The article presents the results of macrophyte research of the Góreckie Lake basing of the Macrophyte Ecological Status Index (ESMI). The field survey were done twice – in July 2013 and 2019 at the time of optimum vegetation. According to the methodology, filed survey were conducted by the 16 representative transects, with a width of at least 30 meters. The ecological conditions of the lake significantly improved in 2019, which is confirmed the higher value of the ESMI index, and the lake changed its ecological status from moderate to good. The positive changes evidenced by the intensive development of submerged vegetation and increased values of diversity and colonization the phytolitoral by elodeids. The results on the depth of occurrence of plant growth, confirms a gradual recovery teams macrophytes in the lake due to the increase in water transparency.
The development of satellite technologies for observing the earth’s surface creates the possibility of implementing modern tools for surface waters quality monitoring. This article presents the results of the research aimed at developing an automated method for assessment of the eutrophication of inland waters. The advantages and limitations of the technology were analyzed and the potential possibilities of its application were described. The basic indicator of the trophic state of surface waters is the concentration of chlorophyll-a in the water. As result of the research, a strong relationship was obtained between the chlorophyll-a concentration values determined on the basis of standard measurement methods, and the chlorophyll-a values calculated on the basis of satellite spectral data. The functionalities of the developed software for automated measuring eutrophication of inland water using temote sensing were also presented. Despite a number of limitations of the technology, high application potential of the solution has been demonstrated.
In the following text the memory of Professor Jan Siuta included, founder and long-time President of the Polish Society of Ecological Engineering (PTIE), supporting the activities of local branches, among others, the South-Eastern Branch of PTIE in Rzeszów. The Polish Journal for Sustainable Development scientific journal was recalled, which for over 20 years, until recently with the participation of the Professor in the Scientific Committee, has been promoting ecological engineering and sustainable development. Meetings of Professor Jan Siuta in the academic center in Rzeszów were also exposed.
White mulberry Morus alba L. is a tree from the Moraceae family, which originated in East Asia and came to Europe in the mid-12th century. The greatest level of interest in the cultivation of white mulberry was observed in the 18th and 19th century and the oldest preserved mulberry alleys in Fore-Pomerania and Western Pomerania originate from this period. The greatest accomplishments in promoting this species in Prussia should be attributed to German Emperor Frederick II. In the last century, the interest in mulberry has significantly declined and, due to its average ornamental qualities, it is less and less common in green areas. The longest national white mulberry alley, consisting of 31 specimens, stretches over 800 meters.
The article presents the problem of the occurrence of an urban heat island. This phenomenon was observed for the Bielsko-Biała area on the basis of data on spatial distribution of air temperatures obtained in 2015. To carry out the planned research, maps of spatial distribution of air temperatures – averaged over the year, as well as for the summer and winter period – were made. Additionally, for selected districts of Bielsko-Biała the occurrence of thermal weather types was recognized and the duration of thermal seasons was determined. As a result of the works carried out, air temperature differences (reaching 3.4°C) were found in the studied area on an annual scale. Moreover, the differentiation in duration of thermal weather types and thermal seasons was confirmed. The data obtained made itpossible to determine the area of the urban heat island.
The profile of Professor Jan Siuta, the founder and long-time Editor-in-Chief of the “Inżynieria Ekologiczna” journal, was presented. His biography and legacy are outlined, but the main focus is on his passion for promoting ecological engineering as a field of knowledge. Against the background of his numerous activities and achievements, efforts were made to show what human he was and how much influence he had on many of his students and colleagues. He was the inspirer of many ideas, a disinterested opinion-maker, at the same time critical and favorably, fully committed, and extremely diligent in achieving the set goals. He left many followers of his life achievements; proud that they had the honor of being his friends.
One of the basic tools for the protection of resources flowing from the catchment area is mindful, needed to use technical functions enabling retention playback. The aim of the work was to design drainage systems by building a system called “Green-blue” solutions. The research part of the work contains a draft concept for drainage of a single-family housing area located in Bielsko-Biała, by using two solutions: reservoirs for the economic use of water and retention and infiltration systems (rain garden, absorbent hummock). Both systems were connected with each other and created an extensive system. For the purposes of the study, the amounts of rainwater were calculated (according to the Błaszczyk model and based on local rainfall data), soil and water conditions were determined, tanks for the economic use of rainwater were designed (according to German guidelines – DIN 1989-1: 2002-04) and dimensioned retention and infiltration devices according to German standard (DWA-A 138). The analysis of reservoir operation (with volumes 3, 4 and 5 m3) under real rain load (local data) and Błaszczyk model rainfall were also performed.
The aim of this research was analysis of the species composition and planktonic algae biomass in the post-mining water ponds. These ponds are located in Kozy in the area of the closed quarry (it was closed in 1994) on the slopes of the Small Beskid. In the closed quarry there was once a sandstone mine. The analyses of these reservoirs water were conducted during the vegetation season in 2018 year, in monthly intervals. The chlorophyll a concentrations were measured using a spectrophotometer, while the phytoplankton biomass was calculated by comparing the shape of algae to geometrical figures and calculating the volume. The chosen chemical parameters (i. a. phosphates, pH and conductivity) were also determined. The values of the planktonic algae biomass and the chlorophyll a concentrations were low. In these ponds the typical algae for oligotrophic water were observed (Pinnularia Ehrenberg, Achnanthes lanceolata (Brébisson ex Kützing) Grun. in Cl. & Grun.), but there were also periodically the species characteristic for gently eutrophic water (Nitzschia acicularis (Kützing) W. Smith).
