Substrate composition evaluation for urban green infrastructure planted with calcareous grassland dicotyledonous species.

Green roofs and walls offer many benefits, not only in terms of the ecosystem services, but also in terms of improving building performance. The growing medium is the most important component of green roofs and walls. It should ensure stable plant growth with minimal maintenance and the proper choice is crucial for the survival and performance of the vegetation.

A novel agrosinters support growth, photosynthetic efficiency and reduce trace metal elements accumulation in oilseed rape growing on metalliferous soil.

Soil conditioners to fertilize, improve soil structure and support the phytostabilization of trace metal elements (TMEs) are being used more and more frequently. One of the options are agrosinters - slow-release ceramic fertilizers consisting mainly of SiO, CaO, PO and KO, with an alkaline pH and high impact strength. The effect of two different agrosinters, A1 and A2, on the growth and physiological condition of Brassica napus grown in uncontaminated and Pb-, Cd- and Zn-contaminated soil was investigated in a pot experiment.

Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Supports the Uptake of Macronutrients and Promotes the Growth of L. and L., a Candidate Species for Green Urban Infrastructure.

Green roofs and walls play an important role in promoting biodiversity, reducing the urban heat island effect and providing ecosystem services in urban areas. However, the conditions on green walls/roofs (low nutrient and organic matter content, drought, high temperatures) are often unfavorable for plant growth. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can improve the growth and development of plants under stress conditions as they can increase nutrient and water uptake.

Toxic effect of mercury on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonisation and physiological status of three seed-based Miscanthus hybrids.

Background: Currently, mercury pollution is a widespread problem in the world. As mercury is difficult to remove from the environment, it has long-term negative effects on soil health and human life. One of the techniques to stabilise Hg is phytostabilisation, which can be supported by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF).

The Effect of Combined Drought and Temperature Stress on the Physiological Status of Calcareous Grassland Species as Potential Candidates for Urban Green Infrastructure.

Nature-based solutions are promising for climate adaptation and environmental management in urban areas, but urban conditions are stressful for vegetation. In particular, the interaction of drought and high temperatures may be detrimental. Guiding plant selection for urban greening with native species requires a far better knowledge of plant adaptations and stress acclimation.

The effect of combined drought and trace metal elements stress on the physiological response of three Miscanthus hybrids.

Drought is a serious threat worldwide and has a significant impact on agricultural production and soil health. It can pose an even greater threat when it involves land contaminated with trace metal element (TMEs). To prevent desertification, such land should be properly managed and growing Miscanthus for energy or raw material purposes could be a solution.

The Effect of Different Agrotechnical Treatments on the Establishment of Hybrids in Soil Contaminated with Trace Metals.

Climate change and man-made pollution can have a negative impact on the establishment of Miscanthus plants in the field. This is particularly important because biomass can be produced on marginal land without conflicting with food crops. The establishment success depends on the hybrid chosen, the cultivation method, the climatic conditions, and the concentration of pollutants in the soil.

Field Evaluation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Colonization in × and Seed-Based Hybrids Grown in Heavy-Metal-Polluted Areas.

Understanding the behavior of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated with plants is essential for optimizing plant cultivation to the phytoremediation of degraded soils. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the differences in AMF root colonization between novel seed-based interspecific hybrids ( × ) and the standard × when grown in soils contaminated with heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and Zn). During the third and fourth growing seasons, higher concentration of metals in the roots and a limited transfer of metals from the roots to the shoots were observed in all the plants studied.

Marine creatures dangerous for divers in tropical waters.

Diving has been gaining in popularity in recent years with spectacular dive sites in tropical waters. Before anyone goes diving, they should learn about the risk factors associated with the exposure to hyperbaric conditions and also the risks from exposure to marine life. Apart from amazing views of the coral reefs, divers may be astonished by the magnitude of marine species diversity in local waters, ranging from predators (sharks, barracuda, moray eels) to venomous or stinging fish (jellyfish, anemones) and sea snakes.

Medical assessment of fitness to dive after COVID-19.

Since the global pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection started, millions of people globally have become infected. It must not be forgotten that thousands of those affected are commercial or recreational divers. A severe COVID-19 seriously affects the respiratory system and the pulmonary parenchyma but it may also involve the cardiovascular and the blood coagulation system.

Medical assessment of fitness to dive. Part II.

Good physical and mental health is a prerequisite for anyone planning to scuba dive. A certificate of fitness to dive for those willing to enter a scuba diving course as well as for active divers, either amateur or occupational, can only be issued if there are no medical contraindications to dive. It is usually within the competence of a diving instructor, a manager of underwater work or a physician to assess a person's mental and physical health and grant them permission to stay under hyperbaric conditions.

Medical assessment of fitness to dive. Part I.

Good physical and mental health is a prerequisite for anyone planning to scuba dive. A fitness to dive certificate for those willing to enter a scuba diving course as well as for active divers, either amateur or occupational, can only be issued if there are no medical contraindications to dive. It is usually within the competence of a diving instructor, a manager of underwater work or a physician to assess a person's mental and physical health and grant them permission to stay under hyperbaric conditions.

The cadmium accumulation differences of two Bidens pilosa L. ecotypes from clean farmlands and the changes of some physiology and biochemistry indices.

Bidens pilosa L. is a widely distributed Cd-hyperaccumulator species in the world with large biomass and fast growth rate. The Cd accumulating differences between different ecotypes of B.

Exogenous jasmonic acid decreased Cu accumulation by alfalfa and improved its photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant system.

