Kmiecik, Ewa
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nauki o Ziemi i środowisku
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Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access , The occurrence of microplastics in freshwater systems – preliminary results from Krakow (Poland)(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2018) Połeć, Marzena; Aleksander-Kwaterczak, Urszula; Wątor, Katarzyna; Kmiecik, EwaThe results of research conducted in recent years indicates that microplastic particles are widely distributed in the aquatic environment. The investigations are mostly focused on marine waters and there is still a lack of information about their presence in both surface water and groundwater. In this paper, preliminary results of research conducted in Poland are presented. Different types of water samples were collected. Five litres of each sample were filtered through 0.4 μm glass fibre filters. In the first stage, visual identification was conducted using a stereomicroscope. Additionally, some interesting fragments were examined by means of SEM/EDS method. In the case of rivers water samples, which were characterized by a high content of organic matter and minerals, the visibility of microplastics could be reduced. In the sample from the Vistula River, some particles similar to microplastics were found. In the groundwater samples, some blue and green particles which supposed to be plastic were found by the stereomicroscope. Additional analysis with the DXR Raman Microscope method gave no clear results. The samples were too small and the plastic particles were very dispersed which prevented correct analysis. SEM analysis showed irregularly shaped particles which were considered to be microplastics. Considering the chemical composition, carbon predominated.Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access , Transport parameters of selected neonicotinoids in different aquifer materials using batch sorption tests(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2022) Pietrzak, Damian; Kania, Jarosław; Kmiecik, EwaContamination of surface and groundwater by neonicotinoids is a global problem and requires comprehensive action by individual countries in order to identify in detail the processes affecting the transport of these pesticides, their properties, and their harmfulness to the environment. The aim of this study was to assess the transport (expressed by sorption parameters) of selected neonicotinoids in the aquatic environment, using batch tests. Tests were carried out for acetamiprid individually and a mixture of five neonicotinoids (acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam), for three different aquifer materials and quartz sand. Based on the obtained values of the sorption parameters, the greatest sorption of neonicotinoids was observed on soil with the highest content of organic matter and clay minerals content, while no sorption of these pesticides was observed on quartz sand. In addition, it was noticed that individual neonicotinoids undergo sorption to a different degree - thiacloprid was the most sorbed (<i>R</i>-value in the range 3.13–26.03), while thiamethoxam was the least (R-value in the range 1.89–8.41).Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access , The valorization of flotation tailings in terms of the concept of the circular economy: characterization, environmental risk assessment, and waste utilization routes(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2024) Mikoda, Bartosz; Potysz, Anna; Siepak, Marcin; Kmiecik, EwaFlotation tailings originating from copper ore processing were evaluated in terms of chemical and mineralogical features, leaching, and resource potential. The results demonstrated that flotation tailings show varying degrees of the leachability of elements when exposed to different pH conditions (2–13); the Zn, Cu and Co leachabilities decrease as pH increases, whereas Mo, Ag and Sb revealed U-shaped leaching trend as a function of pH. Flotation tailings were found to be fairly reactive when exposed to water leaching and rainfall conditions. The environmental risk analysis demonstrated Zn to be the most susceptible element to liberation from the flotation tailings studied. Recovery tests demonstrated sulfuric acid to be slightly more efficient extracting agent as compared to citric acid. Hybrid approach to metal recovery was rather unsuitable for studied tailings due to lower extraction yield (not exceeding 20%) as compared to chemical treatment (not exceeding 40%).Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access , BPA - an endocrine disrupting compound in water used for drinking purposes, a snapshot from South Poland(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2020) Kmiecik, Ewa; Styszko, Katarzyna; Wątor, Katarzyna; Dwornik, Małgorzata; Tomaszewska, BarbaraBisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical produced in large quantities for use primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. As an endocrine disrupting compound, it has been included in the list of substances requiring special supervision as a very high-risk substance due to its toxic influence on reproduction. BPA with a reference value of 0.01 μg/L was included in the Drinking Water Directive revision (DWD 2018). This paper presents the results of preliminary studies aimed at identifying the occurrence of BPA in different types of water, i.a. groundwater captured with house wells or flowing wells in a selected location in southern Poland. These waters are commonly used as a source of water intended for human consumption and their quality is not regularly controlled. Additional tests were carried out for surface water, as well as water from springs used for drinking purposes. The authors also analysed tap water from various sources, i.e. surface and groundwater, as the final product of the drinking water production cycle. The results indicate the presence of BPA in water and the necessity of a detailed study on the risk of the BPA occurring in groundwater, especially in domestic wells.Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access , Health risk assessment resulting from the presence of Legionella bacteria in domestic hot water in public buildings - the results of a pilot study(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2021) Kmiecik, Ewa; Wątor, Katarzyna; Chochorek, Aneta; Kołodziej, Mateusz; Mika, Anna; Krawiec, Arkadiusz; Herzig, JanuszThe aim of the study was to assess the risk posed by <i>Legionella</i> bacteria in a public building in Krakow. An old building with internal installation risers of different ages, as well as draw-off points of different types, was selected for testing. Samples were collected during two campaigns. In one sample of the first series of tests, no bacteria were found. During the second series of tests, no <i>Legionella</i> bacilli were found in just one sample and in one sample only 4 colony-forming units were detected. At the remaining draw-off points (water taps), the bacteria count detected were greater than the maximum threshold allowed by legal regulations (admissible threshold for public utility buildings – 100 cfu/100 mL). No morphological differences were observed with respect to the occurrence of specific serogroups. In 14 samples, <i>Legionella</i> pneumophila serogroups 2–14 were found, while the <i>Legionella</i> pneumophila serogroup 1 was only found in one sample. The risk assessment was also carried out based on a semi-quantitative risk matrix approach and as a quantitative microbial risk assessment. The risk matrix approach was successfully implemented for the recognition of the potential risk associated with the <i>Legionella</i> occurrence in a water system. The calculated annual cumulative risk is high. The research shows that even if the weekly inhalation exposure dose (and therefore the calculated risk) is high, the number of <i>Legionella</i> pneumophila illness cases found can be equal to zero. This is probably due to the large uncertainty associated with QMRA determination. The size of the room in which the contaminated water is used also affects the possibility of infection.