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Regular mathematical modelling of the dispersion of emissions from large sources is required by law in all EU countries. It is also used in risk analysis to predict releases of toxic substances from various technologies, from volcanic activity and possibly also terrorist acts. However, there is a shortage of experts in this very specific and demanding profession in the labour market in most EU countries. In a collaboration between academicians from neighbouring University of Hradec Králové and University of Opole and experts from important ecological companies of both regions we designed and verified as a part of a four-year pedagogical project supported by the EU a comprehensive education system in mathematical modelling of emission dispersion with exchange field trips and internships of students during cross-border Polish-Czech university education. The paper consists of two separate parts. The first part is focused on implementation of innovative lesson “Principles, algorithms, and differences of environmental dispersion emissions models”, used on both sides of Polish-Czech border region. An example of the use of the educational package of the Gaussian plume model with PC Templates, who was modified in cooperation between teachers from both cross-border universities and experts from professional companies is presented here too. Our four-year experience with student motivational field trips to professional companies in both border regions and exchange one-month professional internships for interested students to two Czech professional companies, where students learn to work with to the Gaussian plume model and one Polish professional company, where students are introduced to the Gaussian puff model is also discussed. The following separate second part will be focused on the innovative lesson of multivariate statistical methods of environmental data analysis, which are required for processing materials for modern mathematical modelling of the dispersion of emissions in practice. The target users of this two-part innovative courses are students of the MSc degree in Physical Measurement and Modelling at the University of Hradec Králové and students of the MSc degree in environmental studies at the University of Opole. However, it is also open to other Czech and foreign students and professionals.

Detailed individual particle characterization of PM

Social hibernation of animals is one of the most important physiological and ecological behaviours. The purpose of the study was the investigation of the influence of the roostsite climate parameters: temperature (T), humidity (Rh) and air flow velocity (v) on the clustering of the Barbastella barbastellus (western barbastelle) during hibernation. The research was carried out in the underground systems of Poland (Central Europe) over a period of 6 years. The range of air parameters changes ranged for T from 6.0 to 12.4 °C, for Rh from 56.4 to 91.8 % and for v from 0.01 to 1.17 m/s. The quantile linear regression method was used for the statistical analysis of the results. The study indicated that the increase in the number of individuals in the hibernaculum occurs with an increase in the product (correlation result) T and v, while a decrease in the size of the group occurs with an increase in the products T and Rh, v and Rh as well as T, v and Rh.

Two isolates of Rhizoctonia solani AG11 were isolated from sugar beet seedlings from South-west Poland. Both isolates gave C2 reactions in anastomose pairings with the tester isolates of AG11. The membership of both isolates to AG11 was confirmed by analysis of pectic isozyme profiles, and by verification that the internal transcribed spacer sequences of both isolates matched the references in the GenBank database. Both AG11 isolates formed white-beige to creamy-colored mycelium with wide concentric zonation. One of them formed light-colored sclerotia. The average daily rate of hyphal growth at 21 °C was 22.8 mm and 22.6 mm on PDA. They were mildly pathogenic to sugar beet seedlings due to the mycelial and secondary metabolites’ activity. The sensitivity to fungicides typically used in sugar beet protection was different for each isolate; one of them (isolate ID11) was less sensitive to thiram than the other (isolate ID3). This article discusses the worldwide occurrence of R. solani AG11, expands the currently known host range, shows its broad world distribution in regions of moderate climate, and confirms the isolates’ low frequency.

The length of telomeres (TLs) that protect chromosome ends may reflect the age of cells as well as the degree of genetic material damage caused by external factors. Since leukocyte telomere length is associated with cardiovascular diseases, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether leukocyte TL reflects femoral artery wall telomeres of patients with atherosclerosis and lower limb ischemia. Samples of femoral artery wall and blood were collected from 32 patients qualified to surgical revascularization. The analysis included blood and artery wall telomere length measurement and biochemical parameters. The study indicated that there was a moderate correlation between artery wall TL and leukocyte TL. Leukocyte TL was, on average, two times shorter than artery wall TL and correlated with the number of white blood cells. In turn, artery TL was impacted by total cholesterol level. The results suggest that the length of leukocyte telomeres may reflect artery wall TL and indirectly reflect the processes taking place in the artery wall in patients with atherosclerosis.

