Seasonal changes in radon concentrations in buildings in the region of northeastern Poland

In this study, seasonal observations of radon concentration changes inside buildings carried out in the northeastern region of Poland is presented. One-year measurements of radon concentrations were performed in chosen buildings. The integral method of Cr-39 trace detectors in diffusive chambers was used. Mean values of radon concentrations were determined in monthly, 2-, 3-, 6-month, and annual observations. The fraction of a mean annual concentration of the value obtained in a shorter observation was calculated. Monthly concentration values were from about 0.2 to 14.9 of the annual mean. All buildings revealed seasonal fluctuation of radon concentration. Negative correlation of indoor radon concentration in the buildings and the mean temperature outside was observed in most examined buildings. The lowest coefficient range, determining which part of the annual mean value would be obtained in the 6-month observation, was gained for exposure begun in April or October.     

Organic acid profile and phenolic and sugar content in Salix purpurea × viminalis L. cultivated with different spent mushroom substrate and copper additions

The aim of the study was to determine the response of Salix purpurea?×?viminalis L. growing on Pleurotus ostreatus spent mushroom substrate (SMS) with different copper (Cu) addition. The content of Cu in roots, leaves and shoots was reduced by SMS addition. A decrease of biomass was observed with simultaneous Cu concentration increase. SMS induced leaf and root elongation of Cu-treated plants. Variation in the profile of low molecular weight organic acids with the domination of oxalic and acetic acids was observed. The total phenolic content significantly increased for plants cultivated with SMS, while the biosynthesis of salicylic acid was considerably weakened. The content of sugars was generally reduced by SMS. Alteration in the level of the stress-related molecules suggests mitigation of the harmful effect of Cu on Salix hybrid metabolism by SMS addition. This pointed to the possibility of using SMS in contaminated soil to reduce the toxic effect of metals on plants used in phytoextraction.     

The concentration of Cu and Pb in the funnel spider Eratigena atrica (C. L. Koch 1843) (Araneae: Agelenidae) and its web

Studies on the heavy metal concentrations on spider webs in relation to the pathways of pollution penetration (external and internal) have yet to be performed. This work assesses the concentration levels of two heavy metals: essential copper (Cu) and toxic lead (Pb) in spider webs and spiders (females, males and juveniles). Spiders divided into three treatment groups were exposed to the heavy metals in their diet as prey (fruit flies and mealworms larvae) were artificially contaminated with Cu and Pb. In general, we found higher rates of Cu compared to Pb concentrations in spiders and their webs. A positive correlation between levels of Cu and Pb in webs and spiders was found. Males had higher concentrations of both metals Cu and Pb in their bodies and webs compared to females. In an additional experiment, washed webs had significantly less metals than unwashed suggesting the dominance of external pollution in the contamination pathway.     

Mobility of toxic elements in carbonate sediments from a mining area in Poland

The Boles?aw–Bukowno mining area in Poland is highly polluted by elements such as Zn, Pb, Cd and As. The reactivity and mobility of toxic elements such as Tl are poorly known. Here, we studied by sequential extraction the mobility of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, Tl and Zn in sediments from two water reservoirs near Bukowno. Results show that available As, Co, Mn, Pb and Zn are found in carbonate minerals. Available Cd, Cu and Tl are found in sulphides and organic matter. The extractability of As, Cr, Mo and Tl was rather poor. By contrast, 85 % of total Cd, Pb and Zn was mobile. We discuss Tl and Mo association in carbonate sediments from ore deposits.     

Cadmium and lead toxicity and bioaccumulation in Microcystis aeruginosa

The growth of human population leads to intensification of agriculture and promotes, through eutrophication, development of cyanobacteria. One of the most widespread and bloom-forming species in freshwater is toxic Microcystis aeruginosa （M. aeruginosa）. Combustion of fossil fuels and metallurgical processes are the main sources of heavy metals contamination in surface water including cadmium （Cd） and lead （Pb）. The following study was conducted in order to determine the effect of 1- 20 mg. L-1 of Cd and Pb on photochemistry （using flow cytometry） and growth （based on chlorophyll concentra- tion） ofM. aeruginosa as well as to estimate levels of metal bioaccumulation. We have found that 1-10mg.L-1 of Cd and 1-5 rag. L1 of Pb induced continuous enhancement of chlorophyll fluorescence during 24 h of incubation. No significant degradation of chlorophyll was observed in these samples. At higher concentrations of 20 mg. L-1 of Cd and 10-20 mg.L-1 of Pb chlorophyll level significantly decreased and its fluorescence was quenched. M. aeruginosa demonstrated high capability of Cd and Pb bioaccumulation, proportionally to initial metal concentration. In samples with initial concentration of 20 mg. L-1 of Cd and Pb bioaccumulation of 87.3% and 90.1% was observed, respectively. Our study demonstrates that M. aeruginosa can potentially survive in highly metals polluted environments, be a primary source of toxic metals in the food chain and consequently contribute to enhanced toxicity of heavy metals to living organisms including human.     

