One of the problems connected with wastewater treatment by the photocatalytic method in the presence of TiO2 suspension is necessity of the later catalyst separation. The method proposed by us for this purpose, consists in the usage of coagulation of TiO2 suspension with the aid of FeCl3, particularly in the cases when addition of the salt is used in order to intensification of the photocatalytic process. The effects of the TiO2 separation were studied from the mixtures, after photocatalytic Acid Orange 7 degradation, with dosage of FeCl3 at different stages of the process. The coagulation was carried out at different pH values as well as different FeCl3 concentrations. It was stated that nearly 100% of separation and simultaneously, nearly 100% of decolouration of the examined Acid Orange 7 solutions after their illumination in the presence of TiO2/FeCl3 and coagulation which was produced only by increasing of pH of the obtained mixtures, were nearly possible.

We observed, both in the leaves and roots of the vegetables examined, that the concentration of fluoride was in each case higher in vegetable samples in Losien, 6 km from the "Katowice" Steel Works (fluorine emitters), than in the vegetable samples grown in Nowy Sacz, 200 km from the "Katowice" Steel Works (in the area of relatively low fluorine pollution). The highest F content was characteristic of beet (Beta vulgaris) leaves and root samples, the lower one was found in celery (Apium graveolens) leaves and root samples and the lowest one in savoy (Brassica oleracea) leaf samples. The highest and lowest F concentrations in the leaf samples examined was c.a. 33 mg/kg D.W. (beet leaves from Losien of 1995) and c.a. I I mg/kg D.W. (savoy leaves from Nowy Sacz of 1996). Moreover, it was found that the observed growth of F- concentration in the savoy leaf samples, both from Losien and Nowy Sacz, correlated with an increase of nitrogen concentration in them.

The study concerned decolouration of solutions of azo, anionic (Acid Orange 7, Reactive Red 45, Acid Yellow 23) and cationic (Basic Blue 41 and Basic Orange 66) dyes during illumination with UV (lambdamax 366 nm) irradiation in the presence of TiO2 and FeCl3. The process of decolouration during illumination of the solutions studied containing FeCl3 underwent significant intensification in the case of anionic dyes and unfavourable inhibition in case of cationic dyes. It was also observed that FeCl3 had a diverse influence on the adsorption of the dyes studied on TiO2. The adsorption of anionic dyes and decolouration of solutions before the illumination was observed only in the presence of FeCl3. In case of cationic dyes the addition of FeCl3 caused elimination of these phenomena. An additional cause of decolouration of anionic dyes solutions before illumination was the precipitation of their poorly soluble compounds from Fe3+. The processes of degradation and mineralization of the dye that accompanied decolouration of Acid Orange 7 solutions were also observed. It was stated that similarly to the case of Acid Orange 7, the decolouration of the studied anionic dyes' solutions can depend on the concentration of FeCl3, the amount of TiO2 and the initial concentration of the dye in its solution.

BCF1 (bioconcentration factor after the one day of exposition) value of BaP [benzo(a)pyrene] in strain A-8, Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck 1890 (Chlorella BB) was studied. The algae were cultured in a modified Kiihl-Lorentzen liquid medium at room temperature, under continuous illumination and stirring for 24 hours. The final average value of BCF, equalled 2100 ± 140 for BaP initial concentrations in the range from 0.005 to 0.5 µg/cm 3 in the culture medium. Statistical analysis of the results revealed independence of the bioconcentration factor from initial concentration of BaP. The BaP amount determined in the samples after the experiment differed markedly from the initial amount introduced to the mediums.

One hundred and fifteen fungi from different physio-ecological groups were compared for their capacity to decolourize two structurally different dyes in agar plates. We found that the azo dye, Acid Red 183, was much more resistant to decolourization by the examined strains in both solid and liquid cultures. Among the tested fungi, 69 strains showed decolourization of the anthraquinonic dye, Basic Blue 22, within 5–14 days, and only 16 strains were able to decolourize the azo dye, Acid Red 183, within 21 days. Furthermore, the potential of selected strains for decolourization of dyes was examined with regard to their extracellular oxidative factors both enzymatic and non-enzymatic. In static aqueous culture, the three selected fungi (Bjerkandera fumosa, Kuehneromyces mutabilis, and Stropharia rugoso-annulata) formed fungal mats, which did not decolourize any dye beyond some mycelial sorption. In comparison to the static cultures, the agitated cultures (180 rpm) removed 75 to 100% of the colour of Basic Blue 22 and 20 to 100% of Acid Red 183 colour.

