Polish Journal of Environmental Studies
The bacterial degradation of phenol by Alcaligenes xylosoxidans and Pseudomonas putida was studied in a laboratory-scale stirred tank bioreactor. Several kinetic experiments were employed to obtain values of kinetic parameters by applying nonlinear regression methods to differential kinetic models and integrated experimental data. The extra sum of squares for statistical tests of reliability of proposed...
The rare earth elements are used in many branches of industry. A higher concentration of rare earth elements was found in the atmosphere of urban and industrial areas. The aim of our work was to determine the usefulness of the selected rare earth elements for indication and monitoring of soil anthropization. The research covered the Warsaw soil from Młociny Forest up to Ursynów Park.
The influence of different concentrations (1-2000 ppm) of Sn, Cd, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn and Hg on the survival of heterotrophic bacteria in bottom sediments of a eutrophic lake of gyttja type was examined. Cl, NO3 and SO4 salts were used in the experiment. Co, Ni and Ag were the least toxic heavy metals for heterotrophic bacteria of the bottom sediments of the eutrophic lake, whereas Hg, Sn, Pb,...
The incidence of low birthweight was examined among 6794 newborns in 4 towns in the industrial region of Upper Silesian: Świętochłowice, Bytom, Zabrze and Chorzów. Ecological disaster has caused an increasing number of infants with birthweight below 2500 g in the most polluted towns. In Chorzów, in the most polluted part of the town, mean body weight decreased (3015g) in comparison with mean body...
This paper presents a study on the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and humic substances (HS) in the waters of two different small ponds located in agricultural environments. DOC and HS content is high in the water of pond R adjacent to cultivated fields (DOC 42.0 mg/1, HS 34.2 mg/1) and in pond H surrounded by a wide belt of meadow and settled by macrophytes (DOC 48.0 mg/1, HS 37.2...
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Xanthomonas maltophilia strains were used as biological agents in the biodegradation process of model mixture of hydrocarbons. These strains were isolated from bio- preparate „Putidoil". Qualitative identification of isolated strains was performed using an ATB computer system. A significant effectiveness of both strains against hydrocarbons was observed. The results...
This experiment was carried out on male Wistar rats aged 6, 12, and 24 months in two seasons, autumn and winter. In all age groups, the activity of Mg-dependent ATP-ase (Mg2+ -ATPase) showed rhythmic oscillations with a 12-hour period. A similar time course was observed for 12-hour variations in Mg and Ca concentrations. In both seasons the maxima of ATP-ase Mg activity paralleled the maxima of Mg...
Electroplating rinse solutions contain considerable amounts of multivalent valuable or toxic metal ions. The attempt to recover them was made using the Donnan dialysis (DD) technique, applying a cation-exchange polymer membrane. Laboratory experiments dealing with processing two different solutions containing Zn(ll) [A], or Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni (II), Cr(III) and Fe(III) [B] were carried out. The results...
The cytochrome P-450 dependent monooxygenase system is responsible for metabolism of exo- and endogenous compounds. It is induced or inhibited by many factors, including hormones. The effects of hormones on this system depend on the dose, manner and route of administration. The aim of this study was to test a controlled long-acting system of estradiol-progesterone release from a biodegradable copolymer...
Alder (Alnus glutinosa L.) is often applied in recultivation of technogenous areas for its small seat requirements. It is so called the pioneer species. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the degree of microflora development under alder growing on a heap and on a sand mine excavation. Different groups of microbes as well as the kinetics of bacterial growth were determined. The development...
A simple and rapid method is described which allows analysis of Carazolol (ß-blocker agent) in tissue of pig by thin layer and liquid chromatography. The method utilizes an octadecyl solid phase column that selectively absorbs this drug and significantly improves sample clean-up procedure. The compound is eluted from the column with acidic acetonitrile. Analysis is performed using TLC for detection...
In incubation experiments the microbiological equilibrium of two sandy soils was unsettled using captan in a dose which considerably influenced fungi. The reduction of the fungal community contributed to an intensive multiplication of the bacteria detectable by the cultural method, particularly of the number of their eutrophic forms. However, the changes in the discussed ecotrophic group of bacteria...
The process of desorption of Cd2+, Co2+, Cr3+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ cations in three kinds of Polish mineral soils (Podzoluvisols, Orthic Luvisols, and Eutric Cambisols) were examined. Desorption was carried out by means of a dynamic method through eluting a soil column containing heavy metal ions with a barium chloride solution. Liming of the Podzoluvisols and Eutric Cambisols...
The transfer of radionuclide l37Cs from uncultivated different soils (natural pastures) to grass in northeastern Poland was evaluated. Samples of soil and grass were collected from the same area of about 1 m2 in the period from June 1994 to July 1995 twice a year. Grass was sampled from 1 m x 1 m squares by cutting to the plant base. The 137 Cs and 40K activity concentrations were determined by gamma...
The aim of this study was to test a new method for the quantitative determination of metallo- thionein (MT), in order to determine the level of exposure to heavy metals. For MT preconcentration, the solid phase extraction (SPE) method with covalent affinity chromatography with thiol-disulphide interchange (CAC-TDI) gel was applied. In experiment Cd-thionein (Cd-Th) obtained from rats exposed to cadmium...
This work comprises the results of comparative research on the determining the number of heterotrophic bacteria in underground waters of one of the largest Aquifers without isolation from the surface by an impermeable layer on the Mazurian Lake District. Modified Walters and Schwartz's medium and Groundwater Agar prepared on underground water were used for research. The investigations were carried...
A simple and sensitive method for the determination of ß-agonists in animal tissue and urine using thin layer and liquid chromatography was prepared. The development of the method involves optimization of sample clean-up (solid-phase extraction) and chromatographic separation and detection conditions. The recovery of salbutamol and clenbuterol from tissue and urine samples were above 80% and the limit...
The effects of Cu on the production of hydroxamate siderophores, microbial activity and physiological state of bacteria in a sandy-loam soil were studied. Soil samples were treated with either 0.5 or 2.5 mg Cu (as chloride) g-1 or were left untreated. Soil microflora responded to added Cu by changing the physiological state and production of specific metabolites, i.e. siderophores; however, microbial...
This paper reports the results of an investigation of the effect of Zn2+, Mg2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Mn2+ and Cr3+ ions present in the media on the kinetics of dissimilatory reduction of sulfates in Desulfotomaculum ruminis bacteria. It has been shown that the range of the optimum concentration of studied elements is different; sometimes very wide but sometimes very narrow. After a certain threshold...