Out of three light soils of various parameters were isolated bacteria's, actinomycetes and fungi. Using those, autovaccines were prepared, individually for each of them. Then, in laboratory soil-conditions were given autovaccines and during incubation, samples were being taken, in which the content of biomass of living microorganisms were determined. The largest amount of biomass of living microorganisms was found in the soil from Stuchowo, the lowest in the soil from Swierzno. During the incubation of soils in the laboratory, the amount of biomass of living microorganisms decreased in soils from Stuchowo and Swierzno, while it increased in the soil from Kepica. Bioaugmentation resulted in a statistically significant increase in the amount of biomass of living microorganisms in all soils tested, reaching up to 30 % compared to non-vaccinated soil. The increase was the highest in the soil from Stuchowo and then in the decreasing order in the soils from Kepica and Swierzno.
Changes in the automotive industry to bring more electric and hybrid cars to market have a significant impact on the type of heating and cooling systems for vehicles. The work done so far in this area shows the considerable impact of these systems on vehicle coverage. This is due, among other things, to the fact that air conditioning systems in electric and hybrid cars have additional tasks, such as keeping the battery temperature at the right temperature. Studies also show that heating and cooling systems based on heat pump systems have the highest efficiency. The development of such systems, however, depends on a properly planned test phase under widely varying boundary conditions. Such research allows to limit the negative impact of heating and cooling systems on the range of electric cars under real operating conditions and can contribute significantly to the popularity of electric vehicles. The aim of this work is to develop a test bench concept for testing heat pumps used in electric vehicles. The impact of the assumed boundary conditions on individual system components is presented. On the basis of two examples of test stands, a critical assessment of the effectiveness of the applied methodology was made. Differences in individual systems were indicated, and the own concept of the test bench for testing heat pumps for variable input parameters was presented.
The aim of the research was to obtain extracts of Humulus lupulus L hop cones of the Marynka variety and to evaluate their antibacterial properties against three strains of gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 10536, E. coli IPS and Pseudomonas ueruginosa ATCC 27853) and against two strains of gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus hirae ATCC 10541 and Bacillus cereus ATCC 12826). The research material consisted of dried Marynka variety hop cones, from which extracts in the form essential oil (EO), infusion and decoction were obtained. EO was obtained in the process of hydrodistillation. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was evaluated by the plate-cylinder diffusion method against the tested gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Diverse antibacterial activity of water extracts of H. lupulus L hop cones of the Marynka variety (essential oil, infusion and decoction) on the tested bacteria was demonstrated, with higher sensitivity of gram-positive than gram-negative bacteria. The highest resistance to hop extracts was demonstrated by P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853. The best antibacterial properties were demonstrated by the essential oil at a concentration of 2.0 %. In the group of gram-positive bacteria. E. hirae ATCC 10541 was more sensitive to EO, and E. coli IPS in the group of gram-negative bacteria. In the case of B. cereus ATCC 12826, the sensitivity to infusions and decoctions of hop cones requires further investigation, as the obtained large zones of growth inhibition were unstable.
One of the ways to increase the efficiency of the decolorization process is the immobilization of biomass. In order to improve the efficiency of the dyes removal, a set of tests were carried out. The immobilized mycelium of the following strains: Pleurotus ostreatus (BWPH), Hypholoma fasciculare (L3) and Pluteus sp. (RSW3) were used to remove dyes from different classes (azo, antraquinone and triphenylmethane dyes). Two types of carriers were used - natural and synthetic. It was shown that the immobilization of the mycelium on the carriers allowed for the complete decolorization but not for all dyes. It was noted that the efficiency of the process depended on the strain, dye and carrier used for immobilization. Strain RSW3 (immobilized on pistachio shell) and RWP17 (immobilized on sponge) removed completely the RBBR anthraquinone dye, and almost all Evans blue. In case of brilliant green almost all dye was removed by strain L3 immobilized on pistachio shell.