There was developed a little-work-consuming and non-expensive microdiffusion method of carboxyhaemoglobin determination in blood, in low range concentration. It can be used in the assessment of passive smokers' exposure to carbon monoxide. The amount of blood necessary for the determination was 0.15 ml. An average precision of the developed method of the carbon monoxide determination (converting into HbCO) for the concentration ranged from 1 to 5%, from 3 to 12% and from 5 to 20% was respectively 5.96, 4.09 and 2.14.

Sixteen visualizing agents, thirteen of which were a group of alkacemetric indicators were used for the detection of selected drugs (being phenolic compounds): adrenaline, dopamine, phenylephrine, metaraminol, fenoterol, and bithionol. Visualizing effects for the drugs investigated after their TLC separation were estimated on silicagel (A), mixture silica gel/kieselguhr (B), and on polyamide (C). The best separations and the most positive visualising effects were obtained on adsorbent A, and the least on absorbent C. On adsorbent A, the most profitable detectability equal to 100 ng, was obtained also for adrenaline, dopamine and fenoterol with the application of basic solution of bromocresol green and brilliant cresyl blue as visualizing agents.

A method of generation and quantitative collection of main and side streams (MS and SS) of cigarette smoke and a method of chromatographic determination of carbon monoxide contained in these cigarette smoke streams were developed. Applying a smoke cigarette simulator and a system of collection of the total amount of MS and SS, conditions have been ensured in accordance with the ISO standard, allowing at the same time multiple analysis of components of collected smoke. Gas Chromatography with of Carbosieve II stationary phase satisfies a criteria for quantitative analysis of CO in the gaseous mixtures of MS collected in applied system. The precision of the method is 3.7%.

Phenols constitute an important toxic component of the main stream (MS) of cigarette smoke. The content of volatile fraction of that group of compounds in MS depends on the tobacco type and conditions in which cigarettes are smoked, as well as on the filters applied. The purpose of the research was to determine the content of volatile in steam phenols in the MS of selected brands of cigarettes produces in Poland, as well as imported ones, and the assessment of the toxicity of doses of the phenols that smokers were exposed to. Cigarettes conditioned in constant humidity were smoked in standard conditions in the simulator of smoking, designed by the authors, while MS was absorbed in Zaitcev washers, filled with methanol. The absorbed phenols were distilled in steam and extracted with ethyl acetate. Then the phenols were separated by the method of overpressure thin-layer chromatography on DC Alufolien Polyamid 11F254 Merck chromatoplates, in the developing system chloroform-methanol 99:1 v/v, were induced with sodium diazofluoroborate, and after eultuion the separated phenol, and o-cresol were determined, as well as the non-separated mixture of p- and m-cresols, by the spectrophotometric method. The determined contents of phenols in MS were assessed regarding their toxicity applying the criteria of environmental exposure. When calculating the results, the efficiencies of the applied in the analytical procedures processes of absorption, distillation and extraction of the investigated phenols previously determined experimentally, were taken into consideration. The content of determined compounds in the brands of the cigarettes examined was in the case of phenols, changing within the range from 41.25 +/- 1.15 to 7.60 +/- 0.93 (the average of 20.31 +/- 9.61 micrograms per cigarette); in the case oo-cresol it was within the range from 28.16 +/- 0.95 to 5.72 +/- 0.53 (the average of 11.56 +/- 6.7), while for the non-separated p- and m-cresols the range was from 21.12 +/- 0.5 to 7.31 +/- 0.45 (the average amounted to 11.48 +/- 4.98 micrograms per cigarette The conclusions of the study were the brands of cigarettes significantly influences the content of the phenols examined in the cigarette smoke the phenols determined coexist in the MS of examined cigarettes in similar proportions the doses of phenols inhaled by a smoker during a day with the MS of examined brands of cigarettes participate essentially in the toxicity of the cigarette smoke and smoking 20 cigarettes a day causes the smoker's organism to be exposed to incomparably larger doses of phenols than those from unpolluted atmospheric air.

