Open-cast mining of rock materials provides many essential resources for industry and construction; however, it also significantly impacts the natural environment surrounding the mining sites. The ...most severe environmental threats posed by open-cast mining of rock materials include land occupation and often associated deforestation, changes in the hydrological regime of the area, emissions of gaseous and particulate pollutants into the atmosphere, noise emissions, and many others. This study aimed to investigate the extent and scope of the impact of a quarry located in southern Poland on the growth and degree of defoliation of trees in the surrounding forest ecosystem, and to examine how dust deposition on the forest floor changes. Additionally, the study examined how the quarry affects the development of natural forest regeneration and the species composition of ground vegetation. For this purpose, two 140-meter transects were established in the field, divided into four plots, with the centers located at 10, 50, 90, and 130 meters from the quarry edge. On these plots, the diameter at breast height (DBH) and height of the trees were measured, and their degree of defoliation was assessed. The understory trees were inventoried (divided into three height categories), and the contents of Al and Fe (in addition to silicon, these elements are present in diabase in the highest concentrations) in the litter was determined to assess dust deposition. Furthermore, phytosociological surveys were conducted in the plots, and each plant was assigned an appropriate light indicator value (Ecological Indicator Value). The study showed significant differences in the concentrations of Al and Fe in litter between plots, and a clear decreasing trend in the concentration of these elements with increasing distance from the quarry was observed. Trees closer to the quarry had smaller DBHs and a higher degree of defoliation. The phytosociological surveys indicated that the light requirements of plants increased with distance from the quarry. Overall, this study found that open-cast mining activities affected the surrounding forest ecosystems, and that the greatest threat posed by the quarry operations was the dust deposition on the forest floor. This phenomenon could possibly be significantly reduced by implementing a properly shaped ecotone zone.
The research was carried out in the Świerklaniec Forest District, the Brynica sub-district, which is located in the immediate vicinity of a metallurgical plant, a zinc mine named Huta Cynku ..."Miasteczko Śląskie" (HCMŚ). In autumn 2008, in the area in question, 31 permanent trial plots were established, aligned within a regular net of squares, with dimensions of 1500×1500 m. The trial plots were located to the north-east and to the east of the emitter (the HCMŚ zinc mine), accordingly with the direction of prevailing winds. In September 2013, and September and October 2014, sporocarps of bay bolete (Xerocomus badius (Fr.) E.) were collected from the trial plots. The analyses performed for the material gathered covered a determination of heavy metal content in mushrooms (Zn, Pb and Cd), using a method of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy ICP-AES. This paper aimed to establish the accumulation levels of selected heavy metals (Zn, Pb and Cd) in bay bolete growing in forests of the Brynica sub-district, in the Świerklaniec Forest District, and the correlation between their content in soil and in the mushrooms under scrutiny. The analyses revealed that the contamination degree in the investigated species was extremely high. The content of toxic elements in bay bolete significantly exceeded the acceptable standards referring to the maximum content of heavy metals in mushrooms, which was particularly true for cadmium.
The present work describes the complexation properties of two oxime-containing Schiff bases (used as ligands), viz. 2-hydroxyimino-N'-1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidenepropanohydrazone (Hpop) and ...2-hydroxyimino-N'-(pyridine-2-yl)methylidenepropanohydrazone (Hpoa), with Co(II) ions in DMSO/water solution. Volumetric (oxygenation) studies were carried out to determine the uptake of molecular oxygen O
in the formation of the complexes Co(II)-Hpop and Co(II)-Hpoa. The acquired data can be useful in the development of oxygen bioinorganic complexes of metal ions with Schiff base ligands in solution. Their properties allow them to be used as synthetic oxygen transporters. Moreover, the binding of dioxygen could play an important role in the research of catalytic activity by such systems.
