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The current study presents the results of the chemical and the radiochemical characterization of phosphogypsum obtained from the former Wizów Chemical Plant in Poland. Phosphogypsum is a residue obtained from phosphoric acid production. Phosphogypsum mainly contains calcium sulfate dihydrate and impurities originating from the source phosphate rock, including toxic trace elements and natural radionuclides. The phosphogypsum stacks occupy a large area and are an environmental issue today. The project "Phosphogypsum Processing to Critical Raw Materials", currently realized at the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, focuses on the use of phosphogypsum from the Polish stacks as material to recover rare earth elements (REEs). The remaining gypsum matrix can be used as an inexpensive material in construction. The chemical and radiological characterization of the radioactive isotopes present in phosphogypsum was performed by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the gamma spectrometry technique. The radioactivity of the Polish phosphogypsum was then compared with the radioactivity of the phosphogypsum waste present worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we present Raman spectra showing the presence and distribution of scytonemin and carotenoids in epilithic and endolithic colonisations from temperate locations in Central Europe and Sicily. In the Bohemian Massif, marble and serpentinitic cyanobacterial epiliths dominated by cyanobacteria Scytonema, Stigonema, Hassallia, Gloeocapsopsis and Gloeocapsa were investigated using light microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Scytonemin was a common dark pigment, accompanied by carotenoids and gloeocapsin on the marbles from Opolenec and on serpentinites from Holubov (South Bohemia). Raman spectra from other sites originated from endolithic colonisations of gypsum. They were located in the Carpathian foredeep (Badenian, Silesian unit, eastern Poland) and in Messinian complexes in the Mediterranean area (Sicily). Similarly to the previous localities, almost ubiquitous occurrence of scytonemin confirmed the presence of cyanobacterial colonisations. Obtained findings are important from the spectroscopic point of view. Additionally, comparing results from several sites confirmed the common occurrence of scytonemin in both endoliths and epiliths from areas that cannot be considered climatically extreme, although they experience rapid fluctuations in temperature, humidity and UV irradiation on the exposed rocky substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of phosphoric acid produces "waste heaps" that have not yet been tapped, but which have the character of weak fertilizers and can perhaps be reintroduced into the elemental cycle in the forests. Two variants of mixing with organic ash and with sewage sludge were carried out. One-year-old pine seedlings (Pinus sylvestris L.) from the Trzebieź forest district (northern Poland) were planted in pots with soil that also came from the same field. Preparations containing phosphogypsum were applied topically to the soil in four doses (1, 2, 3 and 5 t/ha). The trial, which lasted one growing season, was conducted in four replicates. At the end of the trial, the height of the above-ground parts and root length, needle and root area, root neck diameter and photosynthetic performance were measured. The phosphogypsum-based preparations used showed no harmful (toxic) effects on the potted pine seedlings during the six-month trial period. The loosely prepared preparation made from a mixture of phosphogypsum and organic ash began to have a positive effect on the development of the seedlings' root system, and it was also easier to mix with the soil surface than phosphogypsum with sewage sludge, which also contained a sticky form. The photosynthetic performance of one-year-old pine seedlings decreased after one growing season following the application of phosphogypsum preparations and most of the growth parameters tested did not differ from the control, so observations over a longer period (at least two to three growing seasons) are required. However, dosages of 1 and 2 t/ha seem to be the most promising, and these lower dosages are more economical to manage in nurseries or plantations, especially on poor sites. Formulations should be tested for heavy metals and their effects on seedling development. Testing should also be continued to monitor changes in the microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The present paper investigates the colour dependence of mineral compositions in clay-rich sedimentary strata, mainly clayey silts, the emphasis being on iron-bearing minerals (rather than clay minerals) by using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy (57Fe-MS). The PXRD-based phase analysis has demonstrated the variable compositions of samples, consisting of, inter