Piotr Kraska

Persistence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in biochar-amended soil

In the present study the persistence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) applied with biochar to acidic soil (loamy sand) was studied in two and half year field experiment. An experiment was carried out in three experimental plots (15 m(2) each). The biochar was introduced in the following doses: soil without fertilization - control (C-BC00), soil with 30 t ha(-1) (B-BC30) and soil with 45 t ha(-1) (A-BC45) of biochar. Biochar addition to soils resulted in an increase in the PAHs content from 0.239 μg g(-1) in control soil to 0.526 μg g(-1) and 1.310 μg g(-1) in 30 and 45 t ha(-1) biochar-amended soil respectively. However during the experimental period the PAHs content decreased to a level characteristic for the control soil. The highest losses of PAHs were observed during the first 105 days of the experiment. Three and four rings PAHs were the most susceptible for degradation and leaching. Migration of PAHs from 0-10 cm to 10-20 cm soil horizon was also observed.

Grinding and Nutritional Properties of Six Spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L.) Cultivars

ABSTRACT Some physical, technological, nutritional, and nutraceutical determinants of six spelt varieties were evaluated. The grains were characterized by similar grain hardness and gave similar breakage patterns on a hammer mill and relatively low grinding energy requirements. The highest protein content was determined for Spelt I.N.Z. and Schwabenkorn (155 mg/g db), whereas the lowest was for Ceralio (98 mg/g db). The total starch content in tested cultivars averaged about 500 mg/g db; however, significant differences were observed for resistant and potentially bioavailable starch. The highest starch digestibility was observed for Ostro, Schwabenspelz, and Spelt I.N.Z. (about 45%), whereas the lowest was for Ceralio (about 33%). Chemically extractable total phenolic compounds content did not differ between cultivars. When flavonoids contents were compared, however, significant differences were observed; their contents ranged from 0.61 to 2.12 mg/g db (Spelt I.N.Z. and Schwabenkorn, respectively). The ab...