Andrzej Trembaczowski

Comparison of the dynamics of natural biodegradation of petrol and diesel oil in soil

AbstractContamination of soil with petroleum products is a major environmental problem. Therefore, one of the issues related to environmental protection is assessment of the ability of soil microbial populations to biodegrade petroleum-derived substances. The aim of the study was to compare the dynamics and fractionation of carbon isotopes during biodegradation of selected petroleum products (petrol and diesel) in soil characterised by optimal humidity for plants. The analyses were performed on soil material sampled from the arable layer of a fertile soil (chernozem) in central Poland. The soil samples were treated with two petroleum substances, i.e. unleaded 95-octane petrol and diesel fuel. The dynamics of changes was assessed by monitoring carbon dioxide content and oxygen content in the headspace over the soil surface. Additionally, the ratio of δ13C carbon isotopes was measured in the substrates added (petrol and diesel) and in CO2 emitted to the atmosphere. In summary, it should be concluded that th...

Sulphur and Oxygen Isotopes in Sulphates in Natural Waters: (1) Surface Waters of Relatively Unpolluted Terrains

Abstract The paper presents a whole-year study (1990) of an unique area in S-E Poland with numerous small rivers and streams carrying clean waters. We report the results of δ18O of waters and δ34S of the sulphates sampled 4 times in 1990 from 20 rivers of the study area. The observations clearly show the impact of biological activity on the oxygen and sulphur isotopic compositions in sulphates. Attempts have been made to interpret the correlation between δ34S and δ18O in sulphates. The highest correlation coefficient has been noticed for samples collected in April, whereas the lowest in August. The conclusion of this study is that the river sulphates are predominantly produced outside the river environment. We have distinguished three major sources of sulphates: (1) ones produced in the aquifer from which waters are discharged, (2) those produced in soils and marshes of forest environment, and (3) ones on anthropogenic origin.

Stable sulphur isotope ratios in the moss species Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) B.S.G. and Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. from the Kielce area (south-central Poland)

Stable sulphur isotope determinations were performed on 18 moss samples collected at nine sites in forested areas of the city of Kielce. The δ34S of Hylocomium splendens varied from 4.4 to 7.1 ‰, whereas the δ34S of Pleurozium schreberi was in the range of 3.7–9.1 ‰. The Holy Cross Mountains mosses display a positive δ34S signature of airborne SO2 and sulphates of anthropogenic origin, which is characteristic for this part of Europe. Some spatial variations in the δ34S of mosses are due to the interactions that occur between coal combustion emissions with diverse isotopic imprints, variations in wind direction and topographic features combined with biological fractionation.

Relationship between isotope composition of sulphur in sulphate dissolved in river water and sulphur extracted from fish scales

More than 100 trouts captured in more than 20 rivers from Poland have been analysed. Only fish caught by trout fishermen were used for this study. Isotope compositions of sulphur (δ34S) and carbon (δ13C) of fish scales were examined together with δ34S from sulphate dissolved in river, as well as patterns of fish diet. We predominantly examined adult fish, at least 4 years old. A scatter of isotope values occurred among the samples obtained from fish caught in different rivers and also for fish caught in the same river. The scatter of the δ34S values was much larger than that of δ13C values. We noticed the relationship between δ34S of scales and δ34S of riverine sulphate. There is also a significant difference between isotope compositions obtained for different fish species, which can be attributed to their different diet.

Sulphur and Oxygen Isotopes in Sulphates in Natural Waters: (2) Deep-Waters from Horizons Below Baltic Sea Floor

Abstract In this paper we consider deep waters from horizons located under the Baltic-Sea bottom. The samples were taken twice from wells bored in Hel peninsula. The δ18O and δD values of these waters show their glacial origin since they have significantly low values (δ18O from −14 to −11 whereas the modern groundwaters in Gdansk area have −10%0). In contrast to surface waters the sulphates dissolved in these deep waters have rather high and uniform δ18O values which are correlated with δ18O of H2O but not correlated with δ34S. The isotope patterns may be explained assuming that the waters are very old, in which the slow process of oxygen isotope exchange at low temperatures, but extended in time, could enrich the sulphate in heavier oxygen isotopes.

Sulphur and Oxygen Isotopic Composition of Sulphates in Springs Feeding the Wieprz River and Other Springs of Lublin Upland and Roztocze

Abstract Springs on Roztocze and Lublin Upland have been studied. Isotopic data are compared with data of chemical analyses. The results of studies allow us to distinguish five types of groundwaters. The differentiation is based upon different lithology; opokas, gaizes, sandy-silty-clay deposits, sands with shell sandstones, marly opokas, marly limestones and soft limestones of chalk type. A correlation can be observed between δ34S and the concentration of Ca or Mg ions also a correlation between HCO3 − ion concentration and δ18O in sulphates. Probably these correlations are the result of some simultaneous processes, which occur in groundwater. The seasonal variations of the isotopic composition and sulphate concentration were observed in four springs feeding the upper Wieprz. The variations were simultaneous and often similar in these springs. Probably, these variations are caused by the admixture of sulphates coming from shallow water layers (or leached from soil); however the variations of the groundwater level may also change chemical and isotopic composition in groundwater.

