Spatial distribution of major and trace elements in the water of Swarzędzkie Lake (Poland)

In order to characterize the contamination of the Swarzedzkie Lake and generate elemental distribution patterns 18 elements have been determined in samples of water, taken just above the bottom sediments. Analyses were carried out using two instrumental techniques - ICP-OES and ICP-MS. Two main sources of contamination were identified - diffuse pollution from agriculture and stormwater from the town. Three separate groups of elements were distinguished using cluster analysis and two groups using principal component analysis. These three groups are characterized as geogenic elements (Ag, As, Mg and Sb), elements supplied by the agricultural catchment (Ca, Mn, Sr, Na, K and Al) and elements originated from the urban contamination (Ni, Cr, Cu, Fe, V, Ba, Zn and Pb). PCA differentiated the above group of urban elements from the rest, originated from diffuse sources, with exception of alluminium, which was situated between two distinguished groups.     

The study of rare earth elements in farmer's well waters of the Podwiśniówka acid mine drainage area (south-central Poland)

The principal objective of the current study was to elucidate the potential influence of acid mine drainage (AMD) pond on neighboring farmer's wells in the Podwi?niówka area (south-central Poland), using North American Shale Composite (NASC)-normalized rare earth element (REE) concentration profiles. The well waters generally displayed a distinctly positive Eu anomaly similar to that of parent rocks and AMD sediment. In contrast, the AMD pit pond water exhibited the typical roof-shaped NASC-normalized REE concentration pattern with a strong positive Gd anomaly. The low pH (mean of 2.9) of this pond water is induced by oxidation of pyrite that occurs in quartz veins and rocks exposed in the abandoned Podwi?niówka quarry. The principal source of REEs in turn is a crandallite series of aluminum–phosphate–sulfate (APS) minerals (gorceixite with florencite and Ce-bearing goyazite) that prevail in most clayey shales. These data indicate that the REE contents of the AMD pit pond and well waters are linked to bedrock mineralogy and lithology, but not to pyrite mineralization. The diverse REE patterns of NASC-normalized REE concentrations of the AMD and well waters may suggest complex sorption and desorption processes that occur at the rock–water interface influenced by different pH, Eh, temperature, and other factors. This is evidenced by a presence of strong positive Ce anomaly in the rocks, a lack of Ce anomaly in the AMD water and sediment, and the dominant negative anomaly of this element in the well waters. Variations in correlation coefficients (r ²) of REE concentrations between the rocks and the well waters may also result from a different contribution of quartzites, clayey shales, or tuffites to the REE signal of well waters as well as from mixing of shallow groundwater with infiltrating rainwater or meltwater with different REE profiles.     

Evaluation of applicability of the Sartorius Airport MD8 sampler for detection of Bacillus endospores in indoor air

This study was designed to evaluate the measuring range and lowest limit of detection of Bacillus endospores in the ambient room air when the Sartorius MD8 sampler, and two different culture methods for bacterial enumeration were used. Different concentrations of bioaerosol were generated inside the test chamber filled with either the high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA)-filtered air or with the ambient room air. The detection of endospores in the HEPA-filtered air was achievable: (1) when they were aerosolized at a concentration above 7.56?×?10³ CFU/m³ and analyzed with spread plate method, and (2) when they were aerosolized at a concentration above 4.00?×?10² CFU/m³ and analyzed with pour plate method. The detection of endospores in the ambient room air was possible: (1) when they were aerosolized at a concentration above 9.1?×?10³ CFU/m³ and analyzed with spread plate method, and (2) when they were aerosolized at a concentration above 5.6?×?10² CFU/m³ and analyzed with pour plate method. The microorganisms present in the ambient room air interfere with precise quantification of Bacillus endospores when their concentration is relatively low. The results of this study may be helpful in critical assessment of the results obtained from monitoring the air for bacterial endospores.     

Expansion of alien gammarids in the Vistula Lagoon and the Vistula Delta (Poland)

Amphipod crustaceans belong to the most successful invaders of aquatic environments. The work provides information concerning the spatial and temporal scales of expansion of four alien gammarid amphipods (three of them of Ponto-Caspian and one of North American origin): Pontogammarus robustoides (G.O. Sars, 1894), Obesogammarus crassus (G.O. Sars, 1894), Dikerogammarus haemobaphes (Eichwald, 1841), and Gammarus tigrinus Sexton, 1939 in the Vistula Lagoon (VL) and the Vistula Delta (VD) in 2008–2010. The mean abundance of these gammarids in nearshore zones was 382 ind?m^?2 in VL and 89 ind?m^?2 in VD. Their mean biomasses were likewise greater in VL (0.91 g?m^?2) than in VD (0.49 g?m^?2). G. tigrinus was the most dominant species in both nearshore zones of VL and VD and attained the highest frequency in these areas. The study gives evidence of total extinction of native gammarid species.     