alia, quartz, calcite or gypsum, and admixtures of potassium feldspars and plagioclase. Hematite + goethite (sample D1, dark red), goethite (sample D2, pinkish brown), poorly crystalline goethite (sample D3, orange) and jarosite (sample D4, yellow) have been distinguished. A very low jarosite content was detected in sample D5 (light grey); this did not affect its colour. The potential yellow/brown shades in sample D6 (dark grey), coming from trace amounts of jarosite, are masked by macroscopically visible organic matter. In the case of the two last-named samples (D5 and D6), with trace amounts of Fe-bearing minerals, it is most likely that the organic matter was effective in influencing the light and dark grey colour of the sediment, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial colonisations of gypsum from different sites from Southern Sicily and Eastern Poland were investigated using laboratory‐based Raman microspectrometers and portable Raman spectrometric devices. Selected zones of microbial colonisations of few types of gypsum are described from the point of view of the presence of algae and cyanobacteria. Macrocrystalline gypsum layers in Sicily and Eastern Poland originate from Tertiary sedimentary series. In Southern Sicily gypsum outcrops from late Miocene age were investigated near Scala dei Turchi, Torre Salsa and Siculiana Marina. Polish Tertiary Middle Miocene age examples of gypsum colonisations of decimetre to metre long outcropping gypsum crystals were studied near Chotel Czerwony, Skorocice and Chwalowice. Common microbial pigments were detected: carotenoids were documented in majority of the samples (common Raman bands at around 1525, 1157 and 1004 cm−1), Raman spectra of other pigments were recorded in several zones using near infrared excitation (785 nm): chlorophyll (1326, 1285, 1188 and 745 cm−1), scytonemin (1593, 1552, 1438 and 1173 cm−1) and phycobiliproteins (1275 cm−1). Raman microspectrometric investigations of colonisations allow to gather detailed information about pigment distribution in micrometric zones of gypsum samples. Portable instrumentation permits also detection of carotenoids. Observed shifts of positions of Raman features of carotenoids between gypsum samples (and sites worldwide) and relative to reference values are discussed and critically evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, in Poland, there is only one coal mine water utilization plant in operation, located in Czerwionka-Leszczyny, which uses energy-intensive ZOD technology, based on vapor compression and crystallization. To decrease the energy consumption, in this work a hybrid membrane-evaporative system for coal mine brine utilization has been proposed. The proposed technology consists of two-pass nanofiltration with intermediate gypsum crystallization (NFCr) and the reverse osmosis-electrodialysis concentration step (ROED). Assuming the proposed system utilizes the Piast-500 coal mine brine of total dissolved solids of 72.7 kg/m3, the energy consumption and the amount of salt generated have been estimated for four cases: (1) the entirety of coal mine brine is utilized by the ZOD technology; (2) the ZOD system is preceded by the NFCr; (3) the coal mine brine is utilized in the NFCr-ROED-ZOD system; (4) the coal mine brine is utilized in the NFCr-ROEDCr system. The results show that implementing the NFCr before the ZOD alone can decrease the energy consumption by 22%, whereas the full NFCr-ROED-ZOD system shows 54% lower energy consumption than ZOD. The application of a hybrid membrane-evaporative system for coal mine brine utilization allows increasing the salt recovery from 62.9% up to over 90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the biodiversity of endolithic microbial colonisations are only partly understood. In this study, we used a combination of molecular community metabarcoding using the 16S rRNA gene, light microscopy, CT-scan analysis, and Raman spectroscopy to describe gypsum endolithic communities in 2 sites-southern Poland and northern Israel. The obtained results have shown that despite different geographical areas, climatic conditions, and also physical features of colonized gypsum outcrops, both of these sites have remarkably similar microbial and pigment compositions. Cyanobacteria dominate both of the gypsum habitats, followed by Chloroflexi and Pseudomonadota. Among cyanobacteria, Thermosynechococcaceae were more abundant in Israel while Chroococcidiopsidaceae in Poland. Interestingly, no Gloeobacteraceae sequences have been found in Poland, only in Israel. Some of the obtained 16S rRNA gene sequences of cyanobacteria matched previously detected sequences from endolithic communities in various substrates and geographical regions, supporting the hypothesis of global metacommunity, but more data are still needed. Using Raman spectroscopy, cyanobacterial UV-screening pigments-scytonemin and gloeocapsin have been detected alongside carotenoids, chlorophyll a and melanin. These pigments can serve as potential biomarkers for basic taxonomic identification of cyanobacteria. Overall, this study provides more insight into the diversity of cyanobacterial endolithic colonisations in gypsum across different areas., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Japan KK.)

