Jacek Antonkiewicz

The dose‐dependent influence of zinc and cadmium contamination of soil on their uptake and glucosinolate content in white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba)

The relationship between the ability to accumulate heavy metals (represented by Cd and Zn) and to synthesize bioactive compounds (represented by glucosinolates [GLS]) was investigated in two cabbage cultivars. Plants were grown in the greenhouse of a phytotron under controlled conditions in soils spiked with two different Zn or Cd concentrations. The measurements of Cd and Zn contents in soil and cabbage (leaf) samples were performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy, whereas GLS levels in cabbage were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The ranges of metal contents in soil were 80 to 450 mg/kg dry weight for Zn and 0.3 to 30 mg/kg dry weight for Cd, whereas the levels of accumulated Zn and Cd in cabbage amounted to 15 to 130 and 0.02 to 3 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. After initial symptoms of toxicity, during a later stage of growth, the plants exhibited very good tolerance to both metals. Enhanced biosynthesis of GLS was observed in a dose-dependent manner following exposure to the heavy metals. The GLS content in Zn-exposed cabbage rose from 3.2 to 12 µmol/g dry weight, and the corresponding values for Cd-treated plants were 3.5 to 10 µmol/g dry weight. Thus, the increased soil contamination by metals caused greater accumulation in cabbage, as well as stimulation of GLS biosynthesis. The results obtained point to the high phytoremediation and biofumigation potential of white cabbage.

The use of dialdehyde starch derivatives in the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals.

ABSTRACT Products of the reaction between dialdehyde starch and Y-NH2 compounds (e.g. semicarbazide or hydrazine) are effective ligands for metal ions. The usefulness of these derivatives was tested in the experiment, both in terms of the immobilization of heavy metal ions in soil and the potential application in phytoextraction processes. The experimental model comprised maize and the ions of such metals as: Zn(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II). The amount of maize yield, as well as heavy metal content and uptake by the aboveground parts and roots of maize, were studied during a three-year pot experiment. The results of the study indicate the significant impact of heavy metals on reduced yield and increased heavy metal content in maize. Soil-applied dialdehyde starch derivatives resulted in lower yields, particularly disemicarbazone (DASS), but in heavy metal-contaminated soils they largely limited the negative impact of these metals both on yielding and heavy metal content in plants, particularly dihydrazone (DASH). It was demonstrated that the application of dihydrazone (DASH) to a soil polluted with heavy metals boosted the uptake of Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd from the soil, hence there is a possibility to use this compound in the phytoextraction of these metals from the soil. Decreased Ni uptake was also determined, hence the possibility of using this compound in the immobilization of this metal. The study showed that dialdehyde starch disemicarbazone was ineffective in the discussed processes.

Phytoextraction of heavy metals from municipal sewage sludge by Rosa multiflora and Sida hermaphrodita

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the multiflora rose var. “Jatar” (Rosa multiflora Thunb. ex Murray) and the Virginia fanpetals (Sida hermaphrodita Rusby) to phytoextract heavy metals from municipal sewage sludge. The 6-year field experiment involved four levels of fertilization with sewage sludge at doses of 0, 10, 20, 40, and 60 Mg DM (Dry Mass) sludge ha−1. The increasing doses of sewage sludge were found to significantly increase the yield of multiflora rose and Virginia fanpetals biomass. They also significantly increased the content of heavy metals in these plants. The highest uptake of heavy metals by the multiflora rose and Virginia fanpetals crops was recorded at the fertilization dose of 60 Mg DM ⋅ ha−1. Our investigations show that the Virginia fanpetals was more efficient in the phytoextraction of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd from the sewage sludge than the multiflora rose, due to the greater yields and higher heavy metal uptake by the former plant. In turn, the multiflora rose phytoextracted greater amounts of Pb from the sewage sludge. The analyses indicate that the Virginia fanpetals can be used for phytoremediation (phytoextraction) of heavy metals contained in sewage sludge.

Fractions of heavy metals in soil after the application of municipal sewage sludge, peat, and furnace ash / Frakcje metali ciężkich w glebie po zastosowaniu komunalnego osadu ściekowego, popiołu paleniskowego i torfu

