Assessment of Radiological Safety of Ceramic Tiles Commonly Used in Polish Buildings.

The concentration of natural radionuclides Ra, Th and K in ceramic tiles manufactured in Poland is presented in this paper. The concentration of natural radioactive isotopes in the tested samples was determined using a low-level digital gamma ray spectrometer equipped with an HPGe semiconductor detector. The mean concentrations of Ra, Th and K in the analyzed samples were found to be 48 ± 3 Bq∙kg, 49 ± 3 Bq∙kg and 476 ± 23 Bq∙kg, respectively.

Application of soil magnetometry and geochemical methods to investigate soil contamination with antimony.

The aim of the study was an assessment of the pollution level and identification of the antimony sources in soils in areas subjected to industrial anthropopressure from: transport, metallurgy and electrical waste recycling. The combination of soil magnetometry, chemical analyzes using atomic spectrometry (ICP-OES and ICP-MS), Sb fractionation analysis, statistical analysis (Pearson's correlation matrix, factor analysis) as well as Geoaccumulation Index, Pollution Load Index, and Sb/As factor allowed not only the assessment of soil contamination degree, but also comprehensive identification of different Sb sources. The results indicate that the soil in the vicinity of the studied objects was characterized by high values of magnetic susceptibility and thus, high contents of potentially toxic elements.

Nitrous oxide and methane emissions from a Ferralsol as affected by loblolly pine cultivation time in subtropical Brazil.

We hypothesized that the age of loblolly pine stands influences soil methane (CH) and nitrous oxide (NO) emissions. This is a relevant topic to be studied in subtropical Brazil, where the pine plantation area is increasing considerably. We evaluated NO and CH emissions for two years in a Ferralsol under loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.

Supraparticles as slow-release fertiliser in seedling potential growth of Eucalyptus urograndis and greenhouse gas flux impacts.

Slow-release urea fertilisers have been shown to present acceptable values for plant yield and mitigate the harmful effect of soil emission gases. This study synthesises a slow-release fertiliser containing fumed-nanosilica, nanofibrillated cellulose as well as sodium alginate as a urea carrier to analyse the growth parameters of Eucalyptus urograndis seedlings and potential emission of soil gases, NO, CH, CO and ammonia volatilisation. The developed supraparticles, arranged layered nanoparticle structure, presented a decrease in the normal nitrogen content of urea of 19%, which is attributed to the binding of this element.

Body Balance of Children and Youths with Visual Impairment (Pilot Study).

Aim: The study was designed to assess the effects of surface instability in the response of the balance control system in children and youths with visual impairment (BL) and in normally sighted controls (NE).

Materials And Methods: The empirical research study involved 80 individuals, aged from 6 to 20 years, with a mean age of 14.37 (±4.