Zbigniew Ziembik

Illustration of constrained composition statistical methods in the interpretation of radionuclide concentrations in the moss Pleurozium schreberi

In this work we have used moss Pleurozium schreberi as a bioindicator of radioactive materials in environment. The following radionuclides were determined in moss samples: (137)Cs, (40)K, (210)Pb, (212)Pb, (214)Pb, (214)Bi, (231)Th, (235)U and (228)Ac, but not all of them in each sample. The highest activity concentrations were found for naturally occurring (210)Pb, (40)K and the artificial isotope (137)Cs. Activities of radioisotopes were recalculated into mass concentrations and the statistical methods intended for constrained data processing were used. Analysis of our results showed at most a weak relationship between radioisotope mass concentrations in moss. It was supposed that concentrations of some elements depended on the same, currently unknown, factors.

The use of mosses in biomonitoring of selected areas in Poland and Spitsbergen in the years from 1975 to 2014

Abstract We have compared historical changes in concentrations of the heavy metals Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb accumulated in samples from the Polish woodlands of Beskidy and Karkonosze (S, SE Poland) and the north-east regions of the country, versus the relatively little polluted areas of Spitsbergen of the Svalbard Archipelago. We have combined the results from literature with new results from 2014. The regions of Beskidy and Karkonosze were the most exposed to heavy metals deposition. However, from 1975 to 2014 there was a considerable decrease of concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb at all Polish sites, clearly signifying improvement of environmental quality. For example, the average Cd concentration in mosses samples collected in Karkonosze decreased from 0.002 mg/g in 1975 to 0.0006 mg/g in 2014. It is interesting to observe relatively large concentrations of nickel in moss samples collected in 2014 in the Svalbard archipelago, in the vicinity of Longyearbyen (average 0.018 mg/g) which most likely originate from local mine waste piles.

The Origin of Heavy Metals and Radionuclides Accumulated in the Soil and Biota Samples Collected in Svalbard, Near Longyearbyen

Abstract Heavy metals and radioactive compounds are potentially hazardous substances for plants, animals and humans in the Arctic. A good knowledge of the spatial variation of these substances in soil and primary producers, and their sources, is therefore essential. In the samples of lichen Thamnolia vermicularis, Salix polaris and Cassiope tetragona, and the soil samples collected in 2014 in Svalbard near Longyearbyen, the concentrations of the following heavy metals were determined: Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Hg, as well as the activity concentrations of the following: K-40, Cs-137, Pb-210, Pb-212, Bi-212, Bi-214, Pb-214, Ac-228, Th-231 and U-235 in the soil samples. The differences in the concentrations of the analytes accumulated in the different plant species and soil were studied using statistical methods. Sea aerosol was indicated as the source of Pb, Hg, Cs-137, Pb-210 and Th-231 in the studied area. A relatively high concentration of nickel was determined in the biota samples collected near Longyearbyen, compared to other areas of Svalbard. It was supposed that nickel may be released into the atmosphere as a consequence of the local coal mining around Longyearbyen.

Pb-210 Isotope as a Pollutant Emission Indicator / Izotop Pb-210 Jako Znacznik Emisji Zanieczyszczeń

Abstract Passive biomonitoring using 210Pb was used in the paper to evaluate pollutant deposition. Well-developed epiphytic foliose lichens Hypogymnia physodes growing on spruce branches were used in the studies. The samples of mosses Pleurozium schreberi and soil (raw humus) were collected from the area around the tree from which the samples of lichens were collected. The studies have shown that it is possible to identify dust emission sources using a radioactive lead isotope (210Pb). The highest activity of 210Pb was observed in areas with increased deposition of other pollutants, such as Ni, Cd, Cu and Pb, which may indicate that 210Pb is one of the emission components Abstrakt W pracy zastosowano biomonitoring pasywny, z wykorzystaniem 210Pb, do oceny depozycji zanieczyszczeń. Do badań wykorzystano dobrze wykształcone epifityczne porosty listkowate Hypogymnia physodes, porastające gałęzie świerka. Wokół drzewa, z którego pobrano próbki porostów, pobierano próbki mchów Pleurozium schreberi oraz gleby - próchnicy nadkładowej. W prowadzonych badaniach stwierdzono, że możliwa jest identyfikacja źródeł emisji pyłu przy wykorzystaniu radioaktywnego izotopu ołowiu - 210Pb. Największe aktywności 210Pb zaobserwowano na terenach o zwiększonej depozycji innych zanieczyszczeń, np. Ni, Cd, Cu i Pb, co może wskazywać, że 210Pb jest jednym z komponentów emisji

Influence of K on the transport of Cs-137 in soil–plant root and root-leaf systems in sugar beet

Abstract The main aim of this study was to determine the influence of K-40 activity in the soil on the transport of Cs-137 from the soil to plants and the impact of its activity on the internal transport of Cs-137 between anatomical parts of the sugar beet. The activity concentration of Cs-137 in the soil was bigger than that in the beet. The highest activity concentration of K-40 was observed in beet leaves, while its content in roots and the soil were comparable.

