Paweł Jezierski

The pools of soil organic carbon accumulated in the surface layers of forest soils in the Karkonosze Mountains, SW Poland

Abstract Differentiation of soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations and pools in topsoil horizons of forest soils in the Karkonosze Mountains was examined in relation to environmental and human-induced factors, with special focus on altitudinal gradient, related climatic conditions, and a zonality of vegetation. The samples were collected from the forest litter and soil layers 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm, in 621 plots arranged in a regular network of monitoring established in the Karkonosze National Park. The concentrations of SOC were determined in laboratory and used for calculation of SOC pools. Four elevation zones were distinguished for analysis: 500–750 m, 750–1000 m, 1000–1250 m, and >1250 m. The concentrations of SOC in forest litter (38.3–44.1%) showed an insignificant increasing trend with altitude. The concentrations of SOC in the layers 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm, were in a very broad range 0.27–47.6%, thus indicating a high differentiation, and also tended to insignificantly increase along with altitude. The largest share of accumulated SOC pools was proved to be present in the layer 0–10 cm, except for the highest zone >1250 m in which forest litter contains slightly larger amounts of SOC. The pools of SOC accumulated in the 20 cm thick topsoil and forest litter turned out to vary considerably (3.6–58.2 kg·m−2), but the mean values and medians in particular elevation zones fall in a narrow range 10.5–11.9 kg·m−2, close to the values reported from the Alps. The lack of statistical significance of reported tendencies was explained by a monitoring sites-oriented random soil sampling, i.e. in forest stands of various age, species-composition and degradation degree.

Tailings Impoundments of Polish Copper Mining Industry—Environmental Effects, Risk Assessment and Reclamation

Abstract KGHM Polska Miedź, one of the major world copper mining and processing companies, produces c.30 million m3 of tailings yearly, stored currently in the facility Żelazny Most, the largest European tailings impoundment. Formerly, tailings were disposed in six smaller impoundments that operated in two parts of the Polish Copper Basin: the Old District and LGOM. This chapter presents the main impacts exerted by these facilities on the environment, including a changed landscape, hydrotechnical hazard associated with possible dam failure, adverse effects on natural waters and soils caused by seepage of technological water from the impoundments and pipelines, dust dispersion and associated air, soil and crop contamination, and water erosion on dam slopes. Contrasting effects obtained hitherto in reclamation and revegetation of impoundments are described in the light of legislative, technological and biological factors. The most successful technologies and crucial impediments of revegetation are presented and discussed.

Arsenic Content in Arable Land of the Ząbkowice District

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the content of arsenic in soils used for agriculture in the Ząbkowicki district. The content of arsenic in collected soil samples ranged 1.1-569.5 mg·kg-1. The standard for arable lands of Group B has been exceeded in 24 out of 231 test points. The highest concentrations occurred in the Złoty Stok commune. This is due to the output of arsenic and gold in this area. Exceeding the standard also occurred in neighboring communes: Kamieniec Ząbkowicki and Ziębice. This is due to the blowing and washing pollutions form the source of contamination, the arsenic mines in the Złoty Stok commune.

Comparison of Total Content of Zinc and Arsenic in Soils of Średzka Upland and Wrocław Ice-Marginal Valley

Abstract The aim of this study was to demonstrate that alluvial sediments of Wrocław ice-marginal Valley are characterized by higher con-centrations of metallic elements in relation to the adjacent areas of different soil cover genesis. Studies of zinc and arsenic content in soils were carried out in six municipalities of Średzki district. A total of 117 soil samples from arable land was collected: 80 from Średzka Upland and 37 from Wrocław ice-marginal Valley The process of accumulation of heavy metals in alluvial sediments in the Wocław ice-marginal Valley is so effective that, despite the heavier grain size composition of the soil cover immediately adjacent to Średzka Upland, zinc and arsenic concentrations are higher in the alluvial soils.