Tomasz Zaleski

Assessment of heavy metals contamination in surface layers of Roztocze National Park forest soils (SE Poland) by indices of pollution

In most cases, in soils exposed to heavy metals accumulation, the highest content of heavy metals was noted in the surface layers of the soil profile. Accumulation of heavy metals may occur both as a result of natural processes as well as anthropogenic activities. The quality of the soil exposed to heavy metal contamination can be evaluated by indices of pollution. On the basis of determined heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni and Cr) in the soils of Roztocze National Park the following indices of pollution were calculated: Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Nemerow Pollution Index (PINemerow) and Potential Ecological Risk (RI). Additionally, we introduced and calculated the Biogeochemical Index (BGI), which supports determination of the ability of the organic horizon to accumulate heavy metals. A tens of times higher content of Pb, Zn, Cu and Mn was found in the surface layers compared to their content in the parent material. This distribution of heavy metals in the studied soils was related to the influence of anthropogenic pollution (both local and distant sources of emission), as well as soil properties such as pH, organic carbon and total nitrogen content.

Soil pollution indices conditioned by medieval metallurgical activity – A case study from Krakow (Poland) ☆

The studied soil profile under the Main Market Square (MMS) in Krakow was characterised by the influence of medieval metallurgical activity. In the presented soil section lithological discontinuity (LD) was found, which manifests itself in the form of cultural layers (CLs). Moreover, in this paper LD detection methods based on soil texture are presented. For the first time, three different ways to identify the presence of LD in the urban soils are suggested. The presence of LD had an influence on the content and distribution of heavy metals within the soil profile. The content of heavy metals in the CLs under the MMS in Krakow was significantly higher than the content in natural horizons. In addition, there were distinct differences in the content of heavy metals within CLs. Profile variability and differences in the content of heavy metals and phosphorus within the CLs under the MMS were activity indicators of Krakow inhabitants in the past. This paper presents alternative methods for the assessment of the degree of heavy metal contamination in urban soils using selected pollution indices. On the basis of the studied total concentration of heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cu, Mn, Cr, Cd, Ni, Sn, Ag) and total phosphorus content, the Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), Sum of Pollution Index (PIsum), Single Pollution Index (PI), Nemerow Pollution Index (PINemerow) and Potential Ecological Risk (RI) were calculated using different local and reference geochemical backgrounds. The use of various geochemical backgrounds is helpful to evaluate the assessment of soil pollution. The individual CLs differed from each other according to the degree of pollution. The different values of pollution indices within the studied soil profile showed that LDS should not be evaluated in terms of contamination as one, homogeneous soil profile but each separate CL should be treated individually.

Effect of Polonite used for phosphorus removal from wastewater on soil properties and fertility of a mountain meadow

Reactive filter materials used for phosphorus (P) removal from wastewater can be disposed of as soil amendments after treatment, thus recycling P and other macro- and micro-nutrients to plants. In addition, materials with a high pH and Ca content, such as Polonite, are potential soil conditioners, which can be particularly beneficial for acid soils. Polonite previously used for on-site wastewater treatment was applied as a soil amendment to a mountain meadow. The amendment significantly increased soil pH and decreased the hydrolytic acidity, thus reducing Al toxicity risks. The effects were comparable to those of liming. No difference in yield and P uptake by meadow plants was observed. The uptake of metals was lower for amended soils, especially the uptake of Mn. Using Polonite after wastewater treatment as a soil amendment is thus a viable disposal alternative that can replace liming, when necessary, being capable of recycling P and other nutrients to meadow plants.

