Volume 24 (2013): Issue 4 (December 2013)

Pedological studies were carried out in the upper course of the Liviec River involving laboratory analyses of three profiles of hemic muck organic soil. The objective was to evaluate the basic properties (pH, crude ash content and carbon and nitrogen content) and to determine the speciation of carbon and nitrogen based on the sequential extraction with a neutral reagent (0.25M KCl) and two-stage acid hydrolysis at different concentrations of hydrogen ions (0.25M H2SO4 and 2.5M H2SO4).

The muck horizons, in relation to the peat horizons, had a higher content of ash and a lower concentration of carbon and lower carbontonitrogen ratios. The reduction of acidity in the examined soil had a significant impact on a higher proportion of mineral nitrogen forms. The moorshing process caused by desiccation of the examined soil contributed to an increase in the proportion of soluble organic matter forms (extracted with 0.25M KCl) and easily hydrolysing organic forms (extracted with hydrolysis in 0.25M H2SO4).

The objective of the paper was to determine the quantity of lead and its potential and actual risks to the environment in gley-muck soil and mucky soil situated on the margins of peatmoors in the headstreams of the Liwiec River, based on the sequential analysis of metals and organic carbon.

The sequential extraction was carried out and the following operational fractions of metal were extracted: soluble in water (H2O); exchangeable (1M KCl); complex metal bound to humic substances (0.1M Na4P2O7); metals with stronger bonds to humic substances (0.1M NaOH); metals with stronger bonds to the organic and mineral solid soil phases (4M HNO3); and residual (aqua regia). The solutions were tested for the content of carbon (on a CHN-TCD autoanalyser) and lead (ICP-AES).

It was found that the organic matter in the tested soil samples showed a substantial degree of transformation with a predominance of mineralisation over humification. A higher level of lead accumulation was detected in the gley-muck soil. In both types of soil its content was assessed as natural. The accumulation of organic matter, the acidity and the content of phosphorus, sulphur and iron have a significant positive impact on the accumulation of lead in the examined types of soil. It was found that the highest concentration of lead was detected in the fractions strongly bound to the organic and mineral solid soil phases and in the complex compounds with humic substances, which indicates the potential for migration of metal outside the levels of organic matter accumulation. Less than 2% of the total lead content is present in most bioavailable fractions. More lead in the complex compounds with humic substances was found in the fraction of fulvic acids and, for other humic substances, in the fraction of humic acids.

The objective of this study was to determine the basic physical and chemical parameters and the total content of Fe and Ni as well as their proportion in the fractions sequenced with Bureau of Reference (BCR) procedure in the selected organic materials used as soil fertilisers: bovine manure and chicken manure from broilers and layers. The highest content of dry matter, organic carbon and total nitrogen was found in the chicken layer manure. All examined materials had a comparable, C:N ratio (10–11:1). The highest amount of iron and nickel was found in the chicken broiler manure, whereas the lowest was in the chicken layer manure. The distribution of tested metals in the fractions sequenced with BCR procedure was differentiated. In the bovine manure and chicken broiler manure, the highest amount of iron was sequenced in the residual fraction, whereas in the chicken layer manure it was in the oxidative fraction. The oxidative fraction constituted the highest proportion in the total nickel content in the bovine manure and chicken layer manure, whereas in the chicken broiler manure it was the reducible fraction.

The content of vanadium in exchangeable (F1), reducible (F2), oxidisable (F3) and residual fractions (F4) separated by BCR sequential extraction procedure and their distribution in 11 arable profiles of Eutric Cambisols, Haplic Luvisols and Stagnic Luvisols located on the Siedlce upland was evaluated. In these soils, the varied natural, not contaminated levels of total vanadium content were determined. Chemical analyses revealed that mean contents of vanadium in separated fractions, independently of type of investigated soils, can be arranged in the following decreasing series: F4 > F2 > F3 > F1. The highest amounts of this element in F1 (1.7%) and F4 (83.3%) fractions – in Stagnic Luvisols, and F2 (13.0%) and F3 (7.0%) fraction – in Eutric Cambisols were determined. The highest vanadium percentage share in the F1, F2 and F3 fractions was measured in the humus horizon (Ap) and in the F4 – in the enrichment horizons (B) and parent material horizons (Ck). A statistical analysis revealed the significant impact of selected soil properties (pH, Fe, Al and Mn compounds, CEC, Corg, clay fraction ø < 0.002 mm) on vanadium fractionation in investigated soils.

