showing 30 related works from this author
Trace elements in native and transplanted Fontinalis antipyretica and Platyhypnidium riparioides from rivers polluted by uranium mining.
2017
The past uranium/polymetallic mining activities in the Sudety (SW Poland) left abandoned mines, pits, and dumps of waste rocks with trace elements and radionuclides which may erode or leach out and create a potential risk for the aquatic ecosystem, among others. In the present work four rivers affected by effluents from such mines were selected to evaluate the application of aquatic mosses for the bioindication of 56 elements. Naturally growing F. antipyretica and P. riparioides were compared with transplanted samples of the same species. The results demonstrate serious pollution of the examined rivers, especially with As, Ba, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ti, U and Zn, reaching extremely high concentrations…
Hydrogen Dark Fermentation for Degradation of Solid andLiquid Food Waste
2021
The constant increase in the amount of food waste accumulating in landfills and discharged into the water reservoirs causes environment pollution and threatens human health. Solid and liquid food wastes include fruit, vegetable, and meat residues, alcohol bard, and sewage from various food enterprises. These products contain high concentrations of biodegradable organic compounds and represent an inexpensive and renewable substrate for the hydrogen fermentation. The goal of the work was to study the efficiency of hydrogen obtaining and decomposition of solid and liquid food waste via fermentation by granular microbial preparation (GMP). The application of GMP improved the efficiency of the d…
Innovation in Study of Physical and Technical Measurements. Czech-Polish Cooperation of Universities / Innowacje Studiów Fizyczne I Techniczne Metody…
2014
Abstract In the Faculty of Science (University of Hradec Králové) the innovative program in chemistry for the study specialization Physico-technical Measurements and Computer Technology was developed. The innovation of chemistry filed study has been focused especially on increase in competitiveness and in graduates employment. Design of innovation enables graduates applying for the position of experts in physical measurements and informatics and at the same time they expand their competence in the service of the physico-chemical instrumentation in industrial ecology. Because Faculty of Science is not equipped yet in expensive instrumentation for nuclear spectrometry, cross-border cooperatio…
Using moss and lichens in biomonitoring of heavy-metal contamination of forest areas in southern and north-eastern Poland.
2017
Abstract In the years 2014–2016 biomonitoring studies were conducted in the forest areas of south and north-eastern Poland: the Karkonosze Mountains, the Beskidy Mountains, the Borecka Forest, the Knyszynska Forest and the Bialowieska Forest. This study used epigeic moss Pleurozium schreberi and epiphytic lichens Hypogymnia physodes. Samples were collected in spring, summer and autumn. Approximately 500 samples of moss and lichens were collected for the study. In the samples, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations were determined. Based on the obtained results, the studied areas were ranked by extent of heavy-metal deposition: Beskidy > Karkonosze Mountains > forests of north-eastern …
Modelling of Emissions from Large Biogas Plants
2015
Abstract The main objective of the “Guidelines for the development of agricultural biogas plants in Poland within 2010-2020”, is a construction of biogas plants processing agricultural biomass resources with suitable conditions in each municipality. In the Czech Republic produces about 6.5% of energy from renewable sources. Biogas plants give - contrary to solar and wind electricity stations - the stable performance throughout the whole year. Biomass should be a key source for achieving the Czech EU commitment to produce 13% of energy from renewable sources in 2020. The experience, where 317 Agricultural biogas plants are currently in operation, has shown that there are considerable problem…
Innovative Educational Program for Biogas Production Carried Out at University of Hradec Králové (CZ) and at University of Opole (PL)
2016
Abstract Recently, there is a growing pressure on a rapid construction of agricultural biogas plants, particularly in the Czech-Polish border region. It is an area with large expanses of agricultural land which can serve to supply biogas plants with biomass. This strategy should contribute to harmonize the common agricultural policy of the European Union. A need for qualified operators of these stations on this territory is also increasing. Therefore we first include a demonstration of an education program for students in the field of agricultural waste anaerobic fermentation and biogas production. We present here the first part of an innovative approach which we use in the teaching program…
