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The aim of the study was to assess the concentration of salinity indicators in the Bystrzyca River in the city of Lublin, located in south-eastern Poland. The studies on the quality of water from the river were carried out from November 2018 to June 2019, i.e. in winter and spring. The water samples for analysis were taken from 9 measurement points located on the river under bridges and at high traffic roads. In total, 8 series of analyses were carried out, during which 72 water samples from the Bystrzyca River were examined. The samples were analyzed in terms of: water temperature, pH value, conductivity as well as concentration of chlorides and sulfates. An increase in both the specific conductivity and chloride and sulfate concentrations was found in the water from the Bystrzyca River during the period of low air temperatures (≤0o C), i.e. in December 2018 and January 2019. This may be a result of winter road maintenance procedures, i.e. by using salts for their defrosting. At the same time, an increase in the conductivity value and the concentration of chlorides and sulfates was observed with the course of the river, which indicates that the pollution generated in the city of Lublin has a negative impact on the water quality in the studied river. The salinity of the Bystrzyca River was greatly affected by the operation of the municipal wastewater treatment plant in Hajdów, especially by the use of coagulants: polyglycol chloride (PAX 18) and iron sulfate (PIX 113). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A significant threat to public health is presented by antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, selective pressure on which results from antibiotic use. Colistin is an antibiotic commonly used in veterinary medicine, but also one of last resort in human medicine. Since the 2015 discovery in China of the mcr-1 gene encoding colistin resistance in Enterobacteriaceae, other countries have noted its presence. This study was to find the mcr-1 gene prevalence in E. coli isolated from poultry slaughtered in Poland. Material and Methods: Cloacal swabs were taken from December 2017 to October 2018 from broiler chickens in three regions. The samples (n = 158) were grouped as flocks treated with colistin sulphate (n = 87) and those not treated (n = 71). Resistance to antimicrobials commonly used in poultry was evaluated by minimum inhibitory concentration. The presence of the mcr-1 gene was confirmed by PCR. Results: Isolates containing the mcr-1 gene were yielded by 11.27% of the samples from not treated flocks and 19.54% of those from treated flocks, but no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of the gene was seen between the groups. Conclusion: The results clearly preclude intensification of selective pressure for colistin resistance due to colistin sulphate treatment because they show that the avian gastrointestinal tract was already inhabited by colistin-resistant E. coli by the time the chickens came to the poultry house. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Chemical plant protection is a commonly discussed factor potentially responsible for decline in pollinators and other beneficial insect populations. Various groups of chemicals including persistent organic pollutants could impact a bee colony’s welfare and are reported to be present in bee tissue and apiary products. The aim of this work was to evaluate the presence of selected persistent organic pollutant and pesticide residues in bee pollen originating from different geographical regions of Poland. Pesticide residues were identified in 60% of tested bee pollen samples. The compounds identified were mainly active ingredients of fungicide preparations. Insecticide active ingredients were up to 30% of the identified residues. The triazole fungicide tebuconazole and the neonicotinoid insecticide thiacloprid were the most frequently found pesticides in pollen. The highest pesticide concentration was determined for prothioconazole (356 μg kg-1). Mean concentrations of chlorinated biphenyls–EC6 and EC12 were 194 pg g-1 and 74 pg g-1, respectively. CB # 28 has the greatest share in the EC6 profile (mean 61 pg g−1, 31% contribution). Relatively high contributions were also observed for CBs # 101 (35 pg g−1, 18%), # 138 (36 pg g−1, 19%) and # 153 (33 pg g−1, 17%). CB # 114 and 118 have the highest share in the dioxin-like biphenyls fraction with mean concentrations of 17.6 and 37.6 pg g−1 (respectively 23 and 50%). Mean calculated concentrations of 39 polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners (Σ39 BDE) were 20 ± 27.7 pg g−1. High variability was observed between maximal and minimal determined concentration values. Individual BDEs were found at different frequencies and varying concentration levels. BDEs # 47, 75 and 99 dominated the profile with average concentrations of 3 pg g−1, 3.1 pg g−1, and 2.9 pg g−1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Stable isotopes of sulfate in wastewater, fertilizers and manure in the Upper Silesia are generally more homogeneous compared to the literature data. • Isotopic composition of sulfate from landfill leachates is enriched with heavy isotopes of S and O. • Isotopic studies of local sources of contamination reduce the uncertainty in the interpretation of sulfate sources in groundwater. Isotopic signatures of anthropogenic sulfate sources within the Upper Silesian urban area (southern Poland) were investigated to increase the reliability of the origin assessment of groundwater contaminants. To analyze δ34S and δ18O in sulfate, 64 samples were collected, representing several sulfate sources: synthetic and organic fertilizers, raw and treated wastewater, mine water, leachate from landfills, mine heaps, and industrial waste dumps. Additionally, 10 surface water samples were taken from contaminated rivers regarded as potential groundwater pollution sources. Results of δ34S and δ18O in sulfate derived from anthropogenic sources were compared with literature data, which indicated significant discrepancies for some contamination sources. The results were applied to assess SO 4 2- origin in groundwater samples from the Gliwice aquifer. Apart from the δ34S and δ18O data, the study included measurements of major ions, inorganic nitrogen forms, trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene in groundwater. Isotopic analyses of river water samples confirmed the impact of urbanized and industrialized areas on surface water pollution and possible influence on groundwater contamination. The values of δ34S and δ18O similar