In this study, the effect of irrigation and anions introduced in the form of Mg(NO3)2, MgCO3 and MgSO4, which are biochemical indices of soil quality. Two laboratory experiments using complete randomisation were performed. First, one-factor experiment was carried out in triplicate. In this experiment, anion introduced with magnesium salt was the factor. The second experiment also was carried out in triplicate. In this experiment, the soil column for laboratory investigations of irrigated soil was used, anion introduced with magnesium salt was the first factor, and thickness of the soil layer was the second factor. The prepared material was irrigated nine times. In soil samples, the activity of dehydrogenases, proteases, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, and catalase was assayed. Based on these results, the biological index of fertility and enzyme activity number were calculated.

Anions introduced in the form of magnesium salts as well as irrigation caused significant changes in the enzymatic activity of sandy soil. The highest changes of dehydrogenases activity, alkaline phosphatase, protease and amylase were found in the soil with the addition of the carbonate anion. Calculated biochemical indicators of soil quality, biological indicator of fertility and enzyme activity index were increased after the introduction of the magnesium salt, especially in the thickness of soil 0–10 cm.

In the pot experiment, conducted in a phytotron at a constant temperature 22°C and artificial lighting, the effectiveness of growth regulator concentrations on the inhibition of shoot growth of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) was evaluated. In the study, a single growth inhibitor, with the trade name Flordimex SL 420 (active substance: ethephon, 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid), was applied in varying concentrations of 10%, 20% and 30%. In the experimental series, every 3 days in the period from 7 May to 6 June 2008, 10 measurements were performed. Empirical data were statistically evaluated. In the experiment with perennial ryegrass and cocksfoot, it was found that 30% of inhibitor concentration used inhibited the growth of shoots in the grass species studied.

In this work, results of evaluation of potential water erosion threat of the Smuga stream basin in Beskid Wyspowy were presented according to the USLE model and the GIS techniques. The basin area is 5.40 km2; mean height is 636.4 m a.s.l. and mean basin slope is 21.32%. The basin is in a significant part covered by forest which is 54.26%, grasslands occupy 8.15% and arable lands 34.63%. The highest water erosion threat takes place on arable lands with high slopes and defective cultivation. Calculated soil loss is 2078.59 Mg yearly, which gives a unitary loss of 3.85 Mg for 1 ha. This classifies the investigated basin as very low threatened – second class in sixth degree scale.

The presented investigations aimed at determining sulphur status in the European bison free ranging in Białowieża primeval forest. The sulphur concentration in the liver, kidneys, muscle and rib was determined. The material for analyses was obtained from animals eliminated within annual selection. They were grouped according to gender (males, females) and age (calves up to one year of age, animals aged over two years). The sulphur concentrations were determined using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method in the accredited laboratory. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistica™ 10 packet. No statistically significant differences in the sulphur content were observed with respect to the sex and age of animals. The mean content of the discussed element in the liver of European bisons amounted to 6.75 g • kg⁻¹ of the fresh tissue, 6.82 g • kg⁻¹ in kidneys, 6.66 g • kg⁻¹ in muscles and 0.44 g • kg⁻¹ in ribs.

The aim of the investigation was the assessment of vanadium concentrations in the hair of domestic cats kept as accompanying animals and cats living in the urban environment as the feral cats. The investigation material comprised hair samples collected from 20 animals from the Warsaw agglomeration region. The first group included five males and fivefe males kept at home. The second group (five males and fivefe males) represented feral animals. Hair samples were collected from the middle abdominal region prior to the routine surgical procedures. Vanadium content was determined using the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry method. The effect of the living environment on vanadium content in the hair of the investigated animals was observed. The mean value in the group of the free-living animals amounted to 0.26 mg • kg⁻¹ for males and 0.20 mg • kg⁻¹ for females. In the group of cats accompanying humans, these values amounted to 0.175 and 0.17 mg • kg⁻¹, respectively. The mean vanadium content was higher in young females than in older ones. In males, this value was higher in the group of older animals.

The investigations aimed at determining the lead content in domestic cat hair as an indicator of environmental lead contamination. The investigation material comprised hair samples collected from 20 cats from the region of Warsaw. The first group of 10 cats (five males and five females) were kept at home as the accompanying animals. Another group (five males and five females) were the so-called feral urban cats whose nutritional base comprised human food wastes. Hair samples were collected from the middle abdominal region prior to routine surgical treatments. The lead content was determined with the help of the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry method.