SUMMARY: The purpose of this study was to evaluate sulphur incorporation (by 35S sulphate) into glycosaminoglycans (GAG) cultures of isolated cells, pericellular substance and medium, and into glycosaminoglycans present in sulphate fibroblasts with NaF added to the culture. In the study, primary cultures of fibroblasts were used, isolated by tissue trypsinization from mice livers. Fibroblasts were cultured with the addition of NaF ([Fl = 0.116-10 4 M/dm3) and the addition of NaF and [35S]-Na2SO4 (activity 35S = 30 pCi/cm 3). Simultaneously with the experimental cultures, control cultures were also examined. The effect of F" ions on culture growth, protein content in fibroblasts, and their morphometric characteristics were evaluated. Three fractions were isolated from fibroblast cultures: cell, pericellular substance, and medium. From these fractions glycosaminoglycans were isolated. GAG obtained from fibroblasts were electrophoretically separated, resulting in heparan sulphate (HS), dermatan sulphate (DS), and chondroitin sulphates (CS). Even in low concentrations F- ions have a toxic effect on fibroblast cultures. Growth inhibition and decrease in size, accompanied by a change in shape, were observed. Under the same conditions fluoride ions significantly modified incorporation of 35S into fibroblasts and GAG from individual fractions of experimental cultures. Analysis of sulphated GAG content in the fibroblasts showed interference by F- ions, both in their synthesis and metabolism, as well as their diffusion. The results suggest a significant increase in synthesis intensity and/or the degree of DS sulphation and a decrease in the intensity of the process in relation to CS and HS.

10 new visualising agents, among which 8 were alkacymetric indicators, were applied for visualising some monohydroxyphenols. Visualising effects for the phenols were investigated on silica gel on a mixture of silica gel and kieselguhr and on polyamide. Most of the investigated phenols were detected on silica gel, and less on polyamide. The best detectability (from 20 to 100 ng) was obtained for p-nitrophenol (after separation on adsorbents A, B, and C), alpha-naphtol (sorbents A and B), and beta-naphtol (sorbent B). The best and most universal visualising agents for the investigated phenols were bromocresol green, bromothymol blue, and known as redoxymetric indicator brilliant cresyl blue.

In the work, we investigated the adsorption of EDTA, Fe3+ ions, and the Fe(III)EDTA complex in the presence and absence of its components, i.e. non-complexed EDTA or Fe3+ on post-vanillin lignin. The adsorption was conducted during lignin precipitation from neutral solutions with concentrated HCl. Under these conditions, all the investigated substances were adsorbed on lignin, at different compositions of the solutions. The highest, nearly 100% adsorption efficiency was observed in the case of Fe(III)-EDTA, which was adsorbed in the presence of Fe3+ ions. This complex was also well adsorbed from other solutions, often with an efficiency exceeding 90 %. The Fe3+ ions' efficiency was lower and the adsorption of EDTA was the lowest. Analysing the obtained isotherms with Freundlich's and Langmuir's equations and from the point of view proposed by Giles et ai., we stated that the adsorption processes investigated had a physical. character. Good adsorbing properties of lignin in relation to the investigated substances, as well as the physical character of the processes, indicate its possible application to wastewater purification from EDTA and Fe3+ ions, especially in the form of the Fe(III)-EDTA complex. Particularly interesting may be the proposal of EDTA removal after its complexation by addition of a small excess of Fe3+ to the wastewater, which would enable to remove the trace amount of EDTA at a concentration of about 0.0008 mole/dm(3), with 93% efficiency.

Nine species of fungi were tested with respect to their growth in liquid mineral medium with an addition of soluble fraction of post-vanillin lignin (lignin V). The changes of lignin V content as well as laccase activity in medium were determined. The most intensive decay of lignin V was observed in the cultures of Trametes versicolor. In the cultures of this fungus, a better growth of mycelium was observed, higher level of laccase, peroxidase glucose oxidase and superoxide dismutase as compared with control glucose cultures. Also, the amount of free phenolic substances increased periodically. Since the fungi were impossible to grow on lignin V, in the absence of glucose, the conducted experiments indicate some inductive properties of lignin V rather than a possibility of application of this material for mycelium production on large scale.

The here investigated adsorption of some textile dyes on post-vanillin lignin (lignin V) was examined during precipitation of the lignin, Under these conditions, not only the investigated cationic dyes adsorbed, but also the reactive ones, of anionic character. The cationic dyes adsorbed in all cases better than the reactive ones. Depending on the type of dye and equilibrium concentration, the obtained excessive adsorption reached values even up to 1.4 g per 1 g of lignin V, what made adsorb even up to 99.6% of the amount introduced to a sample dye. The determined adsorption isotherms were described with Langmuir' and Freundlich's equations with a close to 100% probability. Both in the case of the reactive dyes, which is obvious because of their anionic character, and in the case of the cationic ones, the investigated adsorption process was of physical type.

Eleven new visualizing agents in the form of thirteen visualizing systems have been applied to detection of selected fatty vitamins (D-2, D-3, A, E) after their separation on adsorption and partition TLC. It was found that more advantageous visualizing effects for all investigated vitamins were obtained on adsorption TLC compared with partition TLC. In adsorption TLC, for majority of investigated visualizing agents, the best limits of detection for investigated vitamins follow the sequence: vitamine E, vitamine A, vitamine D-2 and D-3.