Recently, significant attention has been paid to air quality awareness and its impact on human health, especially in urban agglomerations. Many types of dust samplers for air quality monitoring are used by governmental environmental monitoring agencies. However, these techniques are associated with high costs; as a consequence, biological methods such as active moss biomonitoring are being developed. The main disadvantages of such techniques are the lack of standardization of the preparation procedures and the lack of reliable comparisons of results with data from instrumental analyses. Our study aimed to compare the results obtained from active biomonitoring with the use of three moss species: Pleurozium schreberi, Sphagnum fallax and Dicranum polysetum. Samples were exposed via the moss-bag technique to measure the concentrations of analytes (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb) which had accumulated among the total suspended particulates (TSP) collected from the filters of a dust collector in the city of Opole (Opole voivodeship, Poland). With regard to the physicochemical and biological traits of the mosses, their assessed lifetime and actual photochemical efficiency (yield) following exposure were meagre, which may have been related to the change of environment and their exposure to pollutants. When comparing the results obtained by the two methods used to monitor air pollution, the biomonitoring method was found to be incompletely consistent with the reference method. Biological monitoring using mosses must be carefully considered depending on the monitoring objectives, the required level of sensitivity and quality of measurement and the type of pollutant.

The concentrations of trace elements in feather moss Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. were used to indicate the relative levels of air pollution by trace elements in Polish national parks. Pleurozium schreberi was collected from nine national parks. The highest concentrations were recorded in the moss samples from the southern and most industrialised part of the country; the lowest from northern and north-eastern Poland. A comparison of data obtained from Polish national parks in the 1970s and 1990s showed a significant decrease in the concentrations of heavy metals. In the linear covariability estimation, the t quantile approach was used for multi-element comparison. A number of positive covariabilities were observed. This is a result of anthropogenic activity and the geochemical characteristics of the local environment, including crust composition to which soil composition is related. The statistical approach of t quantile to study common relationships between element concentrations can be used in the interpretation of biomonitoring research results in similar studies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00244-020-00755-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The purpose of this study was to assess the activity of Bacillus subtilis BS-2 and peppermint oil against Botrytis cinerea. In this study parameters such as the age and the density of the bacterial culture and the incubation temperature were taken into consideration. Furthermore, the cellulolytic activity of the bacterium was determined. The effect of peppermint oil was evaluated at a concentration range of 0.5-4.0 %. The research was conducted with a dual culture plate method. The influence of B. subtilis BS-2 and peppermint oil on the growth of B. cinerea was evaluated based on the growth rate index. It was noted that the bacterial culture occurred at an initial density of OD 560 = 1.0, cultivated at 30 °C for 48 hours demonstrated the strongest antagonistic effect (57.07 % inhibition). Furthermore, it was observed that the highest cellulolytic activity occurred on the bacteria incubated for 48 hours at 37 °C. The effect of mint oil, at the lowest concentration of 0.5-1.0 %, was much weaker on bacterial activity (1.1-12.1 % inhibition). The highest concentration (4.0 %) of mint oil caused the maximum inhibition (31.9 %) of the mycelial growth. B. subtilis BS-2 may be environmental-friendly alternatives for protecting plants against B. cinerea

Mosses are one of the best bioindicators in the assessment of atmospheric aerosol pollution by heavy metals. Studies using mosses allow both short- and long-term air quality monitoring. The increasing contamination of the environment (including air) is causing a search for new, cheap and effective methods of monitoring its condition. Once such method is the use of mosses in active biomonitoring. The aim of the study was to assess the atmospheric aerosol pollution with selected heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb) from the smoke of fireworks used during New Year’s Eve in the years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021. In studies a biomonitoring moss-bag method with moss Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. ex Brid.) Mitt. genus Pleurozium was used. The research was conducted in the town Prószków (5 km in south direction from Opole, opolskie voivodship, Poland). The moss was exposed 14 days before 31 December (from 17 to 30 of December), on New Year’s Eve (31 December and 1 January) and 2 weeks after the New Year (from 2–15 January). Higher concentrations of analysed elements were determined in samples exposed during New Year’s Eve. Increases in concentrations were demonstrated by analysis of the Relative Accumulation Factor (RAF). The results indicate that the use of fireworks during New Year’s Eve causes an increase in air pollution with heavy metals. In addition, it was shown that the COVID-19 induced restrictions during New Year’s Eve 2020 resulted in a reduction of heavy metal content in moss samples and thus in lower atmospheric aerosol pollution with these analytes. The study confirmed moss usefulness in monitoring of atmospheric aerosol pollution from point sources.

