Romuald Żmuda

The use of terrestrial laser scanning in monitoring and analyses of erosion phenomena in natural and anthropogenically transformed areas

Abstract Implementation of terrestrial laser scanning creates new opportunities in the analysis of processes occurring in the environment. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) enables fast, precise mapping of land relief and dimensions of technical structures. TLS allows moving from traditional methods, such as point measurement, to differential analyses of a relief model. TLS allows accurate analyses of land relief changes and erosion phenomena, both in terms of the processes intensity and range, and the initial and intensifying events. The paper presents the authors’ experiment with the use of the TLS technology in erosion processes monitoring and analyses. The authors present the methodology of using TLS which contributed to the acquisition of reliable results by providing optimal conditions for the research. The paper shows the effects of laser scanning in order to analyse the intensity of soil erosion in mountainous forest area with a large number of measurement stations, which resulted in a dense points cloud. Differential model method allowed to evaluate erosion phenomena in the form of rills resulting from surface flushing, which is impossible to assess by traditional methods of erosion measurements. In the paper, we showed the necessity to choose the proper coordinate system (object or scanner) for the analysis of the landslide, depending on structure and direction of the soil masses movement. The application of the object coordinate system showed greater erosion phenomena range (ca 12%) on buttress stabilizing landslide and ca 44% on natural landslide, in which the application of the object coordinate system increases the number of observations by 40%.

EFFECT OF THERMAL CONDITIONS AND PRECIPITATION ON GROWTH RATE OF SCOTS PINE

The aim of the experiment presented in this paper is to assess the relationship between the height and diameter increase rate and the thermal conditions and precipitation during its growth. The experiment was carried out in the Agroand Hydrometeorology Observatory of the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences in 2013–2015. The height and diameter measurement was made each time on the same 43 plants, randomly selected at the stage of setting up the experiment in 2012 and specially marked. Plants included in further analyses were divided into 5 classes and the classification criterion was their height in the 3rd year of cultivation. Initially, an analysis of relationships of selected morphological parameters of Scots pine was carried out, i.e. of the heights and diameters against the changing weather conditions, i.e. precipitations and air temperatures. Subsequently, an effect of the thermal conditions and the amount of precipitation on growth of Scots pine was assessed with the use of the two meteorological parameters mentioned above. These parameters were used as their accumulated sums, calculated as of the dates of biometric measurements, made at the end of each month (the last ten days of a month) in the summer half-year period. Multiple regression analysis was applied to evaluate the effect of thermal conditions and precipitation on the growth of Scots pine in both variants and the significance of the relationships under study was examined with the use of an adjusted coefficient of determination R2. The analyses and calculations indicate a close significant relationship between the height of pine trees and their diameter at the base on any measurement date. Analyses of different measurement periods indicated a decrease in significance of the relationships between the height of pine trees and their diameter at the base. A decrease in these relationships is becoming more and more pronounced with the age of the trees. Of the two weather parameters, i.e. total air temperature and total precipitation, the precipitation dominates in the relationship with the trees height and air temperature – with the trees diameter.

ANALYSIS OF SPATIAL CHANGES IN GROUNDWATER RETENTION FOR THE ODER VALLEY IN THE MALCZYCE REGION

The paper presents the analysis of spatial changes of groundwater retention for a part of the Oder valley situated below the barrage in Brzeg Dolny. For the analysis of selected monthly average elevations of the groundwater table of the selected measuring points (32 piezometers) located in the area described, and 7 gauges on the Oder river, Średzka Woda, Jeziorka and Nowy Rów. The change of groundwater retention is presented in spatial terms for vegetation periods of years: 2010, 2011 and 2012. The database was made interpolating the groundwater table elevation for the area in question. On this basis, differences between ordinates the groundwater table were calculated. The next step was to obtain the spatial distribution of groundwater retention states and its analysis. The results show significant changes in the states of groundwater retention on the selected portion of the valley in the individual growing seasons. According to formation of changes in status of groundwater retention relative to the distance from the Odra river was analysed.

EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF LAND USE CHANGES ON THE OUTFLOW FORMATION FROM LOCAL MICROCATCHMENT OF THE WUELS ARBORETUM AREA IN PAWŁOWICE

In the paper the impact of land use changes localised in catchment of the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (WUELS) arboretum in Pawłowice near Wrocław on outflow from local micro-catchment was analysed. The study results show necessity for solutions that allow increasing the efficiency of rainwater management discharged from the sealed surfaces in the arboretum area. In this study the selected investments that are planning to improve water condition of forest habitat and to decrease flood risk of lower localised area were characterised. The planned investments include the development of various forms of small scale retention taking into account the aspect of improving water quality.

