Bartłomiej Glina

Current state of peatland soils as an effect of long-term drainage – preliminary results of peatland ecosystems investigation in the Grójecka Valley (central Poland)

Abstract Understanding the effect of long-term drainage of peatland areas is helpful in future peatland management and regulations of water conditions. The aim of this work was to assess the current state of fen peatland soils in the Grójecka Valley (eastern part of the Wielkopolskie voivodeship, central Poland), affected by long-term agricultural use (pastures, meadows) since the 1960s and potentially by lignite open pit mining industry (KWB Konin) since 1980s. Field studies were carried out in 2015 in selected fen peatland areas. Soil material for laboratory analysis was collected from genetic horizons from four soil profiles. The surface horizons of studied organic and organo-mineral soils were built with well-developed moorsh material. They were classified as medium moorshiefied – MtII (profile 1, 3 and 4) and strongly moorshiefied – MtIII (profile 2). Obtained results of physical and physico-chemical analysis indicate that long-term peatland utilization connected with potential impact of the lignite mining, transformed mainly the upper horizons of studied organic and organo-mineral soils. However, despite obvious strong human impact on peatlands ecosystems, we cannot exclude the climate variables, what should be confirmed by long-term monitoring program. Furthermore, presented paper indicated that new subtype moorsh-muddy soils (in Polish: gleby murszowo-mułowe) within the type of gleyic soils should be implemented in the next version of Polish Soil Classification.

Nitrogen mineralization in forestry-drained peatland soils in the Stołowe Mountains National Park (Central Sudetes Mts)

Abstract The aim of this work was to determine the intensity of nitrogen mineralization in forestry drained ombrotrophic peatland soils in the Stołowe Mountains National Park, SW Poland. Additionally discussion about the shallow organic soils classification according to Polish Soil Classification (2011) is presented. For the study three research transects were established on forestry drained ombrotrophic peatlands in the Stołowe Mountains. Each of the transect consisted of four (site A and B) or five (site C) sampling plots. Sampling was conducted in the year 2012. The soil samples for the basic soil properties analysis were sampled in April, whereas undisturbed soil samples were collected in stainless steel rings (100 cm3) every 10 cm in April (spring), July (summer) and October (autumn) to show the seasonal dynamics of nitrogen mineralization. Statistical analysis showed that the content of N-NH4 was mainly determined by actual soil moisture and precipitation rate, whereas the content of N-NO3 was positively correlated with air temperature. Among investigated peatlands the highest concentrations of mineral nitrogen forms was observed in the Długie Mokradło bog, situated on the Skalniak Plateau-summit. Additionally, the results obtained showed that implementation of new subtype: shallow fibric peat soils (in Polish: gleby torfowe fibrowe płytkie) within the type of peat soils (in polish: gleby torfowe) should be considered during developing of the next update of Polish Soil Classification.

Physical and water properties of selected Polish heavy soils of various origins

Abstract The paper presents the characteristics of selected physical, chemical, and water properties of four mineral arable soils characterized with heavy and very heavy texture. Soil samples from genetic horizons of black earths from areas near Kętrzyn, Gniew and Kujawy, and alluvial soils from Żuławy were used. The following properties were determined in the samples of undisturbed and disturbed structure: texture, particle density, bulk density, porosity, natural and hygroscopic moistures, maximal hygroscopic capacity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, potential of water bonding in soil, total and readily available water, total retention in the horizon of 0–50 cm, drainage porosity, content of organic carbon and total nitrogen Parent rocks of these soils were clays, silts and loams of various origin. High content of clay fraction strongly influenced the values of all the analyzed properties. All the examined soils had high content of organic carbon and total nitrogen and reaction close to neutral or alkaline. High content of mineral and organic colloids and, what follows, beneficial state of top horizons’ structure, determined – apart from heavy texture – low soil bulk density and high porosity. The investigated soils were characterized by high field water capacity and wide scopes of total and readily available water. The saturated hydraulic conductivity was low and characteristic to heavy mineral arable soils. The parameter which influenced the variability of analyzed parameters most was texture.

