Soil material sampled from a reclamation experiment established in a former ''Jeziórko'' Sulphur Mine was analysed. The reclamation was carried out on a soil-less substrate with a particle size distribution of slightly loamy sand characterised by high acidity and poor sorption capacity. The different variants of the experiment consisted in the addition of post-flotation lime, mineral fertilisation, sewage sludge, and mineral wool to the reclaimed soil-less substrate. Next, the plots prepared in this way were sown with a mixture of grasses. A plot without any reclamation treatments served as a control. The analyses consisted in the determination of soil enzymatic parameters. The results obtained revealed a positive effect of the reclamation treatments on the analysed properties. All wastes and combinations thereof introduced into the degraded substrate stimulated catalase, protease, and urease activity. The activity of the other enzymes, i.e. dehydrogenases and acid phosphatase, as well as the level of fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis increased only in objects treated with sewage sludge. In turn, in objects receiving mineral fertilisation, a decline in the acid phosphatase activity was noted. In objects treated with mineral wool, the level of stimulation was dependent on the mode of application of this additive. In general, a mixture of 500 m 3 ha -1 of mineral wool with the substrate proved more beneficial (with the exception of the acid phosphatase activity and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis). A higher increase in the analysed enzymatic parameters was also found in objects treated with sewage sludge combined with post-flotation lime than in objects where sewage sludge was used alone.

Abstract:The study was conducted on an experiment established in the area of the former Sulphur Mine "Jeziorko." The remediation was applied to a soil-less formation with particle size distribution of weakly loamy sand, strongly acidified and with bad sorptive properties (Corg. -2.0 g kg -1; pHKCl -4.3; T -7.0 cmol(+) kg -1 ). In the particular treatments of the experiment the following were applied to the soil-less formation: flotation lime and NPK; lime and sewage sludge; sewage sludge; mineral wool (5 cm 50 cm ), lime and sewage sludge. Plots prepared in that manner were then sown with a mix of grasses. The control was the soil with no amendments. The analyses of the soil material comprised assays of the numbers of particular groups of bacteria and fungi, and of their biochemical and enzymatic activities. The study revealed that all the wastes applied for the remediation caused an increase in the numbers of the bacterial groups studied (copiotrophic, oligotrophic, cellulolytic, lipolytic), as well as in the respiration activity and rate of mineralisation of cellulose. That effect was the most pronounced in the case of sewage sludge. In treatments in which sewage sludge was applied, an increase was also observed in the numbers of the studied fungi (fungi on Martin medium, cellulolytic fungi, lipolytic fungi) and in lipase activity. Whereas, the application of the remaining wastes resulted in a slight decrease in the numbers of the fungal groups under analysis. Comparing the mean annual values of the analysed biological, physical, chemical and physicochemical properties it was found that the biological properties were as sensitive, and in the case of certain tests (numbers of cellulolytic and lipolytic bacteria, rate of cellulose mineralisation) even more sensitive indicators of positive changes taking place in the remediated soil.

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Pathogenic microorganisms are a common component of surface water reaching rivers along with sewage. If present in small quantities, they are not a threat to the health and life of humans, but in larger quantities can be a pathogenic factor causing much discomfort. The amount of pathogenic bacteria in river waters varies depending on various factors such as the size of the stream, the season, water level, degree of eutrophication of the watercourse and its tributaries, or geographical area through which the river fl ows and the ability of a watercourse to self-clean. In view of the risks that may be caused by microorganisms pathogenic to humans and animals, a constant monitoring of their quantity in surface waters has been carried out. As follows from studies conducted for the past several years (1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010), the number of coliforms and thermo-tolerant coliforms in Wisłoka River water near Mielec showed a downward trend, while that of fecal enterococci (Enterococcus faecalis) a growing tendency. At that time there was no evidence of Salmonella. In almost the whole study period, pollution of human origin exerted a major impact on the sanitary conditions of tested water. Only in 2006 were they of the zoonotic nature. Analyzed sanitation parameters of surface water in the Wisłoka River collected in a water intake point for the city of Mielec showed high variability, depending on the season and water pH. Coliform bacteria showed the highest number at the lowest pH (≤7.0). There was very high, positive correlation (r x,y >0.7) between the number of microorganisms and selected physicochemical indicators of water quality.