Przemysław Charzyński

The impact of the soil sealing degree on microbial biomass, enzymatic activity, and physicochemical properties in the Ekranic Technosols of Toruń (Poland)

PurposeArtificial soil sealing in urban areas has attracted increasing attention because of its potential hazard to urban ecosystem. Covering soils with impervious materials has a significant impact on their properties and is essentially an irreversible process. In contrast to natural, open soils, sealed soils undergo a significant alteration of their physicochemical properties, and in turn, negatively influence microbial biomass and enzymatic activity.Materials and methodsIn general, 33 soils from different parts of the city of Toruń (NW Poland) were sampled and divided into 3 groups according to the degree of soil sealing: (1) soils sealed with semi-pervious concrete paving slabs (A), (2) soils sealed with impervious surfaces, such as asphalt and concrete (B), and (3) non-sealed soils (the reference group—C). Soil samples were assayed for (1) microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and nitrogen (MBN) and soil respiration activity (RESP), (2) the activity of soil enzymes, and (3) physicochemical properties.Results and discussionSoil sealing significantly reduced the content of carbon and nitrogen (both total and microbial), soil respiration, the activity of urease, and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis compared to non-sealed soils (C), while the degree of soil sealing did not significantly affect these properties. Soil moisture and nitrate reductase activity were the only properties significantly differentiated by the degree of soil sealing. Canonical correlation analysis indicated that soil biological activity was caused mainly by the variation in MBC and MBN content, as well as dehydrogenase, catalase, and cellulase activities. The highest correlation was obtained between the soil moisture and the first canonical variable for microbial biomass and enzymatic activity.ConclusionsThe results showed that the artificial sealing in urban areas can significantly alter the soils by reducing their carbon and nitrogen content as well as microbial biomass and its activity compared with open soils. The analysis of variance showed that the degree of soil sealing did not affect most of the studied soil properties, although the differences in raw data between impervious and semi-pervious sites were remarkable.

Urban soil resources of medium-sized cities in Poland: a comparative case study of Toruń and Zielona Góra

PurposeDespite the many studies of urban soils, a comparative analysis for cities of a similar size has not yet been conducted. Thus, the aim of this review paper was to compare the soil distribution patterns in the area of two medium-sized Polish cities (Toruń and Zielona Góra). The authors attempted to answer the question of how natural and technogenic factors contributed to the transformation of urban soils and what the similarities and differences are between these two studied cities.Materials and methodsFirst, both the natural and the human-related (including historical) factors influencing the soil formation in the studied cities were analysed. Then, a comparison of the degree of transformation of the urban soil environment was presented. The data obtained by the authors during nearly two decades of research (over 200 soil profiles) were used.Results and discussionIntensive development of the built-up areas in Toruń brought heavy and long-term transformations of soils, which demonstrate the typical properties of Urbic Technosols, Ekranic Technosols and other technogenic soils. Zielona Góra showed a similar state of soil transformation over a considerably smaller area. Currently, the differences in the soil properties in many built up areas have been blurred, despite the habitat and historical base. The similarities of the soil properties concerned, in particular, a high content of skeletal remains (from a few to over 30%), elevated pH (in KCl) values (even above 8.0) and the artificial soil horizons formation. Both cities struggle with similar problems regarding the changes in the land use within the areas covered by these soils.ConclusionsIt was found that, despite the significant habitat and historical differences between the two studied cities, most of the urban soils, especially Urbic Technosols, Ekranic Technosols and Regosols (Relocatic and Technic), are characterised by similar morphology and properties. The most important differences are the time and scale of the area transformation, which influence the extent of Technosols and Anthrosols within the city borders. The most distinct differences concern the natural and slightly transformed soils, which are the results of various soil-forming factors.

Influence of the soil sealing on the geoaccumulation index of heavy metals and various pollution factors

Soil sealing belongs to the most destructive and damaging processes to the soil environment. Soil sealing interrupts or greatly restricts the exchange of matter and energy between the biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere and the soil environment. The aim of this study was to compare the content of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn) of Ekranic Technosols by applying indicators such as geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), and pollution load index (PLI), which allowed to determine quantitatively the impact of the soil sealing degree on the content of heavy metals and to distinguish natural from anthropogenic sources of origin of heavy metals. In general, 42 soils from different parts of the city of Toruń (NW Poland) were sampled and divided into three groups according to the degree of soil sealing: completely sealed with asphalt or concrete (A), semi-permeable (partially sealed with cobblestones and concrete paving slabs (B)), and reference (non-sealed) (C). The results indicate that the artificial sealing in urban areas slightly affects the content of heavy metals in soils. However, based on PLI, Igeo, and EF, it was found that the sealing has influence on soil properties and unsealed soil is the most exposed to the accumulation of pollutants.

