Arkadiusz Nędzarek

Selected elements in surface waters of Antarctica and their relations with the natural environment

The aim of the study was to specify the concentration of selected chemical elements in surface waters of King George Island, off the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The research encompassed six streams, a lake and an artificial water reservoir located on the western coast of Admiralty Bay. Measured hydrochemical parameters included pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and total and dissolved forms elements such as Al, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn, Fe, As and Se. The values of pH, conductivity and TDS had the following ranges: 6.09–8.21, 6.0–875 µS cm−1 and 7.0–975 mg/L, respectively, and were typical for surface waters of Antarctica. Wide disparities were discovered regarding concentrations of the investigated elements, ranging from <0.01 µg/L for Cd to 510 µg/L for Fe, and differing from one water body to another. The investigated elements are discussed with reference to environmental conditions and anthropogenic factors. Concentrations of total and dissolved forms of elements are considered in connection with the composition of soil in their surroundings and with atmospheric deposition, mostly such as that took place locally. The increased levels of Pb and Zn concentrations in the immediate proximity of a research station suggested anthropogenic contamination.

Oxygen conditions and trophic state of Lake Głębokie (Szczecin, Poland) in the years 2008-2010

Oxygen conditions and trophic state of Lake Głębokie (Szczecin, Poland) in the years 2008-2010 The research in Lake Głębokie was conducted in the years 2008-2010. Sampling from three selected sites was designed in such a way that vertical profiles of the characteristics of interest were obtained. Measurements were performed to determine the content of dissolved oxygen, oxygen saturation expressed as a percentage, water temperature, total phosphorus, chlorophyll a, dry seston mass, and Secchi disk depth. During the course of a year, water temperature varied from 0.58°C to 24.72°C. However, a permanent thermal stratification was not observed in the summer season due to complete water mixing. Dissolved oxygen concentrations in the water varied within a range that started at hard-to-measure insignificant values and reached up to 9.63 mg O2 l-1, while oxygen saturation reached a maximum of 116% O2. At the same time, it was observed that oxygen conditions gradually worsened as the depth became greater. The largest oxygen deficits occurred in the winter season of 2009-2010. The oxygen conditions were typical for an eutrophic lake. Its high trophic state was confirmed by an analysis performed using the method proposed by Carlson (1977) as well as by an analysis performed according to the directives of the OECD (1982). The trophic state of this lake is borderline eutrophic and hypertrophic. The oxygen conditions found in this lake ought to be seen as not beneficial to fish.

Application of ceramic membranes for microalgal biomass accumulation and recovery of the permeate to be reused in algae cultivation.

The present study was carried out to investigate the possibility of using ceramic membranes for microalgal biomass densification and to evaluate the qualitative composition of the permeate as a source of nitrogen and phosphorus for microalgae cultivated in a closed system. The studies were conducted on the microalga Monoraphidium contortum. The microfiltration process was carried out on a quarter-technical scale using ceramic membranes with 1.4 μm, 300 and 150 kDa cut-offs. Permeate flux and respective hydraulic resistances were calculated. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus fractions were measured in the feed and the permeate. It was noted that the permeate flux in the MF process was decreasing while the values of reversible and irreversible resistances were increasing as the cut-off of the studied membranes was diminishing. An analysis of the hydraulic series resistance showed that using a 300 kDa membrane would be the most beneficial, as it was characterized by a comparatively high permeate flux (Jv=1.68 10(-2)m(3)/m(2)s), a comparatively low susceptibility to irreversible fouling (1.72·10(9) 1/m) and a high biomass retention coefficient (91%). The obtained permeate was characterized by high concentrations of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus forms, which indicated that it could be reused in the process of microalgal biomass production.