The Use of Moss Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. as Bioindicator of Radionuclide Contamination in Industrial Areas of Upper Silesia
2017
Abstract Mosses are good bioaccumulators of radionuclides and from the 60 of the last century, they are used as bioindicators of radioactive contamination in the environment. Concentration of impurities in moss represent the accumulation in mosses during the past 2-3 years. As a result, the moss composition analysis provides information on an average contamination within a few vegetation seasons. During our survey the measurements of radionuclide activity concentrations in P. schreberi transplanted from places relatively clean to heavily contaminated areas of Upper Silesia were carried out. An increase in the radionuclides activity concentrations in P. schreberi transplants may indicate not…
Pb-210 isotope as a pollutant emission indicator= Izotop Pb-210 jako znacznik emisji zanieczyszczeń
2015
Abstract Passive biomonitoring using 210Pb was used in the paper to evaluate pollutant deposition. Well-developed epiphytic foliose lichens Hypogymnia physodes growing on spruce branches were used in the studies. The samples of mosses Pleurozium schreberi and soil (raw humus) were collected from the area around the tree from which the samples of lichens were collected. The studies have shown that it is possible to identify dust emission sources using a radioactive lead isotope (210Pb). The highest activity of 210Pb was observed in areas with increased deposition of other pollutants, such as Ni, Cd, Cu and Pb, which may indicate that 210Pb is one of the emission components
Antiproliferative Effect of Elastin-Derived Peptide VGVAPG on SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells
2019
Throughout the lifetime of humans, the amount of stem cells and the rate of cell proliferation continue to decrease. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are one among the many factors that promote stem cell aging. Both a decrease in the level of stem cells and increase in ROS production can lead to the development of different neurodegenerative diseases. This study was conducted to determine how the VGVAPG peptide, liberated from elastin during the aging process and under pathological conditions, affects ROS production and activities of antioxidant enzymes in undifferentiated, proliferating SH-SY5Y cells. SH-SY5Y cells were maintained in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium/nutrient mixture F-12 su…
Assessment of Gamma Dose Rate at Mine Waste Dump
2013
Abstract Exploitation of coal deposits in Upper Silesia is associated with production of large quantities of waste deposited at dumps. The tested samples from five dumps showed different radioactivity from each other. Radioactivity measurements made it possible to analyze the degree of risk with the factors specified by UNSCEAR such as radium equivalent activity Raeq, internal Ein and external Eex occupancy factor. There is a raised level of radiation in dumps as compared with outside dump areas. In the study area, however, there is no risk associated with elevated levels of radiation in relation to standards established by the Council of Ministers of the ionizing radiation dose limits.
Optimization of the sorption process of copper cations from aqueous solution by pine bark (Pinus sylvestris)
2020
This study examined the effect of the chemical modification of pine bark (Pinus sylvestris) on the sorption efficiency of copper cations. The results were interpreted using pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order reaction models as well as Langmuir and Freundlich isothermal models. The sorption experiments were carried out using the batch technique. The study indicated the effect of the competitive sorption of copper cations and hydrogen cations as well as the adverse effect on the sorption efficiency of copper hydroxides formed under alkaline conditions. The need to assess the measurement uncertainty in determining the basic parameters of the sorption process was indicated. It was also …
Influence of K on the transport of Cs-137 in soil–plant root and root-leaf systems in sugar beet
2015
The main aim of this study was to determine the influence of K-40 activity in the soil on the transport of Cs-137 from the soil to plants and the impact of its activity on the internal transport of Cs-137 between anatomical parts of the sugar beet. The activity concentration of Cs-137 in the soil was bigger than that in the beet. The highest activity concentration of K-40 was observed in beet leaves, while its content in roots and the soil were comparable.
