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Trees contribute to bedrock weathering in a variety of ways. However, evaluating their full impact is complicated by a lack of direct observation of unexposed root systems of individual trees, especially when the scale of the analysis goes down to the level of microbiomes. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of tree root systems to bioweathering and soil production at the macro- and microscale. Soil profiles developed under trees on granite bedrock were investigated in two parts of the Sudety Mountains, SW Poland: the Rudawy Janowickie Mountains, and the Stołowe Mountains. Soil profiles were gradually excavated and soil samples collected from pre-defined positions of the root zone: 1) bulk soil, 2) rhizosphere, 3) cracks, 4) topsoil, and 5) control positions. In total, we analyzed 103 samples for soil chemistry and microbiological activity. In addition, we analyzed 19 samples using XRF (X-ray Fluorescence). Four parent rock samples, in the form of thin-sections, were the subject of mineralogical evaluation. Soil analyses included: total organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content, soil pH H2O , soluble iron (Fe d ), and aluminum (Al d ), non-crystalline (amorphous) iron (Fe ox ), and aluminum (Al ox ). For microbiological analyses, we used a Biolog (EcoPlate) system to determine the functional diversity of soil microorganisms. We evaluated the results on soil chemistry and microbiological activity statistically by principal component analysis (PCA) and redundancy analysis (RDA). Differences between soil sampling positions were assessed using a non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis (K-W) rank sum test and a post-hoc pairwise Dunn test. Trees developed different root architectures, likely shaped by the depth to bedrock and its pre-existing net of fractures and fissures. Tree roots were able to enter bedrock cracks at one study site (at Pstrążna, Stołowe Mountains). The soil profile was too deep for root system penetration at the second study site (Mt Jańska, Rudawy Janowickie Mountains, RJM). The rhizospheric soil along the roots had significantly different chemical properties compared to non-rhizospheric soil types. At Mt. Jańska, soil differed from the crack soil in terms of Al ox (p Holm-adj.  < 0.0006) and Fe ox (p Holm-adj.  < 0.004), and from the bulk soil (p Holm-adj.  < 0.02) and topsoil (p Holm-adj.  < 0.007). In addition, at Pstrążna, the soil differed from the control soil in terms of C (p Holm-adj.  < 0.009) and soil pH H2O (p Holm-adj.  < 0.0008) and from the topsoil in terms of soil pH H2O . The highest metabolic activity was in cracks at Mt. Jańska and in control samples from Pstrążna. In general, the spatial distribution of soil microbial activity, and the weathering that results from that portion of the soil biome, is spatially heterogeneous and appears to be partially determined by the interaction of root growth and bedrock fracture patterns., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Subfossil pine and oak tree trunks were excavated during exploitation of the Budwity peatland in Northern Poland. Based on dendrochronological analysis, the woodland successions in peatland were reconstructed and correlated with moisture dynamics of the peatland ecosystem inferred from the high-resolution multi-proxy analysis of the peatland deposits. From the results of dendrochronological analysis and the 14 C wiggle matching methods, four floating pine chronologies (5882-5595; 5250-5089; 3702-3546; and 2222-1979 mod. cal BP) and two oak chronologies (4932-4599 and 4042-3726 mod. cal BP) were developed. The organic sediments of the peatland (6 m thick) were deposited over approximately nine thousand years. The lower complex (525-315 cm) comprises minerogenic peat, while the upper complex (315.0-0.0 cm) is composed of ombrogenic peat. Subfossil tree trunks are distributed across various peat horizons, which suggests multiple stages of tree colonisation followed by subsequent dying-off phases. Multiproxy sediment analyses (lithological, geochemical and δ 13 C stable isotope, pollen, plant macrofossils, Cladocera, diatom, and Diptera analyses) indicate that the two earliest phases of pine colonisation (5882-5595 and 5250-5089 mod. cal BP) and the two stages of oak colonisation (4932-4599 and 4042-3726 mod. cal BP) were associated with periodic drying of the peatland. Conversely, tree dying-off phases occurred during periods of increased water levels in the peatland, coinciding with stages of increasing climate humidity during the Holocene. The two most recent phases of pine colonisation occurred during the ombrogenic stage of mire development. Remnants of the dead forest from these phases, marked by subfossil trunks still rooted in the ground, were preserved and exposed presently during peat exploitation, approximately 2.5 m below ground level. The identified phases of tree colonisation and subsequent dying-off phases show correlation with analogical phenomena observed in the other investigated European peatlands., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Various plant functional groups (PFGs) used in the reclamation of post-mining heaps may differ in their nutrient uptake efficiency and thus in their effect on the ecosystem development. The effect of PFGs may be additionally modified by the applied reclamation measures such as e.g. topsoiling. In this study we compared the nutrient uptake efficiencies and plant stoichiometry for two PFGs (grasses and forbs) growing on the sites reclaimed by applying topsoil (TS) and unreclaimed sites on carboniferous bare rock (BR) in hard coal spoil heap in Upper Silesia (southern Poland). Basic soil parameters, including pH, texture, soil organic carbon, and nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg), were measured, and the aboveground plant biomass and nutrient content in plant tissue were determined. Forbs were characterized by a larger biomass and higher nutrient concentrations (except for P) than grasses. The TS treatment supported higher concentrations of N and P in plant tissues but not to the level ensuring more significant primary biomass production. The nutrient concentration and elemental stoichiometry in plant tissue indicated that N was the primary limiting element. However, the major growth limitation for N-fixing forbs was from P. Forbs were much more efficient in nutrient uptake than grasses, independent of the reclamation treatment. Therefore, they stimulate nutrient cycling in the restored ecosystems more than grasses., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Plastic and rubber granules are commonly used as infill material in all-weather sports facilities, providing an ideal activity surface for millions of Europeans on a daily basis. However, concerns have been raised about the presence of hazardous elements in these granules, which can pose risks both to the environment and human health. Our study focusses on the elemental composition of rubber granules used in fall sports facilities in Rzeszów, (Podkarpackie, Poland) using field portable X-ray fluorescence (FP-XRF) as a non-destructive and 'white analytical technique'. The results show the content of Zn, Fe, Cr, Ba, Br, Ti, Cu, Cd, As, Au, Bi, Pb, Ni, Sb, and Sn in the rubber granule samples. This study highlights the need for stringent quality control measures and regulations to ensure the safety of all-weather sports facilities and protect the well-being of sportsman. When modern FP-XRF spectrometry is employed as a "white analytical technique," for the first time it becomes possible to identify the presence of hazardous elements, addressing the pressing concerns highlighted by the ECHA and enabling proactive measures to mitigate potential risks. This approach ensures the protection of the health and sustainability of sports facilities, contributing to the ongoing hot topics in the field., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)