Ionic composition of terrestrial surface waters in Maritime Antarctic and the processes involved in formation

Abstract The qualitative and quantitative composition of major ions and nutrient compounds in surface waters and soils of the west coast of Admiralty Bay (King George Island, West Antarctica) was investigated together with the effect of soil-forming processes and atmospheric precipitation on the ionic composition of surface waters. In the water bodies studied, Cl- and Na+ were dominant major ions (average concentrations: 1102.2 and 930.9 μM, respectively). Average concentrations of the other major anions ranged from 2.80 μM (F-) to 81.64 μM (SO4 2-) and major cations ranged from 12.46 μM (K+) to 130.76 μM (Mg2+). Average concentrations of total reactive phosphorus, N-NO2 -, N-NO3 - and N-NH4 + amounted to 1.374, 0.410, 6.299 and 1.490 μM, respectively. Average concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na, K, N and P in the surface layer of the soil equalled 16.8, 15.9, 6.4, 3.6, 0.646 and 0.744 g kg-1, respectively. The calculated Na+/Cl-, Ca2+/Mg2+, Ca2+/Na+ and HCO3 -/Cl- ratios revealed that atmospheric precipitation was the main source of major ions. We conclude that the ionic composition of the waters of the western coast of Admiralty Bay differ from surface waters of Continental Antarctica.

Variability in the concentrations of Ca, Mg, Sr, Na, and K in the opercula of perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) in relation to the salinity of waters of the Oder Estuary (Poland)

Macro-ionic composition of fish opercula may be an indicator of the fish stock identity. This is especially interesting in river estuaries, where individual sections of the estuary may differ in terms of their hydrochemical regimes. Diversified macro-ionic tissue composition is likely to provide clues not only about the origin of an individual fish, but also about its possible migration routes. The current study researched this aspect of the chemical composition of perch collected from different sections of the Oder River estuary. A total of 60 European perch, Perca fluviatilis L., were obtained from 3 sampling sites located in the river at Widuchowa, Szczecin Lagoon, and Pomeranian Bay, where waters are subject to dynamic macro-ionic transformations. Fish length ranged from 20 to 25 cm. Opercula of the fish were examined for their content of calcium, magnesium, strontium, sodium, and potassium, with the aid of the flame method using a Perkin-Elmer 3100 atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Perch inhabiting the waters of the Oder River between Widuchowa and Szczecin Lagoon had their opercula composed predominantly of calcium. Calcium was also the predominant ion dissolved in the water in this area; Ca represented 83.6% of all cations in the water and 41.6% of those present in the bones of the perch operculum. The increased levels of salinity near the sea were associated with the replacement of calcium in bones by other, more readily available elements (magnesium or strontium). Differences in the observed macro-ion composition of the opercula were sufficient to assign the perch studied to two distinct groups inhabiting fresh and brackish waters.

Effect of the coagulants PAX and PIX on the embryonic development of pike (Esox lucius L.)

Abstract The study examined the development of pike (Esox lucius L.) roe in water containing variously concentrated coagulants PIX®113 and PAX®18, which are increasingly being used in Poland as a method of lake reclamation. The genital products came from spawners caught from a natural water body (Lake Przybiernów). The eggs were incubated in water taken from the same lake, and subjected to the process of phosphorus and iron precipitation with coagulants. Based on the results, it was found that the coagulants used in the experiment inhibit the embryogenesis of pike by the formation of aggregates falling to the bottom, reducing the percentage of live embryos and affecting the size and malformation of the hatching larvae.

The application of ceramic membranes for treating effluent water from closed-circuit fish farming

Abstract The aim of the study was to analyze and assess the possibility of using a two-stage filtration system with ceramic membranes: a 3-tube module with 1.0 kDa cut-off (1st stage) and a one-tube module with 0.45 kDa cut-off (2nd stage) for treating effluent water from a juvenile African catfish aquaculture. The study revealed that during the 1st filtration stage of the effluent water, the highest degrees of retention were obtained with respect to: suspended solids SS (rejection coefficient RI=100%), turbidity (RI=99.40%), total iron (RI=89.20%), BOD5 (RI=76.0%), nitrite nitrogen (RI=62.30%), and CODCr (RI=41.74%). The 2nd filtration stage resulted in a lower reduction degree of the tested indicators in comparison to the 1st filtration stage. At the 2nd stage, the highest values of the rejection coefficient were noted in for the total iron content (RIV=100%), CODCr (RIV=59.52%; RV=64.28%, RVI=63.49%) and turbidity (RIV and RV = 45.0%, RVI=50.0%). The obtained results indicate that ceramic membranes (with 1.0 and 0.45 kDa cut-offs) may be used in recirculation aquaculture systems as one of the stages of effluent water treatment.