Jasmonic acid (JA) is an important phytohormone, which among others may be involved in the regulation of plant accumulating heavy metal. This experiment was designed to explore the effects of exogenous JA on the responses of alfalfa to Cu stress (100 μM) in Hoagland solution. When 1, 5 or 10 mM JA was added to the treatment with Cu addition, Cu concentrations in roots and leaves of alfalfa were significantly decreased (p < 0.

Dactylis glomerata L. cultivation on mercury contaminated soil and its physiological response to granular sulphur aided phytostabilization.

Most mercury (Hg) deposition in the environment results from anthropogenic inputs, Chlor-Alkali Plants (CAPs) particularly had a significant Hg impact on the environment at a regional scale. Exposure to mercury compounds resulting in various toxic effects for living organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the capacity of granular sulphur (S) soil amendment and cultivation of Dactylis glomerata to decrease gaseous mercury emission to the atmosphere and mercury mobility in soils affected by CAP activity in the past.

New Miscanthus hybrids cultivated at a Polish metal-contaminated site demonstrate high stomatal regulation and reduced shoot Pb and Cd concentrations.

The increased bioeconomy targets for the biomass share of renewable energy production across Europe should be met using land unsuitable for food production. Miscanthus breeding programs targeted the production of plants with a diverse range of traits allowing a wider utilization of land resources for biofuel production without competing with arable crops. These traits include increasing tolerances to drought, chilling, and to metal(loid)s excess.

Cultivation of C4 perennial energy grasses on heavy metal contaminated arable land: Impact on soil, biomass, and photosynthetic traits.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of three C4 perennial grasses (Miscanthus x giganteus, Panicum virgatum and Spartina pectinata) for biomass production on arable land unsuitable for food crop cultivation due to Pb, Cd and Zn contamination. We assessed soil properties, biomass yield, metal concentrations, and the photosynthetic performance of each species. Physico-chemical and elemental analyses were performed on soil samples before plantation establishment (2014) and after three years of cultivation (2016), when leaf area index, plant height, yield and heavy metal content of biomass were also determined.

How autochthonous microorganisms influence physiological status of Zea mays L. cultivated on heavy metal contaminated soils?

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of autochthonous microorganisms present in soil collected from heavy metal (HM) uncontaminated (Pb ≈ 59 mg kg, Cd ≈ 0.4 mg kg, Zn ≈ 191 mg kg), moderately (Pb ≈ 343 mg kg, Cd ≈ 12 mg kg, Zn ≈ 1876 mg kg), and highly (Pb ≈ 1586 mg kg, Cd ≈ 57 mg kg, Zn ≈ 3280 mg kg) contaminated sites on Zea mays elemental composition, physiological status, and growth parameters. For this purpose, half of the collected soil was sterilized and soil characterization was performed.

Macroelements and heavy metals content in energy crops cultivated on contaminated soil under different fertilization-case studies on autumn harvest.

Heavy metals (HMs) contamination of soils is a major problem occurring worldwide. Utility of energy crops for biofuel feedstock production systems offers a feasible solution for a commercial exploitation of an arable land contaminated with HMs. Experiments involved field testing of Miscanthus x giganteus and Spartina pectinata cultivated on HMs-contaminated soil with standard NPK fertilizers and commercially available microbial inoculum.

Travel medicine for divers.

Recreational diving is increasing in popularity globally, also among European travellers. Since a majority of popular diving sites are located in tropical or subtropical destinations commonly characterised by harsh climate and poor sanitation, travellers planning to engage in recreational diving are recommended to take certain health prevention measures to reduce travel-associated health risks. They need to be aware of the fact that diving can threaten their lives or even be fatal; however, if they are well prepared physically and mentally and follow all the recommended safety rules while underwater, diving is an unforgettable experience that cannot be compared to any other sports activity performed on land.

Case study on phytoremediation driven energy crop production using .

The cultivation of energy crops on heavy metals contaminated (HMC) areas offer opportunities, which combine site remediation with energy recovery. Numerous tests have been conducted using phytoremediation in HMC soils with energy crop species. L.

Relationships between soil parameters and physiological status of Miscanthus x giganteus cultivated on soil contaminated with trace elements under NPK fertilisation vs. microbial inoculation.

Crop growth and development can be influenced by a range of parameters, soil health, cultivation and nutrient status all play a major role. Nutrient status of plants can be enhanced both through chemical fertiliser additions (e.g.

Sewage sludge and fly ash mixture as an alternative for decontaminating lead and zinc ore regions.

Many years of heavy industrial processes in the Upper Silesian Industrial Region in Poland (ore flotation, metal smelting and battery scrap processing) have resulted in lead, zinc and cadmium pollution of the air and soil. The most significant issues stem not only from elevated levels of these metals in environmental compartments, but also from the uneven pattern of their distribution. Point sources of local metal concentration are to be found dispersed over areas of contaminated soil.

Chlorophyll a fluorescence in evaluation of the effect of heavy metal soil contamination on perennial grasses.

Chlorophyll a fluorescence gives information about the plant physiological status due to its coupling to the photosynthetic electron transfer chain and to the further biochemical processes. Environmental stresses, which acts synergistically, disturbs the photosynthesis. The OJIP test, elaborated by Strasser and co-workers, enables comparison of the physiological status of plants grown on polluted vs.

Effect of chemophytostabilization practices on arbuscular mycorrhiza colonization of Deschampsia cespitosa ecotype Waryński at different soil depths.

The effects of chemophytostabilization practices on arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) of Deschampsia cespitosa roots at different depths in soils highly contaminated with heavy metals were studied in field trials. Mycorrhizal parameters, including frequency of mycorrhization, intensity of root cortex colonization and arbuscule abundance were studied. Correlations between concentration of bioavailable Cd, Zn, Pb and Cu in soil and mycorrhizal parameters were estimated.