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Total mercury levels in different feather types (down, contour, tail and flight) in Great Cormorants ( Phalacrocorax carbo L.) were determined using CV-AAS. Feathers from Great Cormorants inhabiting the Vistula Lagoon ecosystem have an average Hg level of 7.14 ± 3.99 (μg/g w.w.). Age-dependent concentrations of Hg were statistically significant (ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.0001). There were also significant differences in Hg levels in different parts of feathers from adults and immature birds (ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.0001). Cormorant chick feathers appear to be a potential biomonitor of Hg pollution in the Vistula Lagoon ecosystem, but this subject requires further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total mercury (Hg) concentrations were determined by CV-AAS in selected tissues (liver, kidney, and muscle) of the Great Cormorant and some fish species (herring, ruffe, European smelt, tench, roach, Crucian carp, and Prussian carp) from the Vistula Lagoon ecosystem (Poland). Significant correlations between Hg concentrations in the kidneys and muscle of cormorants ( U test, p < 0.05) were found; levels of the metal were highest in the birds' liver and kidneys. Total Hg concentrations in the fish decreased in the following order: roach > Prussian carp > Crucian carp > tench > European smelt > ruffe > herring. The biomagnification factor of Hg for the cormorant relative to the fish decreased in the following sequence: herring > ruffe > European smelt > tench > Crucian carp > roach = Prussian carp. It was significantly greater than unity, especially for the cormorant-herring trophic relationship. This implies that Hg is biomagnified in the cormorant in relation to its prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the near future, Poland is going to have more and more favorable conditions for viticulture. Organic acids and polyphenols are among the most commonly analyzed compounds due to their beneficial properties for human health and their importance in the winemaking process. In this work, a new technique involving ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction of porous membrane-packed liquid samples (UASE-PMLS) was for the first time described and applied for real samples. The methodology based on UASE-PMLS for organic acids and polyphenols in wine samples was optimized and validated. Using the new technique coupled to GC–MS, organic acids and polyphenols were evaluated in Polish wine samples. Extraction solvent, extraction temperature, derivatization time and sample pH were optimized. Chemometric tools were used for data treatment. Good linearity was obtained for the concentration ranges evaluated with r values between 0.9852 and 0.9993. All parameters of method validation (intra- and inter-day precision and matrix effect) were over 80% with coefficient of variation (CV) up to 17%. Recovery was between (92.0 ± 8.5)% and (113 ± 16)%. Finally, green assessment was evaluated using Analytical Eco-Scale and Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI). The UASE-PMLS is characterized by many advantages, e.g., the extraction process is fast and easy coupled to GC–MS. Regarding other extraction techniques, the amount of used solvent is minimum, and no waste is generated. Therefore, it is an environmentally friendly technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ''package'' 4 CRMs were prepared and characterised. • Homogeneity study based on the determination of total Hg and MeHg were carried out. • Stability study based on the determination of total Hg and MeHg were conducted. • CRMs with certified Hg and MeHg content meet the heterogeneity requirement. • CRMs meets the requirements for the stability condition with certified Hg content. Reference materials (RMs) play an important role in all elements of the quality assurance system of measurements. In this work, ''package'' 4 new CRMs (bottom sediment, herring tissue, cod tissue, cormorant tissue) were prepared and characterised to carry out the quality control in monitoring analysis of mercury and methylmercury in environmental samples. Materials - candidates were collected in Poland and south part of the Czech Republic. All materials were freeze-dried, milled, sieved, homogenised, sterilized and distributed in amber bottles. For the homogeneity and stability study of the samples of materials several statistical tests were applied. Materials - candidates for CRMs with certified mercury and methylmercury content meet the heterogeneity requirement and can be considered homogenous both between bottle and within bottle. Each material meets also the requirements for the stability condition of reference material with certified mercury content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the various forms of Hg occurring in nature, (mono) methylmercury (MeHg) is an especially toxic form and practically all forms of Hg can be converted into MeHg as a result of natural processes. Total mercury (THg) and MeHg were determined in tissues of two piscivorous birds: razorbill Alca torda and black-throated loon Gavia arctica to provide baseline data on current mercury concentrations for liver, kidneys and pectoral muscle mercury concentrations of birds which winter on the south Baltic Sea coast. Intra and inter-specific comparisons were carried out. The study is conducted between winter and autumn and the distributions of mercury in tissues were compared with data in other studies. The following paper contains discussion of the results based on the statistical analysis and ecology aspect. The highest average Hg content was in the liver (loon ≈ 3.86 mg kg -1 dw; razorbill ≈ 1.57 mg kg -1 dw), then in the kidneys (loon ≈ 3.14 mg kg -1 dw; razorbill ≈ 1.53 mg kg -1 dw) and the lowest concentrations were in pectoral muscles (loon ≈ 1.97 mg kg -1 dw; razorbill ≈ 0.67 mg kg -1 dw)., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Chemical contaminants present in cellulose production waste and municipal sewage sludge condition the necessity to treat these wastes before they are introduced into the environment. Environmental use of the these wastes appears to be justified owing to the content of organic substances as well as the considerable fertilising value. The aim of the study was to assess chemical composition and ecotoxicity of cellulose production waste and municipal sewage sludge in terms of their eco-friendly application. The assessment was done based on the established soil environment according to regulations in Poland. The research on the chemical composition of the wastes was conducted under laboratory conditions, determining the content of macroelements, microelements and heavy metals with respect to using these wastes in the environment. Phytotoxkit and Microtox tests were performed in order to determine the ecotoxicity of the wastes in the aspect of their environmental use. It was established that, compared to the cellulose production waste, the municipal sewage sludge used in the incubation experiment had a higher content of macroelements and microelements. The content of heavy metals in the waste did not exceed the permissible content that conditions their use in agriculture and reclamation. Based on the results of bioassays it was established that the cellulose production waste was toxic, whereas the combination of cellulose production waste and sewage sludge was found to be of low toxicity to test organisms. The applied wastes and their mixtures were ranked according to phytotoxicity in the following order: cellulose production waste > cellulose production waste + soil > cellulose production waste + sewage sludge. The research results indicate that waste mixtures qualify for environmental use. With respect to the variable chemical composition of cellulose production waste and municipal sewage sludge as well as their ecotoxicity, it was established that each batch intended for environmental use must be subjected to chemical analysis and ecotoxicological tests., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this study, different Polish cultivars of blue-berried honeysuckles (Lonicera caerulea L.), wild and bog bilberry, were analyzed for bioactive compounds. The chemical properties verified included composition of anthocyanins and other polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and profiles of antioxidants by HPLC postcolumn derivatization or TLC. The antioxidant activities of different blue-berried honeysuckle cultivars were similar to that of wild-growing bilberries (ranging from 170 to 417 μmol TE/g dm in ABTS and from 93 to 166 μmol TE/g dm in DPPH and Folin-Ciocalteu tests). The major anthocyanin in the blue-berried honeysuckle was cyanidin-3-glucoside, which constituted 84-92% of the total anthocyanins. The TLC and HPLC postcolumn antioxidant profiles indicated that anthocyanins are the major antioxidants in all berries studied. Wild berries and the cultivars of the blue-berried honeysuckles are also a similar source of such minerals as K, Mg, and Ca.