The effect of effluents from rainbow trout ponds on water quality in the Gowienica River / Wpływ zrzutu wód poprodukcyjnych ze stawów pstrągowych na jakość wody w rzece Gowienicy

Abstract Fish farming and especially rearing and breeding of rainbow trout and carp is one of potential sources of surface water pollution. The study was aimed at assessing the effect of a rainbow trout farm on water quality in the Gowienica River in winter. Temperature, pH, electrolytic conductivity, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, BOD5, CODCr, alkalinity, water hardness, calcium, magnesium, ammonium-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen (III and V) and total phosphorus were determined according to Polish Norms and APHA [1995] in water samples collected in winter up- and downstream the study object. The increment of pollutant concentrations in rainbow trout farm effluents was referred to the requirements in Rozporządzenie MŚ [2006]. Performed studies and literature review show that effluents from the assessed fish farm did not worsen water quality of the river. Increased concentrations of total suspended solids and CODCr in effluents were noted only in March. According to data from the report on environmental status in zachodniopomorskie province in the years 2008-2011, poor water quality of the Gowienica River is recorded already upstream the rainbow trout farm. Pollution of this stretch of the river may originate from uncontrolled waste water management and from nutrient runoff from fields. STRESZCZENIE Jednym z potencjalnych źródeł zanieczyszczenia wód powierzchniowych jest gospodarka rybacka zajmująca się głównie chowem i hodowlą pstrąga tęczowego i karpia. Celem pracy była ocena wpływu działalności gospodarstwa pstrągowego na jakość wód Gowienicy w sezonie zimowym. W okresie zimowym w pobranych próbkach wody w punktach powyżej i poniżej obiektu oznaczano następujące wskaźniki: temperaturę, pH, przewodność elektrolityczną, zawiesinę ogólną, tlen rozpuszczony w wodzie, BZT5, ChZTCr, zasadowość, twardość, wapń, magnez, azot amonowy, azot azotanowy (III) i (V), fosfor ogólny - zgodnie z wybranymi Polskimi Normami i zaleceniami APHA [1995]. Określano przyrost zanieczyszczeń w wodach poprodukcyjnych z hodowli pstrągów, który odnoszono do wymogów zawartych w Rozporządzeniu MŚ [2006]. Jak wynika z przeprowadzonych badań oraz z przeglądu literatury, wody poprodukcyjne pochodzące z działalności ocenianego gospodarstwa rybackiego nie wpływały na pogorszenie jakości wody badanej rzeki. Uzyskane w pracy wyniki wykazały przyrost stężenia zawiesin ogólnych i ChZTCr, w wodach poprodukcyjnych tylko w marcu. Zgodnie z danymi zawartymi w raportach o stanie środowiska w woj. zachodniopomorskim w latach 2008-2011, niezadowalająca jakość wód Gowienicy jest notowana już na odcinku powyżej gospodarstwa pstrągowego. Źródłem zanieczyszczeń występujących na tym odcinku Gowienicy może być nieuregulowana gospodarka kanalizacyjna w gminie, jak również spływy składników biogennych z pól.

The Use of Pressure Membrane Separation for Heavy Metal Removal or Recovery

Environmental pollution with heavy metals is a serious global issue. In order to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations, new technologies for the elimination and/or recovery of heavy metals from wastewater are tested and implemented. These technologies include membrane separations like reverse osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF). Direct and combined techniques have been discussed: BSA-enhanced nanofiltration, micellar enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) and polyelectrolyte enhanced ultrafiltration (PEUF). Membrane techniques allow for a high elimination of heavy metals, comparable to currently used technologies such as chemical precipitation, coagulation, flotation, or ion exchange.

Specifying the relationship between key stages of pike (Esox lucius L.) embryogenesis and coagulants used in lake recultivation

Abstract The study focused on the effect of iron and aluminium coagulants (PIX®113, PAX®18) commonly used for purification of open waters on key stages of embryonic development of pike (Esox lucius L.). Fertilized pike roe was incubated in lake water and in water with the admixture of coagulants, applied in the concentration of 50.0 mg dm-3 at selected stages of embryogenesis: blastopore closure, inoculation, and the hatching of larvae. In the course of the experiment, live embryos were observed and total lengths of the larvae were measured. Simultaneously, selected hydrochemical indicators were gauged. It was discovered that coagulants had the strongest effect at the first stage of embryogenesis (the end of the process of gastrulation). At that stage the survival rate of embryos was the lowest (73.5- 75.0%) and the percentage of deformities in the hatched larvae was the highest (9.7-10.0%).