Phosphorus sorption capacity of different types of opoka

Phosphorus sorption capacity of different types of opoka The bedrock opoka has been lately reported as an appropriate reactive media for onsite wastewater treatment systems due to its high phosphorus (P) sorption capacity. However, variations on its chemical composition may affect its reactivity with P, therefore leading to a variable P removal efficiency. In this paper, the P-sorption capacity of three different types of opoka from the region of Miechów, Poland, is reported. According to the silica and carbonate content, opoka samples were classified as light-weight and heavy-weight opoka. When heated over 900°C, opoka showed a very high P-sorption capacity that was well correlated to its Ca content. P-sorption isotherms from batch experiments with an artificial P solution were plotted and fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. The Freundlich isotherm appeared to model better the P-sorption of light opoka and the Langmuir isotherm of heavy opoka, suggesting different dominating mechanisms of P-sorption by light and heavy opoka. Zdolność wchłaniania fosforu przez różne rodzaje opoki Według ostatnich badań opoka jest uważana za sorbent, który ze względu na wysoką zdolność wiązania fosforu, może mieć zastosowanie w przydomowych oczyszczalniach ścieków. Jednakże różnorodność składu chemicznego opoki wpływa na intensywność wiązania P i prowadzi do różnej efektywności procesu oczyszczania ścieków. W pracy przedstawiono zdolność wiązania P przez trzy rodzaje opok pobranych w rejonie Miechowa (woj. małopolskie). Na podstawie zawartości krzemionki i węglanów próbki zostały podzielone na opokę lekką i ciężką. Po wypaleniu w temperaturze ponad 900°C opoka charakteryzowała się bardzo wysoką zdolnością wiązania P, silnie skorelowaną z zawartością Ca. Krzywe sorpcji P, otrzymane podczas doświadczenia ze sztucznie sporządzonym roztworem zawierającym rozpuszczony P, porównano z modelami absorpcji opracowanymi przez Langmuira i Freundlicha. Izoterma Freundlicha była bardziej zbliżona do krzywej wiązania P przez opokę lekką, z kolei model Langmuira okazał się bliższy krzywej sorpcji opoki ciężkiej.

Recycling of Calcium-Silicate Material After Wastewater Filtration to Agriculture - Soil Condition Impact

Recycling of Calcium-Silicate Material After Wastewater Filtration to Agriculture - Soil Condition Impact Reactive filter materials aimed at phosphorus (P) recovery is a novel method for on-site wastewater treatment. Once the bed filter is no longer effective, the sorbent must be replaced and can then be recycled as a soil amendment to agriculture. This study investigated the short-term effects of such amendments in a field with a wheat crop in order to evaluate the risks and/or potential benefits of this disposal option. The developed product Polonite (manufactured from Opoka) was used as a model filter sorbent in the field trial. Rates corresponding to approximately 6 and 8 tons per hectare were applied. In the short-term, this amending did not affect soil physical and sorption properties. The rate of Polonite used here, as P source for wheat was irrelevant in this kind of soil. The usefulness of this disposal option of exhausted filter material is discussed. Wykorzystanie rolnicze materiałów wapniowo-krzemianowych z oczyszczalni ścieków i ich wpływ na właściwości gleby Zastosowanie reaktywnych materiałów filtracyjnych jest nową metodą oczyszczania ścieków w miejscu ich powstawania i odzyskania z nich fosforu (P). W celu zapewnienia efektywności oczyszczania ten materiał powinien być co pewien czas wymieniany. Ten zużyty, porowaty materiał może być wykorzystany w rolnictwie. W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań nad zastosowaniem wapniowo-krzemianowego porowatego materiału w uprawie pszenicy. W badaniach polowych użyto Polonite - produktu handlowego wytworzonego z opoki, o wysokiej skuteczności oczyszczania ścieków bytowych z fosforu. W eksperymencie wykorzystano dwie dawki Polonitu 6 i 8 Mg·h-1. Po jego zastosowaniu w krótkim okresie czasu nie stwierdzono wpływu na właściwości sorpcyjne i fizyczne gleby. Wpływ Polonitu na zawartość przyswajalnego fosforu w glebie był nieistotny. W pracy przedstawiono praktyczne znaczenie tej metody.

