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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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• 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]

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]

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 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]

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]

Summary: Groundwater within the unconfined or semi-confined parts of Triassic carbonate aquifers in Upper Silesia (Poland) contains high concentrations of sulphate (up to 290mg/L), sometimes in excess of drinking water limits (>250mg/L). To assess the influence of different possible sulphate sources, isotopic analyses of S and O were performed on groundwater sulphate and potential sulphate sources and combined with literature data. Three dominant sources of sulphate were delineated, based on the geological and literature study and supported by the mixing relations between inverse concentration of sulphate and its isotopic compositions. These sources are: (i) sulphate from rainfall; (ii) weathering of sulphide minerals in ore deposits in the aquifer-forming carbonate rocks; (iii) dissolution of sulphate evaporites in the Triassic sequence. Fortunately these three sources have distinctive S and O isotope compositions and thus their contributions to the total dissolved sulphate could be estimated. The application of linear mixing models for three sources in the dual isotope system allowed the impact of the three different sulphate sources on particular parts of the aquifers to be calculated. The average isotopic composition of sulphate in abstracted groundwater indicates that the most important source of sulphate is sulphide weathering, contributing about 50% of total sulphate. The second most significant source of sulphate input is rainfall and it is characterised by a mean contribution of 30%. Application of Monte Carlo analysis that incorporates the full variability in distributions of isotopic compositions for the three sources and all mixing fractions between them gave the most probable ranges of the dissolved in groundwater sulphate. This analysis indicated that the proportion of sulphate derived by sulphide oxidation is comparable with the estimations based on linear models. This study has shown that the water quality of these important groundwater resources is under threat from both natural sources, i.e. metal sulphide oxidation and gypsum dissolution. Analysis of the mathematical models analysis shows that the first process is the predominant source of sulphate in groundwater. However, the highest concentrations of dissolved sulphate are positively correlated with the increasing proportion of sulphate derived from gypsum dissolution. Moreover, one should keep in mind that natural processes might be anthropogenically accelerated due to variable water demands and groundwater abstraction. Eventually, the statistically second-order source of sulphate – rainfall might contain surface-derived contaminants, and its contribution to the total load of sulphate might indirectly indicate the vulnerability of aquifers for the pollution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bromine concentrations in halite, sulfate isotopes (δ34S and δ18O), and major ion concentrations in primary fluid inclusions from three boreholes in the Late Permian Zechstein evaporites have revealed sharp variations in marine derived brines within the Polish sector of the European Southern Permian Basin. The base of the Older Halite (Na2), during the latest Permian, registers a change from sulfate-rich brines, similar in composition to modern evaporated seawater, to sulfate-depleted brines (calcium-rich). This change coincides with a drop in δ34S to values close to +9‰, not observed in δ18O counterparts. Opposite isotope (δ34S–δ18O) trends through the Na2 unit cannot be explained by changes in restriction conditions. We propose that the change to sulfate-depleted (calcium-rich) brines during halite deposition of the PZ2 (Stassfurt) cycle is related to the overturn of anoxic sulfidic deep-waters from the Panthalassa stratified superocean coinciding in time with the Permian–Triassic mass extinction event. The reconstruction of chemical changes in brines reveals two major evaporite sequences of increasing concentration that do not match the classic lithostratigraphic cycles. The first evaporite sequence (PZES-1) contain the evaporite units of the PZ1 (Werra) cycle, the PZ2 (Stassfurt) cycle, the Main Anhydrite (A3), and the base of the Younger Halite (Na3) of the PZ3 (Leine) cycle. The second evaporite sequence (PZES-2) is represented by almost the entire Na3 unit and the PZ4 (Aller) cycle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The curative waters of HCO3-SO4-Mg-Na+H2S chemical type and 0.6-0.8 g/dm3 total dissolved solids are exploited in Horyniec Spa located at the northern boundary of the Carpathian Foredeep, near the Polish-Ukrainian border. Although these waters occur at relatively shallow depths (their aquifer is encountered about 30 m below the ground surface), they are quite well protected from surface pollutants by a cover of clayey sands. This paper revises and discusses the origin of specific chemical components of these waters based on the following analyses of stable isotopes: (a) δ34S in [image omitted] , H2S, and CaSO4·2H2O, (b) δ18O in [image omitted] , H2O, and CaSO4·2H2O, and (c) δ2H in H2O and CaSO4·2H2O. The most important process which takes place in the aquifer is the dissolution of gypsum present in the Miocene formation and subsequent bacterial reduction of sulphate ion to