Maria Wacławek

Sorption properties of algae Spirogyra sp. and their use for determination of heavy metal ions concentrations in surface water

Kinetics of heavy-metal ions sorption by alga Spirogyra sp. was evaluated experimentally in the laboratory, using both the static and the dynamic approach. The metal ions--Mn(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+) and Cd(2+)--were sorbed from aqueous solutions of their salts. The static experiments showed that the sorption equilibria were attained in 30 min, with 90-95% of metal ions sorbed in first 10 min of each process. The sorption equilibria were approximated with the Langmuir isotherm model. The algae sorbed each heavy metal ions proportionally to the amount of this metal ions in solution. The experiments confirmed that after 30 min of exposition to contaminated water, the concentration of heavy metal ions in the algae, which initially contained small amounts of these metal ions, increased proportionally to the concentration of metal ions in solution. The presented results can be used for elaboration of a method for classification of surface waters that complies with the legal regulations.

Sorption of copper(II) ions in the biomass of alga Spirogyra sp.

Sorption of copper ions by the alga Spirogyra sp. was investigated to determine the influence of experimental conditions and the methods of sample preparation on the process. The experiments were carried out both under the static and the dynamic conditions. Kinetics and equilibrium parameters of the sorption were evaluated. In addition, the influence was studied of the algae preparation methods on the conductivity of demineralized water in which the algae samples were immersed. The static experiments showed that the sorption of Cu(2+) ions reached equilibrium in about 30 min, with approximately 90% of the ions adsorbed in the initial 15 min. The sorption capacity determined from the Langmuir isotherms appeared highly uncertain (SD=±0.027 mg/g dry mass or ±11%, for the live algae). Under static conditions, the slopes of the Langmuir isotherms depended on the ratio of the alga mass to the volume of solution. The conductometric measurements were proven to be a simple and fast way to evaluate the quality of algae used for the experiments.

Use of Lichen and Moss in Assessment of Forest Contamination with Heavy Metals in Praded and Glacensis Euroregions (Poland and Czech Republic)

The concentrations of selected metals—Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb—were determined in the samples of Hypogymnia physodes lichen and Pleurozium schreberi moss collected in Polish and Czech Euroregions Praded and Glacensis. More specifically, the samples were collected in Bory Stobrawskie, Bory Niemodlińskie, and Kotlina Kłodzka (Poland) and in Jeseniki (Czech Republic). The concentration of metals in the samples was measured using the atomic absorption spectrometry (flame AAS technique and electrothermal atomization AAS technique). The results were used to calculate the comparison factor (CF) that quantifies the difference in concentration of a given bioavailable analyte × accumulated in lichens and mosses: CF = 2 (cx,lichen − cx,moss) (cx,lichen + cx,moss)−1. The values of CF greater than 0.62 indicate the most probable location of heavy metals deposited in the considered area. In this work, the method was used to show a significant contribution of urban emissions to the deposition of heavy metals in the area of Bory Stobrawskie and in the vicinity of Kłodzko City.

Mechanisms for Translocation of Heavy Metals from Soil to Epigeal Mosses

The mechanisms for translocation of heavy metals from soil to epigeal mosses were investigated. The first mechanism was demonstrated for 137Cs and involved the uplifting of the pollutant-containing dust from the soil, followed by the local secondary deposition on surfaces of epigeal mosses and epiphytic lichens. The second mechanism involved the diffusion of metal cations from the soil through water wetting the moss into the gametophyte. The mechanism was demonstrated by measuring the electric conductance of wetted gametophytes with single ends immersed in solutions of Cu and Na salts. In addition, the concentrations of Cu and Cd were compared in moss samples exposed to the natural soil and to the soil contaminated with the metals. The exposition to the contaminated soil resulted in the statistically significant increase of metal concentrations in the gametophytes.

Quantitative relations between different concentrations of micro- and macroelements in mosses and lichens: the region of Opole (Poland) as an environmental interface in between Eastern and Western Europe.

We examined the concentration of selected metals: Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb, as well as activity of 137Cs in samples of moss and lichen, collected in the area surrounding Bory Stobrawskie, a wood complex situated in southern Poland. The concentration of metals was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The activity of 137Cs was determined by gamma spectrometry. We used these results, as well as results published in the literature, to determine the correlation between the concentration of analytes in lichens and in mosses. The analysis of the function ln(cx,moss) = lna + bln(cx,lichen) indicated with high degree of certainty that the concentration levels of analytes accumulated in lichens and mosses were comparable, while their difference, expressed as crelat. = 2 (cx,lichen − cx,moss) (cx,lichen + cx,moss)−1, could indicate the origins of the analytes. The relations, presented here for the first time, can find application in biomonitoring.

Algae utilization in assessment of the large Turawa Lake (Poland) pollution with heavy metals

This investigation was undertaken to determine the applicability of algae for the assessment of contamination level of water reservoirs with heavy metals. The alga Spirogyra sp. collected in the littoral zone of the Large Turawa Lake (artificial lake in Southern Poland) was used for the study. The concentrations of heavy metals accumulated in the alga inhabiting a flow-through water basin of the Large Turawa Lake were found to correlate with sources of these metals, such as benthic sediments and contaminated watercourses. The highest concentrations of metals were found in alga samples collected at the outlet of the lake: c Mn = 12330 mg/kg dry mass, c Fe = 15059 mg/kg d.m., c Cu = 47.5 mg/kg d.m., c Zn = 1411 mg/kg d.m., c Cd = 108.8 mg/kg d.m., and c Pb = 684 mg/kg d.m. The metals originated from benthic sediments (sapropelic mud) deposited close to the outlet of the lake. Statistically significant differences in the concentrations of cadmium accumulated in the alga were found between samples from the sites, where cadmium occurred in sandy sediments (max. 27.6 mg/kg d.m.), and samples from the sites located far from the contaminated sediments (max. 12.8 mg/kg d.m.).

Illustration of constrained composition statistical methods in the interpretation of radionuclide concentrations in the moss Pleurozium schreberi

In this work we have used moss Pleurozium schreberi as a bioindicator of radioactive materials in environment. The following radionuclides were determined in moss samples: (137)Cs, (40)K, (210)Pb, (212)Pb, (214)Pb, (214)Bi, (231)Th, (235)U and (228)Ac, but not all of them in each sample. The highest activity concentrations were found for naturally occurring (210)Pb, (40)K and the artificial isotope (137)Cs. Activities of radioisotopes were recalculated into mass concentrations and the statistical methods intended for constrained data processing were used. Analysis of our results showed at most a weak relationship between radioisotope mass concentrations in moss. It was supposed that concentrations of some elements depended on the same, currently unknown, factors.

The Use of Water Plants in Biomonitoring And Phytoremediation of Waters Polluted with Heavy Metals

Abstract The publication is a synthetic review of many years of research on the possibility of using water plants (macrophytes) to assess pollution of surface waters and the possibility of using the biomass in phytoremediation processes. The results of the research of kinetics and equilibria of heavy metals sorption and desorption conditions were presented in order to repeatedly use the biomass, as well as the research on the influence of abiotic factors on sorption processes. Defence mechanisms of macrophytes, which enable them to vegetate in considerably polluted waters, have been discussed. The results presented herein and carried out in many countries demonstrate that macrophytes can be successfully used in the biomonitoring of water environments and phytoremediation of waters and sewage; however, validation of these procedures requires more detailed research of the mechanisms, which accompany them. Abstrakt Publikacja jest syntetycznym przeglądem prowadzonych od wielu lat badań, dotyczących możliwości zastosowania roślin wodnych (makrofitów) do oceny zanieczyszczenia wód powierzchniowych oraz możliwości wykorzystania ich biomasy w procesach fitoremediacji. Przedstawiono wyniki badań dotyczących kinetyki i równowag sorpcji metali ciężkich, warunków desorpcji, w celu wielokrotnego wykorzystania biomasy, oraz badań dotyczących wpływu czynników abiotycznych na procesy sorpcji. Omówiono mechanizmy obronne makrofitów, umożliwiające im wegetację w wodach o znacznym zanieczyszczeniu. Zaprezentowane wyniki badań, prowadzonych w wielu krajach świata, wskazują, że makrofity mogą być w przyszłości z powodzeniem wykorzystywane w biomonitoringu środowiska wodnego oraz w fitoremediacji wód i ścieków, przy czym walidacja procedur wymaga dokładniejszego poznania mechanizmów, jakie towarzyszą tym procesom.

