Aleksander Astel

Throughfall chemistry in a spruce chronosequence in southern Poland

The chemical composition of throughfall and canopy leaching, as well as the acid neutralizing capacity and alkalinity depended on the age of Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst) stands and season of the year. A higher amount of sulphur and strong acids was deposited to the soil in the older age classes. Concentrations of SO(4)(2)(-), K(+), H(+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+) and Zn(2+) in throughfall were higher than in bulk precipitation in any season. This suggests that these ions were washed out or washed from the surface of needles and/or barks. The other ions NO(3)(-), NH(4)(+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) were retained by the canopy, in particular Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) during the growing season in young stands. Principal component analysis identified five factors responsible for the data structure and suggested the major anthropogenic emission sources were acidic emission (SO(4)(2)(-)+NO(3)(-)), heavy metals-dust particles (Fe(2+)+Mn(2+)+Zn(2+)), ammonium (NH(4)(+)) and H(+), while the natural-origin emission was mineral dust (Na(+)+K(+)+Ca(2+)+Mg(2+)).

Chemometrics based on fuzzy logic principles in environmental studies

Nowadays, environmetrics based on the principles of fuzzy logic has become an important and sophisticated statistical instrument in modern science, being an adequate tool to investigation the principles of interaction of elements/variables and their integration into a system. This paper is intended mainly for a wide community of ecologist, which are interested in principles of using fuzzy logic in environmental researchers. Properties of environmetrics based on fuzzy logic principles as a useful tool of investigation in environmental studies, are considered and discussed both in the terms of objectives and the examples of using techniques under interest concerning air, water and land ecological systems.

Chemometrics in the assessment of the sustainable development rule implementation

The sustainable development rule implementation is tested by the application of chemometrics in the field of environmental pollution. A data set consisting of Cd, Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Fe content in bottom sediment samples collected in the Odra River (Germany/Poland) is treated using cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and source apportionment techniques. Cluster analysis clearly shows that pollution on the German bank is higher than on the Polish bank. Two latent factors extracted by PCA explain over 88 % of the total variance of the system, allowing identification of the dominant “semi-natural” and “anthropogenic” pollution sources in the river ecosystem. The complexity of the system is proved by MLR analysis of the absolute principal component scores (APCS). The apportioning clearly shows that Cd, Pb, Cr, Zn and Cu participate in an “anthropogenic” source profile, whereas Fe and Mn are “semi-natural”. Multiple regression analysis indicates that for particular elements not described by the model, the amounts vary from 4.2 % (Mn) to 13.1 % (Cr). The element Ni participates to some extent to each source and, in this way, is neither pure “semi-natural” nor pure “anthropogenic”. Apportioning indicates that the whole heavy metal pollution in the investigated river reach is 12510.45 mg·kg−1. The contribution of pollutants originating from “anthropogenic sources” is 9.04 % and from “semi-natural” sources is 86.53 %.

Application of neural-based modeling in an assessment of pollution with mercury in the middle part of the Warta River

The level of pollution with various mercury species (organomercury, water- and acid-soluble mercury, mercury bound to humic matter and to sulphides) of the floodplain soils and sediments from middle part of the Warta River has been assessed using self-organizing maps (SOM). Chemometric evaluation allowed identification of moderately (median 173−187 ng g−1, range 54–375 ng g−1 in soil and 130 ng g−1, range 47–310 ng g−1 in sediment) and heavily polluted samples (662 ng g−1, range 426–884 ng g−1). Heavily polluted were located mainly below and in the area of the Poznań city. Statistical comparison of mercury species distribution in floodplain soils of the Warta River shows different patterns for moderately and heavily polluted samples. In heavily polluted soils the contribution of mobile mercury (sum of organomercury species, water- and acid soluble species) is lower (4.2%) than in moderately polluted soils (6.1%). Higher contribution of mobile mercury was observed in sediments of the Warta River (12%). In case of moderately polluted samples, statistical differences in the contribution of mercury species are relatively low and thus the environmental risk from mercury deposited in aquatic system of the Warta River is relatively low. However, higher water levels and heavy floods may incite remobilisation of some organomercuries (2.2–2.9 ng g−1 in soil and 10 ng g−1 in sediment) and acid-soluble species of mercury (2.6–2.9 ng g−1 in soil and 0.5 ng g−1 in sediment).