Background: Optimal care of patients treated with a central tunneled catheter (CTC) as vascular access for hemodialysis requires a number of procedures. One of them is CTC removal, usually carried out using mostly the cut-down method (CDM) and the traction method (TM). The procedure seems to be simple and safe, however, occasionally, serious complications may occur. To eliminate the risk of such events, we have introduced a modified cut-down method (MCDM). Methods: The study included the analysis of retrospective results of 143 CTC removal procedures, 76 of which were performed using the standard cut-down method (CDM), and in 67 cases, the modified cut-down method (MCDM) was applied. Results: As minor side effects occurred in patients treated with both methods with comparable frequency, serious complications were observed only in the CDM patients group. Conclusions: In our opinion, the new MCDM procedure is the simplest and safest method of CTC removal.

In the article, a linear model is presented which describes a reduction of PM10 mass concentration in relation to the type of precipitation and water vapour content in the air. The model was built using covariance analysis. In studies of PM10 concentration changes, the results of 247 observations were used, which were carried out in the urban area. Concentration changes were archived during short-term (30 min) convection and large-scale rainfalls. For the determination of PM10 mass concentration, the reference method was used. To describe changes in PM10 concentration in the air after precipitation, a series of linear models were created, in which the explanatory variables were: the level of PM10 before precipitation, absolute humidity of the air and the precipitation type. The criteria for the best model selection were its linearity, zero mean residual value and high coefficient of determination. Additionally, normality and homoscedasticity of the model residuals were tested. The formulated linear model is a useful tool for predicting changes in the concentration of particulate matter following short-term precipitation in urban areas. There is a need to check the utility of models for other fractions of suspended particles.

Heavy metals and radioactive compounds are potentially hazardous substances for plants, animals and humans in the Arctic. A good knowledge of the spatial variation of these substances in soil and primary producers, and their sources, is therefore essential. In the samples of lichen Thamnolia vermicularis, Salix polaris and Cassiope tetragona, and the soil samples collected in 2014 in Svalbard near Longyearbyen, the concentrations of the following heavy metals were determined: Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Hg, as well as the activity concentrations of the following: K-40, Cs-137, Pb-210, Pb-212, Bi-212, Bi-214, Pb-214, Ac-228, Th-231 and U-235 in the soil samples. The differences in the concentrations of the analytes accumulated in the different plant species and soil were studied using statistical methods. Sea aerosol was indicated as the source of Pb, Hg, Cs-137, Pb-210 and Th-231 in the studied area. A relatively high concentration of nickel was determined in the biota samples collected near Longyearbyen, compared to other areas of Svalbard. It was supposed that nickel may be released into the atmosphere as a consequence of the local coal mining around Longyearbyen.

Mosses are good bioaccumulators of radionuclides and from the 60 of the last century, they are used as bioindicators of radioactive contamination in the environment. Concentration of impurities in moss represent the accumulation in mosses during the past 2-3 years. As a result, the moss composition analysis provides information on an average contamination within a few vegetation seasons. During our survey the measurements of radionuclide activity concentrations in P. schreberi transplanted from places relatively clean to heavily contaminated areas of Upper Silesia were carried out. An increase in the radionuclides activity concentrations in P. schreberi transplants may indicate not only deposition of the radionuclides itself, but also an influx of other pollutants. The results showed no relationship between the Pb-210 activity concentration and activity concentrations of Pb-214, Bi-214, also belonging to the uranium-radium decay series. The increased concentration of Pb-210 in P. schreberi may be the result of the radionuclide atmospheric deposition, which appears in the environment as a result of fossil fuels burning. Excess, allogeneic Pb-210 can be used as marker of environmental pollution. In the areas with its higher activity concentration increased pollution can be expected delivered, for example, by local industry. The Project received financial assistance from the funds of the National Science Centre, granted by force of the decision no. UMO-2013/09/B/NZ8/03340 (NCN).