Estimation of the committed radiation dose resulting from gamma radionuclides ingested with food
2014
The objective of the study was to estimate the value of the radiation dose absorbed in consequence of consumption of popular food products for individual age groups. Potatoes, corn and sugar beet were selected for the study. Edible parts of these plants were collected in experimental fields of the KWS Lochow Polska Sp. z o.o. seeding company in Kondratowice (Poland). On the basis of the obtained study results, it can be stated that in consequence of consumption of the selected food products, people may receive increased doses from both natural and artificial radioactive isotopes. The doses calculated for several age groups do not show any health hazards in consequence of consumption of the …
Effect of soil management on its radioisotopic composition
2015
Radioactive isotopes, both natural and artificial, present in the environment may be convenient indicators that can be used to study a number of physical and chemical processes and transport of pollutants in the ecosystem.The main aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the type of soil use on the radioisotopic composition in its surface layers. The radioisotopic compositions of surface soil samples collected in the area of a cement plant abandoned for over 20 years and in the area of the nearby allotments were examined and compared. Calculations were performed using methods designed to study compositional variables.The results confirmed a significant impact of usage on the radioisot…
Anaerobic Degradation of Environmentally Hazardous Aquatic Plant Pistia stratiotes and Soluble Cu(II) Detoxification by Methanogenic Granular Microbi…
2021
The aquatic plant Pistia stratiotes L. is environmentally hazardous and requires effective methods for its utilization. The harmfulness of these plants is determined by their excessive growth in water bodies and degradation of local aquatic ecosystems. Mechanical removal of these plants is widespread but requires fairly resource-intensive technology. However, these aquatic plants are polymer-containing substrates and have a great potential for conversion into bioenergy. The aim of the work was to determine the main patterns of Pistia stratiotes L. degradation via granular microbial preparation (GMP) to obtain biomethane gas while simultaneously detoxifying toxic copper compounds. The compos…
Levels of 137Cs in game and soil in Opole Anomaly, Poland in 2012–2020
2021
Abstract Once deposited, radiocesium remains in the environment for a long time, and constantly enters the food chain. Over time, game species tend to accumulate 137Cs by two orders of magnitude more than farm animals. This occurs especially in places heavily contaminated, thus meat products made out of local game should be treated with caution. One of such areas, known as the Opole Anomaly, is located in South-Western Poland and represents one of most 137Cs contaminated regions across Europe after the Chernobyl accident. The aim of the study was to find out the 137Cs activity in soil and local game, the value of the soil-to-game aggregated transfer factor and to assess the effective dose o…
Nature-Inspired Effects of Naturally Occurring Trace Element-Doped Hydroxyapatite Combined with Surface Interactions of Mineral-Apatite Single Crysta…
2022
Innovative engineering design for biologically active hydroxyapatites requires enhancing both mechanical and physical properties, along with biocompatibility, by doping with appropriate chemical elements. Herein, the purpose of this investigation was to evaluate and elucidate the model of naturally occurring hydroxyapatite and the effects of doped trace elements on the function of normal human fibroblasts, representing the main cells of connective tissues. The substrates applied (geological apatites with hexagonal prismatic crystal habit originated from Slyudyanka, Lake Baikal, Russia (GAp) and from Imilchil, The Atlas Mountains, Morocco (YAp)) were prepared from mineral natural apatite wit…
The Moss Biomonitoring Method and Neutron Activation Analysis in Assessing Pollution by Trace Elements in Selected Polish National Parks
2020
The concentrations of trace elements in feather moss Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. were used to indicate the relative levels of air pollution by trace elements in Polish national parks. Pleurozium schreberi was collected from nine national parks. The highest concentrations were recorded in the moss samples from the southern and most industrialised part of the country; the lowest from northern and north-eastern Poland. A comparison of data obtained from Polish national parks in the 1970s and 1990s showed a significant decrease in the concentrations of heavy metals. In the linear covariability estimation, the t quantile approach was used for multi-element comparison. A number of positive…
