily available for living organisms, in faction I. Proportions ofZn, Ni and Pb in the exchangeable fraction were about 1%. The amounts of metals bound with fraction II were also relatively low, except lor Zn in bottom sediment at the Zeslawice Reservoir. In this bottom sediment the share of Zn bound to carbonates was 33%. Medium metal quantities were associated with hydrate Fe-Mn oxides (fraction III) and with organic matter (fraction IV). Relatively high proportion ofmetals in fraction V and trace amounts ofmetals in fraction I as well as alkaline and neutral reaction of the sediments may prove a potentially low hazard of the metal release in the case of chemical changes in the reservoirs.

In result of a lew years' investigations or silting of small water reservoirs located in South Poland, intensity ofthe silting process as well as the granulometrie and chemical composition ofbottorn sediments were evaluated. The content of heavy metals i.e. copper, lead and cadmium was determined in samples collected in various parts or five small water reservoirs. The content of heavy metals was appraised according to the regulation of the Minister of Environment, according to the criteria or Polish Geological Institute, of Inspection lor Environmental Protection, of Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, and according to the Muller's method. The obtained results or determination of the examined heavy metals concentrations were compared with the values or reservoir and river sediment concentrations determined by other authors in Europe. Appraisal or sill quality, respectively to the adopted criteria, showed only an insignificant degree of pollution. Concentrations ofmicroclemcnts do not exceed the toxic concentrations for soils and environment bul may have a harmful influence on living organisms. Recording of changes or heavy metal pollution during many years' operation or small water reservoirs, considering changes occurring in the basins, requires continuation of investigations. It will enable to record changes or pollution during a longer period or operation or reservoirs, also against the background 01· changes occurring in river basins.

The chief purpose of this study is to investigate the process of adsorption of heavy metals in sands containing microplastics due to aging and bacterial culture. For this purpose, first, the experiment’s conditions were determined by reviewing previous studies and examining the effects of factors on the duration of bacterial culture and UV radiation. Finally, the test conditions were determined as follows: 25 g of adsorbent in 250 ml solution containing 50 mg/l of lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, chromium, and nickel, 750 micrograms of microplastic, bacterial culture time two days, aging time with UV light 14 days. Results of the study show that the addition of virgin microplastics has little effected on increasing the adsorbent strength, except in the case of nickel whichreduces adsorption strength. The aging process increases the absorption of all studied metals by up to 60%. Bacterial culture without an aging process reduces the absorption of nickel and cadmium. Simultaneous use of bacterial culture and aging increases the adsorption power by up to 80% for all metals.

The goal of the study was to determine the risk posed to soil, groundwater and plants by the application of sewage sludge from a mechanical-biological wastewater treatment plant of nominal capacity of 46 000 m3/d. as fertilizer. Soil samples were collected from an agricultural and vegetable production farm. The leaching experiment was carried out in PCV lizymeters (with percolation water outlet). With respect to the chemistry and biology, the analyzed sludge meets the standards set up for sludge used for agricultural purposes. After 8, 16 and 24 weeks of simulated leaching with atmospheric precipitation, the lecheate from lizymeters showed changes in pH (increasing tendency), electrolytic conductivity (decreasing tendency) as well as slightly lowering content of heavy metals. Heavy metal speciation in sewage sludge showed that they occur in forms of compounds sparingly releasable to the soil solution (fractions III, IV, V). The analysis of sequential chemical extraction carried out in soil with applied sewage sludge, after 24 weeks treatment with simulated atmospheric precipitation doses showed similar heavy metal occurrence tendency as in the case of pure sludge. The total heavy metal content in fractions I-III amounted from 18,6% for Cr to 44,8% for Zn. The remaining content of heavy metals was basically bound with fraction V, which is completely unavailable for plants.

This study focused on the effect of heavy metal cobalt ions (at concentrations of 1–1000 ppm) on the development and enzymatic activity of four entomopathogenic fungi: Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria brongniartii, Isaria fumosorosea and Metarhizium robertsii, commonly used in biological plant protection. It was found that each of the tested species of fungi reacted individually to contact with the Co2+ ions at their various concentrations. Depending on the variants of the experiment carried out, there were changes in the development of the mycelia (mainly growth inhibition) and their morphological features (color and structure) in comparison to the control samples. Co2+ ions had a fungistatic effect on all fungal strains, whereas a fungicidal effect was noted at concentrations of 750 ppm and 1000 ppm against M. robertsii and I. fumosorosea, respectively. In addition, there was a discrepancy in enzymatic activity between the tested fungal species developing in the medium with varying concentrations of metal salt. The inhibitory effect of Co2+ ions on lipase production was observed in I. fumosorosea. Protease production was stimulated in B. bassiana at all Co2+ concentrations, whereas in M. robertsii this effect was noted at 1 ppm. The changing dynamics of extracellular fungal hydrolases, due to the action of Co2+ ions, may translate into the role of these microorganisms in the processes of insect pathogenesis. This work suggests that severe pollution of the environment by cobalt could be a restrictive factor for the development and pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi and must be taken into account for their successful application in biological plant protection.