A significant effect of the conditions of animal life on the lead content in their hair was observed. The mean content of metal in hair of all the investigated cats amounted to 1.95 mg • kg⁻¹. The highest lead concentration in free living animals was 2.89 mg • kg⁻¹ (females: 3.58; males: 2.20 mg • kg−1). In cats kept as accompanying animals, the mean lead value was nearly three times lower (1 mg • kg⁻¹) (females: 0.98; males: 1.02 mg • kg⁻¹).

In the coat of animals living as urban feral cats, a significantly higher mean lead concentration was observed than in cats kept at home. The values are similar to those obtained in the analysis of the lead content in carnivorous animals originating from the non-urbanised areas.

The conditions of fruit cultivation may affect their content of some mineral elements. The study aims at determining the content of some microelements (Cu, Zn and Mn) in diets with “Hayward” kiwifruits from the organic (ecological) (OHC) and conventional (CHC) cultivation and also determining their effect on the mineral profile of the kidneys of rats loaded for 28 days with a diet containing 1% of cholesterol (C) and the assessment of bioavailability of these elements in rats. The mineral composition of the diets and kidneys was examined using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elemer 1100B). The bioavailability of Cu, Zn and Mn was calculated using the “three-point assay” [Littell et al. 1995]. In the atherogenic diets containing 5% of “Hayward” kiwifruit, the content of the investigated elements was higher than in the control diet and the highest content was noted in the diet with kiwifruit from the ecological cultivation. The content of Mn, Cu and Zn in rat kidneys was 1.1–1.4, 8.2–8.4 and 36.8–42.4 mg/kg, respectively. The bioavailability of Cu determined in respect to the C group was significantly lower in both CHC and OHC groups, whereas Mn was lower only in the OHC group. There were no significant differences in Zn bioavailability. The obtained results of the bioavailability of selected trace elements, determined on the basis of their concentration in the rat kidneys, did not show a clear evidence of the advantages of organically cultivated “Hayward” kiwifruit over conventional cultivation, in spite of their different contents in the examined fruits.

The paper presents the scope of substantive and technical upgrade of database “Protected areas in Poland” at the Institute of Environmental Protection - National Research Institute (IEP-NRI) and the resulting opportunities of providing new information. The modernised databases facilitate analyses and in-depth studies into the designated areas in Poland.

Pedological studies were carried out in the upper course of the Liviec River involving laboratory analyses of three profiles of hemic muck organic soil. The objective was to evaluate the basic properties (pH, crude ash content and carbon and nitrogen content) and to determine the speciation of carbon and nitrogen based on the sequential extraction with a neutral reagent (0.25M KCl) and two-stage acid hydrolysis at different concentrations of hydrogen ions (0.25M H2SO4 and 2.5M H2SO4).

The muck horizons, in relation to the peat horizons, had a higher content of ash and a lower concentration of carbon and lower carbontonitrogen ratios. The reduction of acidity in the examined soil had a significant impact on a higher proportion of mineral nitrogen forms. The moorshing process caused by desiccation of the examined soil contributed to an increase in the proportion of soluble organic matter forms (extracted with 0.25M KCl) and easily hydrolysing organic forms (extracted with hydrolysis in 0.25M H2SO4).

The objective of the paper was to determine the quantity of lead and its potential and actual risks to the environment in gley-muck soil and mucky soil situated on the margins of peatmoors in the headstreams of the Liwiec River, based on the sequential analysis of metals and organic carbon.

The sequential extraction was carried out and the following operational fractions of metal were extracted: soluble in water (H2O); exchangeable (1M KCl); complex metal bound to humic substances (0.1M Na4P2O7); metals with stronger bonds to humic substances (0.1M NaOH); metals with stronger bonds to the organic and mineral solid soil phases (4M HNO3); and residual (aqua regia). The solutions were tested for the content of carbon (on a CHN-TCD autoanalyser) and lead (ICP-AES).

It was found that the organic matter in the tested soil samples showed a substantial degree of transformation with a predominance of mineralisation over humification. A higher level of lead accumulation was detected in the gley-muck soil. In both types of soil its content was assessed as natural. The accumulation of organic matter, the acidity and the content of phosphorus, sulphur and iron have a significant positive impact on the accumulation of lead in the examined types of soil. It was found that the highest concentration of lead was detected in the fractions strongly bound to the organic and mineral solid soil phases and in the complex compounds with humic substances, which indicates the potential for migration of metal outside the levels of organic matter accumulation. Less than 2% of the total lead content is present in most bioavailable fractions. More lead in the complex compounds with humic substances was found in the fraction of fulvic acids and, for other humic substances, in the fraction of humic acids.

