Geology, Geophysics & Environment
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ISSN 2299-8004
e-ISSN: 2353-0790
Issue Date
2015
Volume
Vol. 41
Number
No. 3
Description
Journal Volume
Geology, Geophysics & Environment
Vol. 41 (2015)
Projects
Pages
Articles
Titanium compounds and their impact on the transformation of air pollutants
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2015) Bok, Agnieszka; Bożym, Marta
Titanium, as a transition metal, demonstrates a high mechanical strength. It is light and corrosion resistant. The estimation of the environmental impact of the use of machine parts that grains are freed from and contact the surface of titanium alloys by wear is buffing. Due to its catalytic action, $TiO_{2}$ is nowadays added to asphalt, concrete, exterior paints for elevation, self-cleaning glass and protective coatings. It is also present in clothes, food (E171), cosmetics (CI 77891) and textiles. The research on the toxicity of titanium and its compounds points towards their neutral character, however an adverse impact is also observed in nature. $TiO_{2}$ may affect air quality. It promotes free radicals and ozone origination. The properties and direction of the use of titanium compounds and their influence on the circulation of pollutants are described below.
Determination of reservoir properties through the use of computed X-ray microtomography – eolian sandstone examples
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2015) Dohnalik, Marek; Jarzyna, Jadwiga A.
The possibility of examining rock pore structure by the means of computed X-ray microtomography was presented. Parameters characterizing the pore structure, such as: porosity and coefficient of homogeneity of pore structure by local porosity examination, box counting dimension, mean chord length, normalized Euler number, as well as coordination number were all determined through pore structure image analyses. Complementary methods, such as helium pycnometry, mercury injection capillary pressure and NMR were used to determine the porosity along with other factors to make the comparison and determine mutual relationships between petrophysical properties obtained from various sources. The study covered the Rotliegend sandstones of eolian origin. Laboratory investigation of the reservoir properties was focused on three areas, according to their geological regions, where the Rotliegend sediments showed changeability in geological features and reservoir properties. Computed X-ray microtomography showed differentiation between the investigated areas, with respect to their pore structure and porosity development. This differentiation was confirmed by means of other applied laboratory methods.
Assessment of water quality of degraded anthropogenic reservoirs situated in the area of the former Rozbark Coal Mine in Bytom
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2015) Gawor, Łukasz; Lutyńska, Sylwia
In this paper, the degree of contamination of water was determined from anthropogenic reservoirs, located in the area of former coal mine Rozbark in Bytom. The physicochemical analysis of water indicated a high degree of anthropopression. In all analyzed reservoirs, permissible concentrations of chlorides and sulphates were exceeded. In the majority of them, the values of electrical conductivity and total suspended solids were also exceeded. In order to determine the transformation of surface water contamination, there was a comparison of archival data of water quality and laboratory tests performed after five years. Comparative analysis shows that in the last five years, there has been no improvement in the quality of the analyzed surface waters. In fact deterioration of the quality was noticeable.
Radiomonitoring of the Opole industrial district
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2015) Godyń, Piotr; Zielińska, Maria; Dołhańczuk-Śródka, Agnieszka; Ziembik, Zbigniew
The metallurgic industry is one of the main sources of environmental pollution. It emits dust, which contains manganese oxides, iron oxides, zinc and lead oxides that could be deposited in soil. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the local metallurgical industry on soil contamination with metals released during processing using Pb-210 as a contamination tracer. Soil samples were collected from 19 sites located around the Opole industrial zone, in which, for example, welding and galvanizing companies operate. In the studies, various types of sampling sites were taken into account, such as the forests, meadows, fields and allotment gardens. The activity measurements of Bi-214, Pb-214, Cs-137 and Pb-210 were performed, using a gamma spectrometer. Applying the properties of the latter isotope, the local level of soil contamination was estimated. The results indicated that the metallurgical industry is not a source of environmental pollution in the immediate vicinity. The excessive lead concentrations ranged from 1 Bq/kg d.m. to 100 Bq/kg d.m. and were not strongly correlated with the distances from the presumed source of contamination.
Commercial utilization of mineral waste: review of analysis methods determining its compliance with environmental laws
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2015) Gruszecka-Kosowska, Agnieszka; Mikoda, Bartosz
Optimal methods used in the analysis of waste material resulting from mining and processing of mineral resources that allow to assess the potential impact of waste on the environment, based on binding environmental laws regulating potential commercial utilization of waste were investigated. The paper is concerned mostly with mineral waste, constituting about 80% of all industrial waste generated. According to the principles of sustainable waste management, waste storage is considered to be the last resort. However, every year over 20% of the total amount of industrial waste generated is stored. That makes the amount of the already deposited materials, coming from the time when the commercial utilization was not common in Poland, even more considerable. When it comes to extensive, i.e. regarding great quantities, and long-term usage of industrial wastes, the identical composition of waste material coming from different batches is of the essence. Unfortunately, this condition is not always fulfilled, therefore chemical composition analyses need to be carried out for monitoring purposes. For the same reason the waste material used should also be tested to check whether the parameters of a given batch are within the limit values defined by the standards. Described methods are intended to facilitate waste characterisation with respect to their effect on the environment when used for commercial purposes. An individual method is never good enough to determine the full extent of environmental impact. It is therefore recommended to apply several methods in a logical sequence, depending on the type of waste material and its purpose.