Recently, there is a growing pressure on a rapid construction of agricultural biogas plants, particularly in the Czech-Polish border region. It is an area with large expanses of agricultural land which can serve to supply biogas plants with biomass. This strategy should contribute to harmonize the common agricultural policy of the European Union. A need for qualified operators of these stations on this territory is also increasing. Therefore we first include a demonstration of an education program for students in the field of agricultural waste anaerobic fermentation and biogas production. We present here the first part of an innovative approach which we use in the teaching program “Physico-technical Measurements and Computer Technology” at the Faculty of Science at the University of Hradec Kralove and also in the education of internshipers from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology at the University of Opole. There are requirements to fulfil labour market expectations and to make this subject more attractive for the students. Students’ theoretical and practical preparation constitutes a comprehensive source of knowledge and skills required in a real life job. Joined theoretical and practical knowledge gained by students, reinforced by the skills developed during task analysis followed by their solution, provides the future graduate higher quality abilities and better position in the labour market.

Tightening of norms for air protection leads to a development of new and significantly more effective techniques for removing particulate matter, SOx and NOx from flue gas which originates from large solid fuel combustion. Recently, it has been found that combinations of these environmental technologies can also lead to the reduction of mercury emissions from coal power plants. Now the greatest attention is paid especially to the coal power plant in Opatovice nad Labem, close to Hradec Kralove. Its system for flue gas dedusting was replaced by a modern type of cloth fabric filter with the highest particle separation efficiency which belongs to the category of BAT. Using this technology, together with modernization of the desulphurisation device and increasing of nitrogen oxides removal efficiency, leads also to a reduction of mercury emissions from this power plant. The University of Hradec Kralove, the Opole University and EMPLA Hradec Kralove successfully cooperate in the field of toxic metals biomonitoring almost 20 years. In the Czech-Polish border region, comprehensive biomonitoring of mercury in bioindicators Xerocomus badius in 9 long-term monitored reference points is done. The values of mercury concentration measured in 2012 and 2016 were compared with values computed by a dispersion model SYMOS′97 (updated 2014). Thanks to modern methods of dedusting and desulphurisation, emissions of mercury from this large coal power plant are now smaller than before and that the downward trends continues. The results indicate that Xerocomus badius is a suitable bioindicator for a long-term monitoring of changes in mercury imissions in this forested border region. This finding is significant because it shows that this region is suitable for leisure, recreation, and rehabilitation.

The main objective of the “Guidelines for the development of agricultural biogas plants in Poland within 2010-2020”, is a construction of biogas plants processing agricultural biomass resources with suitable conditions in each municipality. In the Czech Republic produces about 6.5% of energy from renewable sources. Biogas plants give - contrary to solar and wind electricity stations - the stable performance throughout the whole year. Biomass should be a key source for achieving the Czech EU commitment to produce 13% of energy from renewable sources in 2020. The experience, where 317 Agricultural biogas plants are currently in operation, has shown that there are considerable problems with a proper location of newly designed agricultural biogas plants in the landscape. The Czech-Polish border area is mainly flat wooded recreation region. For these reasons, the Gaussian model SYMOS’97 (version 2013), adapted for odour dispersion modelling from large agricultural sources is supposed to be suitable for this area. It is appropriate for training of students. For these reasons, students from the University of Hradec Kralove and the University of Opole in the frame of their academic exchange and professional internships are acquainted with the technological principles of biogas plants and in environmental mathematical and statistical modelling of the spread of emissions from large industrial and agricultural sources. In this article we present methods for education on these professional areas.

The main aim of this study was to determine the influence of K-40 activity in the soil on the transport of Cs-137 from the soil to plants and the impact of its activity on the internal transport of Cs-137 between anatomical parts of the sugar beet. The activity concentration of Cs-137 in the soil was bigger than that in the beet. The highest activity concentration of K-40 was observed in beet leaves, while its content in roots and the soil were comparable.

