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These days, the use of natural materials is required for sustainable and consequently plus-, zero- and low-energy construction. One of the main objectives of this research was to demonstrate that pelite concrete block masonry can be a structural and thermal insulation material. In order to determine the actual thermal insulation parameters of the building partition, in situ experimental research was carried out in real conditions, taking into account the temperature distribution at different heights of the partition. Empirical measurements were made at five designated heights of the partition with temperature and humidity parameters varying over time. The described experiment was intended to verify the technical parameters of perlite concrete in terms of its thermal insulation properties as a construction material used for vertical partitions. It was shown on the basis of the results obtained that the masonry made of perlite concrete blocks with dimensions of 24 × 24.5 × 37.5 cm laid on the mounting foam can be treated as a building element that meets both the structural and thermal insulation requirements of vertical single-layer partitions. However, it is important for the material to work in a dry environment, since, as shown, a wet perlite block has twice the thermal conductivity coefficient. The results of the measurements were confirmed, for they were known from the physics of buildings, the general principles of the formation of heat and the moisture flow in the analysed masonry of a perlite block. Illustrating this regularity is shown from the course of temperature and moisture in the walls. The proposed new building material is an alternative to walls with a layer of thermal insulation made of materials such as polystyrene or wool and fits into the concept of sustainable construction, acting against climate change, reducing building operating costs, improving living and working conditions as well as fulfilling international obligations regarding environmental goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of in situ measurements of velocity distribution in the floodplain of the lowland river has been carried out. The survey area was located on a bypass channel of the Warta River (West of Poland) which is filled with water only in case of flood waves. The floodplain is covered by grassland and reed marsh habitats. The velocity measurements were performed with an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) in a cross-section with a bed reinforced with concrete slabs. The measured velocities have reflected the differentiated impact of various vegetation types on the loss of water flow energy. The statistical analyses have proven a relationship between the local velocities and the type of plant communities.

One of the greatest threats to many lakes is their accelerated eutrophication resulting from anthropogenic pressure, agricultural intensification, and climate change. A very important element of surface water protection in environmentally conserved areas is the proper monitoring of water quality and detection of potential threats by examining the physicochemical properties of water and performing statistical analyses that enable possible exposure of unfavourable trends. The article presents the analyses of the results of measurements made in three lakes located in the Sierakowski Landscape Park. As part of the measurements, water quality indicators i.e., phosphorus, nitrogen, BOD5 and COD, were determined monthly for a year at the inflows and outflows of the studied lakes. The test results of selected water quality indicators were analysed using machine learning algorithms i.e., PCA and k-means. The conducted tests enabled statistical estimation of changes in water quality indicators in the reservoirs and evaluation of their correlation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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