The influence of chemical protection on the content of heavy metals in wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) growing on the soil enriched with granular sludge

The presence of heavy metals in Triticum aestivum L. growing on the soil enriched with granular sludge after chemical protection was observed. The five variants of treatments using herbicide (Chwastox Turbo 340SL) and four fungicides (Topsin M 500SC, Amistar 250SC, Artea 330EC, and Falcon 460EC) were performed. On control and experimental plots, the concentration of Ni, Pb, Cr, and Cu in wheat leaves were in the range 0.32–0.99, 0.92–1.57, 0.89–6.31, and 7.08–12.59 mg/kg and in grains 0.03 to 0.11, 0.14–0.25, 0.11–0.76, and 1.06–1.46 mg/kg, respectively. The concentration of Pb in grain protected by MCPA and 2,4-D with thiophanate-methyl and azoxystrobin was higher than the maximum levels of 0.20 mg/kg D.M. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) differed and depended on chemical protection. The highest value of BCF was achieved for Cd. The statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between concentration of metals and quality parameters of wheat. One observed significant negative correlations between Ni/Zeleny sedimentation value (r = ?0.51) and between Pb/starch content (r = ?0.57). Positive correlations were observed between Cd/yield, the number of grains/ergosterol concentration (respectively, r = 0.41, r = 0.55, r = 0.56), and Zn/thousand grain weight (r = 0.50) at a p ≤ 0.05.     

Analysis of selected fungi variation and its dependence on season and mountain range in southern Poland—key factors in drawing up trial guidelines for aeromycological monitoring

The aim of the study was to identify fungal spores, in particular plant pathogenic fungi, occurring in the air in selected mountain ranges. The results revealed not only the array of fungal species migrating with air currents from the Czech Republic and Slovakia but also how the season of the year affects the distribution of spores. Such studies may lay a foundation for future aeromycological monitoring, in accordance with the requirements for integrated plant protection. Aeromycological research was carried out between 2013 and 2016 at 3-month intervals in mountainous areas along the southern borders of Poland: the Bieszczady, the Pieniny, the Giant Mountains (Karkonosze) and the Babia Góra Massif. The research relied on impact method employing Air Ideal 3P sampler, which, by drawing in atmospheric air, also collects fungal spores. Regardless of altitudinal zonation, the changing weather conditions appeared to be the main reason for the variations in the number of the fungal spores under study in those years.     

LC-MS/MS method validation for determination of selected neonicotinoids in groundwater for the purpose of a column experiment

The work was carried out to develop and validate a method based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous detection and quantification of five neonicotinoid insecticides: acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam in groundwater samples for the purpose of a further column experiment. This experiment will be used to analyze breakthrough curves of neonicotinoids under a saturated water flow to set transport parameters, where the reliability of the results of chemical analysis plays an important role. The validation was performed in a concentration range from 0.09?µg L^?1 to 100?µg L^?1 using an Infinity 1290 (Agilent, USA) chromatograph coupled with a QTrap 5500 mass spectrometer (Sciex, Canada). The calibration curves were obtained on the basis of the results of six standard solution analyses. Linearity was not lower than 0.998. The limit of detection was set at the lowest concentration which can be determined with an acceptable accuracy and precision. All pesticides had recoveries in the range 85–109% with relative standard deviation values less than 8.1%. The estimated measurement uncertainty did not exceed 30%, so the LC-MS/MS method fits for the intended purpose.     

Influence of type of MVC test on electromyography measures of biceps brachii and triceps brachii

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the amplitude and frequency measures of the electromyography (EMG) signal in agonistic and antagonistic muscles (biceps brachii, triceps brachii). Methods. Fifteen males (22.9?±?2.1 years old) took three isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) tests. Two tests were typical MVC tests for biceps brachii and triceps brachii. The third was a test often used to obtain MVC for forearm muscles (arm and forearm hanging down). The EMG signal was recorded during three isometric MVC muscle contractions and during a relaxation test. Results. There were no differences in amplitude between relaxation and MVC antagonist in static contraction, with higher values for frequency measures in relaxation. When biceps brachii and triceps brachii act as antagonists in an MVC test, frequency measures present lower values than when the muscles act as agonists. Biceps brachii shows much lower amplitude than during an agonist MVC contraction with similar spectral measures. Triceps brachii presents much higher values of spectral measures than during an agonist MVC test. Conclusion. The type of exerted force, i.e., if a muscle acted as an agonist, antagonist or stabilizer, affects the relationship between the time and frequency domain measures.     