Passive biomonitoring using 210Pb was used in the paper to evaluate pollutant deposition. Well-developed epiphytic foliose lichens Hypogymnia physodes growing on spruce branches were used in the studies. The samples of mosses Pleurozium schreberi and soil (raw humus) were collected from the area around the tree from which the samples of lichens were collected. The studies have shown that it is possible to identify dust emission sources using a radioactive lead isotope (210Pb). The highest activity of 210Pb was observed in areas with increased deposition of other pollutants, such as Ni, Cd, Cu and Pb, which may indicate that 210Pb is one of the emission components

In the years 2014–2016 biomonitoring studies were conducted in the forest areas of south and north-eastern Poland: the Karkonosze Mountains, the Beskidy Mountains, the Borecka Forest, the Knyszynska Forest and the Bialowieska Forest. This study used epigeic moss Pleurozium schreberi and epiphytic lichens Hypogymnia physodes. Samples were collected in spring, summer and autumn. Approximately 500 samples of moss and lichens were collected for the study. In the samples, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations were determined. Based on the obtained results, the studied areas were ranked by extent of heavy-metal deposition: Beskidy > Karkonosze Mountains > forests of north-eastern Poland. Some seasonal changes in concentrations of metals accumulated in moss and lichens were also indicated. There was observed, i.a., an increase in Cd concentration at the beginning of the growing season, which may be related to low emissions during the heating season. Analysis of the surface distribution of deposition of metals in the studied areas showed a significant contribution of nearby territorial emissions and unidentified local emission sources. The contribution of distant emission to Zn, Hg and Pb deposition levels in the Karkonosze and Beskidy region was also indicated.

In the Faculty of Science (University of Hradec Králové) the innovative program in chemistry for the study specialization Physico-technical Measurements and Computer Technology was developed. The innovation of chemistry filed study has been focused especially on increase in competitiveness and in graduates employment. Design of innovation enables graduates applying for the position of experts in physical measurements and informatics and at the same time they expand their competence in the service of the physico-chemical instrumentation in industrial ecology. Because Faculty of Science is not equipped yet in expensive instrumentation for nuclear spectrometry, cross-border cooperation with the Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences (University of Opole) has been started. In the area of teaching about non-traditional energy sources the cross-border cooperation with the Department of Automation and Renewable Energy Sources, Faculty of Electrical Engineering (Czestochowa University of Technology) has been initiated. Well-developed system of cooperation with companies, which are equipped with the latest technology of environmental protection, was created. In the exchange system Polish students attended for practicing in these companies. The aim of the contribution is to describe one of the means of innovation of chemistry field study in the frame of bachelor study specialization oriented in physics and computer technology. We believe that the new approach will lead to increase in graduate competitiveness as well as to development of their motivation to study and better understanding of regulation principles of chemical processes and patterns.

The objective of the study was to estimate the value of the radiation dose absorbed in consequence of consumption of popular food products for individual age groups. Potatoes, corn and sugar beet were selected for the study. Edible parts of these plants were collected in experimental fields of the KWS Lochow Polska Sp. z o.o. seeding company in Kondratowice (Poland). On the basis of the obtained study results, it can be stated that in consequence of consumption of the selected food products, people may receive increased doses from both natural and artificial radioactive isotopes. The doses calculated for several age groups do not show any health hazards in consequence of consumption of the tested food. One of the determined radionuclides was 137Cs; however, its presence in the absorbed dose is lower than the doses from natural radioactive isotopes, in particular 40K.

The neutron activation analysis procedure was used to determine the concentration of 42 elements: Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Nb, Mo, I, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, Cs, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Hg, Th, and U accumulated in mosses sampled for testing in September and October 2011 in the Opole Province (Southern Poland). Samples of different moss species were collected near the intersections of the grid lines marked on the map of the province. The distance between the points was approximately 20 km. The analysis of the results made it possible to identify the places of increased deposition of element-pollutants and to indicate the potential sources of emission. Factor analysis revealed four components, two of which are of definite anthropogenic origin. The possible sources of elements are local industry and farming, and distant heavy industry complexes. The results have demonstrated the increased content of Cr, Cd, Hg, and U in moss samples collected in agricultural areas located in the southern part of the province. It has been concluded that the industrial areas of Rybnik and Ostrava and Karvina Coal Basin may be the potential source of emission of these elements.