The objective of this study was to determine the basic physical and chemical parameters and the total content of Fe and Ni as well as their proportion in the fractions sequenced with Bureau of Reference (BCR) procedure in the selected organic materials used as soil fertilisers: bovine manure and chicken manure from broilers and layers. The highest content of dry matter, organic carbon and total nitrogen was found in the chicken layer manure. All examined materials had a comparable, C:N ratio (10–11:1). The highest amount of iron and nickel was found in the chicken broiler manure, whereas the lowest was in the chicken layer manure. The distribution of tested metals in the fractions sequenced with BCR procedure was differentiated. In the bovine manure and chicken broiler manure, the highest amount of iron was sequenced in the residual fraction, whereas in the chicken layer manure it was in the oxidative fraction. The oxidative fraction constituted the highest proportion in the total nickel content in the bovine manure and chicken layer manure, whereas in the chicken broiler manure it was the reducible fraction.

The content of vanadium in exchangeable (F1), reducible (F2), oxidisable (F3) and residual fractions (F4) separated by BCR sequential extraction procedure and their distribution in 11 arable profiles of Eutric Cambisols, Haplic Luvisols and Stagnic Luvisols located on the Siedlce upland was evaluated. In these soils, the varied natural, not contaminated levels of total vanadium content were determined. Chemical analyses revealed that mean contents of vanadium in separated fractions, independently of type of investigated soils, can be arranged in the following decreasing series: F4 > F2 > F3 > F1. The highest amounts of this element in F1 (1.7%) and F4 (83.3%) fractions – in Stagnic Luvisols, and F2 (13.0%) and F3 (7.0%) fraction – in Eutric Cambisols were determined. The highest vanadium percentage share in the F1, F2 and F3 fractions was measured in the humus horizon (Ap) and in the F4 – in the enrichment horizons (B) and parent material horizons (Ck). A statistical analysis revealed the significant impact of selected soil properties (pH, Fe, Al and Mn compounds, CEC, Corg, clay fraction ø < 0.002 mm) on vanadium fractionation in investigated soils.

In this study, the effect of irrigation and anions introduced in the form of Mg(NO3)2, MgCO3 and MgSO4, which are biochemical indices of soil quality. Two laboratory experiments using complete randomisation were performed. First, one-factor experiment was carried out in triplicate. In this experiment, anion introduced with magnesium salt was the factor. The second experiment also was carried out in triplicate. In this experiment, the soil column for laboratory investigations of irrigated soil was used, anion introduced with magnesium salt was the first factor, and thickness of the soil layer was the second factor. The prepared material was irrigated nine times. In soil samples, the activity of dehydrogenases, proteases, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, and catalase was assayed. Based on these results, the biological index of fertility and enzyme activity number were calculated.

Anions introduced in the form of magnesium salts as well as irrigation caused significant changes in the enzymatic activity of sandy soil. The highest changes of dehydrogenases activity, alkaline phosphatase, protease and amylase were found in the soil with the addition of the carbonate anion. Calculated biochemical indicators of soil quality, biological indicator of fertility and enzyme activity index were increased after the introduction of the magnesium salt, especially in the thickness of soil 0–10 cm.

In the pot experiment, conducted in a phytotron at a constant temperature 22°C and artificial lighting, the effectiveness of growth regulator concentrations on the inhibition of shoot growth of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) was evaluated. In the study, a single growth inhibitor, with the trade name Flordimex SL 420 (active substance: ethephon, 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid), was applied in varying concentrations of 10%, 20% and 30%. In the experimental series, every 3 days in the period from 7 May to 6 June 2008, 10 measurements were performed. Empirical data were statistically evaluated. In the experiment with perennial ryegrass and cocksfoot, it was found that 30% of inhibitor concentration used inhibited the growth of shoots in the grass species studied.

In this work, results of evaluation of potential water erosion threat of the Smuga stream basin in Beskid Wyspowy were presented according to the USLE model and the GIS techniques. The basin area is 5.40 km2; mean height is 636.4 m a.s.l. and mean basin slope is 21.32%. The basin is in a significant part covered by forest which is 54.26%, grasslands occupy 8.15% and arable lands 34.63%. The highest water erosion threat takes place on arable lands with high slopes and defective cultivation. Calculated soil loss is 2078.59 Mg yearly, which gives a unitary loss of 3.85 Mg for 1 ha. This classifies the investigated basin as very low threatened – second class in sixth degree scale.

