Piotr Bartmiński

Chemical and ecotoxicological evaluation of biochar produced from residues of biogas production

Analyses were carried out for biochars produced at three temperatures of pyrolysis (400, 600 and 800°C) from solid residue from biogas production (RBP). Separated and non-separated RBP from biogas plants employing different biogas production conditions were pyrolyzed. The contents of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (16 PAH US EPA) were analyzed in biochars. The analyses showed that with an increased pyrolysis temperature, there was an increase in the contents of PAHs and of certain heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Cd, Pb and Mn). In the ecotoxicological tests, it was noted that the effect depended on the temperature of pyrolysis and on the feedstock from which the biochar was produced. The least harmful effect on the test organisms was from biochar produced by separated RBP in a biogas plant operating in mesophilic conditions. The most negative effect on the test organisms was characteristic of biochar produced from non-separated mesophilic RBP. This study shows that the main factors determining the level of toxicity of biochars produced from RBP towards various living organisms are both the method of feedstock production and the temperature at which the process of pyrolysis is conducted.

Ecotoxicological assessment of residues from different biogas production plants used as fertilizer for soil.

Residues from biogas production (RBP) are a relatively new materials, which may be an interesting resource for the improvement of soil fertility. Nevertheless, in spite of the potential benefits from the agricultural utilization of RBP, there is a need of comprehensive estimation of their toxicity. This information is needed to exclude potential negative environmental impacts arising from the use of RBP. Samples of RBP obtained from six biogas production plants with varied biogas production methods were analysed. The samples with and without separation on solid and liquid phases were investigated. The physicochemical properties of the RBP, heavy metals content (Cr, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb i Zn) and toxicity on bacteria (Vibrio fischeri, MARA test - 11 different strains), collembolans (Folsomia candida) and two plant species (Lepidium sativum and Sinapis alba) was investigated. Toxicity of RBP was examined using Phytotoxkit F (root growth inhibition), collembolan test (mortality, inhibition of reproduction), Microtox® (inhibition of the luminescence of V. fischeri) and MARA test (growth of microorganisms). An especially negative effect on the tested organisms whereas was noted for the liquid phase after separation. In many cases, RBP without separation also showed unfavourable effects on the tested organisms. Liquid phase after separation and non-separated materials caused inhibition of root growth of L. sativum and S. alba at the level of 17.42-100% and 30.5-100%, respectively, as well as the inhibition of reproduction of F. candida with the range from 68.89 to 100%. In most cases, no ecotoxicological effect was observed for solid phase after separation for tested organisms. The solid phase after separation presented the most favorable properties between all investigated RBP. Therefore, it can be a potential material for the improvement of soil properties and for later use in agriculture.

Water conductivity of arctic zone soils (Spitsbergen)

Abstract The water conductivity of arctic zone soils derived in different micro-relief forms was determined. The greatest water conductivity at the 0-5 cm depth for the higher values of water potentials (> -7 kJ m-3) was shown by tundra polygons (Brunic-Turbic Cryosol, Arenic) - 904-0.09 cm day-1, whereas the lowest were exhibited by Turbic Cryosols - 95-0.05 cm day-1. Between -16 and -100 kJ m-3, the water conductivity for tundra polygons rapidly decreased to 0.0001 cm day-1, whereas their decrease for the other forms was much lower and in consequence the values were 0.007, 0.04, and 0.01 cm day-1 for the mud boils (Turbic Cryosol (Siltic, Skeletic)), cell forms (Turbic Cryosol (Siltic, Skeletic)), and sorted circles (Turbic Cryosol (Skeletic)), respectively. In the 10-15 cm layer, the shape of water conductivity curves for the higher values of water potentials is nearly the same as for the upper layer. Similarly, the water conductivity is the highest - 0.2 cm day-1 for tundra polygons. For the lower water potentials, the differences in water conductivity increase to the decrease of soil water potential. At the lowest potential the water conductivity is the highest for sorted circles - 0.02 cm day-1 and the lowest in tundra polygons - 0.00002 cm day-1.

