Ashes from Sewage Sludge and Bottom Sediments as a Source of Bioavailable Phosphorus
Phosphorus is an element necessary for the growth of plants. As phosphate rock gets depleted, it becomes an increasingly scarce resource. Therefore, it seems necessary to implement simple methods of cheap and effective phosphorus recovery from waste. The ashes of municipal sewage sludge and bottom sediments constitute particularly valuable sources of phosphorus. However, these materials usually carry significant amounts of pollutants, including heavy metals. Optimization of ash phosphorus sequential extraction methods from a thermal conversion of sewage sludge and bottom sediments allows to select an effective and simple technology of phosphorus recovery, while maintaining low heavy metal p…
The possibilities of using the aspen poplar seeds (Populus tremula L.) for the purpose of removing monoaromatic hydrocarbons from an aqueous solution
Sorption of oil-related products (including mainly the propellants) is the very basic process that counteracts spreading these types of pollution into environment. Plenty of synthetic substances are used as sorbents for binding organic compounds (including the monoaromatic hydrocarbons) both from the surface and underground waters. The aim of this paper is to present results of the research on the possibilities of using the aspen poplar (Populus tremula L.) seeds as a sorbent of monoaromatic hydrocarbons from an aqueous solution. In order to increase sorption capacity, the seeds biomass was submitted for the process of mercerizing in diversified time and temperature in water and the NaOH so…
Potentially toxic elements in fen peatland soils located near lignite-fired power plants in Central Poland
Abstract The Grojec Valley (GV) peatland area in Central Poland is located close to lignite-fired power plants, which could be sources of potentially toxic elements (PTE). The aims of this study are: (1) to determine the effect of the lignite-fired power plants on soil pollution, (2) to evaluate pollution indices and magnetic susceptibility methods for determining the origin and distribution of PTE in soils, and (3) to demonstrate the importance of appropriate geochemical background (GB) selection for pollution studies in peatland soils. In order to comprehensively assess the soil pollution, four pollution indices (calculated using various types of GBs), and the mass-specific magnetic susce…
Magnetic Susceptibility in the Soils Along Communication Routes in the Town of Opole
Magnetic susceptibility measurements were taken in eight selected streets of Opole, with diversified vehicle traffic intensity. The experiment surfaces were marked on every street, with two separate zones: A – a strip directly adjacent to the road and B – a strip 1 m away from the road edge. The carried out research indicated considerable influence of communication-generated pollution, with simultaneous influence of other local emission sources. The relation of magnetic anomalies was indicated, which may be the result of ferromagnetic materials aggregation, originating mainly from combustion processes. The road structure, including the surface condition, the main construction material and s…
Effect of NaCl road salt on the ionic composition of soils and Aesculus hippocastanum L. foliage and leaf damage intensity.
AbstractWe investigated the accumulation of sodium chloride in roadside soils and common horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum L. under urban conditions to evaluate changes in soil and leaf ionic content and their relationship with foliar damage, considering the visual assessment of trees of the same health status. A total of 15 field sites were assessed in late June 2016. The analysis included soil granulometric composition, pH, electrical conductivity, and the content of Cl−, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ ions in soil and foliage samples. The results showed increased salinity and alkalization of roadside soils together with the decreased magnesium content. Foliage samples manifested significant…
The use of mineral materials for salinity control in roadside soils
This paper presents the results of a fi eld study on using mineral materials (fi ne-grained sand and medium- -grained gravel) to reduce the concentration of readily soluble salts in a roadside environment. The investigated soils were Rendzic Sceletic Leptosols from an urban area characterized by a shallow humus horizon with a high content of skeletal parts, as well as a lack of homogeneity of the material in the soil profi le. All soil samples were taken from fi ve plots located along the main streets in the city of Opole (Southern Poland). It was revealed that the use of fi ne-grained sand and medium-grained gravel improved the structure of the surface soil layer, and thusfavoured the migr…
The Influence of Industrial Waste on the Magnetic Properties of Salt-Affected Soils from Two Soda Ash Manufacturing Sites
The aim of this study was to characterize the impact of soda ash manufacturing on the magnetic properties of soils located in the agricultural landscape in north-central Poland. Two study sites were chosen: Mątwy (SM) and Janikowo (SJ). Highly saline soils with halophyte communities were selected in order to develop an understanding of the relationship between salinization of water–soil interface and the potential contamination risk of the environment. Basic chemical and physicochemical properties of topsoil (0–25 cm) and water (surface and groundwater) samples from five locations were characterized. The characteristics of soil contamination were based on the content of sel…