Pollution indices as useful tools for the comprehensive evaluation of the degree of soil contamination–A review

The paper provides a complex, critical assessment of heavy metal soil pollution using different indices. Pollution indices are widely considered a useful tool for the comprehensive evaluation of the degree of contamination. Moreover, they can have a great importance in the assessment of soil quality and the prediction of future ecosystem sustainability, especially in the case of farmlands. Eighteen indices previously described by several authors (Igeo, PI, EF, Cf, PIsum, PINemerow, PLI, PIave, PIVector, PIN, MEC, CSI, MERMQ, Cdeg, RI, mCd and ExF) as well as the newly published Biogeochemical Index (BGI) were compared. The content, as determined by other authors, of the most widely investigated heavy metals (Cd, Pb and Zn) in farmland, forest and urban soils was used as a database for the calculation of all of the presented indices, and this shows, based on statistical methods, the similarities and differences between them. The indices were initially divided into two groups: individual and complex. In order to achieve a more precise classification, our study attempted to further split indices based on their purpose and method of calculation. The strengths and weaknesses of each index were assessed; in addition, a comprehensive method for pollution index choice is presented, in order to best interpret pollution in different soils (farmland, forest and urban). This critical review also contains an evaluation of various geochemical backgrounds (GBs) used in heavy metal soil pollution assessments. The authors propose a comprehensive method in order to assess soil quality, based on the application of local and reference GB.

Trophic conditions of forest soils of the Pieniny National Park, southern Poland

Abstract The primary objective of this study was to characterise the edaphic conditions of forest areas in the Pieniny National Park (PNP), and to describe the dependencies between properties of forest soils and types of forest plant communities. The “Soil Trophic Index” (SIGg) for mountainous areas was applied. The evaluation of the trophism for 74 forest monitoring employed the soil trophic index for mountainous areas SIGg or SIGgo. Plant communities in the forest monitoring areas were classified according to the Braun-Blanquet’s phytosociological method. Soils of PNP present in the forest monitoring areas were mostly classified as eutrophic brown soils (72.9%), rendzinas (10.8%), brown rendzinas (5.41%), and rubble initial soils (5.41%). Pararendzinas, dystrophic brown soils, and gley soils were less common (total below 5.5%). In the forest monitoring areas of PNP, eutrophic soils predominate over mesotrophic soils. High SIGg index of the soils is caused by high values of acidity and nitrogen content. The Carpathian beech forest Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum and thermophilic beech forest Carici albae-Fagetum associations are characterised by high naturalness and compatibility of theoretical habitats. The soils of the Carpathian fir forest Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum abietetosum subcommunity is characterised by a higher share of silt and clay particles and lower acidity as compared to the Carpathian beech forest Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum typicum subcommunity. The soils of the forest monitoring areas in PNP stand out in terms of their fertility against forest soils in other mountainous areas in Poland.

Variability of morphological, physical and chemical properties of soils derived from carbonate-rich parent material in the Pieniny Mountains (south Poland)

Abstract Carbonate-rich soils are characterized by great diversity in content of carbonate and non-carbonate mineral substances in soil substrate which largely influences soil properties. The study presents the analysis results of four soil profiles located at the area of Pieniny National Park. The aim of this study was to characterize and classify the soils developed from the mixture of carbonate and carbonate-rich rock material, formerly classified as pararendzinas. It was achieved by determination of morphological, physical, and chemical properties, as well as mineralogical composition of selected carbonate-rich soils occurring in the Polish part of the Pieniny Mts. Soils were classified as typical chernozemic rendzina (P1), typical eutrophic brown soils (P2, P4), as well as typical pararendzina (P3) according to Polish Soil Classification (2011). The parent material of studied soils P1, P2 and P4 were slope covers, with a dominant share of sandstone and minor share of limestone, whereas soil P3 was formed from variegated shale cut with multiple calcite veins. Soils were characterized by stable aggregate structure: crumby, angular blocky and subangular blocky. They were medium or strong skeletal, mostly with loam texture with great share of silt fraction. CaCO3 content in genetic horizons ranged from 0.0 to 703.0 g·kg-1. The reaction of studied soils was from weakly acidic to alkaline. Analysed soils were characterized by very high base saturation. Among determined exchangeable cations, Ca2+ ions had the biggest share in all analysed profile. High base saturation, as well as high content of calcium carbonate was accompanied by content of organic matter and percentage content of clay fraction. Taking into consideration determined chemical and physical properties, it can be found that investigated soils were influenced by not only the in-situ weathering material but also by rock material which have been transported and deposited as a result of slope processes. Furthermore, the lack or lower content of CaCO3 in surface and middle part of analysed soil profiles was most likely a result of the impoverishment of rock material during the transport on the slope.