The past uranium/polymetallic mining activities in the Sudety (SW Poland) left abandoned mines, pits, and dumps of waste rocks with trace elements and radionuclides which may erode or leach out and create a potential risk for the aquatic ecosystem, among others. In the present work four rivers affected by effluents from such mines were selected to evaluate the application of aquatic mosses for the bioindication of 56 elements. Naturally growing F. antipyretica and P. riparioides were compared with transplanted samples of the same species. The results demonstrate serious pollution of the examined rivers, especially with As, Ba, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ti, U and Zn, reaching extremely high concentrations in native moss samples. In the most polluted rivers native F. antipyretica and P. riparioides samples showed significantly higher concentrations of As, Ba, Cu, Fe, La, Nd, Ni, Pb, U and Zn than corresponding transplanted samples, whereas at less polluted sites a reverse situation was sometimes observed. Transplanted moss moved from clean to extremely polluted rivers probably protects itself against the accumulation of toxic elements by reducing their uptake. Selection of native or transplanted F. antipyretica and P. riparioides depended on the pollution load.

The fruiting bodies of fungi sprout from mycelium are capable of accumulating significant amounts of trace elements, both metals and metalloids. Content of these elements in fruiting bodies may exceed their concentration in the substrate where fungi develop. Among the elements the radioactive nuclides are also present. In this work health risk caused by increased radioactivity dose absorbed with Xerocomus badius bay bolete consumption was estimated. In analysis concentrations of radioactive isotopes 137Cs and 40K were taken into consideration. It was found that moderate ingestion of bay bolete does not create health risk due to increased radioactive substances intake. The amount of consumed mushrooms that could deliver the dose exceeding the safe one, is rather improbable in real life. Possible relationships between radioactive isotopes concentrations and concentrations of common alkali metals were investigated using methods designed for compositional data analysis. No clear relationships between 137Cs, Ca, K and Mg concentrations in samples of bay bolete were found and significant influence of outlying data points on statistical inference was noticed.

Distribution of 137Cs and 239,240Pu in the forest soils horizons of the Opole Anomaly was established. Gamma and alpha spectrometry was used for determination of these isotopes. It was found that the 137Cs activity was approx. 1,000 times higher than that of 239,240Pu. The highest activities of both radioisotopes were found close to the boundary region in soil profile where the organic horizon turns into the inorganic one. Cluster analysis did not clearly indicate the group’s existence in data in respect to 137Cs and 239,240Pu activities and organic matter content. Distributions of 137Cs and 239,240Pu in soil horizons were non-normal but similar to each other. These distributions were substantially different from that one for organic matter content. The data were separated into two groups, for organic and inorganic soil horizons, respectively. Data transformation using Box–Cox formula was performed following by standardization. Mutual relationships between variables were investigated using ordinary and robust regression methods. Good correlation between 137Cs and 239,240Pu was found. No significant relationship between organic matter content and radioisotopes activity was asserted.

The work focuses on application of linear regression method for assessment of soil physicochemical parameters influence on 137Cs accumulation. Besides organic matter content and pH, the parameters related to sorption properties of mineral parts and mobile ions concentration were considered. Before linear regression model is applied the data were transformed using Box–Cox formula. Selection of explanatory variables for regression was based on Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Analysis of residuals distribution showed that linear regression can be applied for assessment of Cs+ accumulation in soil horizons. The important conclusion is that Cs+ cation migration in soil is usually influenced by more than a single horizon parameter. Common influence of two or more parameters on 137Cs activity in soil horizon was observed. Our results suppose that migration of Cs in soil is affected mainly by horizon’s acidity, presence of minerals and ion exchangeable substances. Some processes are probably affected by Cs+ individual properties, but other ones are not so selective.

The problem of radioactive contamination of soils within the area of the Opole Anomaly (Polish–Czech region border) was considered. The modes of radiocaesium (137Cs) accumulation in fungi, lichen, and plants were analyzed and their application as bioindicators for this isotope was discussed. The results were correlated to the physiochemical properties of soils. Moreover, a computer estimation of the parameters describing the translocation of 137Cs in soil was conducted and their influence on the course of the process was determined.