The article reveals the outcomes of the research studies related to air polluted with heavy metals in Swietokrzyski National Park. The thalli of Hypogymnia physodes L. were used as the bioindicator in order to conduct the research. The samples of monk's-hood lichen were transplanted from the unpolluted area of north-eastern Poland to the area of Swietokrzyski National Park. The research studies were carried out in the warmer half of 2019. The received outcomes indicated the spatial variability of concentrations in the range of analysed metal deposition patterns in the lichen thalli. The average content of the analysed elements tended to be the highest in the case of iron (1,111 mg . kg(-1) d.m.), zinc (87.7 mg . kg(-1) d.m.) and strontium (27.7 mg . kg(-1) d.m.). The research revealed that the important role in determining the content of heavy metals in the lichen thalli was played by the communication. The highest values were recorded at the sites located in the immediate neighbourhood of the voivodeship roads. It was verified that the content of metals was also influenced by the so-called low emission from the household and welfare sector as well as remote immission.
Chlorination of water belongs to the basic methods of its disinfection and is commonly used, permanently or periodically, as the final stage of water treatment in many water treatment stations in Poland. Although, the chlorination process is a well-known phenomenon, the selection of an appropriate dose of disinfectant is still a difficult task. The lack of chlorine in the water or its excessively low content (below 0.2 mg.dm(-3)) may result in the lack of microbiological protection of water flowing through the pipes. A reverse situation is also unfavourable. The use of too high doses of chlorine at the entrance to the network, on the one hand, ensures adequate disinfectant concentration even in the fittings of the network, on the other hand, it can lead to dangerous for health disinfection by-products (DBPs) including trihalomethanes (THMs). The selection of the proper dose of chlorine should take into account factors affecting its consumption, chemical parameters of water as well as hydraulic parameters of water transport. Such possibilities are available due to application of numerical modelling to study the transport of chlorine in water. The aim of the presented research is to analyse the effectiveness of chlorination of water in a selected water supply network. Simulation tests were carried out for the various doses of disinfectant supplied to the network for the assumed duration of the simulation - 168 hours. The qualitative model was developed in the Epanet 2.0 software using a hydraulic model of the tested network. The first order chlorine decay reaction was assumed to modelling studies, with applied literature values of decay rate of chlorine in water. The results of simulation tests of chlorine transport in the network revealed difficulties in choosing the right dose of chlorine necessary to ensure microbiological protection of water in the network. The forced flow allowed effective disinfection of water.
Biological methods of removal of synthetic dyes are cost effective and environmentally safe but still need improvement. The preliminary studies were focused on possibility of application of the freshwater algae Mougeotia sp. for the removal of synthetic dyes belonging to different chemical groups. Decolorization of water solutions of six dyes from four chemical groups were studied: azo - Evans blue (EB) and Congo red (CR); triphenylmethane (TPM) - brilliant green (BG) and crystal violet (CV); fluorone - bengal rose (BR) and anthraquinone - remazol brilliant blue R (RB). Dyes were used at three concentrations 0.005, 0.025 and 0.05 g/dm(3). The best results of dyes removal were reached in case of both triphenylmethane dyes (BG and CV) and fluorone BR for all used dyes concentrations (97-100 %). Increase of azo dyes concentration was connected with the decrease of the removal efficiency (CR - 68-100 %; EB - 37-87 %). In case of the antraquinone RB the inverse effect was observed and the best removal results were reached at higher dye concentrations. Preliminary results point out the possibility of use Mougeotia sp. in processes of synthetic dyes removal, but further studies are required.
The removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions was investigated using clinoptilolite and phillipsite-chabazite rich tuffs. These minerals were modified using hexadecyltrimethyl - ammonium bromide (HDTMA-Br) and used for Cr(VI) ions removal. The physicochemical characteristics of zeolitic minerals were revealed by XRD, XRF, BET and FT-IR techniques. The uptake capacities of modified zeolites were compared in batch sorption experiments. To predict the sorption isotherms and to determine the characteristic parameters for process design, three isotherm models the Freundlich, the Langmuir, and the Bilangmuir, were applied to experimental data. The data obtained reveal homogeneous Cr(VI) sorption on one kind of active sites on PC-HDTMA surface and heterogeneous sorption on two kinds of active sites on CL-HDTMA surface.
Humic substances are widely applied in many branches of the industry. Their most well-known usage are agricultural and horticultural markets. A popular method of obtaining of mentioned compounds with satisfactory efficiency is an allcaline extraction of them from organic raw materials like peat, leonardite or lignite. The growing use of humic acids preparations is conditioned by improvement of physical. chemical and biological properties of soils. Despite that fact, the use of mineral fertilizers still dominates. Therefore. it seems interesting to produce agents containing both humic substances and traditional fertilizing elements. Such products could be applied as soil improvers. For that reason we have modified the International liumic Substances Society (IHSS) method of humic substances extraction by changing types of extractants and other solutions into solutions of main macroelements (NPK) for plants. The aim of this research was to determine the efficiency of humic acids extraction from polish peat depending on process temperature, its duration and concentration of extractant.
The aim of this research was the analysis of the precipitation variability in the last decade in the region of Wielka Laka reservoir. The daily sums of the precipitation (from 2005 to 2018) were the research material. They were obtained from the Aqua S.A. in Bielsko-Biala. The measurements were carried out according to the standard method using the Hellman pluviometer. In research the precipitation indicators were used, which are commonly applied. They were used to description of the precipitation characteristics. The frequency of days with precipitation at the certain height was determined according to the Olechnowicz-Bobrowskaclassification. The classification of individual years and months in respect of the excess or lack precipitation was conducted based on the Kaczorowska method. In the analysed multi-year period (2005-2018) the dry years prevailed, however the significant regularity wasn't noticed. In the analysed multi-year period the highest rainfall was recorded in 2010 year, when in May the total precipitation was summarised at the 171 mm level. The recorded precipitation accompanied the inflow of air masses in the directions from the east (E) to the northwest (NW).
Ammonium nitrate is the primary component used in the production of ammonium nitrate fertilizers. However, it has certain undesirable physicochemical properties such as hygroscopicity and phase transition at room temperature, which results in an undesirable phenomenon of caking. Caking changes the properties of the fertilizer thereby contributing to material loss. This, in turn, causes economic losses to both the manufacturer and the end-user. Anticaking agents are currently the most effective way to prevent fertilizers from caking. Finished granules of fertilizer are sprayed with anticaking agents in appropriate quantities, depending on the type of fertilizer and the anticaking agent. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of commercial anticaking agents for use with ammonium nitrate fertilizers (Salmag (R) and ZAKsan (R)) and to evaluate the compressive strength of fertilizer granules coated with the anticaking agent. We evaluated a method to test the effectiveness of anticaking agents, which enables the effective selection of appropriate anticaking agents for various types of fertilizers.
Oxy-fuel co-combustion of municipal dried sewage sludge and coal was conducted to observe the combustion characteristics as well as pollutant emissions generated under different oxygen injection rate in oxy-fuel atmosphere in 0.1 MWt CFB reactor. As a feed gas a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide was used. Oxygen concentration in a feed gas varied from 21 % to 30 % per volume. The following blending ratios of sewage sludge to coal were chosen: 50 %, 30 % and 10 %. Flue gas components were on-line measured by a gas analyzer, determining CO2, CO, SO2, SO3, NO2, NO, N2O, NH3, HCN concentrations by non-dispersive infrared absorption. During the study the influence of oxygen concentration in the gas atmosphere and the mass fraction of sewage sludge in the fuel blend on the emission of sulfur and nitrogen compounds in the O-2/CO2 atmosphere with varied proportions of components in the blend were determined. It was found that oxygen concentration in the gas mixture has a significant influence on the process conditions. When the oxygen concentration in the gas mixture increased, the temperature of thermal processing of fuel blends was higher. The proportion of sewage sludge also affected the obtained profiles, which was particularly visible at 21 % oxygen content in the gas mixture. Then the conversion ratios of nitrogen and sulfur contained in blending fuel to NO, NO2, N2O, NH3, HCN, SO2, SO3 and H2S were determined. This paper reports some of the major findings obtained from these research activities.
