Browsing by Author "Tarnawski, Marek"

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Access status: Open Access ,
Geochemistry indices and biotests as useful tools in the assessment of the degree of sediment contamination by metals
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2023) Koniarz, Tomasz; Tarnawski, Marek; Baran, Agnieszka
Ecological and geochemical indicators have been widely accepted as tools with the potential for rapid risk assessment of metal contamination of bottom sediments. In this study we propose a selection of such indicators to characterize the potential ecological risks stemming from metal contamination of the bottom sediments of the Chechło reservoir (S Poland). The Chechło reservoir is located in an area formerly occupied by zinc and lead ore mining and processing industry. High amounts of metals, especially zinc (39.37–4772.00 mg/kg d.m.), cadmium (0.37–21.13 mg/kg d.m.) and lead (4.50–434.49 mg/kg d.m.) have been found in the bottom sediments. Both geochemical (CD – contamination degree) and ecological indices (mean PECQ) were indicative of bottom sediment contamination and their potential toxicity to living organisms. Most of the bottom sediment samples (71%) examined were toxic for Heterocypris incongruens, while only 9% of the samples were toxic to Sinapis alba. However, no significant correlations between the metal content and the response of the test organisms were observed. Correlation and principal component analyses (PCA) showed that silt and clay fractions were the key factors influencing the metal content in the sediments. Our study makes a contribution to building evidence of the need to integrate several indices for the assessment of environmental risks related to the presence of metals in bottom sediments rather than relying on a single one.
Access status: Open Access ,
Mercury contamination of bottom sediments in water reservoirs of southern Poland
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2015) Koniarz, Tomasz; Tarnawski, Marek; Baran, Agnieszka; Florencka, Natalia
The aim of this study was to assess the mercury concentration in bottom sediments, collected from eight reservoirs located in south-eastern Poland. A DMA-80 Mercury Analyser was used for the analysis of the concentration of mercury in bottom sediments. Concentration of mercury in sediments was between 0.01–0.18 mg $\cdot$ kg$^{-1}$. The research results show that 13 samples are above the Polish Hg background level. Only 9 samples are below the background level. Generally, the sediments belonged to class I and II (unpolluted and moderately polluted sediments). The concentration of mercury in bottom sediments follows the order: Rybnik (highest) > Bagna Rzeszowskie > Rzeszów > Ożanna > Brzóza Stadnicka > Brzóza Królewska > Głuchów > Narożniki (lowest). The low mercury content in sediments is related to absent or limited anthropogenic sources of this metal. Elevated concentrations of Hg in bottom sediments of the reservoirs in Rybnik and Bagna Rzeszowskie are related to their proximity to large agglomerations and industrial plants. Organic matter was likely to be the most important factors controlling the concentration and distribution of mercury in the studied sediments.
Access status: Open Access ,
The application of the germination index in the assessment of the phytotoxicity of bottom sediments from the Rybnik Reservoir
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2017) Szara, Magdalena; Baran, Agnieszka; Tarnawski, Marek; Koniarz, Tomasz
The aims of the study were to assess the phytoxicity of bottom sediments collected from the Rybnik Reservoir. The water reservoir in Rybnik is located in the Silesian Voivodeship. The reservoir constitutes a part of the technological chain of Elektrownia Rybnik S.A. as a direct receiver of industrial and rainwater sewage, sewage from a water treatment plant, blowdowns from cooling towers, and as an essential source of cooling water. Sediment samples were collected with an Eckman sampler from 33 locations. The toxicity of bottom sediments was determined using the Phytotoxkit direct contact test, carried out for 3 plants: Sorghum saccharatum, Sinapis alba and Lepidium sativum. On the basis of the data received, the germination index (GI) was calculated. We found the mean value of the germination index indicated the dominance of the inhibitory effect of bottom sediments on plant growth. Sorghum saccharatum was the most sensitive to pollutants in sediments, while Lepidium sativum was the least sensitive. The Phytotoxkit is a good tool for assessing the toxicity of bottom sediments.