Neodymium (Nd) isotopes constitute a versatile tracer frequently used in oceanography to identify water masses and track their circulation, both in the modern and ancient oceans and seas. In this research, for the first time, primary marine gypsum is being used as a new archive preserving Nd isotope signatures of past seawater and brines in very shallow-water settings. Nd isotope signatures (ε Nd values) coupled with Sr isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) allowed to constrain mixing processes and composition of brines in a marine evaporite basin that developed in the Fore-Carpathian Basin during Badenian (Middle Miocene) time. We measured the Nd and Sr isotope composition of selenite crystals collected from gypsum successions, well-exposed in southern Poland and western Ukraine. The crystals reveal wide temporal variations in ε Nd (t) values, from −14.4 to −6.1, contrasted by relatively uniform 87Sr/86Sr ratios, from 0.7089 to 0.7093, and provide evidence for the mixing of sea and riverine waters during the brine formation. Gypsum precipitation taking place in very small sub-basins (evaporite pans) was controlled by episodic, significant inflows of riverine waters that triggered the formation of dissolution surfaces and cyclicity within the sabre gypsum successions. Riverine-water inflows into the Fore-Carpathian Basin are postulated from two main directions, from the Ukrainian Shield (western Ukraine) and the Holy Cross Mountains (southern Poland). In conclusion, we show that Nd isotopes are much more sensitive than Sr isotopes in detecting marine vs non-marine contributions in the composition of brines and gypsum deposits. • Primary marine gypsum preserves Nd isotope signatures of past seawater and brines. • Wide variations in the Nd isotope composition of gypsum in the Carpathian Foredeep. • Nd isotope record documents the mixing of sea and riverine waters during the brine formation. • Riverine-water inflows controlled the cyclicity of the sabre gypsum deposits. • Nd isotopes are more sensitive than Sr isotopes in detecting marine vs non-marine contributions in the composition of brines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the selected results of GPR (ground penetrating radar) and ERT (electrical resistivity tomography) surveys carried out on the sites in Poland where shallow karst forms were found in gypsum deposits. The aim of the surveys was the noninvasive detection of karst forms as well as weathered and fractured bedrock which may threaten the stability of the surface and, consequently, may cause damage to buildings, as well as overground and underground infrastructure. The geophysical surveys were conducted at a depth of only a few meters, i.e., to the depth of buildings foundations. GPR surveys were carried out in short-offset reflection profiling mode with standard orientation of the antennae set; however, on one site, different orientations of antennae were tested. During ERT surveys, different measurement arrays were applied in order to analyze which array was optimal for the detection of karst forms as well as weathered and fractured bedrock. Complex interpretation of geophysical surveys resulted in reduced ambiguity and revealed some regions, dangerous for surface stability. Due to the fact that gypsum deposits were investigated to the depth of maximum 10 m; therefore, hydrological processes were analyzed in the paper instead of hydrogeological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Raman spectrum of scytonin has been reported for the first time. • Scytonin was detected in endolithic colonisation in gypsum outcrops in Poland. • Scytonin is a derivative of pigment scytonemin, an important biomarker. Microbial colonisations of gypsum from Eastern Poland (Badenian, Middle Miocene age) were investigated by Raman microspectrometry with a rarely used excitation 445 nm excitation. Zones of microbial colonisation in selenitic gypsum endolithic outcrops comprise algae and cyanobacteria, which commonly contain the photosynthetic and protective pigments carotenoids, scytonemin and gloeocapsin. Diagnostic bands differing from those of scytonemin have been identified in black colonies in gypsum outcrops at Chotel Czierwony (Poland). Raman spectral signatures of scytonin are reported here for the first time in two endolithic specimens identified by the band wavenumbers predicted from DFT calculations. The strong or medium strong intensity Raman bands observed at 1603, 1585, 1559, 1435, and 1424 cm−1. Other weaker bands were located at 1676 (sh), 1660 (sh), 1649, 1399, 1362, 1342, 1320, 1294, 1272, 1259, and 1052 