Abstract The effect of addition of different materials, i.e. sludge, ash and peat, as well as different doses of mixtures of ash and sludge and ash peat, on the total content of heavy metals (Cr, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Ni) and their fractions was studied. Application of municipal sewage sludge, ash-sludge and ash-peat mixtures in the experiment caused a gradual increase in the content of studied heavy metals in soil. The ash was characterized by a low content of heavy metals as compared to municipal sewage sludge. After application of peat and its mixtures with ash a decrease of content of heavy metals was observed, and when the peat was used alone the greatest increase in the organic C content in the substrate could be seen. Distribution of heavy metals in the fractions separated in different combinations shows large variations, depending on the tested metal and the studied variant. Chromium, zinc, lead, and cadmium have been accumulated mainly in the residual fraction (FV), and most of the copper and nickel have been specifically bound with organic matter (FIV). It has been found that the alkaline materials application to the soil decreased the solubility of most heavy metals, which results in a limitation of their uptake by plants. Chromium and copper were an exception, since their solubility increased with the alkalinity of the substrate. An exception was chromium and copper, which solubility increased with the alkalinity of the substrate. Streszczenie Badano wpływ dodatku różnych materiałów, tj.: osadu ściekowego, popiołu i torfu oraz różnych dawek mieszanin popiołowo-osadowych i popiołowo-torfowych, na całkowitą zawartość metali ciężkich (Cr. Zn. Pb. Cu. Cd. Ni) oraz ich frakcje. Zasto- sowanie w doświadczeniu osadu ściekowego oraz mieszanin popiołowo-osadowych i popiołowo-torfowych powodowało stopniowy wzrost zawartości badanych metali ciężkich w glebie. Popiół charakteryzował się niską zawartością metali ciężkich w porównaniu do komunalnych osadów ściekowych. W wyniku zastosowania torfu oraz jego mieszanin popiołowro-torfowych nastąpiło obniżenie zawar- tości badanych metali ciężkich, sam zaś toif był źródłem największego wzrostu zawartości węgla organicznego. Rozmieszczenie metali ciężkich w:e frakcjach wyodrębnionych w różnych kombinacjach, charakteryzowało duże zróżnicowanie w zależności od badanego metalu i zastosowanego podłoża. Główną rolę w magazynowaniu chromu, cynku, ołowiu i kadmu pełniła frakcja pozostałości (FV). zaś najwięcej miedzi i niklu związane było z materią organiczną (FIV). Stwierdzono, że wprowadzanie do gleby materiałów o charakterze alkalicznym jest przyczyną małej rozpuszczalności większości metali ciężkich, przez co ograniczone jest ich pobieranie przez rośliny Wyjątek stanowiły chroni i miedź, których rozpuszczalność wzrastała wraz ze w zrostem zasadowości.

EFFECT OF FLY ASHES AND SEWAGE SLUDGE ON Fe, Mn, Al, Si AND Co UPTAKE BY GRASS MIXTURE

Application of sewage sludge for environmental management of fly ashes landfill site affects chemical composition of plants. The aim of the present investigations was learning the effect of growing doses of municipal sewage sludge on the yield and uptake of Fe, Mn, Al, Si and Co by grass mixture used for environmental management of fly ashes landfill. The experimental design comprised of 5 objects differing by a dose of municipal sewage sludge supplied per 1 hectare: I. control, II. 25 t d.m., III. 50 t d.m., IV. 75 t d.m. and V. 100 t d.m. Application of sewage sludge resulted in the increase in yield. The content of analyzed elements in the grass mixture depended significantly on sewage sludge dose. Increasing doses of sewage sludge caused marked increase in Mn and Co contents, while they decreased Fe, Al and Si contents in the grass mixture. It was found that growing doses of sewage sludge caused an improvement of Fe to Mn ratio value in the grass mixture. Assessing the element content in the grass mixture in the view of forage value, it was found that Fe and Mn content did not meet the optimal value. Si content in plants was below the optimal value.

Factors Influencing Composting Poultry Waste

Organic recycling of waste, taking into account sanitary safety, should be a fundamental method for recovering the nutrients present in the waste for plants and organic matter. It also refers to by-products of animal origin, which are not intended for consumption by humans. In the present research , composting of hydrated poultry slaughterhouse waste with maize straw was carried out. A combination with fodder yeast and post-cellulose lime was also introduced, which modified chemical and physicochemical properties of the mixtures. The experiment was carried out by recording the biomass temperature for 110 days in 1.2×1.0×0.8 m reactors with perforated bottoms enabling active aeration. The following parameters were taken into consideration in the composted material: carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, respiratory activity, microorganisms, fractions of compost obtained after washing on sieves. Small amounts of fodder yeast favoured the development of microorganisms and caused a sanitary risk in the final product. At the initial stage, the temperature of raw compost in that object was several degrees lower than in the case of the composted mass without yeast addition. The addition of post-cellulose lime at ratios 6.5:1:6.5 (maize straw: poultry slaughterhouse waste: post-cellulose lime) caused a change in the time of microbiological activity, and led to its inhibition in the final process. In comparison to objects with poultry waste, the highest degree of hygienization was found in the compost with post-cellulose lime (with pH close to neutral). By adjusting the ratios of substrates we can influence the microbiological activity, but the amounts of individual substrates should be determined taking into account the quality of the obtained compost.

Assessment of the use of municipal and industrial wastes in agriculture

Assessment of the use of municipal and industrial wastes in agriculture Agricultural usability of urban and industrial wastes was investigated in 2004 - 2006 in a pot experiment carried out in the vegetation hall. In the first year of the experiment maize was the test plant, oat grass in the second and oat in the third. The experimental design comprised 11 treatments differing with fertilizer and the kind of the supplied fertilizer components. The experiment used: mineral salts, farmyard manure, compost, municipal sewage sludge and industrial sewage sludge in two fertilizer doses. Metal concentrations in the test plants were diminishing in the following direction: oat grass < maize < oat. The lowest concentrations of the analyzed heavy metals were assessed in the plants fertilized with farmyard manure and compost (Zn, Cu). Among the tested plants the highest quantities of Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb and Cd were removed with the yield of the oat grass, then maize and oat. The highest uptake of Zn, Cu, Ni and Pb by plants was registered on a double dose of industrial sludge and Cd on a single dose of municipal sludge.