hydrogen sulphide in the presence of an organic matter. This process shifts both δ34S and δ18O of sulfate ions towards higher concentration of heavy isotopes by several per mil in comparison to that in the original Miocene gypsum. The hydrogen sulphide generated this way (up to a concentration of 45 mg/dm3) is highly depleted in a heavy isotope by about 41 ‰ with respect to a sulphate ion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the sources of in groundwater of the Olkusz–Zawiercie Major Groundwater Body. The quality of groundwater was relatively good in the past, but fluctuations of the water table level have caused degradation of water quality. Variations in the water table level and the formation of the depression cone have resulted from both groundwater withdrawal and Zn–Pb mine dewatering. As a result within the extended vadose zone of the aquifer, weathering of pyrite and accompanying sulfides has taken place. Since 1992 the water table has risen and this process has been associated with an increase in concentrations of , Ca and Mg. At the same time, the pH has decreased and periodically high Fe concentrations have been detected. High concentrations of Mg and Sr have been observed and, since gypsum layers are known to be present, a de-dolomitisation process has been hypothesized. The PHREEQC program for Windows was used to estimate saturation indices for calcite, dolomite, gypsum and epsomite. Isotopic data for dissolved in the groundwater and archival data on isotopic composition of ore sulfides were used to solve the isotope balance equation and to estimate the fraction of dissolved that originated from pyrite oxidation and gypsum dissolution. The results have shown that dissolution of pyrite oxidation products has a significant influence on chemical composition of groundwater, especially in the southern part of the cone of depression. By solving the additional, combined mass transfer and isotope balance equations it was inferred that a variation in isotopic composition of weathered sulfides must also occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigations were conducted in northeastern Poland near Lidzbark Warminski (54° 08" N, 20° 36" E). Five mid-field ponds situated on grasslands were chosen: four of them were dredged and deepened, and one of them remained as a natural reservoir. The aim of this paper was to assess the influence of weather conditions on the quantity and quality of water in mid-field ponds situated in agricultural areas. It was found that the quantity of water in mid-field ponds was related much more to the air temperature, which was responsible for either water evaporation or snow melting, rather than to the amount of precipitation. The reduction in the volume of water stored in the ponds during very dry years had a negative influence on its quality. During the observation period, the dredged ponds were characterized by permanent water tables, whereas the natural reservoir dried out in very dry years. Atmospheric conditions influenced the concentrations of ammonium nitrogen and calcium and chlorine ions in the studied water bodies. The volume of water retained in mid-field ponds influenced the concentrations of phosphorus and sulphates. Increased precipitation sums caused lower water pH; however in warmer periods, at increased pH and CODCr, a decrease in dissolved oxygen was noted. It was revealed that increases in precipitation sums during the year caused increases in the load of mineral nitrogen and calcium and magnesium ions in pond water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frequency of summer flood events has strongly increased in Eastern Europe during the last decades. The creation of water storage areas to avoid flooding is often combined with the re-creation of more natural and biodiverse riverine systems. This urges the need to understand the consequences of summer inundation, when microbial activity is significantly higher than during winter inundation, for floodplain biogeochemistry. In order to test the interacting effects of temporal flooding, water quality and agricultural use we used a mesocosm design with sods including vegetation from an area along a tributary of the Vistula River, where water storage compartments have been planned. Concentrations of nitrate and sulphate in the flood water, expected to interfere with soil redox processes, were varied at environmentally relevant concentrations. Inundation led to increased nutrient mobilization in all treatments, particularly for phosphate which reached very high concentrations in both soil water (200–300 μmol l−1) and overlaying surface water (25–35 μmol l−1) as a result of iron reduction. The response was clearly linked to different soil characteristics like the Olsen P concentration, probably caused by varying kind of land use. Unexpectedly, the flood water quality played a less important role in the response to short-term flooding. This could partly be explained by the relatively low infiltration rate into these waterlogged soils, indicating the importance of local hydrology. The findings of this study are important to understand and predict the effects of (more frequent) summer flooding of Eastern European rivers. It also indicates that it is necessary to take into account the soil quality in assessing the consequences of planned measures on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the results of isotopic analyses of (i) hydrogen and oxygen in water (δ D[image omitted] and δ18O[image omitted] ) and (ii) sulphur and oxygen in sulphates (δ34Ssulphate and δ18Osulphate) from atmospheric precipitation collected within a one-year period between 25 May 2004 and 25 May 2005 in Wrocław (SW Poland). The resulting equation of Local Meteoric Water Line for Wrocław is δ D=6.373×δ18O-0.047, (r2=0.97, n=32). The δ34Ssulphate varies from 1.1 to 4.2‰ (with an average of 2.5‰), δ18Osulphate varies from 9.0 to 16.7‰ (with an average of 13.8‰) and δ18O[image omitted] varies from-0.8 to-16.3‰ (with an average of-8.2‰). The above results indicate two main sources of sulphates in Wrocław precipitation: (i) low-temperature secondary sulphates forming in situ in Wrocław from the atmospheric SO2 as well as precipitation water (heterogeneous and homogeneous pathways oxidation) and (ii) high-temperature primary sulphates forming in rapid high-temperature hydratation of SO[image omitted] in an immediate proximity of industrial chimneys. We hypothesise that the secondary low-temperature type of sulphates is probably formed from the local sulphur and oxygen reservoirs, whereas the primary high-temperature type is allochthonous and it is probably transported from industrial areas located outside of Wrocław. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protected area 'Bohemian Switzerland National Park' with its characteristic sandstone landscape was influenced by the long-term air pollution and acidic deposition within the area known as Black Triangle (located where Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic meet, is one of the Europe's most polluted areas). The local Upper Cretaceous sandstone is subhorizontally stratified, fine- to coarse-grained, quartz dominated, with low content of clay minerals. One of the significant negative effects of the intensive acidic deposition on sandstone outcrops has been identified as chemical (salt) weathering, i.e., a process when the porous sandstone rock is except of chemical influence attacked also by force of crystallization of growing salts crystals. Anions NO together with SO and cation NH were the most abundant solutes in bulk precipitation samples. Current (2002 to 2009) bulk deposition fluxes of SO determined at three sites directly in the National Park indicate decline from 23 to 16 kg ha year. Infiltration of bulk precipitation solutes into the sandstone mediates the weathering processes. Natural outflow of sandstone pore-water (sandstone percolates) can be sampled only during certain days of year when the sandstone becomes saturated with water and percolates drip out on small number of sites from roofs of overhangs. Under usual conditions percolation water evaporates at the sandstone surface producing salt efflorescences-the typical example is Pravčická brána Arch locality. The average pH of the dripping sandstone percolates was 3.76. Concentration of SO and Al in sandstone percolates reached up to 46 and 10 mg L. The concentration of Al in percolates has been 160-fold greater the one in the precipitation samples suggesting the sandstone as a source. The water O and H isotopic composition of percolates has been virtually identical to precipitation samples, indicating thus relatively short residence time of the solutions within the sandstone pore-spaces. Evaporation experiments with bulk precipitation and percolate samples proved possible origin of some Ca in bulk precipitation and the sandstone rock as the source of Al and possibly of K for the salt efflorescence identified on Rock Arch body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Gdaėsk region urban development and intensive take off have caused an increase in water exploitation. As a consequence of the changes of hydrogeological conditions, a deterioration of chemical and bacteriological quality of water has been observed. routine bacteriological quality control does not include some specific bacteria which are characteristic for the groundwater environment and can have negative influence on the physical and chemical properties of water. among such bacteria there are sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB). In the paper frequency of SRB occurrence in raw water from Cretaceous and Quaternary formations and in treated water has been described. it has been proved that bacterial consortium isolated from groundwater show preference to sodium lactate as a main source of carbon and energy. SRB have a negative influence on organoleptic properties of water quality and the technical condition of distribution net, the water should be disinfected. It has been proved that non-reagent methods, like UV radiation and microfiltration, are effective for SRB elimination from groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentration of sulphate, δ34S(SO4 2−), δ18O(SO4 2−O) values, in surface waters and groundwaters from crystalline rocks in mountainous Rudawy Janowickie Massif (RJ) in SW Poland, have been analysed. The RJ is located close to the area of the biggest anthropogenic emission source of sulphur compounds in Europe called the “Black Triangle”. The lowest concentration of sulphate ions dissolved in water (13 mg/l) were found in groundwaters at the highest altitude (750m asl). In the course of groundwater downward infiltration (hydraulic gradient) the concentration of sulphate ions increased with decreasing altitude. The highest concentrations of SO18O(H2O) values, in surface waters and groundwaters from crystalline rocks in mountainous Rudawy Janowickie Massif (RJ) in SW Poland, have been analysed. The RJ is located close to the area of the biggest anthropogenic emission source of sulphur compounds in Europe called the “Black Triangle”. The lowest concentration of sulphate ions dissolved in water (13 mg/l) were found in groundwaters at the highest altitude (750m asl). In the course of groundwater downward infiltration (hydraulic gradient) the concentration of sulphate ions