Synthetic dyes, due to their toxicity and low biodegradability, belong to hazardous and hardly removable contaminants present in environment. Even bigger problems are caused by their mixtures. The aim of the study was the analysis of caused by mixtures of dyes (dyes from various classes) for aquatic organisms and the effectiveness of mixtures removal by strains of basidiomycota fungi. Two-component mixtures consisting of anthraquinone remazol brilliant blue R (RBBR), azo Congo red and triphenylmethane brilliant green (concentration range of mixtures 0.01-0.15 g/dm(3)) were tested. Zootoxicity was tested on Daphnia magna. Three strains of fungi were used: strains BWPH and K4 belonging to the Pleurotus ostreatus species and RWP17 belonging to the Polyporus picipes species. Removal of dyes was analyzed at the wavelengths corresponding to the highest absorbance. It was found that mixtures of dyes are much more toxic to the test organism than single dyes. In decolorization studies with increasing of the concentration of mixture 1 (CK+RBBR), increased removal of colour by BWPH and K4 strains was observed. This mixture was well removed by the RWP17 strain and decolorization efficiency decreased with increasing concentration (from 95 % to 75 %). Removal of mixture 2 (CK + ZB) was very high for Pleurotus strains - increase of the dye concentration caused a decrease in the efficiency of the process (from 100 % to 0%). Studies have showed that the presence of dye mixtures in water is dangerous for organisms and the removal of them is very challenging. Efficiency of the process depends on the mixture composition, concentration and the strain used.
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.
The increase in area of paved surfaces in cities, in relation to the natural permeable areas, results in increased loads of pollutants transported by the storm sewage system directly to the natural receivers. Storm wastewater, as it was reported in literature, in dependence to the type of urbanized basin and manner of drainage, contains significant concentration of pollutants, mainly: Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Nitrogen (TN), Total Phosphorus (TP), heavy metals and oil derivatives. In accordance with the Water Framework Directive, in many European countries, the alternative methods of managing rain sewage are being developed, allowing retention and purification of storm water at the place of its formation. In the case of existing storm swage networks, the numerical analysis of hydraulic conditions and quantitative assessment of transported pollutants may support actions taken to protect the natural ecosystems against the exceeding the permissible concentrations of pollutants. This paper presents the results of modeling of hydraulic parameters and quality conditions of storm wastewater in a selected part of the urban storm sewage system. The USEPA's (United States Environmental Protection Agency) software SWMM 5 was applied to our studies. Three different rainfall events of various intensity and time duration were studied in our research. The conducted simulation tests enabled the analysis of the sewage flow rate, the canals filling height as well as the concentrations and loads of TSS, TP, TN at the outlet from the sewage system to the receiver. The results of the performed calculations showed that in the case of low-intensity rainfall, the unfavorable hydraulic conditions are present in the studied network. At the same time, the occurrence of storm event or extreme rainfall can lead to the flushing of deposits collected at the basin surface as well as at the bottom of pipes and the increase in loads of pollutants transported to the receiver.
The article presents the results of studies carried out within passive biomonitoring, including the assessment of deposition of heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb), which can be found in the local atmospheric aerosol due to communication traffic in A4 motorway near Proszkow (Opole Province). Pleurozium schreberi moss samples collected 120 m away from the motorway along the distance of 3000 m, were used in the study. Wind directions frequency in the area were taken into consideration when selecting the measurement points. Heavy metals were determined with the use of flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS). The study results indicate that communication traffic in A4 motorway influences high content of the selected analytes in its vicinity; the pollution is carried in wind direction along certain distance.