The paper presents the results of vegetation research carried out in the Base Station of Integrated Monitoring of Natural Environment area in Szymbark. In order to assess the dynamic trends of the distinguished plant communities phytosociological data from 1995 and 2011 were compared. The DCA analysis and the multivariate PERMANOVA analysis of variance showed no statistically significant differences in the species composition of the compared phytocoenoses in the period 1995–2011. Using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, statistically significant differences were noted in the mean values of species richness and the Pielou species homogeneity index. The greatest transformations in the structure were found in the Arrenatheretum elatioris association, which results from the high sensitivity of this phytocoenosis to changes in environmental parameters and the way of use.
The article presents the problem of environmental fees stipulated in the provisions of Geological and Mining Law. It has been pointed out that they are an example of implementing the “polluter pays” principle, the application of which should be related to the criterion of the environmental cost of business activity. The discussed regulations constitute a specific legal and financial instrument for environmental protection according to the subject of business activity minerals, which under the Act are treated as the so-called mining property, vested ex lege in the State Treasury. The role and importance of the licence as a necessary condition for running a business in the discussed scope has been emphasized. Additionally, the legal institutions in charge of the increased and additional fees have been characterized, and their sanctioning nature emphasized. There is no doubt that the described legal regulations and the charges paid on their basis contribute to the economic use of environmental resources.
There is a growing interest in using reservoirs for the economic use of rainwater for watering gardens. The tank is to capture as well as temporarily hold rainwater from the drain pipe, cleaned of solids thanks to the filter. The size of the tank depends on the roof surface from which rainwater is drained, reduced by the runoff factor. The tank should be equipped with an emergency overflow, which will drain excess water. The methods used to calculate the capacity of a rainwater tank so-far (so-called tank size calculators) are too simplistic and do not take into account the way of irrigation and the type of soil. The article presents a more accurate way of determining the demand for water for watering the garden according to the German standard DIN 1989-1: 2002-04.
The article presents nationwide environmental monitoring systems related to the ground environment. The first system is the monitoring of chemical properties of arable soil, aiming to estimate the quality of agricultural soils in Poland. Totally 216 points are being monitored. The problem is mainly soil acidification and a deficiency of available phosphorus. The second one is monitoring of agricultural drought. It is based on the determination of the climate water balance in connection with soil retention capacity. When a drought is confirmed it entitles to receive state financial assistance. The third system is the landslides monitoring, which mainly concerns the area of the Polish Carpathians. The areas endangered by ground movements are indicated, and within landslides surface of ground displacements (GPS measurements) and deep movements (inclinometric measurements ) are analyzed. The scope of each monitoring was reviewed, as well as numerous methodological information was given. The attention was paid to practical aspects of the monitoring activities. The results of each monitoring are available to be public message in varying degrees, which makes it possible to discuss them.
Increasing requirements of wastewater treatments and the development of wastewater treatment and sewage sludge systems cause a significant increase in the demand for electricity and heat. An alternative way to obtain cheap energy is to use biogas produced in the anaerobic digestion process from sewage sludge. The paper presents an analysis of sewage sludge and biogas-energy management at the wastewater treatment plant in Opole in the aspect of obtaining biogas and its use for electricity production. The biogas-energy system was functioning properly in 2017–2019. A total of 7.26 GWh of electricity was produced from biogas in two power generators, which allowed to cover nearly 35% of the demand for electricity.
Pedunculate oaks of Quercus robur L. are the most magnificent trees in Poland, which occur in their natural range. According to various sources, the circumference of the trunks of the thickest trees measured at breast height may exceed 1000 cm. Oaks of impressive sizes were often presented in the scientific and popular science literature primarily due to their size, but also cultural and historical value. Studies of this type most often referred to the most impressive specimen of this species on the national scale. In reference to Western Pomerania, there is no scientific study on the largest specimen in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, which is a natural occurrence of this species. Research carried out in 2017-2018 is an attempt to systematize knowledge in this area on the regional scale and has been carried out on a group of trees that are the most impressive in terms of the circumference measured at breast height. The analysis included a detailed description of dendrological parameters and an assessment of the health status according to the scales used in modern dendrology. Information from historical sources was also included. The study covered 12 copies of pedunculate oak Quercus robur L.