Determination of lithium bioretention by maize under hydroponic conditions

Abstract Irrigation of cultivated plants can be a source of toxic lithium to plants. The data on the effect of lithium uptake on plants are scant, that is why a research was undertaken with the aim to determine maize ability to bioaccumulate lithium. The research was carried out under hydroponic conditions. The experimental design comprised 10 concentrations in solution differing with lithium concentrations in the aqueous solution (ranging from 0.0 to 256.0 mg Li ∙ dm-3 of the nutrient solution). The parameters based on which lithium bioretention by maize was determined were: the yield, lithium concentration in various plant parts, uptake and utilization of this element, tolerance index (TI) and translocation factor (TF), metal concentrations in the above-ground parts index (CI) and bioaccumulation factor (BAF). Depression in yielding of maize occurred only at the highest concentrations of lithium. Lithium concentration was the highest in the roots, lower in the stems and leaves, and the lowest in the inflorescences. The values of tolerance index and EC50 indicated that roots were the most resistant organs to lithium toxicity. The values of translocation factor were indicative of intensive export of lithium from the roots mostly to the stems. The higher uptake of lithium by the above-ground parts than by the roots, which primarily results from the higher yield of these parts of the plants, supports the idea of using maize for lithium phytoremediation.

The effect of municipal sewage sludge on the chemical composition of spring barley

Abstract Due to the fact that soils in Poland are mostly light soils, there is a need to improve their physical, chemical and biological properties. In addition, as a result of the decrease in the number of farm animals, a decrease in production of natural fertilizers can be observed. Low production of natural fertilizers speaks in favor of agricultural use of municipal sewage sludge in Poland. Municipal sewage sludge is composed of large quantities of macronutrients necessary for plants. This waste also contains significant amounts of organic substance. Chemical properties, including a high content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and often calcium, speak in favor of environmental use of municipal sewage sludge. Increasing requirements with respect to environmental protection cause the necessity to assess the effects of using organic waste for fertilization. In a farm located in the commune of Iwanowice (Małopolska province), municipal sewage sludge was applied under spring barley cultivation. The soil on which municipal sewage sludge was applied was classified into the category of heavy soils with neutral reaction. When assessing the content of available nutrients (P, K, Mg) in the soil, their low content was determined. After application of municipal sewage sludge in a dose of 24 Mg fresh matter per hectare, which corresponded to 5.34 Mg DM·ha−1, under spring barley, beneficial changes in chemical properties of the soil were observed. An increase in soil abundance in organic carbon and total nitrogen was observed, as well as an increase in the content of available forms of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Based on the results of the conducted chemical analyses, it was established that biomass of spring barley fertilized with sewage sludge contained more macronutrients (N, P, K, Na, Ca and Mg), which improved its feed value. The field experiment showed that application of municipal sewage sludge increased uptake of macronutrients by spring barley.

The effect of cellulose production waste and municipal sewage sludge on biomass and heavy metal uptake by a plant mixture

Environmental management of cellulose production waste and municipal sewage sludge appears to be substantiated due to various physicochemical properties of these wastes. The aim of the conducted research was to determine the effect of cellulose production waste and sewage sludge on yielding and heavy metal uptake by a plant mixture. The research was conducted under field experiment conditions, determining the fertilizer value of these wastes in the environmental aspect. The research was carried out in the years 2013–2016. Species composition of the plant mixture was adjusted to habitat conditions. It was established that, as compared with the cellulose production waste, the municipal sewage sludge used in the experiment had a higher content of macroelements. The content of heavy metals in the studied waste did not exceed the limits that condition their use in agriculture and reclamation. Applying only the cellulose production waste did not significantly decrease the yield of the plants. Municipal sewage sludge showed the highest yield-forming effect. Mixing the above-mentioned wastes and their application to soil had a significant effect on the increase in the plant mixture yield. The waste applied to soil also increased the content of Cr, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn in the plant mix. The level of heavy metal content in the plant mix did not exclude this biomass from being used for fodder or reclamation purposes. The cellulose production waste and municipal sewage sludge increased the heavy metal uptake by the plant mixture. The plant biomass extracted heavy metals from the sewage sludge more intensively than from the cellulose production waste. Among the analyzed heavy metals, the highest phytoremediation was recorded for Ni (30%), followed by Cd (20%), Cr (15%), Pb (10%), and the lowest for Cu (9%) and Zn (8%). Application of the cellulose production waste and sewage sludge to soil also increased the content of the studied heavy metals in soil. However, it did not cause deterioration of soil quality standards. Heterogeneity in the chemical composition of the wastes confirms that each batch intended to be used for environmental management should be subjected to chemical control.