Nuclear analytical techniques used to study the trace element content of Centaurium erythraea Rafn, a medicinal plant species from sites with differe…
2023
Centaurium erythraea (Gentianaceae) is a medicinal plant species with therapeutic potential officially listed in the pharmacopoeias of many European, Asian and American countries. It has had many uses in natural medicine since ancient times and it is collected mostly from wild populations. The aim of this study is to investigate the trace element composition of C. erythraea using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The results of the performed investigations show that INAA has proved to be an efficient analytical technique for the determination of trace elements in medicinal plants. The studied plant contains elements important to the human diet and metabolism that are needed f…
The Use Of Pb-210 Isotope As An Indicator Of Pollutants’ Migration In The Environment
2015
Abstract Radioactive isotopes, both natural and artificial, present in the environment, may be convenient indicators that can be used to study many physical and chemical processes as well as the transport of pollutants in the ecosystem. The studies have shown that in identification of particulate matter emission sources a radioactive lead isotope (Pb-210) can be used. The Pb-210 increased activity concentration in the top soil layers suggests its current atmospheric deposition. This conclusion is confirmed by the results of the Principal Components Analysis, conducted using the measured radionuclide content in 0-30 cm deep soil layer samples.
Modelling of Mercury Emissions from Large Solid Fuel Combustion and Biomonitoring in CZ-PL Border Region
2016
Abstract Tightening of norms for air protection leads to a development of new and significantly more effective techniques for removing particulate matter, SOx and NOx from flue gas which originates from large solid fuel combustion. Recently, it has been found that combinations of these environmental technologies can also lead to the reduction of mercury emissions from coal power plants. Now the greatest attention is paid especially to the coal power plant in Opatovice nad Labem, close to Hradec Kralove. Its system for flue gas dedusting was replaced by a modern type of cloth fabric filter with the highest particle separation efficiency which belongs to the category of BAT. Using this techno…
Estimation of external gamma radiation dose in the area of Bory Stobrawskie forests (PL).
2011
The study assessed the radiological risks associated with the presence of natural and artificial radionuclides in the Bory Stobrawskie forests (PL). Using the conversion factors given by UNSCEAR and the measurements results of (232)Th series, (238)U series, (40)K, and (137)Cs specific activities in the 10-cm soil layer the values of absorbed dose (D) and the annual effective dose equivalent derived from terrestrial gamma radiation (E) were calculated. The calculated dose was compared with doses directly measured on the area studied.
Evaluation of Chemical Composition of Essential Oils Derived from Different Pelargonium Species Leaves
2019
Abstract Plants have been used for their aromatic and medicinal purposes for centuries. The genus Pelargonium contains about 250-280 species and cultivated around the world for the production of essential oils and absolutes. Pelargonium species are remarkable for their odour diversity, from fresh, lemon and minty scent, through floral, rose, fruity up to spicy and camphoreous smell as well as many health beneficial properties, that is why their essential oils are widely used in perfume, cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industries. The aim of this study was to determine variability in populations of Pelargonium genus by evaluating their differences in quantitative and qualitative essential …
Investigation of committed radiation dose rate and relationships between alkaline metals concentrations in mushroom Xerocomus badius / Badanie wchłon…
2012
Abstract The fruiting bodies of fungi sprout from mycelium are capable of accumulating significant amounts of trace elements, both metals and metalloids. Content of these elements in fruiting bodies may exceed their concentration in the substrate where fungi develop. Among the elements the radioactive nuclides are also present. In this work health risk caused by increased radioactivity dose absorbed with Xerocomus badius bay bolete consumption was estimated. In analysis concentrations of radioactive isotopes 137Cs and 40K were taken into consideration. It was found that moderate ingestion of bay bolete does not create health risk due to increased radioactive substances intake. The amount of…
Illustration of constrained composition statistical methods in the interpretation of radionuclide concentrations in the moss Pleurozium schreberi.