MERCURY AND ALUMINIUM IN ARABLE SOILS IN THE AREA OF INFLUENCE OF BROWN COAL MINE AND POWER PLANT BASED ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE BOGATYNIA REGION (SOUTHWESTERN POLAND)

This study presents research on the content of mercury and aluminium in arable soils within the range of influence of the Coal Mine and Power Plant Turow (Bogatynia region). The results were compared for reference with the region of Zgorzelec, which is situated outside the range of emission and with the results of tests conducted by other authors. The tests did not show a statistically significant increase in the mercury level in arable land from the range of influence of the Coal Mine and Power Plant Turow, neither in comparison to soils from Zgorzelec region. It is noticeable that the maximum level of mercury in the analysed area was nearly twice as high as in the values obtained in soils from industrial area in Opole and 25 times lower than the maximum mercury level found in the soils of Jelenia Gora District. On the other hand, tests of aluminium content showed a significant, nearly 3 times higher level of this metal in the range of direct influence of the Coal Mine and Power Plant Turow in comparison with the Zgorzelec region. The noted values were higher than in soils from industrial area in Opole.

INFLUENCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT ON THE CONTENT OF ARSENIC IN CULTIVATED SOILS IN ZGORZELEC-BOGATYNIA REGION

The study was conducted in the area of influence of Mine and Power Plant “Turow” which, through the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants contribute to soil contamination, among other things by arsenic. The aim of this study was to determine the total content of this metal in samples of anable soils collected in the area of the impact of the above-mentioned emitters. At the same time their grain-size distribution and their physico-chemical properties, as pH and percentage of organic matter were determined. Soils collected from a depth of 0.0 to 0.3 m below ground surface, and from 0.3 to 0.6 m b.g.s. came from the area of direct impact of the mine and power plant (area of Bogatynia) and the region of Zgorzelec ,located out of the direct impact of emitters. Total arsenic content was determined by ICPAES using a plasma spectrometer Varian Liberty Series II. All soil samples, independently of the place of origin, showed acid pH, and organic matter content in both research areas was higher at a depth of 0.0 to 0.3 m. In accordance with the classification of PTG 2008, soils from the area of Zgorzelec were classified as very light, light and medium (loose sand, loamy sand, sandy loam and light loam), with a high content of sand fraction it was also found. The soils of Bogatynia region were classified as medium and heavy silty (loamy silt and clayey silt), with a high content of silt fraction . Increased levels of arsenic in cultivated soils in the area of influence of the Mine and Power Plant, on the one hand they are connected with its anthropogenic its release during the combustion of coal, and on the other hand it is the influence of physico-chemical properties of soils. It is the reason of increased accumulation of this metal, mostly at a depth of 0.3 to 0.6 m. Significant, 3 times, higher level of this metal was showed in the area of direct impact of Mine and Power Plant “Turow”, compared with the area of Zgorzelec, apart from the depth of their collection. Certainly the great importance for the absorption of the metal may be overlapping in this region, local and cross-border pollution, acidic soils and a higher percentage of organic matter. Grain-size distribution, mainly 4 times higher average percentage of fractions of silt and clay fractions are of great importance.The study was conducted in the area of influence of Mine and Power Plant “Turów” which, through the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants contribute to soil contamination, among other things by arsenic. The aim of this study was to determine the total content of this metal in samples of anable soils collected in the area of the impact of the above-mentioned emitters. At the same time their grain-size distribution and their physico-chemical properties, as pH and percentage of organic matter were determined. Soils collected from a depth of 0.0 to 0.3 m below ground surface, and from 0.3 to 0.6 m b.g.s. came from the area of direct impact of the mine and power plant (area of Bogatynia) and the region of Zgorzelec ,located out of the direct impact of emitters. Total arsenic content was determined by ICPAES using a plasma spectrometer Varian Liberty Series II. All soil samples, independently of the place of origin, showed acid pH, and organic matter content in both research areas was higher at a depth of 0.0 to 0.3 m. In accordance with the classification of PTG 2008, soils from the area of Zgorzelec were classified as very light, light and medium (loose sand, loamy sand, sandy loam and light loam), with a high content of sand fraction it was also found. The soils of Bogatynia region were classified as medium and heavy silty (loamy silt and clayey silt), with a high content of silt fraction . Increased levels of arsenic in cultivated soils in the area of influence of the Mine and Power Plant, on the one hand they are connected with its anthropogenic its release during the combustion of coal, and on the other hand it is the influence of physico-chemical properties of soils. It is the reason of increased accumulation of this metal, mostly at a depth of 0.3 to 0.6 m. Significant, 3 times, higher level of this metal was showed in the area of direct impact of Mine and Power Plant “Turów”, compared with the area of Zgorzelec, apart from the depth of their collection. Certainly the great importance for the absorption of the metal may be overlapping in this region, local and cross-border pollution, acidic soils and a higher percentage of organic matter. Grain-size distribution, mainly 4 times higher average percentage of fractions of silt and clay fractions are of great importance.

Wpływ środowiska na zawartość arsenu w glebach uprawnych rejonu zgorzelecko-bogatyńskiego

The research aimed to assess the content of heavy metals in soils and plants as an indicator of human pressure in a typically agriculture area. The research was conducted in northern part of Brzesko district on Borzecin municipality (Malopolska province). In total 15 points were set. At those points, soil samples were collected from the levels of 0–10 cm and 40–50 cm.