Jakub Kostecki

Vertical electrical resistivity sounding (VERS) of tundra and forest tundra soils of Yamal region

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine electrical resistivity peculiarities of tundra and forest tundra soils and soil-permafrost layers of the Yamal region. Measurements of electrical resistivity of soil and permafrost strata were performed with a portable device LandMapper (to a depth of 300-500 cm). These measurements allow determination of the values of apparent electrical resistivity of soils and permafrost at different depths and determination of the depths of the permafrost table on each key plot. It was found that there are several trends in vertical distribution of apparent electrical resistivity values. The first trend is a monotonous increase in electrical resistivity values to the depth. It may be explained by the increasing electrical resistivity within the soil depth in relation to the increase in permafrost density. The second trend is a sharp decrease replaced by a gradual increase in electrical resistivity values caused by changing of non-frozen friable debris to frozen massive crystalline rock. These differences were related to the type of landscape: flat lowlands composed of friable grounds underlain by permafrost or friable grounds with permafrost underlain by a rock crystalline layer.

The Analysis of the Degree of Flood Risk in the Middle Bobr Valley

Abstract This paper presents the impact of rainfall on the degree of flood risk in the basin of the middle Bobr River in western Poland. When the average rainfall level reaches 15 to 20 mm, this apparently calm river may dramatically change its character within just one week. The most important flood risks are flood waves in the headwaters. Because of the mountain character of the river basin, during intensive rainfall there is a huge surface runoff and the water level rises rapidly in the river. This phenomenon was observed in June 2017 in the town of Zagan (Lubuskie Voivodeship). It has been shown that the course and dynamics of hydrological processes occurring in the Bobr River basin depend on its physical and geographical characteristics and the influence of anthropogenic factors. The location is one of the main cause of numerous floods for Zagan, on the other hand changes in land development plays significant meaning in flood hazards. Continuous monitoring of the river is the basis for a comprehensive forecast of flood risks.

Flood Protection on the Odra River in the Segment Between Nowa Sól and Cigacice

Abstract Existing river valley development methods which have been used for a significant period of time, as well as the use of land for construction of residential developments, have led to negative consequences for the environment. The agricultural use of land and its protection with hydraulic structures has restricted the natural flood area of the river. According to EU law, the risk of catastrophic flooding should be reduced, and its effects minimized. Sustainable water management determines the effectiveness of flood protection in the whole river basin. The paper presents the flood protection on the Odra River in the segment between Nowa Sól and Cigacice, with special emphasis on the possibility of reconstructing the former flood polders in the Middle Odra Region that existed before the year 1945, including the polder in Milsko.

Anthropogenic Materials as Bedrock of Urban Technosols

Technogenic materials are common in SUITMA’s and may cause significant changes in the properties of soils covering urban areas. Investigations showing the diversification of properties of these materials to consider their role as a bedrock of Technosols are of interest of soil scientists and urban planners. The research was carried out in Zielona Gora urban area (western Poland). The technogenic materials were collected from anthropogenic deposits building layers 0–20(40) cm of the urban Technosols. A high content of technogenic materials deposited in urban Technosols is frequently occurred and expected situation. Many of the analysed materials have a high chemical reactivity, which can induce significant changes in the properties of urban soils, mainly in terms of pH, the content of CaCO3, carbon and EC. Some materials like slags, ashes and sewage sludges contain significant quantities of Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn. The diversification of artefacts should be reflected in the soil classification system, especially when boundary conditions are specified for inclusion of soils into the Technosol group.

