Volume 26 (2015): Edition 1 (March 2015)

The study evaluated the leaching of cobalt (Co) in soils fertilized with sewage sludge (SS) and composts depending on the extractant used. SS came from rural, mechanical–biological treatment plant in Dobrzeń, Lower Silesia region. In addition, those SS were processed by composting. Sludges and composts were used to fertilise the energy plants during lysimeter experiment conducted during 2008–2013. The overall, as well as extracted by H₂O, 0.1M HCl and 1M HCl, 0.05M Na₂EDTA and 0.1M Na₂EDTA, content of Co in samples were analysed. Additionally, the impact of pH and organic matter (OM) content on the leachability of Co were researched. It was found that the soil samples were rich in Co. Its share slightly depended on fertilisation with SS and compost. Co leaching depends on the type and concentration of extractant. The highest content of Co were leched with 0.1 M Na₂EDTA, and the lowest content with 0.1M HCl. Co concentration in H₂O extracts was not determined as its content was below the limit of quantification. Leachability of Co in the analysed samples was influenced by the overall Co content as well as pH and OM content.

Each year communities generate large quantities of municipal waste, including green waste such as grass and leaves. According to the waste catalogue, they may be treated as belonging to the group 20 02 (garden and park waste), and more specifically, to the group 20 02 01 – biodegradable waste. The aim of the study is to characterise the development directions of the green waste generated in the municipalities. Skilful management of this waste is extremely important. The following work focuses on three different technologies that enable efficient management of the green waste: methane fermentation, pelletising and composting. According to many authors, the most common technologies are pelletising and composting. In contrast, biogas fermentation of green waste in the municipalities is performed on a much smaller scale than other technologies. This may be due to the fact that this technology requires a significant expertise and is more complicated in terms of technology

The aim of this research was to assess the concentration of lead and zinc in chosen medicinal plants obtained from recreational areas of Katowice as well as to compare the phytoaccumulation properties of these plants. Lead and zinc concentration in plants and soil was indicated with flame and flameless atomisation atomic absorption spectroscopy AAS method. Phytoaccumulation properties of examined plant species were compared using the coefficients: enrichment factor, phytoaccumulation factor and coefficient of specific relative accumulation.