Assessment of natural radioactivity levels in polymetallic nodules and potential health risks from deep-sea mining.

The activity concentration of U-238, Ra-226, Pb-214, Bi-214, and Pb-210 was measured in samples of polymetallic nodules stored in the repository of the Interoceanmetal Joint Organization (IOM) based in Szczecin, Poland. The nodule samples were collected from the seabed of the Pacific Ocean, within the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, approximately 2000 kilometres west of Mexico. The activity concentration of U-238 in the studied samples ranged from 9 to 51 Bq/kg.

The significance of heterophasic ion exchange in active biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution of surface waters.

We have carried out studies to examine the possibility of using biosorbents: the epigeic mosses Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. ex Brid.) Mitt.

Role of calcium carbonate in the process of heavy metal biosorption from solutions: synergy of metal removal mechanisms.

The effect of calcium carbonate on the removal efficiency of cations of the selected heavy metals Cu, Zn and Pb from aqueous solutions using various biosorbents (BS) was investigated under laboratory static conditions. The main mechanism of biosorption of heavy metal cations is ion exchange, whereas the reaction with calcium carbonate results in precipitation of poorly soluble carbonates and hydroxides of the examined heavy metals. Studies conducted under static conditions have shown that the effect of Cu and Zn cations removal from solutions is better when using a mixture of BS and CaCO as compared to the effect of process, in which these two components were used separately.

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.

The activity concentration of post-Chernobyl ¹³⁷Cs in the area of the Opole Anomaly (southern Poland).

During the years 2007 and 2010, the activity concentration of (137)Cs accumulated in soil, mosses Pleurozium schreberi and lichens Hypogymnia physodes was measured. The studies covered the areas of the so-called Opole Anomaly. In consequence of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant breakdown in 1986, relatively large amounts of this radionuclide were deposited in this area.

Sorption of cadmium and zinc in selected species of epigeic mosses.

The sorption abilities of seven moss species growing on the area of Bory Stobrawskie forest (southern Poland) were tested in laboratory. Sorption was carried out in solutions of Zn and Cd chlorides. It has been shown that the sorption properties depend on the moss species and increases in the series as follows: Polytrichum commune < Leucobryum glaucum < Eurhynchium praelongum < Thuidium tamtariscifolium ≤ Dicranum scoparium ≤ Pleurozium schreberi < Sphagnum sp.

Sorption of heavy metals in the biomass of alga Palmaria palmata.

Sorption of heavy metals by the sea alga Palmaria palmata was investigated in laboratory conditions. The sorption process of the analytes was carried out with constant flow of the solutions through the algae samples. The Langmuir isotherm model was used to describe equilibria.

The impact of candle burning during All Saints' Day ceremonies on ambient alkyl-substituted benzene concentrations.

Research findings concerning benzene, toluene, ethylobenzene, meta-, para- and ortho-xylene as well as styrene (BTEXS) emission at public cemeteries during All Saints' Day are presented here. Tests were carried out at town-located cemeteries in Opole and Grodków (southern Poland) and, as a benchmark, at the centres of those same towns. The purpose of the study was to estimate BTEXS emissions caused by the candle burning and, equally important to examine, whether emissions generated by the tested sources were similar to the BTEXS emissions generated by road transport.

Influence of hydrogen cations on kinetics and equilibria of heavy-metal sorption by algae-sorption of copper cations by the alga (Linnaeus) Weber & Mohr (Rhodophyta).

The influence of hydrogen cations on kinetics and equilibria of sorption of copper cations by the marine alga (Linnaeus) Weber & Mohr was studied under static conditions. The competitive effect of the H cations is described, which influenced the uncertainty of evaluation of the alga sorption capacity. Under static conditions, the variation of the Cu/H concentration ratio during sorption was found nonmonotonic.

Mechanisms for Translocation of Heavy Metals from Soil to Epigeal Mosses.

The mechanisms for translocation of heavy metals from soil to epigeal mosses were investigated. The first mechanism was demonstrated for (137)Cs and involved the uplifting of the pollutant-containing dust from the soil, followed by the local secondary deposition on surfaces of epigeal mosses and epiphytic lichens. The second mechanism involved the diffusion of metal cations from the soil through water wetting the moss into the gametophyte.

Sorption of copper(II) ions in the biomass of alga Spirogyra sp.

Sorption of copper ions by the alga Spirogyra sp. was investigated to determine the influence of experimental conditions and the methods of sample preparation on the process. The experiments were carried out both under the static and the dynamic conditions.

Use of Lichen and Moss in Assessment of Forest Contamination with Heavy Metals in Praded and Glacensis Euroregions (Poland and Czech Republic).

The concentrations of selected metals-Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb-were determined in the samples of Hypogymnia physodes lichen and Pleurozium schreberi moss collected in Polish and Czech Euroregions Praded and Glacensis. More specifically, the samples were collected in Bory Stobrawskie, Bory Niemodlińskie, and Kotlina Kłodzka (Poland) and in Jeseniki (Czech Republic). The concentration of metals in the samples was measured using the atomic absorption spectrometry (flame AAS technique and electrothermal atomization AAS technique).

Mercury concentration in lichen, moss and soil samples collected from the forest areas of Praded and Glacensis Euroregions (Poland and Czech Republic).

The concentration of mercury was determined in samples of the lichen Hypogymnia physodes, the moss Pleurozium schreberi, and the soil humus collected in Polish and Czech Euroregions Praded and Glacensis. The sampling sites were located in Bory Stobrawskie, Bory Niemodlińskie and Kotlina Kłodzka in Poland, and in Jeseniki and Gory Orlickie in the Czech Republic. The mean concentrations of mercury accumulated in the lichen (0.

Algae utilization in assessment of the large Turawa Lake (Poland) pollution with heavy metals.

This investigation was undertaken to determine the applicability of algae for the assessment of contamination level of water reservoirs with heavy metals. The alga Spirogyra sp. collected in the littoral zone of the Large Turawa Lake (artificial lake in Southern Poland) was used for the study.

Sorption properties of algae Spirogyra sp. and their use for determination of heavy metal ions concentrations in surface water.

Kinetics of heavy-metal ions sorption by alga Spirogyra sp. was evaluated experimentally in the laboratory, using both the static and the dynamic approach. The metal ions--Mn(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+) and Cd(2+)--were sorbed from aqueous solutions of their salts.

Heavy metal sorption in the lichen cationactive layer.

Results of copper ion sorption in lichens owing to the ion exchange between the surroundings (aqueous solution) and the lichen cationactive layer have been presented. It indicates that the course of sorption of these ions, similarly as in the case of cations of other heavy metals, depends on the concentration and type of cations naturally found in lichen surroundings: H+, Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+. A determination method of heavy metal concentration in lichen surroundings has been proposed.

Ion equilibrium in lichen surrounding.

In laboratory conditions, the ionic equilibriums between a solution and a cation-active layer of epiphytic lichens Hypogymnia physodes immersed in the solution were examined. It was found that such equilibriums, due to exchange of mobile cations: H, Na, K, Ca, and Mg, are established in natural conditions between a lichen and atmospheric water.