2013
In this work we have used moss Pleurozium schreberi as a bioindicator of radioactive materials in environment. The following radionuclides were determined in moss samples: (137)Cs, (40)K, (210)Pb, (212)Pb, (214)Pb, (214)Bi, (231)Th, (235)U and (228)Ac, but not all of them in each sample. The highest activity concentrations were found for naturally occurring (210)Pb, (40)K and the artificial isotope (137)Cs. Activities of radioisotopes were recalculated into mass concentrations and the statistical methods intended for constrained data processing were used. Analysis of our results showed at most a weak relationship between radioisotope mass concentrations in moss. It was supposed that concent…
Bibliometric analysis of European publications between 2001 and 2016 on concentrations of selected elements in mushrooms.
2020
This article presents a bibliometric study of 200 European publications released between 2001 and 2016, about the contamination of mushrooms by selected elements. The analysis includes figures on the type of analyte, its concentration, the species of fungi, and its country of origin. In the literature review, 492 species of mushrooms (wild-growing and cultured) found in 26 European countries and their concentration of 74 associated elements were analysed. The papers, which dealt mainly with the heavy metal (Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn) concentrations of mushrooms, primarily came from Turkey, Poland, Spain, and the Czech Republic. More than 50% of the publications provided data about edible mushr…
Effective and environmental half-lives of radiocesium in game from Poland.
2021
For the first time changes in the 137Cs activity in game throughout Poland, including its most contaminated part known as the Opole Anomaly, were analyzed. Due to its long physical half-life, 137Cs continuously demonstrates high activity both in soil and biota. The species of game mammals, along with forest fruit and mushrooms, tend to accumulate this radionuclide, becoming one of the main sources of secondary contamination in people. In this study the 137Cs activity in roe deer, wild boar and red deer muscle tissue samples, within the years of 1986–2019, were studied. The effective and environmental half-lives were determined for each of the mentioned species for four regions including NE …
The Origin of Heavy Metals and Radionuclides Accumulated in the Soil and Biota Samples Collected in Svalbard, Near Longyearbyen
2017
Abstract Heavy metals and radioactive compounds are potentially hazardous substances for plants, animals and humans in the Arctic. A good knowledge of the spatial variation of these substances in soil and primary producers, and their sources, is therefore essential. In the samples of lichen Thamnolia vermicularis, Salix polaris and Cassiope tetragona, and the soil samples collected in 2014 in Svalbard near Longyearbyen, the concentrations of the following heavy metals were determined: Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Hg, as well as the activity concentrations of the following: K-40, Cs-137, Pb-210, Pb-212, Bi-212, Bi-214, Pb-214, Ac-228, Th-231 and U-235 in the soil samples. The differences in th…
The use of mosses in biomonitoring of selected areas in Poland and Spitsbergen in the years from 1975 to 2014
2015
We have compared historical changes in concentrations of the heavy metals Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb accumulated in samples from the Polish woodlands of Beskidy and Karkonosze (S, SE Poland) and the north-east regions of the country, versus the relatively little polluted areas of Spitsbergen of the Svalbard Archipelago. We have combined the results from literature with new results from 2014. The regions of Beskidy and Karkonosze were the most exposed to heavy metals deposition. However, from 1975 to 2014 there was a considerable decrease of concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb at all Polish sites, clearly signifying improvement of environmental quality. For example, the average Cd concentrati…
Application of Electronic Nose for Evaluation of Wastewater Treatment Process Effects at Full-Scale WWTP
2019
This paper presents the results of studies aiming at the assessment and classification of wastewater using an electronic nose. During the experiment, an attempt was made to classify the medium based on an analysis of signals from a gas sensor array, the intensity of which depended on the levels of volatile compounds in the headspace gas mixture above the wastewater table. The research involved samples collected from the mechanical and biological treatment devices of a full-scale wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), as well as wastewater analysis. The measurements were carried out with a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) gas sensor array, when coupled with a computing unit (e.g., a computer with…