Concentration of soil CO2 as an indicator of the decalcification rate after liming treatment

Abstract This paper presents the results of investigation of decalcification of acid sandy and loamy sand soils by infiltration waters, and potential Ca-leaching after liming treatment. For this purpose, monthly measurements were made of the concentration of CO2 in the soil air, dissolved inorganic carbon in the soil waters, and their ionic composition. The determined dissolved inorganic carbon ranged from 5.9 to 10.6 mg dm−3 and from 9.9 to 16.5 mg dm−3 for the sandy and loamy sand soil, respectively. The Ca concentration in soil waters was determined as 5.9-12.4 mg dm−3 in sandy soil and 14.2-19.8 mg dm−3 in soil loamy sand. The calculated rate of decalcification amounted to 23.0 kg ha−1 year−1 in soil sandy and 19.4 kg ha−1 year−1 in loamy sand soil. The potential Ca-leaching is predicted as 124 kg ha−1 year−1 for S and 87 kg ha−1 year−1 for loamy sand soil. At the treatment level of 3 000 kg ha−1 4 year−1 of CaO, ~20% of the Ca-fertilizer can be leached after the liming treatment. The results of the CO2 concentration in the soil air may be useful in estimation of Ca-leaching from soils developed by slightly clayey sands and clayey sands in zones with a moderate climate.

Changes of isotopic composition in gases emitted from wastewater treatment plant - preliminary study

Abstract Investigations of processes occurring during wastewater treatment have progressed beyond the stage of technology. Currently, great numbers of representatives of diverse specialist research apply increasingly sophisticated measurement methods that have not been employed in this field of science. One of the methods is IRMS (Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry). Tracking changes in the ratios of biogenic element isotopes is useful in eg identification and monitoring of investigated processes. Since the IRMS technique has hardly been used for investigations of the wastewater treatment process, pilot research should be instigated to determine the isotope ratios occurring naturally in the process. The aim of the study was to determine changes in carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios at the successive stages of the technological line in wastewater treatment plants. The study material comprised: i) suspensions of raw sewage and mixtures of wastewater and activated sludge; ii) gases sampled from the volume of the suspensions; iii) gases sampled from the air above the suspension surface. The research material originated from the facilities of “Hajdow” municipal wastewater treatment plant in Lublin (SE Poland). The samples were analysed for the carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios, and the concentrations of the gases as well as total organic carbon (TOC), inorganic carbon (IC), Kjeldahl nitrogen (KN), dry weight, pH, and Eh were determined. The results obtained suggest that: i) the IRMS technique can be successfully applied in investigations of processes occurring during wastewater treatment; ii) isotope ratios in the carbon and nitrogen compounds (CO2 and N2) both in the suspensions and gases contained therein and in the air above them differ from each other and change at the different stages of the treatment process; iii) further research is indispensable in order to identify processes responsible for fractionation of carbon and nitrogen isotopes.

Application of Isotopic Analyses to Study the Influence of Exploitation of Brown Coal on the Pollution of Groundwater

Abstract This research deals with pollution impact on natural water resources in the industrial area of Belchatow, central Poland, where a large brown coal deposit is exploited and the coal is burned in an electric power plant. To trace the sources of groundwater pollutants the stable isotope analysis of oxygen and sulfur in sulfates was applied. The mass-spectrometric analysis was performed on SO4 2- samples from numerous wells and piezometres in the excavation area. By repetitive sampling performed in November 1994, May 1995 and December 1996 significant changes of SO4 2- concentration and sulfur and oxygen isotopic ratios in several sites were recorded. The interpretation of isotope ratios allowed us to recognize three groups of sulfates: (1) from the leaching of Permian salt dome, (2) produced by the leaching of soluble sulfates from an ash pool and (3) produced by oxidation of natural sulfides in water-bearing rocks.

Isotopic Composition Of Sulfates: Similarities - Differences - Misleadings

Abstract In the hydrosphere sulfates of the following origin may exist: (1) evaporitic; they come from the leaching of sulfate rocks, (2) biological, formed by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and (3) anthropogenic, which get into water with wastes, fertilizers or acid rains. Chemical analyses may reveal sulfates in water, but their origin cannot be assessed by means of chemical analysis. The sulfates of various origin may differ in their isotopic compositions. However, sometimes we can observe the similarity of δ(34)S of sulfates whose origin was entirely different. This similarity may be so suggestive that it could be misleading. This paper presents patterns of completely different sulfates whose δ(34)S are similar, though they have nothing in common. Other tables present patterns of sulfates whose origin is similar or even the same but their δ(34)S are characterized by great variety. All of the isotopic data presented in the tables were specially chosen from some of the results of the studies of the sulfates in waters in Poland. Isotopes techniques are becoming more popular and are useful for studies in many fields. These patterns may be a warning against drawing hasty conclusions from the results of δ-measuring.