The results of research on the role of water mass movements arising as a result of anthropoprcsion, in heavy metals arrangement in sediments have been presented on the example of dam reservoir in Rybnik. The carried out thermo-visual measurements of the thermally polluted Rybnik dam-reservoir revealed spatial diversification of water temperature. The zones of diverse dynamics of water mass movements have been shown, including the zone of intensive water flow and the zone of stagnation. [t has been proved that the values of these concentrations arc strongly diverse in space. This is the result of the cutrophication grade, bioaccumulation process, and anthropomixtion. As a result of specific water movement, which transports biomass inside the ecosystem, the zone, developed in which the transfer of heavy metals to the sediments is intensified. This zone of about 150 ha in area was located. The maximum concentrations of metals described in this area arc: for cadmium - 30 mg/kg, for nickel - 55 mg/kg, for chromium - 130 mg/kg, for lead - 160 mg/kg, for copper - 1 000 mg/kg, for zinc - 1300 mg/kg. In the case ofmobile fractions, potentially capable of freeing themselves from sediments the concentration values are: for cadmium - 14 mg/kg, for nickel - 15 mg/kg, for chromium - 4 mg/kg, for lead - 8 mg/kg, for copper - 100 mg/kg, for zinc - 600 mg/kg. The participation ofmobile fractions of metals in their total quantity was: for zinc - 46%, for cadmium - 46%, for nickel - 27%, for copper - 10%, for lead- 5%, for chromium - 3%. The relationship between the total concentrations of metals likewise their mobile forms and the content of organic matter in sediments, points to the role ofbiomass of plankton organisms and detritus as bio-sorbcnt in the process of transporting and transferring metals from water to sediments. With reference to water mass dislocation effect inside the reservoir under the influence of anthropogenic factor, in the situation when this factor is stronger than the factors which cause natural water movements, author suggests using the term anthropomixion.

An attempt was made to determine the correlation between the granulometric structure of bottom sediments and the content of speciation forms of phosphorus and selected metals. Using the sedimentation method, the bottom sediments of a thermally contaminated dam reservoir were divided into fast and slow-draining fractions. Measurements of granulometric composition were made, determining the volume proportions of sediment particles in the range of 0.1 m to 650 m. Particle share sizes were determined in the size range: 0.1–50 m (F1), 50–100 m (F2), 100–200 m (F3), 200–400 m. (F4). The study showed that the content of speciation forms of phosphorus and selected metals remains related to the granulometric structure of bottom sediments. The content of organic matter in sediments is determined by the proportion of the smallest particles, from 0.1 to 50 μm, at the same time these particles most strongly aff ect the reduction conditions of sediments. According to Gilford›s correlation thresholds, there was no correlation between the proportion of sediment particles with dimensions of 0.1–50 μm and the concentration of speciation forms of phosphorus. For particles with dimensions of 50–100 μm, the strongest correlation was observed for the concentration of the EP fraction and for the WDP fraction (r2 = 0.4048, r2 = 0.3636). A strong correlation between the size of sediment particles and the concentration of speciated forms of phosphorus was noted for particles with dimensions of 100–200 μm and 200–400 μm. The coeffi cient of determination was for AAP, EP, WDP and RDP, respectively: 0.8292, 0.891, 0.7934, 0.47. The relationship between particles in the 0.1–50 m range and iron (Fe) concentration, R2 – 0.3792, aluminum (Al) R– 0.3208, and zinc (Zn) R2 – 0.4608, was classifi ed as medium. For particles in the 50–100 m range, a medium correlation with calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations is apparent, R2 0.4443 and 0.3818, respectively. For particles 100–200 mm and 200–400 mm, an almost full correlation is noted for iron (Fe) R2 – 0.9835, aluminum (Al) R2 – 0.9878, calcium (Ca) R2 – 0. 824, very strong for manganese (Mn) R2 – 0.6817, and zinc (Zn) R2 – 0.7343. There is a very strong correlation between the concentration of the AAP fraction with the concentration of iron (Fe) R2 – 0.8694 and a strong correlation between the concentration of EP with the concentration of iron (Fe) R2 – 0.609. There is a strong correlation between the concentration of the AAP and EP fractions with the concentration of aluminum (Al) R2 – 0. 6253 and 0.8327. The concentration of AAP and EP fractions with the concentration of calcium (Ca) R2 – 0.5941 and 0.7576 remains in a strong relationship. The correlation between the concentration of RDP fractions and the concentration of magnesium (Mg) and manganese (Mn) remains in a medium relationship. The concentration of the EP fraction (Olsen-P) is in a strong relationship with the concentration of organic matter (R2 –.0.6763). No correlation was found between the concentration of the residuum form and the concentrations of organic matter, iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al). A medium correlation was found between the concentration of the residuum form and the concentration of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) – R2 = 0.4206 and zinc (Zn).

Phosphogypsum (PG) – a waste material generated in enormous amounts, accumulates a wide range of pollutants and thus represents a major environmental problem. Among the proposed potential strategies for PG management, none has been implemented on a large scale up to date. At the same time, the rapid depletion of phosphorite resources, used to manufacture most commercial phosphorus (P) fertilizers, poses unprecedented challenges for future agriculture and environmental protection. The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of using PG as a source of P for fertilizing plants. The effect of PG fertilization on the dry mass accumulation, P and sulphur (S) contents in soil and in the above-ground parts of plants, as well as on the level of heavy metal contaminations, were studied in the experimental model consisted of 12 genotypes of three lupine species – Lupinus angustifolius, Lupinus albus and Lupinus luteus. The PG application increased the content of both the available and active P in the soil. The increased P bioavailability resulted in an elevated uptake and intracellular content of this nutrient in the studied plant species in a dose- and variety-dependent manner. The heavy metals present in the waste did not affect their accumulation in the plants. The results indicate the possibility of using P forms present in PG as an alternative source of this component in plant nutrition, at the same time allowing elimination of the waste deposited on huge areas, which will certainly contribute to improving the quality of the environment.