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The aim of the study was to assess the transformation of humic substances during composting of biomass of energetic plants and municipal solid waste. The type of the organic material to be composted and the type of technology used affect the course of the humic substances transformation and formation of compost maturity parameters. Compost produced from the mixture of energetic willow and hay biomass contained humic substances with higher share of low-molecular fractions and lower share of humic acids in total organic carbon than those produced from municipal solid wastes. Obtained results also showed that insoluble alkali fraction plays an important role in humification process by its convertion to a new humic substances. Share of humic and fulvic fractions in relation to the total organic carbon appears to be reliable indicator of composting as a process of enhancing organic matter humification.

The aim of the research was to analyze the composting process with respect to changes in some physical and physicochemical properties of the organic part of municipal solid waste and willow and hay biomass mixture. The dynamics of changes in cation exchange capacity CEC values in relation to the base value of the initial materials of both tested composts were higher for municipal solid wastes compost (MSWC) compost than for willow biomass compost (WBC). The dynamics of pH changes were similar in the tested types of compost and were rather small during the process of composting, regardless of the type of organic residues and initial reaction. During composting process, the transformation of organic matter and mineral components slows down after reaching a stabilization phase.

This research evaluated the usefulness of horticultural substrates prepared on the basis of compost from chipped willow without additives and with the addition of nitrogen and decomposing mycelium of the cellulose-lignin fraction of wood in the cultivation of cucumber seedlings. The produced composts were mixed in different proportions: mixture 1 (W1) - the proportion of compost without additives and compost prepared with the addition of nitrogen and mycelium was in the ratio of 50:50, mixture 2 (W2) - the proportion of compost without additives and compost prepared with the addition of nitrogen and mycelium was in the ratio of 75:25. The starting mixtures were used to prepare horticultural substrates with different components (peat - P, vermicompost - V) and additives: basaltmeal - B, biochar from deciduous wood - C. The components were added in varying proportions. A total of 29 different substrates were subsequently tested in the study. Plant showed that the traits assessed varied to a greater extent under the effect of the test factors than at earlier growth stages. It was demonstrated that cucumber grown on substrates with 75% or 50% willow compost had a unit weight at the same statistical level as when grown on peat substrate (P). The plants with the highest unit weight (8.5-10.4 g), belonged to the same homogeneous group and derived from sites W1P1B2, W2P1, W1P1B1, W2P2, W1P1C1, P, W1P1, W2B1, W2P2B2. High-quality cucumber transplant should characterise well develop, optimal height-to-stem thickness ratio, short hypocotyl, thick green leaves and cotyledons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the research was to investigate interactions between pendimethalin (PE), an active substance of plant protection products, and the humin fraction (HM), which is the most recalcitrant component of soil organic matter. The soil material used for the study was collected from the mollic horizon of two Chernozems different in physicochemical properties. HM was obtained in the solid state after discarding humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) and digesting the mineral fraction in an HF-HCl mixture. Pure PE and two commercial products containing the substance (Penfox 330 EC and Stomp Aqua 455 SC), dissolved in hexane and added to the HM, were used in the research. The batch sorption experiment was carried out in accordance with OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals No.106. Spectroscopic methods (UV-Vis-nearIR and fluorescence) were used to assess the molecular characteristics of HM exposed to pesticides. The study showed significant differences in the molecular structures of the tested HM as a result of interactions with the pesticides used. The results revealed that PE had a different effect than the commercial products, and proved that the composition of commercial products significantly modified the strength and ability of organic matter to bind pesticides. This is probably related to the presence of adjuvants that are more competitive in forming bonds with the active sorption sites of HM, and thus strengthen or weaken the process of forming pesticide-HM complexes. As a result, the diversity of the molecular structure of HM and the presence of accompanying substances in commercial pesticide products interact, leading to different sorption mechanisms and durability of the resulting products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of alkaline fly ash on selected microbiological properties of soils in the vicinity of an electric power plant. The specific objectives were as follows: first, to determine the metabolic activity and functional diversity of soils, such as biological indicators of acidic soil; second, to compare the changes in microbial diversity indicators based on the distance from dumping site of fly ash located in the vicinity of electric power plant; third, to determine the metabolic profile pattern in soils with different pH levels. The study revealed the stimulation of dehydrogenases activity (DHA) and microbial respiration (RESP) by fly ash. It contributed to the increase in metabolic profile expressed as community-level physiological profile differences. The enrichment of fly ash affected the soil microbial characteristics. The values of DHA and RESP decreased with increasing distance from the emission source, whereas the number of utilized substrates (R) increased. However, the utilization of carbohydrates and carboxylic and ketone acids was enhanced with decreasing distance from the emission source, while the utilization of polymers and amino acids was reduced. Furthermore, the forests ectohumus horizons near the emission source were characterized by significantly increased pH level, due to the alkalinity of fly ash particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) sorption processes in soils contribute to important problems in agriculture: a deficiency of this plant nutrient and eutrophication in aquatic systems. Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a major role in sorption processes, but its influence on P sorption remains unclear and needs to be elucidated to improve the ability to effectively manage soil P. The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of SOM on P sorption. The study was conducted in sandy soil profiles and in topsoils before and after removal of SOM with H2O2. The results were interpreted with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Our results indicated that SOM affected P sorption in sandy soils, but that P sorption also depended on specific soil properties (e.g. values of the degree of P saturation (DPS), P sorption capacity (PSC) and pH) often related to land use. Removal of SOM decreased PSC in most of the topsoils tested; other soil properties became important in controlling P sorption. An increase in P desorption observed after SOM removal indicated that SOM was potentially that soil constituent which increased P binding and limited P leaching from these sandy soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]