Wiktor Halecki

Long term growth of crop plants on experimental plots created among slag heaps

Suppression of plant growth is a common problem in post-mining reclaimed areas, as coarse texture of soils may increase nitrate leaching. Assessing feasibility of using solid waste (precipitated solid matter) produced by water and sewage treatment processes in field conditions is very important in mine soil reclamation. Our work investigated the possibility of plant growth in a degraded site covered with sewage-derived sludge material. A test area (21m × 18m) was established on a mine soil heap. Experimental plant species included Camelina sativa, Helianthus annuus, Festuca rubra, Miscanthus giganteus, Amaranthus cruentus, Brassica napus, Melilotus albus, Beta vulgaris, and Zea mays. ANOVA showed sufficient water content and acceptable physical properties of the soil in each year and layer in a multi-year period, indicating that these species were suitable for phytoremediation purposes. Results of trace elements assays indicated low degree of contamination caused by Carbocrash waste material and low potential ecological risk for all plant species. Detrended correspondence analysis revealed that total porosity and capillary porosity were the most important variables for the biosolids among all water content related properties. Overall, crop plants were found useful on heavily degraded land and the soil benefited from their presence. An addition of Carbocrash substrate to mine soil improved the initial stage of soil reclamation and accelerated plant growth. The use of this substrate in phytoremediation helped to balance the content of nutrients, promoted plant growth, and increased plant tolerance to salinity. Sewage sludge-amended biosolids may be applied directly to agricultural soil, not only in experimental conditions.

Relationship between heavy metal accumulation and morphometric parameters in European hare (Lepus europaeus) inhabiting various types of landscapes in southern Poland

To evaluate the influence of hazardous substances in the environment, studies of pollutant accumulation in wild living animals are needed. Studies dealing with heavy metal contamination in mammals usually focus on a single organ. We investigated accumulation of heavy metals as well as iron in European hare (Lepus europaeus) living in southern Poland, Małopolska Province. Hares were captured during the hunting season. We tested metal accumulation in 14 organs and tissues using 35 individuals with known body weight and sex inhabiting agricultural, industrial and other types of landscapes. To obtain deeper insight into contamination patterns, we used accumulation data from the liver since it is the most frequently investigated organ and prone to pollution accumulation. Based on the data obtained for the liver, we tested the impact of metal pollution on hare morphology, including body length and several skull cranimetric parameters. Metals content differed between organs. Moreover, individuals from industrial areas had higher Cd content in their body. We distinguished two groups of elements: the first group, Cd, Fe and Zn, revealed the highest toxic effect in the liver and kidneys; the second group, Cr, Ni, and Pb, accumulated primarily in the brain. Hares inhabiting industrial areas had higher concentration of Cd and Pb, and lower levels of Cr and Fe in their liver in comparison with those from agricultural and forest habitats. Heavy metals had an effect on body length that was negatively associated with Cr levels. Skull diastema length was associated positively with accumulation of Cd and Pb. We showed that hare organs and tissues could be used as bioindicators of environmental pollution by heavy metals.

Translocation of Trace Elements from Sewage Sludge Amendments to Plants in a Reclaimed Area

The goal of the study was to evaluate bioaccumulation of trace elements in plants grown in post-mining soils amended with the biosolids material. Phaseolus vulgaris was investigated on the laboratory scale, and a mixture of grasses, Melilotus albus, Beta vulgaris, Zea mays L. and Miscanthus × giganteus were evaluated on the field scale. The results of the research showed that P. vulgaris fertilized with the Carbocrash substrate was able to grow. In addition, growth was enhanced following stimulation with gibberellic acid. Transfer of trace elements should be evaluated on the plot scale. Therefore, we monitored the level of trace elements on an experimental plot in a reclaimed area. Crops plants were sown in multi-year periods. During the growing season the mixture of grasses and crop plants had a low bioaccumulation factor, which also showed a positive effect of fertilization with the Carbocrash substrate.

Response of oilseed rape leaves to sulfur and boron foliar application

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) reacts differently to foliar application of sulfur (S) and boron (B), and for that reason it is important to find an early indicator that would inform about the direction of this reaction. This study aimed at evaluating the early response of two double-low cultivars of winter oilseed rape: hybrid (Nelson) and open pollinated (Digger) on the foliar fertilization with S and B in two terms: fall and spring, based on the rate of leaf greenness index (SPAD) and seven indicators of chlorophyll a fluorescence (FL). On 7th or 9th day after the application of liquid fertilizers, the selected parameters of FL and SPAD were determined on the leaves of rape. As a result, a significant effect of foliar B and S supplementation on the yield of oilseed rape was found. Principal component analysis (PCA) allowed for a separation for each of the cultivars the two parameters of FL, namely Tfm and Fv/F0, which are sensitive indicators of a physiological state of the rape plants shortly after foliar S and B dressing.

Effect of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters on the Herbicidal Effect of Essential Oils on Corn and Weeds

In this study, we tested whether the addition of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) of edible oils would influence the herbicidal effect of the essential oils (EO) of fiber hemp and peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) against common lambsquarters, barnyardgrass, and corn. The herbicidal properties of a 2.5% concentration of each EO in water mixtures with FAME were evaluated as sprays in a pot experiment. The oil-FAME mixtures showed phytotoxic effects against common lambsquarters and barnyardgrass expressed by a reduction in plant length and aboveground and root biomass, as measured three weeks after foliar spraying. Corn was the most tolerant species to the tested mixtures. Sunflower FAME alone was safe on corn but reduced the growth of weeds. Peppermint EO alone was the most phytotoxic on all tested species. In conclusion, the mixture of peppermint EO with oilseed rape FAME was the best treatment; however, improvement on Ch. album would be desirable for commercial-level control. Nomenclature: Barnyardgrass, Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. ECHCG; common lambsquarters, Chenopodium album L. CHEAL; common sunflower, Helianthus annuus L.; corn, Zea mays L.; hemp, Cannabis sativa L.; peppermint, Mentha × piperita L. Huds. var. officinalis Sole, f. rubescens Camus; rape, Brassica napus L.; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr.