Estimation of the environmental risk posed by landfills using chemical, microbiological and ecotoxicological testing of leachates.

The leachates from 22 municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill sites in Southern Poland were characterized by evaluation of chemical, microbiological and ecotoxicological parameters. Chemical analyses were mainly focused on the identification of the priority hazardous substances according to Directive on Priority Substances, 2008/105/EC (a daughter directive of the WFD) in leachates. As showed, only five substances (Cd, Hg, hexachlorobutadiene, pentachlorobenzene and PAHs) were detected in the leachates.

A study of the growth of Pseudallescheria boydii isolates from sewage sludge and clinical sources on tributyrin, rapeseed oil, biodiesel oil and diesel oil.

The study compared the growth of Pseudallescheria boydii isolates from sewage sludge and from clinical sources on tributyrin, rapeseed oil, biodiesel oil and diesel oil agars. The isolates grew on all substrates tested. The highest growth was observed on rapeseed oil agar, while the lowest on diesel agar.

[A study of the growth and enzymatic activity of Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton ajelloi isolates from sewage sludge].

The study was to compare growth and enzymatic activity of Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton ajelloi isolates from sewage sludge. Agar media and the API-ZYM test were used. The isolates showed weak gelatinase, catalase and urease activities and did not produce cellulase, pectate lyase and polygalacturonase.

The growth of proteolytic microorganisms affects keratinolytic fungi in sewage sludge.

The present study was to demonstrate the effect of proteolytic microorganisms on the growth and composition of keratinolytic fungi in sewage sludge. In model experiments, the 3-layer hair baiting method (layer I--sludge solidified with agar medium; layer II--agar medium layer covering layer I; and layer III--hair) was used. The agar medium contained increasing peptone concentrations (0, 0.

Sewage sludge open-air drying affects on keratinolytic, keratinophilic and actidione-resistant fungi.

The study was to demonstrate the effect of sewage sludge open-air drying on the quantitative and qualitative composition of keratinolytic/keratinophilic and actidione-resistant fungi. The sludge was being dried for up to thirty days (on average fourteen days) at 25-30'C. The composition of these fungi was determined with the hair baiting method along with the dilution method, using the Wiegand medium supplemented with chloramphenicol (100 mgiL) and actidione (500 mg/L).

A comparison of selected media and incubation temperatures for isolation of microscopic fungi from dried medicinal plants.

The study compared selected media and incubation temperatures for isolation of fungi from dried medicinal plants (chamomile, peppermint, lemon balm, St. John's wort and two herbal mixtures). The DG18 medium was found to be the most suitable for characterization of the mycoflora at 25 degrees C.

[Study on the quantitative and qualitative composition of fungi in dried medicinal plants].

The quantitative and qualitative composition of fungi was determined in selected dried medicinal plants purchased in one of the herbal shops in Szczecin, Poland. The samples examined were as follows: chamomile (Flos Chamomillae), peppermint (Folium Menthae piperitae), lemon balm (Folium Melissae), St. John's wort (Herba Hyperici), and two herbal mixtures.

Assessment of genotoxic activity of petroleum hydrocarbon-bioremediated soil.

The relationship between toxicity and soil contamination must be understood to develop reliable indicators of environmental restoration for bioremediation. Two bacterial rapid bioassays, SOS chromotest and the umu test with and without metabolic activation (S-9 mixture), were used to evaluate the genotoxicity of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil following bioremediation treatment. The soil was taken from an engineered biopile at the Czechowice-Dziedzice Polish oil refinery (CZOR).

Surface active properties of bacterial strains isolated from petroleum hydrocarbon-bioremediated soil.

Two bacterial strains identified as Ralstonia picketti (BP 20) and Alcaligenes piechaudii (CZOR L-1B) were isolated from petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil following bioremediation treatment. The surface active properties, e.g.

The application of bioassays as indicators of petroleum-contaminated soil remediation.

Bioremediation has proven successful in numerous applications to petroleum contaminated soils. However, questions remain as to the efficiency of bioremediation in lowering long-term soil toxicity. In the present study, the bioassays Spirotox, Microtox, Ostracodtoxkit F, umu-test with S-9 activation, and plant assays were applied, and compared to evaluate bioremediation processes in heavily petroleum contaminated soils.

Microbial air quality in offices at municipal landfills.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of two municipal landfills on the microbiological air quality in offices on landfill sites. The evaluation was based on the concentration levels of airborne bacteria and fungi and the identification of isolated strains. Air samples were collected with a six-stage Andersen impactor.

Relationship between soil microbial diversity and bioremediation process at an oil refinery.

Microbial diversity in hydrocarbon-contaminated soil was characterized during a bioremediation project at an oil refinery. The project consisted of isolation and cultivation of microbes on laboratory media and the subsequent characterization of pure isolates. In a lagoon at the Czechowice Oil Refinery, Poland, a biopile with actively and passively aerated sections was constructed and has been operated since 1997.

[Keratinolytic fungi in an acidic petroleum waste lagoon at a petroleum refinery].

The incidence of keratinolytic fungi in an acidic petroleum waste lagoon (before bioremediation) at a petroleum refinery situated within a highly populated area was examined. High concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons (aliphatics and PAHs) made the growth of keratinolytic fungi in clay and litter collected from the lagoon impossible. The natural self-purification process considerably decreased the hydrocarbon contamination, increased the pH and caused the abundant growth of Trichophyton ajelloi in organic soil that contained the root-adjacent material from the grass growing in green oases at the lagoon.