increased with decreasing altitude. The highest concentrations of SO4 2− (100 mg/l in springs at metamorphic rocks and 60 mg/l in springs at granites) were observed at the foothills (altitudes 410 and 580 m asl, respectively). Likewise, the sulphur and oxygen isotope composition of sulphate ions showed systematic increasing trends with respect to the altitude decrease (from 3.45 to 11.05‰ and from −6.53 to 10.03‰, respectively). Three main sources of sulphate for the surface-water/groundwater systems in RJ have been isotopically discriminated. The high δ34S-δ18O sulphate showed waters from precipitation and peat bogs. The lower δ34S–δ18O sulphate originated due to decomposition of organic matter. The lowest δ34S–δ18O sulphates formed due to microbial ( Thiobacillus ferrooxidans) pyrite oxidation within the pyrite-deposit weathering zone. The highest contribution of anthropogenic sulphate have been observed at the top-hills and during low water levels at lower altitudes. The contribution of biogenic and geogenic sulphate relatively increased with the increasing distance (time?) of the water flow through rocks or/and increasing water level in springs. The isotope, hydrochemical and hydrogeological observations confirmed a negligible role of anthropogenic sulphur in the groundwaters analysed. This suggests significant improvement in the natural environment in the Western parts of Sudety Mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bulk composition of organic matter and saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons extracted from 16 samples collected from two Kupferschiefer profiles in the Rudna mine, Southwest Poland has been analyzed to study the role of organic matter during base metal enrichment in the in the Kupferschiefer shale. The results indicated that the extract yields and saturated hydrocarbon yields decreased with increasing base metal contents. GC and GC/MS analyses indicated that n - alkanes and alkylated aromatic compounds were depleted and may have served as hydrogen donators for thermochemical sulfate reduction. The enrichment of base metals is closely connected with the destruction of hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isotope composition of sulphur and oxygen were measured in water collected from the Central Roztocze (SE of Poland) rivers. The research focused mainly on the upper section of the Wieprz River, its confluences and springs and on two confluences of the Tanew River. The results proved that there are two sources of sulphate dissolved in water: the Cretaceous aquifer and soil within the catchment's area. Seasonal variation of the sulphate concentration together with sulphur and oxygen isotope composition was observed. The isotope composition of sulphate varied in water collected at the different locations of the same river. They are similar for sulphates in springs and rivers. The isotope composition of sulphate varied in water collected at the different locations of the same river. The δ34S values of sulphates in the Wieprz River are the lowest (negative) in lower part of the river. It shows that the contribution of sulphate from spring water increases downstream. The low sulphate content and high δ34S and δ18O value in sulphates was found downstream from dams. It may be the result of deficiency of oxygen in mud and the reduction in bacteria activity. The seasonal variations of the oxygen isotope composition in sulphate are significant in sulphates collected from rivers and from springs. They are caused by seasonal variations of the δ18O in water stored in the soil. The narrow range of the δ18O values for the sulphates extracted from springs at the same time means that the main source of sulphate in spring water are oxidising processes using the same source of oxygen in every location. The high sulphate content combined with the high δ34S values of the sulphates in springs suggest, that the sulphates from Cretaceous aquifer were mixed with sulphates dissolved from the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyhalite deposits in the Zechstein (Upper Permian) of northern Poland occur in the Lower Werra Anhydrite. In the Zdrada Sulphate Platform, the polyhalite appears to be a very early replacement of anhydrite. The replacement was caused by the halite-precipitating brines which contained potassium and magnesium ions. The formation of polyhalite was preceded by the syndepositional anhydritization of the original gypsum deposit which has often preserved its primary textures. This anhydritization on the platform and its slopes was a reaction of the precipitated gypsum in a hydrologically open evaporite basin, with brines of salt basins adjacent to the sulphate platform. These brines, when nearly saturated with respect to halite, and potassium and magnesium rich, reacted with anhydrite to precipitate polyhalite along the slopes of the Zdrada Platform. The oxygen and sulphur isotopic compositions of sulphate evaporites indicate that marine solutions were the only source of sulphate ions supplied to the Zechstein basin, and that anhydrite was transformed to polyhalite by reaction with marine brines more concentrated than those that precipitated precursor calcium sulphate minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

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.

The article discusses the study which examines the diurnal variations of sulphate concentration and sulphur isotonic composition (δ34 S) of sulphate ion within the Sulejow reservoir in Central Poland. A number of water samples from the reservoir have been collected in July 26-27, 2006 and in February 2-3, 2007. Information about the results of the study is provided.