Volume 28 (2017): Issue 3 (September 2017)

The coal mining has brought a series of ecological problems and environmental problems in permafrost regions. Taking Muli coal-mining area as an example, this article attempts to analyse the environmental harms caused by coal mining and its protection measures in permafrost regions of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. This article analyses the influence of open mining on the surrounding permafrost around the open pit by using the numerical simulation. The results show that (1) based on the interrelation between coal mining and permafrost environment, these main environmental harm include the permafrost change and the natural environment change in cold regions; (2) once the surface temperature rises due to open mining, the permafrost will disappear with the increase of exploitation life. If considering the solar radiation, the climate conditions and the geological condition around the pit edge, the maximum thaw depth will be more than 2 m; (3) the protection measures are proposed to avoid the disadvantage impact on the permafrost environment caused by coal mining. It will provide a scientific basis for the resource development and environment protection in cold regions.

In order to learn about the phenomena occurring in flood embankment under the influence of external factors, including the increasing water level in the river during floods, a Computer System for Monitoring River Embankment (ISMOP) was developed using an experimental flood embankment. The project was carried out by a consortium consisting of AGH University of Science and Technology departments (Computer Science, Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Geoinformatics and Applied Computer Science and two companies (NEOSENTIO and SWECO Hydroprojekt Kraków) in co-operation with the Czernichów Community Council.

An experimental flood embankment was built with two parallel sections with a length of 150 m and a height of 4.5 m, connected by a meandering, creating a reservoir that can be filled with water. For the construction of the embankment, different types of soils were used in all the five sections. Inside the flood embankment 1300 sensors are placed, including sensors for temperature, pore pressure, vertical displacements, as well as inclinometers. Also fiber optic strands, capable of measuring the temperature of the flood embankment on the upstream side, are located inside the experimental embankment [ismop.pl].

Together with the real experiments, numerical modelling using the Itasca Flac 2D 7.0 was performed in order to describe the impact of water pressing on the flood embankment and the impact of increasing and decreasing reservoir water level on the phenomena that occur within the embankment.

The results of modelling compared with the real sensor data allowed the evaluation of the current and future state of the embankment. Based on the data measured by the sensors and data received during the numerical modelling, a group of algorithms that allowed detection of anomaly phenomena was developed.

The range of applications in which remote detection of chemical compounds is used extends from monitoring of technological processes through diagnostics of industrial installation and environmental control up to military applications. The methods and the devices used for the passive detection of selected gases are presented. The change in the signal reaching the camera caused by the presence of gas was calculated. The successful detection can be achieved if the absorption (or emission) of a gas cloud, located between object (background) and the camera, causes signal change greater or equal to noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) of the camera.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of application of small amounts of nitrogen to the soil together with foliar application of micronutrients on the content of copper, manganese and zinc in the grain of spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L.). The study was based on a two-factor field experiment conducted in 2009–2011 on very good rye complex soil. Nitrogen was applied in the form of ammonium nitrate (34% N), and manganese and copper were applied to the leaves in the form of the fertilisers Adob Mn (1.5 l∙ha⁻¹) and Adob Cu (1.0 l∙ha⁻¹), respectively. The results indicated that the nitrogen fertilisation, the foliar application of micronutrients and the interaction of these factors significantly determined the contents of copper, manganese and zinc in the grain. The highest content of Cu and Mn in the material was obtained following the application of 50 kg N·ha⁻¹, and an increase in nitrogen application (to 50 kg·ha⁻¹) caused a decrease in the content of zinc in the grain. Foliar application of Cu, Mn and both elements together resulted in significant changes in the concentrations of Cu, Mn and Zn in the plant material as compared to treatment without the application of micronutrients. The mineral fertilisers at the rates applied had a beneficial effect on the chemical composition of the grain, and thus on its quality, and this was achieved with substantially lower consumption of agrochemicals than that in the case of agrotechnical procedures for traditional cereals. It can, therefore, be concluded that this practice is environment friendly and can significantly reduce the negative impact of agricultural activity.

The first recordings of flora and vegetation in the surroundings of the Moszne lake (Polesie National Park) started from 1960. In 1980s the water conditions in this area changed and affected the organisms that lived there. The aim of this research was to recognize the present state and changes that occurred within flora and vegetation in the course of 18 years (1995–2013). In 2013, at the beginning of June, 34 phytosociological relevés were made on the floating mat that surrounds the Moszne lake in the same locations as they were done in 1995. The obtained data was collated with figures from the literature by comparing the frequency of plant species and plant communities, average plant species coverage and by calculating Sørensen indexes. The results showed that almost the same plant communities were identified in both terms of research. It was found that 35% of the plant species had disappeared after 18 years and that the biggest increase in percentage coverage was noted in case of Phragmites australis and Sphagnum fallax. Those findings show that it is very difficult and sometimes even impossible to reverse the negative influence of water condition change on bogs.

Sosnowsky’s hogweed was brought to Poland as a silage plant for cattle in the mid-20^th century from the Caucasus. It was grown mainly in National Farms. However, the hogweed quickly spread across the natural environment. It is a highly invasive plant and possesses strong burning qualities. Every year many people suffer from its burns. The hogweed is also dangerous for animals. Being an invasive species, it displaces natural plant species of the native flora. It can threaten the flora and landscape of a particular area. The aim of the article is to present the problem including the frequency of occurrence of Sosnowsky’s hogweed in Poland, to show the negative effects for human health and the methods to fight it in its habitat.

Areas of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) have been defined in ISO 26000. Guidelines of the International Standardisation Organisation distinguish seven areas: corporate governance, human rights, labour practices, natural environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, social commitment and development of local communities. This article presents good practices implemented by enterprises in the individual areas, in particular, actions in the area of the natural environment. Two research hypotheses are posited concerning the rate of implementing good CSR practices and the number of actions in the natural environment area. National Responsible Business Forum research and a survey of a group of enterprises in the Mazovian region, conducted by the authors in 2014–2016, served to verify the hypotheses. The results imply that the number of good practices realised in CSR areas tends to grow. In addition, actions in the area of the natural environment rank third with regard to good practices implemented.