We have compared historical changes in concentrations of the heavy metals Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb accumulated in samples from the Polish woodlands of Beskidy and Karkonosze (S, SE Poland) and the north-east regions of the country, versus the relatively little polluted areas of Spitsbergen of the Svalbard Archipelago. We have combined the results from literature with new results from 2014. The regions of Beskidy and Karkonosze were the most exposed to heavy metals deposition. However, from 1975 to 2014 there was a considerable decrease of concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb at all Polish sites, clearly signifying improvement of environmental quality. For example, the average Cd concentration in mosses samples collected in Karkonosze decreased from 0.002 mg/g in 1975 to 0.0006 mg/g in 2014. It is interesting to observe relatively large concentrations of nickel in moss samples collected in 2014 in the Svalbard archipelago, in the vicinity of Longyearbyen (average 0.018 mg/g) which most likely originate from local mine waste piles. air pollutions, biomonitoring, heavy metals, mosses, Poland, Svalbard

During the years 2007 and 2010, the activity concentration of (137)Cs accumulated in soil, mosses Pleurozium schreberi and lichens Hypogymnia physodes was measured. The studies covered the areas of the so-called Opole Anomaly. In consequence of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant breakdown in 1986, relatively large amounts of this radionuclide were deposited in this area. In some areas of the Anomaly, over 100 times higher surface activity of (137)Cs was detected, compared to the lowest values registered in Poland. Currently, (137)Cs is still present in woodlands and wastelands. As at 2 April 2013, the surface activity concentration of (137)Cs in soil on the tested area was from 0.34 to 67.5 kBq m(-2). In comparison, the surface activity concentration of (137)Cs as at 1 June 1986, soon after deposition, was from 2.08 to over 125 kBq m(-2). The maximum specific activity concentrations of (137)Cs in mosses and lichens sampled for testing in 2010 were respectively 1234 and 959 Bq kg(-1). It was also proven that the changes in activity concentration of (137)Cs in the area of the Anomaly are mainly the consequence of the radioactive decay of this radionuclide.

Magnesium phthalocyanine (MgPc) and praseodymium bisphthalocyanine (Pr(Pc) 2 ) have been entrapped in bulks and thin films of porous silicate xerogels prepared via the sol–gel method. The electronic absorption data obtained for the complexes immobilized in bulk sol–gel matrices indicate the formation of complex equilibria between their monomeric forms and respective agglomerates. Thin xerogel films doped with metallophthalocyanines and connecting two slides of transparent ITO electrodes display changes in the absorption spectra caused by varying of the applied voltage. These changes appear to be reversible in certain ranges of the applied voltages.

Electrical conductivity results obtained for two component composites were measured and discussed. The composites consisted of copper phthalocyanine (semiconductor) and 7 different kinds of carbon black. The dependence of the electrical conductivity on the composite composition was examined. The percolation theory as well as the Yoshida's and McLachlan's models were utilised to describe the experimental data. The relationships between the carbon black physico-chemical properties and some parameters of the theories were found.

During the years 2007 and 2010, the activity concentration of (137)Cs accumulated in soil, mosses Pleurozium schreberi and lichens Hypogymnia physodes was measured. The studies covered the areas of the so-called Opole Anomaly. In consequence of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant breakdown in 1986, relatively large amounts of this radionuclide were deposited in this area. In some areas of the Anomaly, over 100 times higher surface activity of (137)Cs was detected, compared to the lowest values registered in Poland. Currently, (137)Cs is still present in woodlands and wastelands. As at 2 April 2013, the surface activity concentration of (137)Cs in soil on the tested area was from 0.34 to 67.5 kBq m(-2). In comparison, the surface activity concentration of (137)Cs as at 1 June 1986, soon after deposition, was from 2.08 to over 125 kBq m(-2). The maximum specific activity concentrations of (137)Cs in mosses and lichens sampled for testing in 2010 were respectively 1234 and 959 Bq kg(-1). It was also proven that the changes in activity concentration of (137)Cs in the area of the Anomaly are mainly the consequence of the radioactive decay of this radionuclide.

