Volume 25 (2014): Issue 3 (September 2014)

In order to determine the impact of improved microbiological preparations of soil on the development of the aboveground biomass of red clover (Parade variety) in the 2012-2013 year, field experiment with cultivation of this species was conducted. Experiment factors were three preparations containing composition of soil microorganisms (trade name: UGmax, Humus Active and Ekoużyźniacz). All study objects were carried out in triplicate. The analysed features were: green and dry matter of plant (kg • m^-2), plant height (cm), number of shoots (unit • m^-2), share of leaves and stems in biomass (%). The plants were cut three times, and collections of fresh weight were carried out at the beginning of flowering, i.e. when in 30-50% of the plants from plots the flower buds bloomed. The results were statistically analysed using analysis of variance. The study shows that the effects of biopreparations were dependent on the type of preparation and cut. Also, the meteorological conditions during the growing season of each research year were highly significant. The highest values of the analysed parameters were obtained for the plants that were sprayed using aqueous solutions of UGmax and Humus Active. There were no clear effects of soil fertilisers on the biomass structure expressed as the percentage of leaves and stems

Monitoring of lichens as bioindicators of air pollution has been conducted in Sokółka. On the basis of the occurrence of indicator epiphytic and epilithic lichen species, the scale of lichen sensitivity for the city has been developed and lichen zones have been designated. The zone pattern was not of insular character, and as a result there was no “total lichen desert”. The distribution of lichen zones reflects the intensity of anthropogenic pressure within the town. The least favourable conditions for lichen growth have been recorded in the town centre, while the green areas have shown the most beneficial impact on the lichen test sites

The aim of the work was the determination of productivity index (PI) of soil in the area of exploitation activity of the Mine-Energetic Plant “Janina” in Libiąż using the Zhenqi Hu et al. [1992] method. Studies were carried out in mining subsidence basin in the Żarki village near Libiąż where two soil pits were realised and material for laboratory investigations was taken. Soil properties determined in laboratory used the Zhenqi Hu et al. [1992] algorithm method and values of PI were calculated. Mean value of PI amounted 0.67, which classifies the investigated area as one of the conditions for poor agricultural production. Changes of primary soil properties caused by mining activity of the Mine-Energetic Plant “Janina” had the highest influence on the calculated PIs. The determined PIs show the necessity of undertaking reclamation works for restoring primary properties of soil

Poland is one of the countries with limited water resources where water saving is recommended e.g. by improving aquaculture methods to use less water. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of water quality and aquaculture technology on bioaccumulation of calcium, magnesium and sodium in muscle tissue of rainbow trout. The study was performed in spring and autumn 2011 in two trout fish farms using different farming technologies: one with flow-through system and the other with water recirculation system. The farming technology had significant influence on magnesium and sodium in waste waters but did not affect the content of the minerals in muscle tissue of rainbow trout

A measurement result should be presented with its measurement uncertainty determined according to the evaluation method. The paper presents an experimental method used to evaluate measurement uncertainty resulting from the collection and preparation of samples for analysis in chemical labs. Evaluation of measurement uncertainty of the content of particular elements in actual samples has been conducted with the method of precision determination using ROBUST ANOVA analysis of variance. Analyses of soil samples were made in the Laboratory of the Institute of Environmental Protection - National Research Institute. The experimental method of evaluating measurement uncertainty allows a fast and relatively simple evaluation of all sources of uncertainty resulting from sample collection and preparation for analysis in chemical labs

Water level fluctuations (WLF) in lakes are a natural feature that can be modified by human activities. The article presents a review of literature on the water level fluctuation in Polish lakes, their amplitude, periodicity and trends. WLF controlled by natural conditions and also those induced by human activity were considered. Although anthropogenic water level fluctuations in most Polish lakes seem to fall within the range of natural fluctuations, in some cases economic activities (e.g. the use of lakes for energy generation purposes) can lead to strong disturbances of the hydrological regime, causing an ecological instability that makes it impossible to maintain/achieve good ecological status. This, in turn, makes it necessary to define good ecological potential, being an environmental objective for such water bodies, which is less rigorous compared with good ecological status. The article indicates the need to expand the methods for the assessment of lakes in the country with new biological indicators to assess, in accordance with the Water Framework Directive requirements, the impact of hydrological alterations on biota

The paper presents a modern approach to environmental protection in a cement plant. The possibilities of using alternative fuels are discussed along with the consequences of using them. The authors describe the feeding systems of impregnated and shredded solid fuels and tyres, as well as of liquid fuels. The basic parameters of alternative fuels used are also discussed