Scots pine needles macronutrient (N, P, K, CA, MG, and S) supply at different reclaimed mine soil substrates—as an indicator of the stability of developed forest ecosystems

A main objective of restoration and afforestation at post-mining sites is establishing a long-term sustainable ecosystem which depends on adaptations of tree species and which in turn depends on the soil nutrient flux. The nutrient concentration (nitrogen (N), P, K, Ca, Mg, and sulfur (S)) of Scots pine needles was investigated in reclaimed mine soils (RMS) located at the following post-mining sites: a sand mine pit, spoil heap from a lignite mine, spoil heap from a S mine, and a carbonaceous spoil heap from an underground coal mine. The control plots were arranged on natural forest sites adjacent to the post-mining sites. A higher level of foliar nutrients was noted in the carbonaceous RMS, while lower levels were found in RMS on the spoil heap following lignite mining. The characteristics of the substrate were found to exert greater effect than mineral fertilization (performed at the onset of reclamation) on the tree stand characteristics, needle length and foliar nutrient concentration. While the soils and trees were most deficient in N, negative symptoms have not been noted to this date in tree stands at reclaimed mine sites. Trophic ratings were recommended based on statistical correlations and groupings between N and P contents in needles and needles length (mean length of 300 needles) while nutrient ratings were recommended from statistical differences and groupings of the RMS substrates.     

Pesticide contaminants in selected species of edible wild mushrooms from the north-eastern part of Poland

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the level of chlorinated hydrocarbon residues in selected edible mushrooms from north-eastern Poland. The experiment was carried out on 45 samples consisting of 15 fruiting bodies each of the following species: Boletus edulis, Imleria badia and Cantharellus cibarius. Dried samples were subjected to extraction of lipids with a Soxhlet and a standard procedure—based on the decomposition of lipids by concentrated sulfuric acid and the release of organic insecticides to the hexane layer—was used to determine chlorinated hydrocarbons. The quantitative determination of DDT, DDE, DDD and γ-HCH were conducted using gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD). Chlorinated hydrocarbons were found in all tested samples. The contents of these compounds varied between all three species. Mean content of γ-HCH in B. edulis, I. badia and C. cibarius was: 2.60; 4.83; 7.52 µg kg^?1 of lipids, while the content of ΣDDT was: 57.02; 25.20; 127.10 µg kg^?1 of lipids, respectively. These results show that mushrooms from the north-eastern part of Poland can be used as potential bio-indicators of environmental contamination with chlorinated hydrocarbons. Moreover, the studied fungi could still be used as food due to the low levels of analyzed organochlorine compounds.     

Dissipation of difenoconazole in apples used for production of baby food

Dissipation of fungicide difenoconazole (3-chloro-4-[(2RS,4RS;2RS,4SR)-4-methyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl]phenyl 4-chlorophenyl ether) was studied following its application on apples intended for production of baby food. The apples (varieties: Jonagold Decosta, Gala and Idared) were sprayed with the formulation to control pathogens causing fungal diseases: powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha ELL et Ev./Salm.) and apple scab (Venturia inaequalis Cooke/Aderh.). A validated gas chromatography-based method with simultaneous electron capture and nitrogen phosphorus detection (GC-ECD/NPD) was used for the residue analysis. The analytical performance of the method was highly satisfactory, with expanded uncertainties ≤ 19% (a coverage factor, k = 2, and a confidence level of 95%). The dissipation of difenoconazole was studied in pseudo-first-order kinetic models (for which the coefficients of determination, R², ranged between 0.880 and 0.977). The half-life of difenoconazole was 12–21 days in experiments conducted on three apple varieties. In these experiments, the initial residue levels declined gradually and reached the level of 0.01 mg kg^?1 in 50–79 days. For the residue levels to remain below 0.01 mg kg^?1 (the maximum acceptable concentration for baby foods), difenoconazole must be applied approximately 3 months before harvest, at a dose of 0.2 L ha^?1 (50 g of an active ingredient per ha).     