Analysis of Solar Energy Resources in Southern Poland for Photovoltaic Applications / Analiza Struktury Zasobów Energii Słonecznej Obszaru Polski Południowej Do Zastosowań Fotowoltaicznych

Abstract The article presents an analysis of the resources and the structure of the solar energy in the area of Southern Poland on the basis of complete meteorological data from the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow in 2009. An analysis attempt of its use for photovoltaic conversion using different modules with different spectral characteristics of absorbers was made. These latest methods for characterizing the structure of solar energy resources such as: distributions throughout the year: sky clearness or cloudiness indexes, the average values of photon energy (APE) and the contents of the useful fraction (UF) of the solar spectrum, are not yet widely known and used as in Poland and in other EU countries, despite the fact that most accurately determine the spectral matching factor for the chosen photovoltaic module. Due to the need for a very expensive measuring equipment, are used only by a few laboratories in the European Union, such as CREST (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology) in the UK. The article presents - developed and used in the Opole University - a new low-cost method for determining of the spectrum with the use of above-mentioned indexes, including APE and UF, without buying an expensive spectroradiometer, which gives comparable results. Abstrakt W artykule przedstawiono analizę zasobów oraz struktury energii słonecznej obszaru Polski Południowej na podstawie pełnych danych meteorologicznych pochodzących z Akademii Górniczo-Hutniczej z Krakowa z 2009 r. Podjęto próbę dokonania analizy jego wykorzystania do celów konwersji fotowoltaicznej z wykorzystaniem różnych modułów o różnych charakterystykach spektralnych absorberów. Opisane najnowsze metody charakteryzujące strukturę zasobów energii słonecznej, takie jak rozkłady na przestrzeni całego roku: indeksów czystości nieba lub indeksów zachmurzenia, średnich wartości energii fotonów (APE) oraz zawartość użytecznych frakcji widma promieniowania słonecznego (UF), nie są jeszcze powszechnie znane i stosowane tak w Polsce, jak i w innych krajach UE, mimo że najtrafniej określają dopasowanie czynnika spektralnego do wybranego modułu fotowoltaicznego. Ze względu na konieczność posiadania bardzo drogiej aparatury pomiarowej są stosowane tylko przez nieliczne laboratoria w Unii Europejskiej, takie jak np. CREST (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology) w Wielkiej Brytanii. W artykule zaprezentowano opracowaną i stosowaną w Uniwersytecie Opolskim nową i tanią metodę określania dopasowania widma z użyciem wskaźników, m.in. APE oraz UF, bez konieczności posiadania drogiego spektroradiometru, która daje porównywalne wyniki pomiarowe

Pb-210 Isotope as a Pollutant Emission Indicator / Izotop Pb-210 Jako Znacznik Emisji Zanieczyszczeń

Abstract Passive biomonitoring using 210Pb was used in the paper to evaluate pollutant deposition. Well-developed epiphytic foliose lichens Hypogymnia physodes growing on spruce branches were used in the studies. The samples of mosses Pleurozium schreberi and soil (raw humus) were collected from the area around the tree from which the samples of lichens were collected. The studies have shown that it is possible to identify dust emission sources using a radioactive lead isotope (210Pb). The highest activity of 210Pb was observed in areas with increased deposition of other pollutants, such as Ni, Cd, Cu and Pb, which may indicate that 210Pb is one of the emission components Abstrakt W pracy zastosowano biomonitoring pasywny, z wykorzystaniem 210Pb, do oceny depozycji zanieczyszczeń. Do badań wykorzystano dobrze wykształcone epifityczne porosty listkowate Hypogymnia physodes, porastające gałęzie świerka. Wokół drzewa, z którego pobrano próbki porostów, pobierano próbki mchów Pleurozium schreberi oraz gleby - próchnicy nadkładowej. W prowadzonych badaniach stwierdzono, że możliwa jest identyfikacja źródeł emisji pyłu przy wykorzystaniu radioaktywnego izotopu ołowiu - 210Pb. Największe aktywności 210Pb zaobserwowano na terenach o zwiększonej depozycji innych zanieczyszczeń, np. Ni, Cd, Cu i Pb, co może wskazywać, że 210Pb jest jednym z komponentów emisji