Access status: Open Access ,
The content and composition of organic matter in bottom sediments of the Rybnik reservoir - preliminary studies
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2018) Baran, Agnieszka; Mierzwa-Hersztek, Monika; Gondek, Krzysztof; Szara, Magdalena; Tarnawski, Marek
Organic matter has important influences on the fate of environmental pollution in water dam reservoirs. The aim of the studies was to assess content of organic matter fractions in Rybnik reservoir bottom sediments, and to determine their influence on the content of heavy metals and PAHs. In three sediment samples, the content of C organic (Corg), C extracted (Cex), C humic acid (Cha), C fulvic acid (Cfa) and C non-hydrolyzed (Cnh), buffer capacity, and content of heavy metals and PAHs was analyzed. We found the highest content of Corg, Cex, Cha, Cfa and Cnh in sample 3 (the outlet, near the dam), while the lowest content was found in sample 2 (middle). The fraction of Cnh was dominant in sediment sample 3 (outlet, near dam) and 1 (inlet), whereas the fraction of Cha dominated in sample 2 (middle). Rybnik bottom sediments are characterized by their high buffer capacities (samples 3, 1) shaped among others by the high content of organic matter. The high organic matter content in samples 3 (outlet) and 1 (inlet) and also high total contents of heavy metals and PAHs in these sediments demonstrate that these pollutants have a strong affinity for organic matter in the sediments. Moreover, the highest mobility of metals, from sample 2 (middle), is connected with the low content of organic matter substances and the low buffer capacities of sediments.
Access status: Open Access ,
The effect of bottom sediment supplement on changes of soil properties and on the chemical composition of plants
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2015) Tarnawski, Marek; Baran, Agnieszka; Koniarz, Tomasz
The aim of the study was to assess the effect of bottom sediments on the selected properties of light soil as well as the content of trace elements in tested plants. The bottom sediments collected from the Besko reservoir were added to the soil in an amount of 5%, 10%, 30% and 50% of air-dried sediment, in relation to dry soil mass. The pot experiment was conducted on a light soil, with weak loamy sand grain size composition and slightly acid reaction, which was enriched with a supplement of bottom sediment. The test plant was a maize, Bora c.v. An applied bottom deposit revealed in its composition a considerable content of clay fractions, alkaline reaction and low total heavy metal content. Therefore, it may be applied as an admixture to light soils to improve their productivity. The addition of sediment to light soil resulted in the improvement of acidification in soil indicators: increased soil pH and reduced value of hydrolytic acidity, as well as improved sorption properties. A non-uniform effect of bottom sediment admixture on the content of trace elements in maize was determined. The sediment added to the soil increased the content of copper, nickel, chromium and, decreased the contents of zinc and cadmium in shoots. We did not find any excess of the permissible content of metals in plants used as animals forage in the maize biomass.
Access status: Open Access ,
The possibilities of the environmental use of bottom sediments from the silted inlet zone of the Rożnów Reservoir
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2017) Tarnawski, Marek; Baran, Agnieszka; Koniarz, Tomasz; Wyrębek, Maciej; Grela, Jerzy; Piszczek, Monika; Koroluk, Agnieszka
The aim of the study was to assess the properties of bottom sediments from the inlet zone of the Rożnów Reservoir (South Poland) and to analyse the potential possibilities to use them for environmental purposes. The inlet zone of the reservoir is particularly intensely shallowed by means of the silts of the Dunajec River. A total of 20 samples were collected from the designated cross-sections. In air-dry samples of the sediments, granulometric composition, pH electrolytic conductivity (EC), sorption properties, organic carbon carbonates and macroelements content were determined. Bottom sediments from the Rożnów Reservoir indicate a great potential possibility to use them for environmental purposes (agriculture, reclamation). However, in order to fully evaluate the possibility of bottom sediment management, it is necessary to carry out an analysis of the ecological risk related to the content of heavy metals, PAHs, PCBs and to evaluate their eco-toxicity. Moreover, the main barriers to the environmental application of bottom sediments are a lack of appropriate legislation.
Access status: Open Access ,
Zmienność stężenia metali ciężkich w profilach osadów dennych wybranego stawu rybnego
(2007) Florencka, Natalia; Tarnawski, Marek
W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań właściwości chemicznych (szczególnie stężeń metali ciężkich) w warstwach osadów dennych wybranego stawu rybnego. Wykazano zmienność stężeń metali ciężkich w profilu głębokościowym osadów. Wyższe stężenia metali występują w miejscach deponowania osadów organicznych, co świadczy o roli materii organicznej w akumulowaniu zanieczyszczeń. Określony poziom stężeń metali śladowych w osadzie nie wskazuje na jego skażenie, a żadna z wartości nie przekroczyła wartości progowych podanych w Rozporządzeniu Ministra Środowiska dotyczącym standardów jakości ziemi.