The Effect of Stand Age on Throughfall Chemistry in Spruce Stands in the Potok Dupniański Catchment in the Silesian Beskid Mountains, Southern Poland

The chemical composition of throughfall depends on the age of the Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst) stands and season of the year. The pH of throughfall decreased and the amount of hydrogen ion in throughfall deposited to the soil increased with increasing age of spruce stands, especially in the winter season. Concentrations of K+, H+, SO42−, Mn2+, and NH4+ in throughfall were higher than bulk precipitation for the whole year and K+, H+, and Mn2+ concentrations were higher in throughfall in winter and the growing season. This indicates that these ions were washed out or washed from the surface of needles and/or the bark, and that NO3−, NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, and Zn2+ were absorbed in the canopy. The effect of high nitrogen deposition, above critical loads, and an increase in the amount of sulfur and in the sum of the strong acids (S-SO42− and N-NO3−) that reached the soil with throughfall may have implications for the vitality of spruce stands, especially in older age classes. The application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) has led to identification of five factors responsible for the data structure (“mineral dust”, “acidic emissions”, “heavy metals-dust particles”, “ammonium [NH4+]”, and “H+”). They explain more than 60% of the total variance system. The strong positive correlation between stand age class and ionic concentrations in throughfall occurs for all year and the winter period for ions within the following categories: “acidic emissions”, SO42− + NO3−; “heavy metals-dust particles”, Fe2+ + Mn2+ + Zn2+; “mineral dust”, Na+ + K+ + Ca+2 + Mg2+; “NH4+”; and “H+”. The strength of the relationship decreases in the growing period, probably due to processes occurring in the canopy (adsorption, leaching, etc.).

Analytical procedures for the determination of fuel combustion products, anti-corrosive compounds, and de-icing compounds in airport runoff water samples

The purpose of this study is to propose and evaluate new procedures for determination of fuel combustion products, anti-corrosive and de-icing compounds in runoff water samples collected from the airports located in different regions and characterized by different levels of the activity expressed by the number of flights and the number of passengers (per year). The most difficult step in the analytical procedure used for the determination of PAHs, benzotriazoles and glycols is sample preparation stage, due to diverse matrix composition, the possibility of interference associated with the presence of components with similar physicochemical properties. In this study, five different versions of sample preparation using extraction techniques, such as: LLE and SPE, were tested. In all examined runoff water samples collected from the airports, the presence of PAH compounds and glycols was observed. In majority of the samples, BT compounds were determined. Runoff water samples collected from the areas of Polish and British international airports as well as local airports had similar qualitative composition, but quantitative composition of the analytes was very diverse. New and validated analytical methodologies ensure that the necessary information for assessing the negative impact of airport activities on the environment can be obtained.

Multivariate statistics as means of tracking atmospheric pollution trends in Western Poland

This study was carried out over a period of 4 years (2002–2005) at 2 sites located in western Poland differing as regards to human impact by analysis of chemical composition of bulk precipitation. The aim of the study was to determine the sources of pollutions and assess their quantitative contribution to the bulk precipitation composition and to analyse long term-changes in the chemical quality of precipitation. Based on this information the possible transboundary impacts of pollution were also determined. The samples were characterized by determining the values of pH, electrolytic conductivity and concentration levels of Cl−, F−, SO4 2−, NO3 −, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and NH4 +. Analytical measurements were connected with application of principal component regression (PCR) and time series analysis (TS). Based on PCR results three major sources of pollutants in central part of Poland have been identified and quantitatively assessed as follows: “combined” (Poznań – 31%, WNP – 32%), “soil-particulates” (Poznań – 2%, WNP – 26%), “anthropogenic-fossil fuels” (Poznań – 43%, WNP – 23%). Time series analysis enabled discovering 12-month time cycle for NO3 −, NH4 +, Cl−, F− and SO4 2− in average monthly concentration values in bulk precipitation collected in Wielkopolski National Park. Seasonal variation in the emission of precursors of NO3 − and NH4 + was caused by changes in intensity of fertilizer application in agriculture and automobile exhaust emissions. Decreasing trend was visible for sulphates, nitrates, chlorides and fluorides which is an important indication of the acid rain reduction in the ecologically protected area and in Poznań.