Benefits of extra-pair mating may depend on environmental conditions—an experimental study in the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

Extra-pair mating constitutes a relatively common reproductive strategy in many socially monogamous bird species. This strategy may considerably improve reproductive success of males, but female benefits from extra-pair matings still remain unclear and empirical evidence is scarce. This may be because genetic benefits of extra-pair mating are not always revealed. It is possible that they are shown only in unfavourable environmental conditions and hence problems arise with detecting differences between within- and extra-pair offspring whose performance is measured under favourable conditions. In order to test this prediction, we manipulated environmental conditions by altering brood sizes of blue tits and compared phenotypic characteristics of within- and extra-pair offspring in mixed-paternity broods. We found that extra-pair young exhibited a higher response to phytohemagglutinin in comparison to within-pair young, but this was only observed among nestlings from experimentally enlarged broods. These results indicate that genetic benefits may interact with the environment, and thus benefits of extra-pair mating are likely to become visible only when conditions are relatively unfavourable.     

Use of fly ash agglomerates for removal of arsenic

The aim of this work is to investigate the application of fly ash adsorbent for removal of arsenite ions from dilute solution (100–1,000 ppm). Experiments were carried out using material from the “Turów” (Poland) brown-coal-burning power plant, which was wetted, then mixed and tumbled in a granulator to form spherical agglomerates. Measurements of arsenic adsorption from aqueous solution were carried out at room temperature and natural pH of fly ash agglomerates, in either a shaken flask or circulating column, to compare two different methods of contacting solution with adsorbent. Adsorption isotherms of arsenic were determined for agglomerated material using the Freundlich equation. Kinetic studies indicated that sorption follows a pseudo-second-order model. Preferable method to carry out the process is continuous circulation of arsenite solution through a column.     

Trace metals in the shells of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) from the Poland coast of Baltic sea

The Odiel salt marshes (Marismas del Odiel) are an important nature area declared a Biosphere Reserve, but they are greatly affected by pollution from the Odiel River. Surface sediments from this area were analysed using the latest version of the BCR sequential extraction procedure to determine the fractionation of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn among four geochemical phases (acid-soluble, reducible, oxidisable and residual). The total content of each of the metals and As was also determined. The results showed high concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, with maximums of 791 mg kg⁻¹ of As, 8.5 mg kg⁻¹ of Cd, 2,740 mg kg⁻¹ of Cu, 1,580 mg kg⁻¹ of Pb and 3,920 mg kg⁻¹ of Zn. The concentrations of Cr, Mn and Ni were low since there are no sources of pollution by them in the area. A comparison of the metal and As levels with the sediment quality guidelines showed that the pollution is sufficient to produce noxious effects in aquatic organisms in most of the Odiel salt marshes. Based on the chemical distribution of the elements, it was found that Cd and Zn were the most mobile (i.e., elements that can pass easily into the water under changing environmental conditions). However, Cr, Fe, Ni and As were present in the greatest percentages in the residual fraction, which implies that these elements are strongly linked to the sediments.     

New procedures for simultaneous determination of mesotrione and atrazine in water and soil. Comparison of the degradation processes of mesotrione and atrazine

A method for the determination of residues of mesotrione, atrazine and its degradation products: deethylatrazine, hydroxyatrazine, deisopropylatrazine, desethyldesisopropylatrazine in a variety of water and soil matrices has been developed. Mesotrione is a new selective herbicide for use in corn, which has been substituted for atrazine, which has been banned in European Union countries since 2007. Although atrazine has not been used for three vegetative periods, it is still detected in the environment. The analysis was conducted by means of ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection and liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The procedures for analyte separation from water and soil matrices were also established. The optimal conditions for solid-phase extraction (SPE) were determined. The recoveries were compared with that obtained by means of SPE. Method fortification recoveries from water samples averaged 78–97% and for soil 80–97% depending on the analyte and type of sample. The limits of detection were 0.04–0.61 μg/L for water samples and for soil samples 0.02–0.88 μg/g. The soil samples were collected in spring 2009 from three different fields with water samples being made from effluents from these fields. Samples collection was conducted in the day of mesotrione (Callisto 100SC) application and then done weekly, until the mesotrione concentration was below the limit of quantification. The results enabled the monitoring of mesotrione degradation in soil and its permeability into surface waters; simultaneously, the same studies were conducted for atrazine.