Influence of Technic Surfaces on the Selected Properties of Ekranic Technosols

Soil sealing is the most common type of soil degradation in the urban areas. Soil under the different pavement and road covers shows many important disturbances in the exchange of matter and energy between the biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, what is leading to further disorders. Many important differences between the Ekranic Technosols behaviour are connected with the tightness of technic surface. As usual a diversification between soil properties under the complete (e.g. asphalt roads) and non-complete sealing (pavement bricks) is observed. The paper presents the physico-chemical properties of Ekranic Technosols overhung under bitumen surface, concrete slabs and concrete paving stones. The effect of top layers compaction is visible in all cases, especially in the bulk density, total porosity and capillary water capacity. The pH of the soils was different belonging on soil material and land preparation technique. The top layers of the tested soils can be characterized by the low content of organic carbon. The technogenic layers located directly under the sealed surface showed a lower content of some heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) than the layers below. However, in some cases the opposite situation can be seen. There were no significant differences in the content of trace elements under different technic surfaces.

The Influence of Technical Infrastructure on the Roundabout Areas Development

Abstract The article presents the analysis of roundabouts design aspects including the location of underground and overground infrastructure. Authors also undertake an attempt to assess the existing situation with planning conditions. Many differences depended on the roundabout size, location, surroundings, natural conditions, landform technology used were noted. Roundabouts design should include both the natural arrangements and art installations, increasing the area of urban green areas in parallel using the area as a place for works of art exposure. For Zielona Góra urban area this is of particular importance because of the multitude of roundabouts and their good position in the city structure.

Spatial distribution of heavy metals in the topsoil on roundabouts in Zielona Góra, Poland

Abstract In most cases, traffic pollution deposition is linear with regularities in its distribution in transect routes (canyon-type effect). The aim of this study is to identify different characteristics of heavy metal deposition on large roundabouts, which are open spaces atypical in terms of the characteristics of the air mass flow along road lanes. The study was conducted on four large roundabouts in Zielona Góra. The content of the selected elements in the tested soils was: Cd 0.54–1.22 mg·kg−1 d.m., Cu 3.60–29.3 mg·kg−1 d.m., Cr 2.17–4.63 mg·kg−1 d.m., Zn 26.6–89.9 mg·kg−1 d.m., Pb 10.9–75.4 mg·kg−1 d.m. The geo-accumulation index was also calculated. The threshold values for communication areas were not exceeded, and the content of the elements was generally comparable between the roundabouts. However, we found some differences within particular roundabouts.

Chemical Soil Degradation n the Area of the Głogów Copper Smelter Protective Forest/ Degradacja Ziemi Na Terenach Byłej Strefy Ochronnej Huty Miedzi Głogów

Abstract Earth surface is under the continous influence of the environmental factors - both natural and anthropogenic. The significant impact on the environment can be noted in areas adjacent to the metal industry plants, in a consequence of pollutants emission, especially dusts containing the heavy metals, into the atmosphere,. In the surroundings of Głogów Copper Smelter (GCS) elevated amounts of copper and lead has been noted. In the soils of the test sites were found up to 5250 mg・kg-1 Cu and 1290 mg・kg-1 Pb. The forest litter contained 3.3-5.1 more Cu and 3.9-8.6 Pb than the humic horizon of the soil. Analyse of the different soils covering the GCS protective forest area let specify the stabilising role of particle size distribution, TOC content and the soil reaction to Cu and Pb migration in the environment. Streszczenie Powierzchnia ziemi jest nieustannnie narażona na oddziaływania o charakterze naturalnym i antropogenicznym. Znaczące oddziaływanie jest łatwo zauważalne na terenach przemysłowych. Szczególnie na obszarach objętych wydobyciem i przeróbką metali. Na terenach przyległych do Huty Miedzi Głogów stwierdzono wysoką koncentrację miedzi i ołowiu sięgającą 5250 mg・kg-1 Cu i 1290 mg・kg-1 Pb. Poziom ściółki leśnej zawierał 3,3-5,1 raza więcej Cu i 3,9-8,6 Pb niż poziom próchniczny analizowanych gleb. Analiza różnych gleb pokrywających las ochronny HMG pozwoliła wskazać na znaczącą rolę składu granulometrycznego, zawartości węgla organicznego oraz odczynu na stabilizację migracji Cu i Pb w środowisku.