to wastewater were reported for most groundwater samples from the Gliwice carbonate aquifer. Groundwater contamination was also manifested by higher values of electrical conductivity and concentrations of chloride, sodium, trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene. The comparison of recent isotopic data on SO 4 2- sources with literature values clearly shows that it is very important to investigate local potential contamination sources to increase their reliability in determining the source of groundwater or river water pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some dolomite aggregates exposed to a wet environment may decompose. The presence of sodium, magnesium, calcium and sulfate ions in the corrosive medium and the higher temperature can increase the rate of aggregate decomposition. The results of a study on the impact of defined environmental exposition to a H2O, Mg(OH)2, MgSO4, Na2SO4 solutions in various temperature conditions on the susceptibility to dedolomitisation processes of cement concrete made with selected dolomite aggregate are presented in the paper. The observation of linear extension as well as changes in compressive strength and surface alteration due to corrosive exposition conditions were the key diagnostic features adopted for this examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present work conducted in the area of Międzyrzeki Strict Nature Reserve in the Roztocze National Park was to show new sites of rare and species new to Poland from the Kobayasiella genus ( K. okadae (Skvortzov) Lange-Bert., K. tintinnus Buczkó, Wojtal & Jahn) with regard to morphological and ecological characteristics. Chemical parameters show that investigated habitats are poor and oligotrophic with a low content of chlorides, sulfates and nitrates. K. okadae, K. subtilissima (Cleve) Lange-Bert. and K. tintinnus were found in the studied area. The authors suggest the use of synonym Navicula hoeflerii Cholnoky for the Kobayasiella okadae. LM and SEM images were used in the analysis of the material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landfill fires pose a real threat to the environment as they cause the migration of pollutants to the atmosphere and water sources. A greater risk is observed in the case of wild landfills, which do not have adequate isolation from the ground. The aim of this article is to present the results of studies on the toxicity of waste from a fire in a landfill in Trzebinia (southern Poland). Both soil and waste samples were investigated. The samples were analyzed using the GC-MS method and the leachates using ICP-OES. A total of 32 samples of incinerated waste and soil were collected. The organic compounds included naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, acenaphthene, acenaphthylene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo (c) phenanthrene, benzo (a) anthracene, chrysene, benzo (ghi) fluoranthene, benzo (b + k) fluoranthene, benzo (a) fluoranthene, benzo (c) fluoranthene, benzo (a) pyrene, benzo (e) pyrene, perylene, indeno[1,2,3-cd] pyrene, benzo (ghi) perylene, and dibenzo (a + h) anthracene. Among the inorganic parameters, sulfates, chlorides, arsenic, boron, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc were taken into account. Phenanthrene reached values exceeding 33 mg/L. Fluoranthene dominated in most of the samples. Sulfates and chlorides were present in the samples in concentrations exceeding 400 and 50 mg/L, respectively. Compounds contained in burnt waste may have a negative impact on soil and water health safety. Therefore, it is important to conduct research and counteract the negative effects of waste fires.

The study area within the Stone Town Nature Reserve in Ciężkowice encloses a variety of occurrences of sandstone tors exposed within the Skała Hill (Rock Hill) from its top down into the Biała River Valley. The efflorescences of salt minerals on the walls of the sandstone tors represent end products of weathering. Several types of the efflorescences have been distinguished in relation to their distribution, the composition of the parent sandstones and local conditions of the natural environment. Laboratory methods have allowed identifying several sulphate minerals of various hydration (mainly pickeringite, hexahydrite, pentahydrite, alunogen, K-alum, gypsum, syngenite). They occur as two morphological varieties: as accumulations of a millimetre large flakes or as granules. The development, diversification and distribution of the efflorescences depend first of all on the rock moisture controlled by its capillary rise. The dampness of the lower tor parts is relatively the major factor; thus, such places are the sites favouring efflorescing phenomena. The presence of sulphur-bearing ions that are contained in salt minerals may be attributed to oxidation of pyrite occurring in the sandstone formations in the vicinity of Ciężkowice but may also be associated with local waters, more probably with mineral ones than with groundwater recharged by atmospheric precipitations. Air pollution, particularly with sulphur compounds, should also be considered in weathering of sandstone tors and the formation of the efflorescences.

Temporal and spatial variations of the concentration and the isotopic composition of groundwater sulfate in an unconfined sandy aquifer covered by peatland have been studied to better understand the sources and biogeochemical processes that affect sulfate distribution in shallow groundwater systems influenced by organic rich sediments. The groundwater monitoring was carried out for one year at hydrogeological station Pożary located within the protected zone of the Kampinos National Park. Sulfur (δ34SSO4) and oxygen (δ18OSO4) isotopic composition of dissolved sulfates were analyzed together with oxygen (δ18OH2O) and hydrogen (δ2HH2O) isotopic composition of water and major ions concentration at monthly intervals. The research revealed three main sources of sulfates dissolved in groundwater, namely, (a) atmospheric sulfates—supplied to the aquifer by atmospheric deposition (rain and snow melt), (b) sulfates formed by dissolution of evaporite sulfate minerals, mainly gypsum—considerably enriched in 34S and 18O, and (c) sulfate formed during oxidation of reduced inorganic sulfur compounds (RIS), mainly pyrite—depleted in 34S and 18O. The final isotopic composition and concentration of dissolved SO42− in groundwater are the result of overlapping processes of dissimilatory sulfate reduction, oxidation of sulfide minerals, and mixing of water in aquifer profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]