Geology, Geophysics & Environment
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ISSN 2299-8004
e-ISSN: 2353-0790
Issue Date
2018
Volume
Vol. 44
Number
No 3
Description
Journal Volume
Geology, Geophysics & Environment
Vol. 44 (2018)
Projects
Pages
Articles
Metals in organs of bottom sediments and aquatic plants of the Ełk River and its tributaries
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2018) Skorbiłowicz, Elżbieta; Skorbiłowicz, Mirosław; Zamojska, Emilia; Wójtowicz, Paulina
The aim of the work was to analyze the content of Ni, Pb and Cd in organs (root, stem, leaf) <i>Typha latifolia</i> L. and <i>Nuphar lutea</i> as well as bottom sediments of the Ełk River and selected tributaries. An attempt was also made to indicate the factors and processes governing the behavior of the investigated metals in the water environment of the examined rivers. The research object was the Ełk River with its three tributaries - the Gawlik River, the Binduga River and the Kuwasy Canal. Samples of bottom sediments, leaves, stems and roots of <i>Typha latifolia</i> L. and <i>Nuphar lutea</i> were collected in August of 2015. The content of metals was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS). The results of analyses of sediments and plant material indicate a lack of environmental pollution by nickel (2.58-8.50 mg $\cdot$ kg$^{-1}$) and lead (3.82-15.99 mg $\cdot$ kg$^{-1}$) of the Ełk River and its tributaries whereas the cadmium content ranged from 0.16-0.76 mg $\cdot$ kg$^{-1}$. <i>Nuphar lutea</i> and <i>Typha latifolia</i> L. showed a varied capacity to accumulate nickel (1.20-10.51 mg $\cdot$ kg$^{-1}$) and lead (0.04-14.16 mg $\cdot$ kg$^{-1}$), occurring primarily in the roots. The smallest concentration of nickel and lead was recorded in the stems. The highest concentration of cadmium (2.56 mg $\cdot$ kg$^{-1}$) was noted in the roots and the lowest (0.01 mg $\cdot$ kg) in the leaves. Factor analysis pointed to the processes of mobilizing elements from bottom sediments as a result of pH drop and their uptake by macrophyte roots and sorption processes of metal ions by macrophytes from river waters and their intensive accumulation in bottom sediments.
The influence of structural and functional changes on N-P-K input of agricultural origin and surface water quality in the upper Dunajec River basin in the years 1980-2010
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2018) Kopacz, Marek ; Kowalczyk, Agnieszka; Smoroń, Sylwester; Rychtarczyk, Marta
The aim of the study was the prediction of N-P-K inputs (hereafter referred to as NPK load) from agricultural sources. The study aimed to determine relations between the structural changes and the N-P-K load (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) fertilizer components in the upper Dunajec River basin (the Carpathian region in Poland). Analysis included the level and nature of agricultural production, the land use structure and non-agricultural factors. Multiple regression analysis was used for the development of the model. Relationships were determined in the form of regression models in the system of N-P-K load-structural parameters-land use-surface water quality. The quality of surface water was assessed in a range of concentrations of $N-NO_{3}^{-}$, $N-NH_{4}^{+}$, $PO_{4}^{3-}$, $Cl^{-}$, and compared to the N-P-K load that was brought to the basin from agricultural sources. Significant structural and spatial changes took place in the upper Dunajec River basin that affected many social, economic and environmental factors. Agricultural production was reduced, resulting in a decrease of area of agricultural land between the year 1980 and 2010. The most important factors influencing the changes in biogenic load of an agricultural origin were: stocking density and mineral fertilization. Both of these parameters determined the amount of N-P-K load in approx. 80-90% (not counting the use of N-P-K components by crops). Surface water quality has generally improved, only higher concentrations of chlorides were recorded in small urbanized river basins. Therefore, the chemical composition of water plays the role of a simplified indicator of structural changes. Mathematical formulas proved changes in N-P-K load depending on variations of individual influencing factors. The development of the usable space of the investigated river basin must take into account agricultural and non-agricultural factors, as well as the proportions and relationships between them. Only then might the sustainable and multifunctional development of these areas be provided.