Modelling of Emissions from Large Biogas Plants

Abstract The main objective of the “Guidelines for the development of agricultural biogas plants in Poland within 2010-2020”, is a construction of biogas plants processing agricultural biomass resources with suitable conditions in each municipality. In the Czech Republic produces about 6.5% of energy from renewable sources. Biogas plants give - contrary to solar and wind electricity stations - the stable performance throughout the whole year. Biomass should be a key source for achieving the Czech EU commitment to produce 13% of energy from renewable sources in 2020. The experience, where 317 Agricultural biogas plants are currently in operation, has shown that there are considerable problems with a proper location of newly designed agricultural biogas plants in the landscape. The Czech-Polish border area is mainly flat wooded recreation region. For these reasons, the Gaussian model SYMOS’97 (version 2013), adapted for odour dispersion modelling from large agricultural sources is supposed to be suitable for this area. It is appropriate for training of students. For these reasons, students from the University of Hradec Kralove and the University of Opole in the frame of their academic exchange and professional internships are acquainted with the technological principles of biogas plants and in environmental mathematical and statistical modelling of the spread of emissions from large industrial and agricultural sources. In this article we present methods for education on these professional areas.

Using moss and lichens in biomonitoring of heavy-metal contamination of forest areas in southern and north-eastern Poland

In the years 2014-2016 biomonitoring studies were conducted in the forest areas of south and north-eastern Poland: the Karkonosze Mountains, the Beskidy Mountains, the Borecka Forest, the Knyszyńska Forest and the Białowieska Forest. This study used epigeic moss Pleurozium schreberi and epiphytic lichens Hypogymnia physodes. Samples were collected in spring, summer and autumn. Approximately 500 samples of moss and lichens were collected for the study. In the samples, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations were determined. Based on the obtained results, the studied areas were ranked by extent of heavy-metal deposition: Beskidy > Karkonosze Mountains > forests of north-eastern Poland. Some seasonal changes in concentrations of metals accumulated in moss and lichens were also indicated. There was observed, i.a., an increase in Cd concentration at the beginning of the growing season, which may be related to low emissions during the heating season. Analysis of the surface distribution of deposition of metals in the studied areas showed a significant contribution of nearby territorial emissions and unidentified local emission sources. The contribution of distant emission to Zn, Hg and Pb deposition levels in the Karkonosze and Beskidy region was also indicated.

Modelling of Mercury Emissions from Large Solid Fuel Combustion and Biomonitoring in CZ-PL Border Region

Abstract Tightening of norms for air protection leads to a development of new and significantly more effective techniques for removing particulate matter, SOx and NOx from flue gas which originates from large solid fuel combustion. Recently, it has been found that combinations of these environmental technologies can also lead to the reduction of mercury emissions from coal power plants. Now the greatest attention is paid especially to the coal power plant in Opatovice nad Labem, close to Hradec Kralove. Its system for flue gas dedusting was replaced by a modern type of cloth fabric filter with the highest particle separation efficiency which belongs to the category of BAT. Using this technology, together with modernization of the desulphurisation device and increasing of nitrogen oxides removal efficiency, leads also to a reduction of mercury emissions from this power plant. The University of Hradec Kralove, the Opole University and EMPLA Hradec Kralove successfully cooperate in the field of toxic metals biomonitoring almost 20 years. In the Czech-Polish border region, comprehensive biomonitoring of mercury in bioindicators Xerocomus badius in 9 long-term monitored reference points is done. The values of mercury concentration measured in 2012 and 2016 were compared with values computed by a dispersion model SYMOS′97 (updated 2014). Thanks to modern methods of dedusting and desulphurisation, emissions of mercury from this large coal power plant are now smaller than before and that the downward trends continues. The results indicate that Xerocomus badius is a suitable bioindicator for a long-term monitoring of changes in mercury imissions in this forested border region. This finding is significant because it shows that this region is suitable for leisure, recreation, and rehabilitation.