Jak badać politykę? Pająk, Marek
Politeja,
12/2014, Letnik:
11, Številka:
6 (32)
Journal Article
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How to study politics? Contemporary methodological discourse in political science on the example of the Flyvbjerg Debate
The article is the analysis of contemporary methodological discourse in ...political science on the example of the Flyvbjerg Debate. The article focuses on Bent Flyvbjerg’s and David D. Laitin’s positions linking them with broader discussions in political science. Especially those concerning proper model of scientific researches. The author traces evolution of political science from the perspective of controversy between protagonists of analytical‑empirical model and their critics.
The paper investigates the usage of LiDAR (light detection and ranging) data for the automation of mapping vegetation with respect to the evaluation of the ecological succession process. The study ...was performed for the repository of the “Fryderyk” mine (southern Poland). The post-flotation area analyzed is a unique refuge habitat—Natura2000, PLH240008—where a forest succession has occurred for several dozen years. Airborne laser scanning (ALS) point clouds were used for deriving detailed information about the morphometry of the spoil heap and about the secondary forest succession process—mainly vegetation parameters i.e., height and canopy cover. The area of the spoil heap is irregular with a flat top and steep slopes above 20°. Analyses of ALS point clouds (2011 and 2019), confirmed progression in the forest succession process, and land cover changes especially in wooded or bushed areas. Precise vegetation parameters (3D LiDAR metrics) were calculated and provided the following parameters: mean value of vegetation height as 6.84 m (2011) and 8.41 m (2019), and canopy cover as 30.0% (2011) and 42.0% (2019). Changes in vegetation volume (3D area) were shown: 2011—310,558 m3, 2019—325,266 m3, vegetation removal—85,136 m3, increasing ecological succession—99,880 m3.
The present study describes the coordination properties of a reduced Schiff base,
-(2-hydroxybenzyl)alanine, towards cobalt(II) using potentiometric as well as spectroscopic (UV-Vis and ESI-MS) ...methods. The results indicate the formation of six mononuclear complexes showing high stability in aqueous solution. Coordination occurs in the {O
,N,O
} and {N,O
} chelation modes, depending on the degree of ligand deprotonation. Examination of the complexation equilibria at pH
7, which is important from a biological point of view, allowed to identify two species: CoL and CoL
H
. The kinetic analysis showed a structural change of those cobalt(II) complexes from octahedral to tetrahedral in accordance with a first-order time relationship. The antimicrobial properties of
-(2-hydroxybenzyl)alanine, cobalt(II) nitrate and of the Co(II) - ligand complexes were determined against Gram-positive bacteria (
,
,
), Gram-negative bacteria (
,
,
) and a fungal strain (
). The results indicate that the complexes are more active for more strains than the ligand alone. Nevertheless, the complexes induce a higher decrease in the metabolic activity of cells but without damage to nuclei. Tetrahedral structures show stronger anti-cellular toxicity than octahedral complexes, which is most likely due to the higher accessibility of the cobalt(II) center.
The Historic Centre of Krakow is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and includes the Main Market Square, which is surrounded by the historical Planty Park. Soils in the Planty Park are an example of a ...green area in an urban environment that is particularly exposed to heavy metal-rich pollution. To assess the relative content of heavy metals and evaluate the sources of the contamination, pollution indices were used: Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Nemerow Pollution Index (PINemerow), Potential Ecological Risk (RI), and Contamination Security Index (CSI). Pollution indices were calculated on the base of both reference and local geochemical backgrounds. Sources of heavy metals in soils of Planty Park are related to its historic role as a metallurgy centre, as well as the more recent urban and industrial development of Krakow centre and neighbouring areas. It is concluded that increased accumulation of heavy metals is an effect of growing numbers of emission sources. The variation of each element may not unambiguously reflect the natural or anthropogenic effect on the Planty Park soil cover. In general, the present and historical emission of pollutants and heavy metal-rich contamination has led to a mixed origin of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Moreover, it can be assumed that the content of Cr and Ni is derived from natural sources. Furthermore, a comparison of the quality of the Planty Park topsoil with the heavy metal content assessment in other urban parks in the world has been presented.