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.
The leaching of mineral nitrogen forms from light soil fertilized with compost and sewage sludge
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2018) Rajmund, Agnieszka; Czyżyk, Franciszek; Paszkiewicz-Jasińska, Anna; Kopacz, Marek
The research was carried out in the years 2003-2013 in lysimeters filled with loamy sand. The leachate was tested in three variants: Z - no fertilization, S - 20 g $\cdot$ m$^{-2}$ of N delivered annually in sewage sludge and C - 20 g $\cdot$ m$^{-2}$ of N in the form of compost. The lysimeters were planted with <i>Miscanthus giganteus</i>, which is an energy plant with a high demand for water and nutrients. The amount of leaching of mineral nitrogen forms was determined on the basis of measured volumes of leachates from the soil and volumes of ammonium nitrogen ($N-NH_{4}$) and nitrate nitrogen ($N-NO_{3}$) contained in them. The research results showed a significant increase in the average content of mineral nitrogen forms in the effluents from the fertilized soil (S - 6.8 mg $\cdot$ dm$^{-3}$ of $N-NO_{3}$ and 0.3 mg $\cdot$ dm$^{-3}$ of $N-NH_{4}$, C - 7.8 mg $\cdot$ dm$^{-3}$ of $N-NO_{3}$ and 0.4 mg $\cdot$ dm$^{-3}$ of $N-NH_{4}$), compared to their concentrations in the leachates from non-fertilized soil (Z - 2.1 mg $\cdot$ dm$^{-3}$ of $N-NO_{3}$ and 0.2 mg $\cdot$ dm$^{-3}$ of $N-NH_{4}$). The content of mineral forms of nitrogen, in particular $N-NO_{3}$, were similar in both fertilization variants. The lowest concentrations of mineral nitrogen in the leachates occurred in the third and fourth year after planting Miscanthus giganteus, when it entered the period of the highest yield. In the fifth year, due to a cold, snowless winter, there was a weakened growth of plants, which resulted in an increase in the concentration of mineral nitrogen in the leachates from the fertilized soil. It follows that in addition to the intensity of precipitation, the collection of this component by plants primarily influences nitrogen leaching from the soil. The general amount of mineral nitrogen leached from the soil was not large and amounted Z - 2.5 kg $\cdot$ m$^{-2}$, S - 6.7 kg $\cdot$ m$^{-2}$, C - 6.4 kg $\cdot$ m$^{-2}$. This testifies to the intense collection of this form of nitrogen by Miscanthus giganteus.
Application of radial electrical resistivity profile array for mapping deep vertical fractures in a proposed engineering construction site within the University of Ibadan Campus, Southwestern Nigeria
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2018) Osinowo, Olawale Olakunle; Falufosi, Michael Oluseyi
In this study we demonstrate the efficacy of radial electrical resistivity profile array in delineating deep narrow linear fracture that could constitute weakness in the subsurface, thus hindering foundation material in providing necessary support to proposed engineering construction, in the southeastern part of the University of Ibadan Campus, southwestern Nigeria, where nearby buildings show stress induced failure traceable to defect in foundation upon which the buildings were founded. Six electrical resistivity profile arrays were occupied at 0°/180°, 307210°, 607240°, 907270, 1207300° and 1507330° orientations to complete a clockwise 360° sweep at 30° interval. The radial profile array enabled subsurface features to be intersected at relatively high angle, thus making measurement of linear features of limited lateral extent feasible irrespective of their orientations. Low resistivity distribution which decreases in value with depth (300-8 $\Omega$ m) characterizes the northern part of the study area while relatively higher value that increases with depth (420-4150 $\Omega$ m) dominates the south. The occurrence of a narrow strip of low resistivity zone (8-170 $\Omega$ m) at 20 m, which gains prominence with depth, dividing relatively resistive zone in the southern part of the study area indicate the presence of a deep vertical fracture whose detection is essential to guide further foundation geotechnical studies as well as aid the design of appropriate foundation that would support the proposed engineering structure.