Bio- and toxic elements in mushrooms from the city of Umeå and outskirts,Sweden

Edible mushrooms (Albatrellus ovinus, Boletus edulis, Clitocybe odora, Gomphidius glutinosus, Leccinum scabrum, Leccinum versipelle, Lycoperdon perlatum, Suillus bovinus, Suillus luteus, and Xerocomus subtomentosus) collected from unpolluted areas of the city of Umeå and its outskirts in the northern part of Sweden were examined for contents of toxic metallic elements (Cd, Pb, and Ag) and essential macro- and microelements (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) using a validated method and a final measurement by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (F-AAS). The median values of the toxic metallic element concentrations (in mg kg^?1 dry biomass, db) ranged from: 0.12–3.9, 0.46–5.1, and 0.91–6.2 for Ag, Cd and Pb, respectively. For the essential metallic elements, the median values of concentrations ranged from: 24000–58000, 15–2000, 59–610, 520–1900, 2.0–97, 16–150, 15–120, and 4.3–26 mg kg^?1 db for K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn, respectively. The baseline concentrations of the metallic elements determined in mushrooms were mainly affected by the fungal species. The assessed probable maximal dietary intake of Cd (0.002 mg kg^?1 body mass) solely from a mushroom meal was only slightly below a revised value of the tolerable weekly intake for this element, while for Pb (0.003 mg kg^?1 body mass) it was tenfold below the provisionally tolerable weekly intake.     

Specific accumulation of cadmium and other trace elements in Sarcodon imbricatus using ICP-MS with a chemometric approach

Fungi can effectively accumulate various metallic elements, metalloids and non-metals in fruiting bodies. This study provides information on the accumulation of Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, Cr, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, V, Tl, U and Zn in the edible mushroom Sarcodon imbricatus (L.) P. Karst. using the technique of inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry with a dynamic reaction cell mode. Mushrooms were foraged from four regions in Poland. Baseline concentrations of minerals, expressed in mg kg^?1 dry biomass (db), were in the composite samples of caps in the range: for Ag (0.27–0.29), As (1.0–1.9), Ba (0.31–0.45), Cd (4.5–6.3), Co (0.23–1.9), Cu (28–35), Cr (0.19–0.29), Cs (20–38), Li (0.013–0.020), Mn (5.9–8.8), Ni (0.81–1.4), Pb (0.94–1.6), Rb (490–700), Sr (0.14–0.19), Tl (0.058–0.11), U (0.002–0.002), V (0.044–0.054) and Zn (140–160). Concentration levels of Ag, As, Cd, Cs, Pb and Zn were higher in caps than in stipes of S. imbricatus, whereas for other elements the distribution between caps and stipes was nearly equal or for some differed depending on the location. Certainly, the content of toxic Cd in S. imbricatus was elevated (0.45–0.63 mg kg^?1 in fresh caps) and therefore eating this mushroom could increase exposure to Cd. In addition, the content of toxic As in S. imbricatus was elevated.     

Do morphometric parameters and geological conditions determine chemistry of glacier surface ice? Spatial distribution of contaminants present in the surface ice of Spitsbergen glaciers (European Arctic)

The chemism of the glaciers is strongly determined by long-distance transport of chemical substances and their wet and dry deposition on the glacier surface. This paper concerns spatial distribution of metals, ions, and dissolved organic carbon, as well as the differentiation of physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity) determined in ice surface samples collected from four Arctic glaciers during the summer season in 2012. The studied glaciers represent three different morphological types: ground based (Blomlibreen and Scottbreen), tidewater which evolved to ground based (Renardbreen), and typical tidewater glacier (Recherchebreen). All of the glaciers are functioning as a glacial system and hence are subject to the same physical processes (melting, freezing) and the process of ice flowing resulting from the cross-impact force of gravity and topographic conditions. According to this hypothesis, the article discusses the correlation between morphometric parameters, changes in mass balance, geological characteristics of the glaciers and the spatial distribution of analytes on the surface of ice. A strong correlation (r = 0.63) is recorded between the aspect of glaciers and values of pH and ions, whereas dissolved organic carbon (DOC) depends on the minimum elevation of glaciers (r = 0.55) and most probably also on the development of the accumulation area. The obtained results suggest that although certain morphometric parameters largely determine the spatial distribution of analytes, also the geology of the bed of glaciers strongly affects the chemism of the surface ice of glaciers in the phase of strong recession.