Studies on Intercorrelation between Ions Co-Occurring in Precipitation in the Gdańsk-Sopot-Gdynia Tricity (Poland)

The paper presents monitoring results and environmental pollution assessment for the Gdańsk-Sopot-Gdynia Tricity (Poland), based onanalysis of precipitation. Precipitation samples were collected over a period of 12 months (January–December 1998) at ten locations in the Tricity. The following selected ions were determined in the samples:SO42−, F−, Cl−, NO3−,PO43−, NH4+, Na+,Mg2+, Ca2+, K+. The results were subjected to full statistical evaluation. Values of the parameters determined were correlated with each other. An attempt was made to explain co-occurrences of certain ions and the significance of their mutual effects. Pollutant concentrations and loads in precipitation were also correlated with data on wind direction and temperature in the region.Deposition of pollutants was very high in spring due to the prevailing air circulation patterns and low temperatures. Analysis of the correlations between co-occurring ions confirmed the significant impact of the location (sea coast) on the composition of rain water. Ionic ratios in rainwater were similar to those observed for sea salt samples. In addition, heavy traffic was most probably responsible for high concentrations of various forms of nitrogen and sulphates in the vicinity of major highways.

Multivariate exploration and classification applied to the chemical composition of spring waters in sanctuary forest areas

This study was carried out in the Zimnik and Czyrna catchments (ZC and CC, respectively) located in the Silesian Beskid Mountains of southern Poland. The data matrix with 870 observations of major inorganic elements (Cl−, , , , Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+), pH and electrolytic conductivity of spring water samples was carried out using linear discriminant analysis, unsupervised Kohonen self-organising maps (SOM) classification and non-parametric tests. A multivariate analysis of the chemical composition of spring water was performed, taking into consideration the geological condition of the catchment area, the prevailing forest stands, slopes facing and different water levels due to the seasonal variations. For the ZC the first discriminant function (DF) reflected general geological conditions (absence of ) while the second DF reflected the nutrient biocycle (presence of ). In case of the CC, the first DF had a complex meaning and reflected both geological conditions and the nutrient biocycles. Based on specific chemical profiles, low water level related samples and high water level related samples were distinguished from each other in both the ZC and CC, respectively. The SOM-based classification indicated that forest types and springs location were the major factors affecting the spring water chemical profile. In general, in case of springs located above 1000 m, limited weathering connected with the effect of the highly acid spruce monoculture on leaching causes a decreasing concentration of Na+, K+, Mg2+, Cl− and , while springs located between 700 and 800 m above sea level in mixed forests, showed the highest concentrations of K+ and Cl− and the lowest concentrations of , values of pH and conductivity.

Application of the self-organizing mapping in exploration of the environmental impact of a tsunami disaster

A self-organizing map (SOM) algorithm was applied to evaluate the geochemical and environmental impact of 26th December 2004 tsunami, based on interelemental and intersite relations of sediment chemistry. The study was carried out based on data sets, including contents of salts (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cl and SO4) leached with deionized water, heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in acid leachable fraction, metalloids (As, Sb and Se) in exchangeable fraction, as well as both total Hg and mercury in the form of various species (organomercury, water-soluble, acid-soluble, bound to humic matter and bound to sulfides) in sediment samples. SOM-supported exploration were performed for two separate data sets. The first run was applied for analytical results concerning sediments taken less than 50 days after tsunami event while the second one concerned results obtained for samples collected in the same location one year later, after rainy season. In the case of the “2005-run”, based on mutual linkage, complete set of variables could be conditionally divided into general groups showing of their patterns related to their major source as “salt” and “wastewater.” Classification results revealed natural clusters of sediment samples in relation to their location and to the magnitude of the impact of tsunami wave. Numerous clusters reflect general chemical composition of tsunami sediments while clusters containing isolated sampling locations reflect “site-specific” conditions, partially related to anthropogenic impact. The cleaning effect of the rainy season in Thailand was observed, based on “2006-run” exploaration results. The chemical composition of tsunami sediments was unified for 93% of samples. General patterns related to major source of analytes were analogous compared to the “2005-run.” These studies demonstrate that SOM has the potential to successfully assist the assessment of the environmental impacts of a tsunami disaster and the role of a tsunami sediments as potential carriers of pollution.