The presented investigations aimed at determining sulphur status in the European bison free ranging in Białowieża primeval forest. The sulphur concentration in the liver, kidneys, muscle and rib was determined. The material for analyses was obtained from animals eliminated within annual selection. They were grouped according to gender (males, females) and age (calves up to one year of age, animals aged over two years). The sulphur concentrations were determined using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method in the accredited laboratory. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistica™ 10 packet. No statistically significant differences in the sulphur content were observed with respect to the sex and age of animals. The mean content of the discussed element in the liver of European bisons amounted to 6.75 g • kg⁻¹ of the fresh tissue, 6.82 g • kg⁻¹ in kidneys, 6.66 g • kg⁻¹ in muscles and 0.44 g • kg⁻¹ in ribs.

The aim of the investigation was the assessment of vanadium concentrations in the hair of domestic cats kept as accompanying animals and cats living in the urban environment as the feral cats. The investigation material comprised hair samples collected from 20 animals from the Warsaw agglomeration region. The first group included five males and fivefe males kept at home. The second group (five males and fivefe males) represented feral animals. Hair samples were collected from the middle abdominal region prior to the routine surgical procedures. Vanadium content was determined using the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry method. The effect of the living environment on vanadium content in the hair of the investigated animals was observed. The mean value in the group of the free-living animals amounted to 0.26 mg • kg⁻¹ for males and 0.20 mg • kg⁻¹ for females. In the group of cats accompanying humans, these values amounted to 0.175 and 0.17 mg • kg⁻¹, respectively. The mean vanadium content was higher in young females than in older ones. In males, this value was higher in the group of older animals.

The investigations aimed at determining the lead content in domestic cat hair as an indicator of environmental lead contamination. The investigation material comprised hair samples collected from 20 cats from the region of Warsaw. The first group of 10 cats (five males and five females) were kept at home as the accompanying animals. Another group (five males and five females) were the so-called feral urban cats whose nutritional base comprised human food wastes. Hair samples were collected from the middle abdominal region prior to routine surgical treatments. The lead content was determined with the help of the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry method.

A significant effect of the conditions of animal life on the lead content in their hair was observed. The mean content of metal in hair of all the investigated cats amounted to 1.95 mg • kg⁻¹. The highest lead concentration in free living animals was 2.89 mg • kg⁻¹ (females: 3.58; males: 2.20 mg • kg−1). In cats kept as accompanying animals, the mean lead value was nearly three times lower (1 mg • kg⁻¹) (females: 0.98; males: 1.02 mg • kg⁻¹).

In the coat of animals living as urban feral cats, a significantly higher mean lead concentration was observed than in cats kept at home. The values are similar to those obtained in the analysis of the lead content in carnivorous animals originating from the non-urbanised areas.

The conditions of fruit cultivation may affect their content of some mineral elements. The study aims at determining the content of some microelements (Cu, Zn and Mn) in diets with “Hayward” kiwifruits from the organic (ecological) (OHC) and conventional (CHC) cultivation and also determining their effect on the mineral profile of the kidneys of rats loaded for 28 days with a diet containing 1% of cholesterol (C) and the assessment of bioavailability of these elements in rats. The mineral composition of the diets and kidneys was examined using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elemer 1100B). The bioavailability of Cu, Zn and Mn was calculated using the “three-point assay” [Littell et al. 1995]. In the atherogenic diets containing 5% of “Hayward” kiwifruit, the content of the investigated elements was higher than in the control diet and the highest content was noted in the diet with kiwifruit from the ecological cultivation. The content of Mn, Cu and Zn in rat kidneys was 1.1–1.4, 8.2–8.4 and 36.8–42.4 mg/kg, respectively. The bioavailability of Cu determined in respect to the C group was significantly lower in both CHC and OHC groups, whereas Mn was lower only in the OHC group. There were no significant differences in Zn bioavailability. The obtained results of the bioavailability of selected trace elements, determined on the basis of their concentration in the rat kidneys, did not show a clear evidence of the advantages of organically cultivated “Hayward” kiwifruit over conventional cultivation, in spite of their different contents in the examined fruits.

The paper presents the scope of substantive and technical upgrade of database “Protected areas in Poland” at the Institute of Environmental Protection - National Research Institute (IEP-NRI) and the resulting opportunities of providing new information. The modernised databases facilitate analyses and in-depth studies into the designated areas in Poland.