Soil sealing degree as factor influencing urban soil contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Abstract The objective of the study was to determine role of soil sealing degree as the factor influencing soil contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The study area included four sampling sites located within the administrative boundaries of the Toruń city, Poland. Sampling procedure involved preparing soil pits representing three examples of soil sealing at each site: non-sealed soil as a control one (I) and two degrees of soil sealing: semi-pervious surface (II) and totally impervious surface (III). Together with basic properties defined with standard procedures (particle size distribution, pH, LOI, content of carbonates) content of selected PAHs was determined by dichloromethane extraction using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS). Obtained results show that urban soils in the city of Toruń are contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Soil sealing degree has a strong influence on the soil contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Totally sealed soils are better preserved from atmospheric pollution including PAHs. Combustion of grass/wood/coal was the main source of determined PAHs content in examined soils.

Correlation between the Polish Soil Classification (2011) and international soil classification system World Reference Base for Soil Resources (2015)

Abstract The recent editions of the Polish Soil Classification (PSC) have supplied the correlation table with the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB), which is the international soil classification most commonly used by Polish pedologists. However, the latest WRB edition (IUSS Working Group WRB 2015) has introduced significant changes and many of the former correlations became outdated. The current paper presents the closest equivalents of the soil orders, types and subtypes of the recent edition of the PSC (2011) and WRB (IUSS Working Group WRB 2015). The proposals can be used for general correlation of soil units on maps and in databases, and may support Polish soil scientists to establish the most appropriate equivalents for soils under study, as well as make PSC more available for an international society.

Proposal of English equivalents for the soil taxa names in the Polish Soils Classification

Abstract The article presents proposed English translations of all names of soil units (orders, types and subtypes) listed by Polish Soils Classification, PSC (2011). The proposal has been elaborated based on the recent Polish and foreign literature, using uniform and consistent criteria. Due to the lack of soil names translation in the recent, fifth edition of PSC, the suggested English nomenclature was basically derived from the previous, fourth edition of PSC (1989). However, significant amendment and numerous additions to the latest version were proposed. A uniform and comprehensive system of soil taxa translations may help to avoid nomenclature chaos in the English papers of Polish authors, which intentionally base or refer to PSC.

Issues related to classification of garden soils from the urban area of Toruń, Poland

ABSTRACT Nowadays, the city area of Toruń is dominated by anthropogenic and technogenic soils – developed by humans or significantly altered, mainly disturbed in terms of morphology and chemical and physical properties. This study is a continuation of research on the soil cover of the city. The aim of the presented study is to assess extent of garden soils in the city and characterize its properties on the base of five soil profiles in four exemplary gardens in Toruń and evaluate if they meet the classification criteria for Hortic Anthrosols according to World Reference Base (WRB) for Soil Resources. Within the administrative boundaries of the city, 66 allotment gardens are located which totally cover an area of more than 300 ha. They occupy 3% of the city area. None of the studied mineral surface horizons meets the criteria for hortic horizon according to WRB 2015, due to too low phosphorus content. Other hortic criteria were fulfilled. The research on classification issues of garden soils should be continued on larger scale to evaluate if WRB criteria are not too strict taking into account the features of most typical, few decade-old garden soils.

Geochemical assessment of soils in the German Nazi concentration camp in Stutthof (Northern Poland)

Abstract The record of changes in the environment caused by techno- and anthropopressure is undoubtedly reflected in soil morphology and properties. Scientific information regarding the chemical composition of soils in genocide areas is limited. The aim of this investigation is the assessment of the geochemistry of soils of the German Nazi concentration camp in Stutthof. The Stutthof concentration camp was located on the periphery of the Vistula Spit in northern Poland, and was in operation from 1939 to 1945 during World War II. A total of 65,000 people died as a result of exterminating living conditions as well as executions. Forty-five soil sampling points were selected in various parts of the camp. Total phosphorus, organic matter and arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe) and mercury (Hg) contents were determined. It has been observed that the mean on-site concentrations of all trace elements were generally higher than their background. The reason for enrichment was heavy techno- and anthropopressure caused by extreme density of prisoners during the time when the camp operated. The soils of the German Nazi Stutthof concentration camp have clearly been transformed due to mass killing of a large number of human beings. Such a relation is clearly evidenced by the elevated phosphorus content.

The internet as a source of knowledge about soil cover of Poland

Abstract The aim of this paper is to assess the quality and correctness of information on Polish soils available on selected websites. Particular attention was paid to educational portals, which became the subject of evaluation of the information its contains in terms of the correctness, up-to-dateness and reliability. Twenty-five websites representing educational portals and blogs were selected for analysis in terms of their contents (type of subject matter) correctness (substantial value), curentness (presence of up-to-date information) and completeness. Most of the information on the evaluated educational portals is targeted at high school students. These websites present only basic content. The most frequent issues on the analyzed portals were: soil types and soil systematics, distribution of soils in Poland, definition of soil and also soil valuation classes. Websites addressed to university students constitute a decided minority, could be said, that even an exception. One of those is article on Wikipedia, which has the highest educational value among all analysed websites.