cm−1. The first observation of the Raman spectrum of scytonin in the cyanobacterial colonisation of gypsum facilitates the inclusion of this new biomolecular signature in the library of unique Raman spectra of biological pigments invaluable for detection of traces of life in frame of the planetary missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peat bog near the village of Żydowiec in the Nida Basin was subjected to malacological analysis. The peat bog is located in a subsidence basin in a gypsum karst area. The profile of deposits was identified based on materials obtained from shallow (maximum depth of 2.55 m) drillings. Lithologically diverse calcareous gyttjas and peats predominated, accompanied by dark muds. Numerous, but poorly preserved and often crushed molluscan shells were found in the calcareous gyttjas, as well as in some types of peat. Aquatic species were represented most frequently, especially drought-resistant forms and euryecological taxa. Land snails occurred in small numbers and constituted an admixture of low significance. Based on the composition and structure of faunistic assemblages, it was possible to characterise the features of the natural environment, peat bog evolution, and to determine the stratigraphic position of deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeological excavations in Wiślica (Poland) exposed the stone foundations of a little twelfth-century church which formed the crypt under a later, gothic collegiate church. Gypsum mortar was used to bind the stone blocks making up the foundations and for the floor of the crypt. The central part of this floor is decorated with engraved designs, the grooves of which are filled with a pigmented mortar. After studying the mortars using electron and optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis, the mortar binding the blocks and that filling the grooves were both found to contain about 87% gypsum and 2.6% calcite, while the respective contents for the mortar of the engraved floor were 92% and 1.1%. Gypsum calcined at high temperatures, known as 'estrich gypsum' (anhydrous gypsum plaster-mineralogically anhydrite), was used. Two kinds of calcination process were employed, resulting in two types of mortar: one, coarse-grained and fast-setting, was used to bind the blocks and to make the undecorated portion of the floor; the other, very fine-grained and slow-setting, was used for the engraved floor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three lithological factors were identified as controlling the durability of the porous limestone from Pińczów. Coarse-grained texture, high crystallinity and lack of quartz give good weathering resistance to the stone. Gypsum formation deep within the stone fabric is the dominating deterioration factor. The structure of the stone controls the rate of gypsum formation. This corrosion process then changes the original porosity of the stone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work concerns non-pressure granulation of mineral materials used for the production of agricultural fertilizers for soil deacidification. In order to expand the product range of Nordkalk Poland sp. z o. o. located in Poland, the granulation conditions of the gypsum–lime mix were examined with the use of various granulation methods. The processed mixture was Jurassic lime flour mined in the Sławno mine (Poland) and waste gypsum (sulfogypsum) obtained from the largest coal-fired power plant in the EU, Bełchatów Power Plant (Poland). This paper presents the results of the optimization of the gypsum–lime fertilizer granulation process. The results of the study of granulation of gypsum–lime mixture realized in one-stage technology in a disc granulator were compared with the effects of two-stage agglomeration. During the research, a mixture (in a 1:1 ratio) of waste sulfogypsum and lime flour was used. Such a weight ratio provides maximum use of the sulfogypsum waste while maintaining good mechanical properties of the granulate. The granulated bed was moistened with a lignosulfonate solution. The process was carried out periodically. After the experiment, the grain composition of the granulate obtained was determined and tests were performed to determine the strength of the product. The test results were compared with analogous ones obtained during granulation with the use of molasses (waste from sugar production). The results obtained were verified during a trial carried out on an industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on a report by Stanislaw Klin entitled "Analysis of the variation of strength and deformability of gypsum in various states of stress and humidity. The Council of Faculty of Civil Engineering at Wroclaw University of Technology in Poland was the promoting council of the report and its date of habilitation colloquium is on October 18, 2006. It has 316 pages, 119 figures, 33 tables, 6 photos and bibliography that contains 450 items.