Water retention of the loess-derived Luvisols with lamellic illuvial horizon in the Trzebnica Hills (SW Poland)

Abstract The aim of work was to characterize the water retention in the silt-textured Luvisols with lamellic illuvial horizon (argic) that occur in the loess covered northern part of the Silesian Lowland. Soil pits were localized on the Trzebnica Hills near the villages: Machnice (profile 1), Skarszyn (profile 2) and Zaprężyn (profile 3 and 4). Profiles Machnice 1 and Skarszyn 2 were situated in the upper parts of the hills covered with beech stands with an admixture of oak, linden and maple. Profiles Zaprężyn 3 and 4 were situated in the central and lower parts of the arable slope. During the field work conducted in April 2011, 29 soil samples were collected for texture, bulk density and water properties analysis. The soils under study were characterized by texture of silt loam with lower clay content in humus horizons (.loamy silt. according to Polish classification), and higher clay content (.clayey silt.) in the illuvial and subsoil horizons. The texture of all examined profiles was dominated by the „loess“ fractions. Variable abundance of the massive lamellae causes variations in water properties of the illuvial (sub-)horizons. It was found that lamellic illuvial horizons in the loess-derived Luvisols have higher field water capacity than the homogenous illuvial horizons, apart of the clay content. There was no apparent effect of the horizon kind (homogeneous versus lamellic) on the soil bulk density. These properties mainly depended on the total clay content in a particular horizon (sub-horizon). Strzeszczenie Badane profile gleb płowych wytworzonych z lessów zlokalizowane zostały na Wzgórzach Trzebnickich, które od północnego-wschodu zamykają obszar Niziny Śląskiej. Profile Machnice 1 i Skarszyn 2 zlokalizowane zostały w grzbietowych partiach wzniesień pod drzewostanami bukowymi z domieszką dębu. lipy oraz klonu. Profile Zaprężyn 3 i 4 położone są w środko- wej i dolnej części stoku na polach ornych. Łącznie w trakcie prac terenowych w kw ietniu 2011 roku pobrano 29 próbek glebowych. W pobranym materiale analitycznym oznaczono skład granulometryczny, gęstość objętościową oraz właściwości wodne na podsta- wie krzywej pF. Celem pracy była charakter) styka właściwości retencyjnych pyłowych gleb płowych z 1 a me 1 owym poziomem ilu- wialnym (argic). Badania wykazały, źe zmienny udział masywnych lamel powoduje zróżnicowanie analizowanych właściwości wodnych poziomu iluwialnego. Lamelowe podpoziomy iluwialne w badanych lessowych glebach płowych mają większą połową pojemność wodną niż homogeniczne podpoziomy iluwialne, niezależnie od zawartości iłu. Nie stwierdzono wyraźnego wpływu rodzaju poziomu iluwialnego (homogeniczny lub lamel owy) na gęstość objętościową gleby, która w większym stopniu zależna jest od zawartości frakcji ilastej.

Changes of soil water regime types in the area adjacent to the Tomisławice open-cast lignite mine (central Poland)

Abstract This work presents the results of a four-year study on the determination of the range of soil groundwater drainage caused by the operation of the Tomisławice lignite open-cast mine. The performed analyses covered the area of 9600 ha which included 24 villages. It was found that operation of Tomisławice open-cast mine caused noticeable changes of soil groundwater level in the areas adjacent to the excavation. It consequently resulted in considerable changes in soil water regimes types on grassland areas but it did not always lead to soil degradation processes. However, the deterioration of soils hydrological conditions may cause disappearance of certain hydrophilous grass species.