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•Assessment of surface soil layer pollution of Planty Park in Krakow's Old Town was presented.•Several pollution indices (EF, Igeo, PINemerow, RI, and CSI) were used to comprehensively evaluate Planty Park's topsoil.•Different sources of heavy metal pollution in urban park soils have been defined.•Comparison of topsoil pollution between Planty Park and urban parks from selected cities around the World has been performed.
In the present study, the complexing properties of ceftazidime with Fe(III) ions in aqueous solutions were characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometric and potentiometric methods. Using the UV-vis ...spectrophotometric method, the absorbance values for Fe(III) ions, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic (ceftazidime), and the Fe(III)-ceftazidime system were determined. Based on pH-metric studies, the value of the stability constant for the Fe(III)-ceftazidime complex was calculated.
Plants have an accumulative response to heavy metals present in soils or deposited from airborne sources of emissions. Therefore, their tissues are very often used in studies of heavy metal ...contamination originating from different sources as a bioindicator of environmental pollution. This research was undertaken to examine accumulation capacities of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu and Cr in washed and unwashed needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and leaves of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) growing in a contaminated area.
We collected needles of Scots pine and leaves of silver birch in an area around a sedimentation pond and metallurgic plant processing Pb and Zn ores near Olkusz, Poland. Concentrations of heavy metals, which have been linked with exposure to emissions, were determined from foliar samples collected at 33 sites. These sites were established at various distances (0.5–3.6 km) from the pond and metallurgic plant so as to identify the predominant accumulative response of plants. Spatial gradients for Pb and Zn were calculated using an ordinary kriging interpolation algorithm. A spatial pattern was identified by a GIS method to visualize maps over the Pb-Zn ore mining area. The accumulation of Zn (R2 = 0.74, p < 0.05) and Pb (R2 = 0.85, p < 0.01) in plant tissues correlated with soil concentrations. This tendency was not found in the case of Cu, Cd and Cr.
•Scots pine and silver birch belong to a group of pioneer species that can grow under very difficult habitat conditions.•Pine needles and birch leaves are principally used as bioindicators of environmentally induces pollution.•This study aimed to determine the accumulation effect and path-way of heavy metals in plants near industrial areas.•Ordinary kriging may be used as appropriate technique for visualize environmental pollution.•A plant-soil relationship was found for Zn and Pb. This tendency was not recorded for the others heavy metals.
The studies explained that the content of Zn and Pb in Scots pine needles and silver birch leaves indicated the relationship in a soil plant system.
The roles of different tree species and their impacts are key in assessing the dynamics of soil restoration in afforested post-mining sites. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of ...Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), which is native to Central Europe and commonly used in afforestation, to that of the non-native black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) on the development of carbon pools and the chemical properties of reclaimed soils after sand exploitation. The study was carried out in 20- and 35-year-old stands, and the results were compared to undisturbed forest sites. Samples of the litter horizon and mineral soils (0–5 and 5–20 cm) were analyzed for pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), and total nitrogen (Nt). In addition, electrical conductivity (EC), sorption complex properties, water-soluble carbon, and hot-water-extractable carbon were determined from the mineral soil samples. Scots and black pine had a similar effect on the properties of the reclaimed soils. However, the soils under Scots pine were characterized by lower pH values in the litter and 0–5 cm horizons, higher EC in the 0–5 cm horizon, and higher C stocks in the litter horizon. Changes in the C stocks and chemical properties with afforestation years were limited to the uppermost soil horizons (litter and 0–5 cm). For both pine species, soils under the older stands were characterized by lower pH, higher EC, higher exchangeable acidity, higher cation-exchange capacity, lower base saturation, higher SOC and Nt contents, and more stable soil organic matter than soil under younger stands. After 35 years, about 20% and 27% of the C stocks in the reclaimed mine soils had been restored under black pine and Scots pine, respectively (compared to undisturbed soils). This difference between the pine species resulted from the higher C stocks in the litter horizons under Scots pine. Pedogenesis in post-mining sites after sand exploitation under pine species tended to result in more acidic and oligotrophic soils in relation to the undisturbed soils in adjacent forest ecosystems with pine.
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