The electrical properties of semiconductor and semimetal composites (containing CuPc and different carbon blacks) were described. Their properties may be varied in a wide range, dependently on carbon black type and preparation conditions. We expect that the photovoltaic properties of the materials can be applied for photovoltaic conversion and we discuss possibility of their practical utilisation.

In this work we have used moss Pleurozium schreberi as a bioindicator of radioactive materials in environment. The following radionuclides were determined in moss samples: (137)Cs, (40)K, (210)Pb, (212)Pb, (214)Pb, (214)Bi, (231)Th, (235)U and (228)Ac, but not all of them in each sample. The highest activity concentrations were found for naturally occurring (210)Pb, (40)K and the artificial isotope (137)Cs. Activities of radioisotopes were recalculated into mass concentrations and the statistical methods intended for constrained data processing were used. Analysis of our results showed at most a weak relationship between radioisotope mass concentrations in moss. It was supposed that concentrations of some elements depended on the same, currently unknown, factors.

Etude experimentale de la conductivite electrique du materiau composite: noir de carbone-phtalocyanine de cuivre en fonction de la teneur en noir de carbone. Comparaison avec differentes theories

Ces melanges appartiennent aux noirs de carbone a «structure intermediaire». On propose une meilleure explication de la conductivite dc sur l'intervalle de composition a l'aide du modele du milieu effectif, a condition de prendre en compte la microstructure des melanges

Radioactive isotopes, both natural and artificial, present in the environment may be convenient indicators that can be used to study a number of physical and chemical processes and transport of pollutants in the ecosystem.The main aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the type of soil use on the radioisotopic composition in its surface layers. The radioisotopic compositions of surface soil samples collected in the area of a cement plant abandoned for over 20 years and in the area of the nearby allotments were examined and compared. Calculations were performed using methods designed to study compositional variables.The results confirmed a significant impact of usage on the radioisotopic composition of the surface soil layers. However, some characteristics of the composition were common to both locations. It has been found that a significant proportion of the lead isotope - Pb-210, derived from atmospheric deposition. Other radioisotopes remain relatively close to equilibrium in their decay chains.The project was financed by the National Science Centre based on the decision number DEC-2011/03/D/ST10/05392.

The metallurgic industry is one of the main sources of environmental pollution. It emits dust which include manganese oxides, iron oxides, zinc and lead which are deposited in soil. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the local metallurgical industry on soil contamination with metals released during the processing using Pb-210 as a contamination monitor. Soil samples were collected from 19 sites located around the city of Opole industrial zone which consists, for example, welding and galvanizing companies. In studies various types of sampling sites were taken into account, such as the forests, meadows, fields and allotment gardens. The activity measurements of Bi-214, Pb-214, Cs-137 and Pb-210 were performed using gamma spectrometer. Using the properties of the latter isotope the local level of soil contamination was estimated. The results indicated that the metallurgical industry is not a source of environmental pollution in the immediate vicinity. Excess lead concentrations ranged from 1 to 100 Bq/kg d.m. and were not strongly correlated with the distances from the presumed source of contamination

The measurements results of 137Cs activity concentrations in forest soil profiles are discussed. In studies some simplifications were considered. First of them concerns disregarding of soil subtype in data analysis. However initially this parameter was considered in data analysis, it was finally ignored. The second assumption drops information about specific soil horizon. Description of 137Cs accumulation is based on relationships between its relative activity concentrations in soil layers. The model formulation was based on the results of exploratory data analysis of the relative 137Cs activity concentrations. In studies the methods designed for compositional data analysis were used. The results of analysis showed that the relationships between the relative activity concentrations of 137Cs in soil layers, due to their nature, might be divided into two groups. The first of them concerns layers located close to soil surface. The relative activity concentrations of 137Cs in these layers are proportional to each other, and distribution mechanism of cesium within them has the characteristics of the process leading to thermodynamic equilibrium. The second group is related to layers that are located deeper. The calculation results suggest lack of thermodynamic equilibrium between these layers and layers situated above. Utilization of a linear model for description of changes in relative activity concentrations of 137Cs in deeper layers supposes that these changes occur much slower than in layers lying above.