Labile and stabile soil organic carbon fractions in surface horizons of mountain soils – relationships with vegetation and altitude

Global and local climate changes could disturb carbon sequestration and carbon stocks in forest soils. Thus, it is important to characterize the stability of soil organic matter and the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions in forest ecosystems. This study had two aims: (1) to evaluate the effects of altitude and vegetation on the content of labile and stabile forms of organic carbon in the mountain soils; and (2) to assess the impact of the properties of soil organic matter on the SOC pools under changing environmental conditions. The studies were conducted in the Karkonosze Mountains (SW Poland, Central Europe). The content of the most labile fraction of carbon (dissolved organic carbon, DOC) decreases with altitude, but the content of fulvic acids (FA), clearly increases in the zone above 1000 m asl, while the stabile fraction (humins, non-hydrolyzing carbon) significantly decreases. A higher contribution of stabile forms was found in soils under coniferous forests (Norway spruce), while a smaller - under deciduous forests (European beech) and on grasslands. The expected climate change and the ongoing land use transformations in the zone above 1000 m asl may lead to a substantial increase in the stable humus fraction (mainly of a non-hydrolyzing carbon) and an increase in the SOC pools, even if humus acids are characterized by a lower maturity and greater mobility favorable to soil podzolization. In the lower zone (below 1000 m asl), a decrease in the most stable humus forms can be expected, accompanied by an increase of DOC contribution, which will result in a reduction in SOC pools. Overall, the expected prevailing (spatial) effect is a decreasing contribution of the most stable humus fractions, which will be associated with a reduction in the SOC pools in medium-high mountains of temperate zone of Central Europe.

Application of multivariate statistical methods in the assessment of mountain organic soil transformation in the central Sudetes

Summary In studies of organic soil degradation and transformation, alongside the conventional methods used in soil science, an increase in the importance of advanced statistical methods can be observed. In this study some multivariate statistical methods were applied in an investigation of organic soil transformation in the central Sudetes. Andrews curves, linear and kernel discriminant variable analysis and cluster analysis were used. The similarities among peatland soils and their layers were determined. It can be stated that the application of statistical methods in soil science research related to organic soil transformation is a valuable tool. The use of various statistical methods (such as Andrews curves, linear and kernel discriminant variables and cluster analysis) can with high probability confirm earlier laboratory or field observations. This is particularly justified in the case of organic soils derived from varied geobotanical peat materials, different types of peatlands and water supply types, which impact the primary properties of the soil.

Selected issues relating to classification of mountain organic soils in Poland according to the Polish Soil Classification (2011)

Abstract Despite a large number of organic soil types and subtypes in the Polish Soil Classification the problems of organic soils classification are still very common. In relation to mountain organic soils, in particular. The aim of this paper is to discuss the most common problems related to mountain organic soils classification according to the Polish Soil Classification. Based on authors’ own research and literature studies mentioned problem was described. This work allows to define some new proposals, which should be considered during developing of the next update of the Polish Soil Classification (PSC). The most important proposals related to: criteria for organic materials and organic soils, taxonomy position and criteria for shallow organic soils and new definition of mineral material admixture in organic soils.

Selected physical and water properties of soils located in the vicinity of proposed opencast lignite mine “Drzewce” (middle Poland)

Abstract The paper presents physical and water properties of six soils located in the areas directly adjacent to “Drzewce” lignite open cast mine (KWB Konin). The conducted works included preparation of pits of various soil types in points characteristic to large and representative soil allotments. The selected soil types represented mineral and organic soils. Samples of disturbed and undisturbed structure were taken from various genetic horizons for laboratory analysis. Such properties as content of total carbon, texture, specific density, bulk density, total and drainage porosity, moisture, saturated hydraulic conductivity, the potential of water bonding, total and readily available water, and total retention were determined in the samples from the horizons of 0–100 cm. The investigated soils showed mostly sandy texture with few local loam insertions. Texture and the content of organic matter were the most important parameters which influenced all analyzed properties. Morphology and the properties of the examined soils as well as deep level of soil – ground water were decisive factors when categorizing them as a precipitation-water type. Such soils will not undergo degradation caused by the dehydrating depression cone of open cast mine.