The rapid urbanization resulting in increased area of sealed surfaces distorts the natural water balance of urbanized ecosystems. Thus, the natural infiltration of surface water is reduced and the significant increase in volume surface runoff is being commonly observed. Water of surface runoff is usually collected and redirected by the stormwater systems to the natural surface water reservoirs, including also rivers and lakes, commonly without any treatment. So, a significant environmental threat to water quality posed by surface runoff from urbanized areas is obvious. This paper contains the attempt of numerical assessment of efficiency of six different commercially available substrates for intensive green roof. The numerical modeling of green roof efficiency was performed by the means of the finite elements modeling software FEFLOW, Wasy-DHI. The developed model reflected the cross section of the tested green roof. The required input data for modeling covered the saturated hydraulic conductivity and water retention characteristics and were based on information available in the technical descriptions of the tested substrates. The obtained results showed the diversified performance, due to different volume of retained water under the same boundary conditions, directly related to the properties of green roof filling substrates.
Post-coagulation sludge is a mixture of pollutants removed from water and coagulants, which was added to the water. It has a hydrophilic and colloidal character. It is important to search processes whereby this sludge could be reused or eventually disposed of. The studies of solidification of post-coagulation sludge were carried out. The solidification process consists in the appropriate and rapid mixing the sludge with the material used for solidification in order to ensure the adequate homogenization conditions. The reagent used in solidification absorbs water contained in the sludge as a result of rapid homogenization with the sludge due to hydration, in a strongly exothermic process. The excess water evaporates form the sludge. This reduces the mass and volume of the sludge and leads to the formation of granules. During the tests, quicklime and cement Gorkal 40, Gorkal 50 and Gorkal 70 were used as a solidifying material, in doses of 0.7; 1.4; 2.1; 2.8; 3.5 g/kg TS. During the maturing process of the lime-sludge and cement-sludge mixtures, changes in the total solids concentrations were checked. The obtained test results show that increasing the solidification material dose and extending the maturation time results in a significant increase in the total solids concentration of the mixtures. Changing the structure and consistency of the sludge from plastic to solid gives the possibility to use sludge as a building material, for the reclamation of dumps, hardening roadsides or creating slopes and embankments.
The content of heavy metals in soils is a serious problem, especially in the case of agricultural soils. Metals are entering human body not only with animal and plant products but also through the skin and by inhalation. They can cause poisoning or chronic disease of the body. The aim of the study was to assess the contamination of green areas of the Kielce University of Technology by following metals Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn and Al, due to the location of the university and its campus. The range of tests performed including pH, iodine value, organic carbon, granulometry and metal content indicate the varied and significant pollution and varying degree of soil degradation. The results of the study also show that the analysed soils are formations of equally and varigrained, sand fractions. The lead concentration has been exceeded, in relation to the standards, in the sampling areas impacted by high traffic (point No. 6 located in area of Kielce University of Technology at Millennium PP7 avenue and playgrounds for volleyball).
Road transport is widely recognised to be a significant and increasing source of air pollution. In the next few decades, road transport will remain a significant contributor to air pollution in European cities. According to National Centre for Emissions Management (KOBiZE) carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide (CO2 and CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) and particulate matter have the highest share of emissions from transport in Poland. The aim of the paper was to study trends of concentrations changes of CO, NO2, NOx, O-3, PM10 and PM2.5 in 2010-2015 in selected Polish cities (Poznan, Wroclaw, Krakow, and Warszawa). The analysis of the data showed that European cities have the problem of air pollution by particulate matter (PM). For the CO, NO2, NOx, O-3 acceptable concentrations established for human health are not exceeded. Concentrations of pollutants were higher on the traffic stations. At the same time, the highest concentration of pollutants was found in Krakow. In conclusion, air quality in cities under study was influenced by both transport and geographical location.