Innovative Educational Program for Biogas Production Carried Out at University of Hradec Králové (CZ) and at University of Opole (PL)

Abstract Recently, there is a growing pressure on a rapid construction of agricultural biogas plants, particularly in the Czech-Polish border region. It is an area with large expanses of agricultural land which can serve to supply biogas plants with biomass. This strategy should contribute to harmonize the common agricultural policy of the European Union. A need for qualified operators of these stations on this territory is also increasing. Therefore we first include a demonstration of an education program for students in the field of agricultural waste anaerobic fermentation and biogas production. We present here the first part of an innovative approach which we use in the teaching program “Physico-technical Measurements and Computer Technology” at the Faculty of Science at the University of Hradec Kralove and also in the education of internshipers from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology at the University of Opole. There are requirements to fulfil labour market expectations and to make this subject more attractive for the students. Students’ theoretical and practical preparation constitutes a comprehensive source of knowledge and skills required in a real life job. Joined theoretical and practical knowledge gained by students, reinforced by the skills developed during task analysis followed by their solution, provides the future graduate higher quality abilities and better position in the labour market.

Innovation in Study of Physical and Technical Measurements. Czech-Polish Cooperation of Universities / Innowacje Studiów Fizyczne I Techniczne Metody Pomiarowe. Czesko-Polska Współpraca Uniwersytetów

Abstract In the Faculty of Science (University of Hradec Králové) the innovative program in chemistry for the study specialization Physico-technical Measurements and Computer Technology was developed. The innovation of chemistry filed study has been focused especially on increase in competitiveness and in graduates employment. Design of innovation enables graduates applying for the position of experts in physical measurements and informatics and at the same time they expand their competence in the service of the physico-chemical instrumentation in industrial ecology. Because Faculty of Science is not equipped yet in expensive instrumentation for nuclear spectrometry, cross-border cooperation with the Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences (University of Opole) has been started. In the area of teaching about non-traditional energy sources the cross-border cooperation with the Department of Automation and Renewable Energy Sources, Faculty of Electrical Engineering (Czestochowa University of Technology) has been initiated. Well-developed system of cooperation with companies, which are equipped with the latest technology of environmental protection, was created. In the exchange system Polish students attended for practicing in these companies. The aim of the contribution is to describe one of the means of innovation of chemistry field study in the frame of bachelor study specialization oriented in physics and computer technology. We believe that the new approach will lead to increase in graduate competitiveness as well as to development of their motivation to study and better understanding of regulation principles of chemical processes and patterns. Abstrakt Na Wydziale Nauk (Uniwersytet w Hradec Králové) opracowano innowacyjny program nauczania chemii dla studiów o specjalizacji Pomiary Fizyko-Techniczne i Technologie Komputerowe. Celem wprowadzonych innowacji w nauczaniu chemii było przede wszystkim zwiększenie konkurencyjności absolwentów na rynku pracy i zwiększenie możliwości ich zatrudnienia. Wprowadzona innowacja umożliwia absolwentom ubieganie się o stanowiska ekspertów pomiarów fizycznych i zastosowań informatyki, jednocześnie poszerzają oni swoje kompetencje w zakresie obsługi oprzyrządowania fizykochemicznego w ekologii przemysłu. Ponieważ Wydział nie jest jeszcze wyposażony w drogie urządzenia do spektrometrii atomowej, podjęto współpracę transgraniczną z Wydziałem Przyrodniczo-Technicznym Uniwersytetu Opolskiego. W zakresie nauczania o niekonwencjonalnych źródłach energii rozpoczęto współpracę transgraniczną z Zakładem Sterowania i Odnawialnych Źródeł Energii Politechniki Częstochowskiej. Stworzono dobrze rozwinięty system współpracy z firmami, wykorzystującymi najnowsze technologie ochrony środowiska. W systemie wymiany polscy studenci odbywali praktyki w tych przedsiębiorstwach. Celem tej pracy jest opis jednej z innowacji wprowadzonej w obszarze nauczania chemii na studiach licencjackich o specjalizacji w dziedzinie fizyki i technologii komputerowej. Wierzymy, że nowe podejście doprowadzi do zwiększenia konkurencyjności absolwentów, jak również do rozwoju ich motywacji do nauki oraz lepszego zrozumienia praw regulujących przebieg procesów chemicznych i związków pomiędzy nimi.