Water retention of arctic zone soils (Spitsbergen)

Abstract The water retention characteristics of the arctic zone soils ((TurbicCryosol (Skeletic), TurbicCryosols (Siltic, Skeletic) and BrunicTurbicCryosol (Arenic)) derived in different micro-relief forms were determined. Water retention curves were similar in their course for the mud boils, cell forms, and sorted circles ie for TurbicCryosols. For these forms, the mud boils showed the highest water retention ability, whereas the sorted circles - the lowest one. Water retention curves for the tundra polygons (Brunic TurbicCryosol, Arenic) were substantially different from these mentioned above. The tundra polygons were characterized by the lowest bulk density of 1.26 g cm-3, whereas the sorted circles (TurbicCryosol, Skeletic) - the highest: 1.88 g cm-3. Total porosity was the highest for the tundra polygons (52.4 and 55.5%) and the lowest - for the sorted circles (28.8 and 26.2%). Pore size distribution of the investigated soils showed that independently of depths, the highest content of large and medium pores was noticed for the tundra polygons ie 21.2-24.2 and 19.9-18.7%, respectively. The lowest content of large pores was observed for the cell forms (6.4-5.9%) whereas the mud boils exhibited the lowest amount of medium sized pores (12.2-10.4%) (both TurbicCryosols Siltic, Skeletic). The highest content of small pores was detected in the mud boils - 20.4 and 19.0%.

The Influence of Seabirds on the Concentration of Selected Heavy Metals in Organic Soil on the Bellsund Coast, Western Spitsbergen

ABSTRACT Seabirds are an important factor affecting the chemical properties of the arctic soil environment. The objective of this work was to study the differences in content and distribution of heavy metals in organic soils resulting from the differential influence of seabirds. Studies were conducted in two stations in the southwest part of Spitsbergen—the first without the influence of seabirds and the second directly affected by an avian colony. Basic properties of soils as well as total content of Ca, Na, Mg, K, Fe, Al, Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn, Pb, Cd, Co, and Cr were determined. Reference was made to the previously published contents of different forms of phosphorus (P) for these locations. The studies showed that Zn, Mn, Cu, and Cd contents were higher in the soils that had been in the vicinity of the seabird colony. High statistically positive correlations of Cd, Cu, and Zn were noted with particular P forms. In the case of Pb, Cr, Co, and Ni content, the seabird influence was not dominant; probably other factors were more relevant (the processes of weathering, denudation, leaching, and atmospheric pollutants transported in the form of dust or gases). Clear segregation was observed of individual positions conditioned by selected soil features and by heavy metals content.

Hydrophysical characteristics of selected soils from arctic and temperate zones

Abstract Hydrophysical characteristics of arctic and temperate zones soils were determined. The soils from the temperate zone showed a greater capability of water retention than those from the arctic zone. In both investigated depths (surface and subsurface layers), the highest water content was observed for the Sądecki Regosol, and the lowest one for Turbic Cryosol formed in the cell forms from Spitsbergen at all soil water potentials. The differences between water content for these soils at the same soil water potentials varied between 20 and 25% vol. in the surface layer, and from 19 to 22% vol. in the subsurface, respectively. The lowest differences (2.7-5.0% vol.) in water content were noticed between the Wyspowy Regosol and Turbic Cryosol (Skeletic) derived in the sorted circles. In both depths, higher values of water conductivity were observed for Regosols than for Cryosols at high soil water potentials, from -0.1 till -7 kJ m-3. These differences were especially high at -0.1 kJ m-3 and they were three or four times higher for soils from the temperate zone than from the arctic ones. For lower water potentials, the differences in water conductivity do not exceed one order in the surface layer and two orders in the subsurface.

Land-use impact on selected forms of arsenic and phosphorus in soils of different functions

Abstract The aim of the study was to assess the impact of technosols and geomechanically unchanged soils of the Lublin agglomeration on the concentrations of arsenic and phosphorus, and on selected forms of these elements. Arsenic and phosphorus concentrations were determined in the urban soils of Lublin (Poland), and the relationship between their degree of contamination and different types of land use was estimated. The samples collected were subjected to sequential analysis, using ammonium sulphate, acid ammonium phosphate, oxalate buffer (also with ascorbic acid) and aqua regia for arsenic, and ammonium chloride, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid and aqua regia for phosphorus. The influence of the land use forms was observed in the study. The greatest amount of arsenic (19.62 mg kg−1) was found in the industrial soils of Lublin, while the greatest amount of phosphorus (580.4 mg kg−1) was observed in non-anthropogenic soils (mainly due to the natural accumulation processes of this element). Fractions of arsenic and phosphorus obtained during analysis showed strong differentiation. Amorphic and crystalline fractions of arsenic, bound with iron oxides, proved to have the highest share in the total arsenic pool. The same situation was noted for phosphorus.