Geology, Geophysics & Environment
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ISSN 2299-8004
e-ISSN: 2353-0790
Issue Date
2018
Volume
Vol. 44
Number
No 4
Description
Journal Volume
Geology, Geophysics & Environment
Vol. 44 (2018)
Projects
Pages
Articles
The effect of waste sulfur obtained during biogas desulfurization on the availability of selected trace elements in soil
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2018) Bobowiec, Aneta; Tabak, Monika
Research concerning the effect of the application of waste sulfur pulp (doses: 10, 20, 30, 60 mg S $\cdot$ kg$^{-1}$ d.m. of soil) on selected soil properties was carried out. The pulp contained sulfur in the elemental form. Before setting up the experiment, the soil had a slightly acid reaction (determination in 1 mol $\cdot$ dm$^{-3}$ KCl) and was not contaminated with heavy metals. After conducting the incubation experiment, it was observed that the application of sulfur pulp led to a statistically significant (and proportional to the dose) increase in the content of available sulfur in soil. Application of waste caused a decrease in soil pH and an increase in the mobility and availability of Zn, Cd and Mn (extracted with 0.01 mol $^{-3}$ $CaCl_{2}$). In relation to soil without waste, more Zn, Cd and Mn (by 4–51%, 9–24% and 0.1–31%, respectively) was determined. Liming reduced the acidifying effect of the introduced waste – after 150 days, only soil with the highest dose of sulfur pulp was characterized by a statistically significantly lower pH than the soil without the waste addition. An increase in the rate of sulfur oxidation was also observed – after 150 days of the experiment, more sulfate sulfur (by 14.4–34.5%) was determined, with respect to treatments of the unlimed series. A considerably lower content of Zn, Cd and Mn was determined in the limed soil than in the unlimed one. Regardless of waste dose and date of analysis, the soil contained a trace content of mobile forms of Cu, Cr, Ni and Pb.
Georadar surveys of the flooring in the St. Francis of Assisi basilica in Krakow
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2018) Łyczak, Monika; Adamiec, Jacek; Skupień, Tomasz; Małysa, Tomasz; Groffik, Anna
Basilica of St. Francisco of Assisi together with the buildings of the Franciscan convent constitute one of the most important points on the map of medieval Krakow. However, their architectural transformations are still not well recognized. In 2015, the opportunity to expand this knowledge occured. Within the basilica itself, along with the adjacent chapels, a comprehensive, non-invasive, georadar floor examination was held. Its effect, apart from confirming the location of known tombs and burial crypts, was the discovery of completely unknown underground rooms. Using small-hole drills, the rooms were recognized as burial crypts. Currently, their diagnosis is conducted by archaeological methods. The presented case study was also an occasion to describe explicitly the methodological bases of crypt identification practice, using connection between some specific construction details characteristic for ancient European architecture and the corresponding GPR manifestations (diagnostic features).
Paramagnetic properties of Cuban red mud at low temperatures
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2018) Shvets, Valentyna
The electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of Cuban red mud have been measured at three different temperatures: 295 K, 150 K and 77 K. The broad absorption line with resonance fields ∼(1.7–1.8) kOe was observed at all temperatures with values of $\overline{g}$-factor from 3.602 to 4.020. The temperature decrease resulted in an absorption line appearance with resonance fields of 3.252 kOe ($\overline{g}$=2.067) at 150 K and 3.339 kOe ($\overline{g}$=2.086) at 77 K. The ESR-signal amplitude with resonance fields ∼(1.7–1.8) kOe decreases and the ESR-signal amplitude in the field ∼3.3 kOе increases with reduction in temperature.
Perspectives of geothermal water use in the Podhale Basin according to geothermal step distribution
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2018) Operacz, Agnieszka; Chowaniec, Józef
At present, hydro-geothermal resources in which waters in bores are the carrier of heat energy have commercial importance in Poland. Geothermal waters should feature the highest possible temperature in the outflow, low mineral content, high capacity and low deposit depth. Even though geothermal energy is included in renewable sources of energy, complete depletion of the deposit is the largest risk in extracting geothermal waters. This is why these waters should also feature deposit renewability. There are currently several geothermal provinces with beneficial geothermal conditions in Poland, with the area of the Podhale Basin in the Inner Carpathians region being regarded as the most promising. The Podhale deposit also meets all of the above listed conditions. The possibility of using hydrothermal energy in Poland is practically available throughout the country, but operational use of hot groundwater must be profitable for investors. From another point of view, the environmental impact of such investments should be minimized. This paper is concerned with the special variety of temperature of geothermal waters extracted in the area of the Podhale Basin, which is the basic aspect in using deposits of this type.
The occurrence of microplastics in freshwater systems – preliminary results from Krakow (Poland)
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2018) Połeć, Marzena; Aleksander-Kwaterczak, Urszula; Wątor, Katarzyna; Kmiecik, Ewa
The 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.