Paweł Szarlip

Comparison of the dynamics of natural biodegradation of petrol and diesel oil in soil

AbstractContamination of soil with petroleum products is a major environmental problem. Therefore, one of the issues related to environmental protection is assessment of the ability of soil microbial populations to biodegrade petroleum-derived substances. The aim of the study was to compare the dynamics and fractionation of carbon isotopes during biodegradation of selected petroleum products (petrol and diesel) in soil characterised by optimal humidity for plants. The analyses were performed on soil material sampled from the arable layer of a fertile soil (chernozem) in central Poland. The soil samples were treated with two petroleum substances, i.e. unleaded 95-octane petrol and diesel fuel. The dynamics of changes was assessed by monitoring carbon dioxide content and oxygen content in the headspace over the soil surface. Additionally, the ratio of δ13C carbon isotopes was measured in the substrates added (petrol and diesel) and in CO2 emitted to the atmosphere. In summary, it should be concluded that th...

Symbiotic Activity of Pea (Pisum sativum) after Application of Nod Factors under Field Conditions

Growth and symbiotic activity of legumes are mediated by Nod factors (LCO, lipo-chitooligosaccharides). To assess the effects of application of Nod factors on symbiotic activity and yield of pea, a two-year field experiment was conducted on a Haplic Luvisol developed from loess. Nod factors were isolated from Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae strain GR09. Pea seeds were treated with the Nod factors (10−11 M) or water (control) before planting. Symbiotic activity was evaluated by measurements of nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction assay), nodule number and mass, and top growth by shoot mass, leaf area, and seed and protein yield. Nod factors generally improved pea yield and nitrogenase activity in the relatively dry growing season 2012, but not in the wet growing season in 2013 due to different weather conditions.

Effect of Long Storage and Soil Type on the Actual Denitrification and Denitrification Capacity to N2O Formation

Abstract The actual denitrification to N2O and denitri-fication capacity to N2O after flooding of different soil samples stored for over 25 years in air-dry conditions and fresh, air dried samples were compared in our study. Zero N2O release was observed from the stored soils but the fresh soil samples had very low actual denitrification to N2O. NO3- addition significantly increased the amount of N2O (denitrification capacity to N2O) released after flooding, which depended on the length of storage and type of soils and was much higher in stored soils. Prolonged exposure of the soils to drought conditions caused a greater decrease in the Eh value compared with the fresh soil. The total cumulative release of N2O from the stored and fresh soils was correlated with the reduced NO3- and organic C content in soils enriched with NO3-. Some soils showed the capability of N2O consumption. CO2 release depended on the length of storage and type of soils under flooding after pro-longed drought. On average, CO2 release was higher from the stored rather than fresh soils. The organic C content in the stored soils was generally lower than in the fresh soils, probably due to the storage effect. The cumulative CO2 release from the stored soils was well correlated with the organic C while no correlation was observed for the fresh soil samples.

Changes of isotopic composition in gases emitted from wastewater treatment plant - preliminary study

Abstract Investigations of processes occurring during wastewater treatment have progressed beyond the stage of technology. Currently, great numbers of representatives of diverse specialist research apply increasingly sophisticated measurement methods that have not been employed in this field of science. One of the methods is IRMS (Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry). Tracking changes in the ratios of biogenic element isotopes is useful in eg identification and monitoring of investigated processes. Since the IRMS technique has hardly been used for investigations of the wastewater treatment process, pilot research should be instigated to determine the isotope ratios occurring naturally in the process. The aim of the study was to determine changes in carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios at the successive stages of the technological line in wastewater treatment plants. The study material comprised: i) suspensions of raw sewage and mixtures of wastewater and activated sludge; ii) gases sampled from the volume of the suspensions; iii) gases sampled from the air above the suspension surface. The research material originated from the facilities of “Hajdow” municipal wastewater treatment plant in Lublin (SE Poland). The samples were analysed for the carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios, and the concentrations of the gases as well as total organic carbon (TOC), inorganic carbon (IC), Kjeldahl nitrogen (KN), dry weight, pH, and Eh were determined. The results obtained suggest that: i) the IRMS technique can be successfully applied in investigations of processes occurring during wastewater treatment; ii) isotope ratios in the carbon and nitrogen compounds (CO2 and N2) both in the suspensions and gases contained therein and in the air above them differ from each other and change at the different stages of the treatment process; iii) further research is indispensable in order to identify processes responsible for fractionation of carbon and nitrogen isotopes.

Biological parameters in technogenic soils of a former sulphur mine

Abstract This study was conducted on the soils originating from a reclamation area of the former sulphur mine in Tarnobrzeg, Poland. Soil was sampled 16 years after the completion of mining works with the open-pit method at Machów, as well as 7 years after sulphur mining via the ‘smelting’ method in the Jeziórko mine was abandoned. Several biological parameters were examined: soil respiration, soil microbial biomass and the activity of rhodanese and arylsulphatase enzymes taking part in sulphur transformation within the site’s soils. The soils showed a high total sulphur and sulphates content. The SO42- constituted a large fraction of total sulphur, in some cases, exceeding 80% or even 95% of total sulphur. The soil pH decreased due to the degrading effects of sulphur mining. In the soils studied from the locations with the lowest soil pH value, no activity of arylsulphatase was reported and the activity of rhodanese was lowest. The highest soil respiration values were recorded from the 0-5 cm layer in the areas covered with forest vegetation. A high soil respiration value at the waste heap at Machów wherein a very high concentration of Stot and SO42- was observed can be due to the ability of fungi to produce hyphal strands and to survive unfavourable conditions.