Tannery waste as a renewable source of nitrogen for production of multicomponent fertilizers with biostimulating properties

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The studies presented in this work show that solid tannery waste-like shavings can be used as high-protein materials for fertilizer production...     

Synthesis,characterization, and application of 2D/2D TiO2-GO-ZnFe2O4 obtained by the fluorine-free lyophilization method for solar light-driven photocatalytic degradation of ibuprofen

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this study, we report the potential of 2D/2D TiO2-GO-ZnFe2O4 photocatalyst obtained using the fluorine-free lyophilization technique for the...     

Accuracy assessment of a small-area method for estimating the spatial distribution of the degree of tree damage

Tree damage, gauged by the amount of defoliation, is one of the basic criteria used to determine treatments for protected and economic forests. Monitoring should include an assessment of the degree of tree damage in different spatial scales. Therefore, in addition to the commonly applied large-area methods, small-area methods should be used. The aim of the paper is to present the results of the accuracy assessment of a small-area method, proposed by Podlaski (2005) [Podlaski, R. (2005). Inventory of the degree of tree defoliation in small areas. Forest Ecology and Management, 215, 361–377], for monitoring the degree of tree damage. The degree of tree damage was shown in sub-blocks P₃ of the system of information on natural environment (SINUS). To estimate the spatial distribution of the degree of tree defoliation, survey sampling, based on simple random sampling with replacement (SRSWR), was used. The degree of damage to fir (Abies alba Mill.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) was analysed in the Święty Krzyż forest section in the Świętokrzyski National Park. The maximum total estimation errors for the proportion of trees with a degree zero of damage, and with second and third degrees of damage together (for α = 0.05) were at most 30.8% for fir and 24.3% for beech trees. For standard, small-area evaluations, these are satisfactory values. In the Święty Krzyż forest section, the number of P₃ sub-blocks with 0.00–5.00% of undamaged trees and with 80.01–100.00% of moderately- or severely-damaged trees was significantly greater for fir than for beech. These results indicate that the fir population was unhealthier than the beech group in the study area. P₃ sub-blocks of the SINUS system, in which the proportion of the healthiest trees was highest, were situated at the forest margin, bordering on meadows and arable fields (in the case of fir) and forming dense patches consisting of several sub-blocks, or occurring singly in the whole study area (in the case of beech). The results show the significant differentiation of forest tree health in small areas.     

Short-term effects of dimethoate on metabolic responses in Chrysolina pardalina (Chrysomelidae) feeding on Berkheya coddii (Asteraceae), a hyper-accumulator of nickel

Berkheya coddii Roessler (Asteraceae) is a hyper-accumulator of nickel, which can be used in phytomining and phytoremediation. Chrysolina pardalina Fabricius (Chrysomelidae) is a phytophagous leaf beetle, which may be useful in controlling population levels of B. coddii after it has been introduced into a new habitat. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of C. pardalina to topical application of dimethoate. Data recorded included the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the concentration of glutathione (GSH), and the activity of selected enzymes connected with GSH metabolism. Assays were carried out several times during the first 24h after exposure to dimethoate. At the dosages used in this study, dimethoate was not as toxic as expected. AChE activity was significantly decreased 14 and 24h after application. GST activity was significantly decreased 24h after application. GSTPx activity was significantly decreased 2, 14 and 24h after application. GR activity was significantly increased 4h after application. GSH concentration was significantly increased 24h after application. Long-term exposure to high levels of nickel may have caused adaptive changes in the enzymes that enable C. pardalina to deal with other stressors, including organophosphate pesticides.     

Tradable Permit Systems: Considering Uncertainty in Emission Estimates

We simulate the market for emission permits by considering uncertainty in emission inventory reports. The approach taken in this analysis is to enhance the emissions reported in each region by a certain part of their uncertainty when compliance with the Kyoto targets is being proved. While this formulation is not new in the literature, we define the uncertainty component in a way that enables comparison with the approach of effective permits presented in Nahorski, Horabik, and Jonas (2007) Compliance and emissions trading under the Kyoto protocol: Rules for uncertain inventories, (this issue). We show and explain that the transformation to effective permits bears additional costs apart from those resulting from shifting the Kyoto targets.