Chemical composition of water from roofs in Gdansk, Poland

This study deals with the assessment of roof runoff waters from the region of Gdansk collected during the winter season (2007/2008). The chemical analysis includes 16 chemical variables: major ions, PAHs and PCBs measured at 3 sampling sites for 6-14 rain events. Although the data set is of limited volume the statistical data treatment using self-organizing maps (SOM) reveals the main factors controlling roof runoff water quality even for a data set with small dimension. This effort for explanation of the identified factors by the possible emission sources of the urban environment and air-particulate formation seems to be very reliable. Additionally to the roof runoff water quality factors the rain events patterns are found: “background” group of events and groups formally named “PAHs”, “PCBs” and “air-borne particles” - dominated events. The SOM classification results give an opportunity to uncover the role of roof “impact” on the runoff waters.Rain runoff water quality is described by four latent factors and the “roof” impact is uncovered.     

A Method for Response Time Measurement of Electrosensitive Protective Devices

A great step toward the improvement of safety at work was made when electrosensitive protective devices (ESPDs) were applied to the protection of press and robot-assisted manufacturing system operators. The way the device is mounted is crucial. The parameters of ESPD mounting that ensure safe distance from the controlled dangerous zone are response time, sensitivity, and the dimensions of the detection zone. The proposed experimental procedure of response time measurement is realized in two steps, with a test piece penetrating the detection zone twice. In the first step, low-speed penetration (at a speed v^m) enables the detection zone border to be localized. In the second step of measurement, the probe is injected at a high speed V^d. The actuator rod position is measured and when it is equal to the value L registered by the earlier measurements, counting time begins as well as the monitoring of the state of the equipment under test (EUT) output relays. After the state changes, time tp is registered. The experimental procedure is realized on a special experimental stand. Because the stand has been constructed for certification purposes, the design satisfies the requirements imposed by Polski Komitet Normalizacyjny (PKN, 1995). The experimental results prove the measurement error to be smaller than ± 0.6 ms.     

Distribution of volatile organohalogen compounds in petrochemical plant water streams

The study assesses halogenated volatile organic compound concentrations in the water and wastewater streams of a petrochemical plant. Water samples were collected at 11 sampling points during 5 sampling campaigns. The samples were collected from the oil dewaxing unit and in the wastewater treatment plant. Dichloromethane and 1,2-dichloroethane were the most frequently determined compounds. Tetrachloroethene was also detected at the wastewater treatment plant inlets. The concentrations of halogenated volatile organic compounds dropped significantly at wastewater discharge points compared to wastewater treatment plant inlets. The application of 1,2-dichloroethane/dichloromethane ratio as a tool to assess evaporation processes is discussed.     

Strategic planning for sustainable tourism development in Poland

The aim of this article is to evaluate selected tourism development strategies in Poland, in the context of strategic planning, stakeholders’ participation, and sustainable development principles. A questionnaire evaluation of strategy (44 questions) was established and based on measurement scales developed and validated by other authors in earlier studies. The five authors of the study rated 37 tourism development strategies in 13 provinces, 11 cities, 5 counties, 6 municipalities, and 2 other areas. Analysis revealed that they implement paradigms of sustainable development of tourism to only a small extent. Definitely higher quality is documented for higher levels of administrative division. The highest rated domains of the tourism development strategy in the examined documents are Strategic Planning Indicators and Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation.     

The field experiments and model of the natural dust deposition effects on photovoltaic module efficiency

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The maximisation of the efficiency of the photovoltaic system is crucial in order to increase the competitiveness of this technology. Unfortunately,...     

Characteristics of organic acid profiles in 16 species of wild growing edible mushrooms

The aim of study was to determine 9 organic acids in nine aboveground and seven wood-growing wild edible mushroom species originated from an area under the direct influence of a busy trunk road in Poland. The organic acids in the extracts of samples were identified by reversed-phase column liquid chromatography (RPLC). The presented results show that all the mushroom species were characterized by high variation in the profile and content of the analyzed acids. Each of mushroom species contained oxalic acid, the profiles of the other acids strictly depended on mushroom species. Among aboveground species, the highest total content of organic acids was found in Lepista gilva (267.5 ± 26.6 mg g^?1 dry weight (DW)), while Laccaria amethystina was characterized by the lowest content (37.7 ± 6.5 mg g^?1 DW). Within wood-growing species, the highest content of organic acids was determined in Flammulina velutipes (171.9 ± 26.7 mg g^?1 DW), whereas the lowest content (34.2 ± 2.9 mg g^?1 DW) of the studied acids was observed in Grifola frondosa.