The article presents the results of hydromorphological research of the Warta river basing of the Hydromorphological Index for Rivers (HIR). The HIR index considered as well as two components of this mutimetrix: hydromorphological diversity index (WRH) and modification transformation index (WPH).Field surveys were carried out in 2017-2018 on 49 survey sites of the Warta River. Studies have shown the diversification of the hydromorphological state of the river. Hydromorphological state of the surveyed sites from very good to bad was found. Good hydromorphological status (26 sites), for the most frequent category, followed by very good (10) and moderate (7). Poor conditions were detected for 5 sites and bad for one only. Statistically significant relationships were also found between the land use of the bank zone, and hydromorphological indices – HIR, WRH and WPH. The best hydromorphological conditions were found in semi-natural and agricultural areas. However, various forms of anthropopressure, with particular emphasis on urbanization, were factors significantly worsening the hydromorphological conditions. A higher degree of hydromorphological degradation was revealed in the lower course of the river comparing with the higher course of the Warta. Keyword: hydromorphological diversity, lowland river, anthropopressure, hydromorphology, HIR Inżynieria Ekologiczna Ecological Engineering Volume 21, Issue 2, June 2020, pages 15–25 https://doi.org/10.12912/23920629/122656 Received: 2020.04.08
The purpose of the article is to present the legal aspects of air protection in force in Poland and European Union countries with particular emphasis on odor nuisance. It lets you see how difficult it is to clearly define this problem in law. The work includes legal acts, arrangements (public consultations), executive acts in Poland and European Union countries regarding air protection, with particular emphasis on odor nuisance. The work refers to European Union directives, European Parliament directives, European Council decisions which set out the rights in the field of air quality and air quality management, as well as legal acts, findings, guidelines, and decisions of relevant bodies dealing with air protection in selected European Union countries and in Poland. Comparing the provisions in force in the European Union, EU countries and in Poland, it can be concluded that the European Union does not set specific, uniform provisions regarding odor nuisance, i.e. a law or regulation that would typically address this problem. Directives on air emissions have been created. The European Union has allowed countries to adapt the rules themselves at local level (i.e. each EU country according to their own research, analyzes).
The article analyzes the impact of fuel type and heating device on the quality of atmospheric air in an area including 15 emitters characteristic for single-family households. The air quality analysis was conducted by calculating the concentrations of dust and gas pollutants in the atmosphere at various distances from the emitters. Dust and gas pollutants emitted as a result of heating single-family houses and heating utility water were taken into account: suspended dust PM10, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide. Eight variants of the device were used, fired with gaseous, solid and liquid fuels, in older and modern versions. The Ek100w program from Atmoterm was used to calculate the immission of pollutants. Calculations have shown that the maximum SO2 immission is 963 times lower in the case of natural gas combustion in modern boilers than when firing with "eco-pea coal", the maximum NO2 immunity caused by the use of modern heating devices is lower in the case of natural gas combustion in modern boilers than with "eco-pea coal" almost 5 times, while the maximum emission of PM10 dust is about 1283-fold lower in the case of natural gas combustion in modern boilers than when using "eco-pea" coal.
The use of chemical-thermal disintegration method of activated sludge against anaerobic stabilization contributes to the intensification of the decomposition of organic compounds and the increase of the efficiency of the whole process. The paper presents the results of research on the impact of the hybrid disintegration method, using alkalization (pH ≈ 9) and freezing / thawing with dry ice (dry ice volume 1: 0.75) on the activated sludge properties and the mesophilic fermentation process. As a result of the conducted tests, it was found that for the raw sludge the COD value constituted on average 100 mg/dm3 and the chemical-thermal pretreatment of sludge resulted in an increase of COD value to 1890 mg/dm3. The use of this method of sludge destruction and then them introduction to the fermentation reactors influenced, depending on its volume, on biogas production and biogas yield. The highest increase in biogas production – 2.933 dm3 (better production by 15.2% in comparison to raw sample) was recorded for the sample with addition of 50% of hybrid disintegrated sludge. The highest yield of biogas was achieved in the sample with addition of 30% of hybrid disintegrated sludge – 0.482 dm3/gdry organic matter removed. The hybrid process of disintegration is easy and simple to implementation in a full technical scale, and moreover, it does not affect on the pH value of sludge introduced into digestion chambers (dry ice neutralizes previously alkaline sludge).
The aim of the work is to show the method of accelerated restoration of the degraded territory of industrial sites of liquidated mines with simultaneous purification of pumped mine waters. The paper proposes an improvement of the method of accelerated recovery of the degraded territory of industrial sites of abandoned mines with simultaneous purification of pumped mine waters through the use of an airlift unit that will allow to regulate the temperature of the water produced from the heat exchangers. The depth of placement of the airlift installation was determined by calculation. In order to maintain the temperature of the water in the bioplate system in winter at the level of 10–12 °C, mine water having a temperature of 34 °C must be supplied from the lower trunk of the airlift located at a depth of 800 m. To cool the water in the bioplato system to 25 °C in summer, the mine water with a temperature of about 13 C must be pumped out from the top of the shaft of the airlift to a depth of 120 m.
STRESZCZENIEW pracy przedstawiono relacje między ilością fauny glebowej w zróżnicowaniu roślinności na zwałach pogórniczych.Dotychczas, badacze wiele uwagi poświęcali rozwojowi i zróżnicowaniu zespołów roślinnych na terenach poprzemysłowych uwzględniając
