Soil is a huge reservoir of carbon, which is both organically and chemically bounded. Sequestration ability of soil amounting to 0.9±0.3 Pg C•y-1 represents significant item in carbon balance. Reclamation activities aimed at soil creating contributes to the carbon binding in the form of complex compounds. This work characterizes fluctuations of organic carbon in post-lignite-mining sites located in Łęknica (Poland, Lubuskie Province) after afforestation with Pinus sylvestris. The results present the situation 25 years after the reclamation field experiment commencement. Satisfactory effect in growth and development of pine forest was accomplished by liming and NPK application. After 25 years of the experiment start point, the litter deposition gained 2.5-4.0 cm and the initial humic horizon, lying directly beneath reached 4.0-6.5 cm. An average carbon accumulation in surface litter amounted to 2.86 kg•m-2 and in initial humic horizons to 0.68 kg•m-2. This indicates an average sequestration of 130 Mg CO2 per 1 ha of reclaimed area.

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The progressing urbanization leads to the growth of buildings within the cities and taking up new areas for investments. Uncontrolled urban sprawl entails a number of consequences resulting in the soil sealing of the areas which has been permeable so far. Cutting off deeper soil layers from gas exchange and access to water causes a reduction in biological activity and biodiversity. That is why EU considers soil sealing as one of the main problems of the 21st century.The paper attempts to analyze the progressing urbanization on the one of the Zielona Góra housing estates - Jędrzychów Residential Area.

Earth surface is under the continous influence of the environmental factors - both natural and anthropogenic. The significant impact on the environment can be noted in areas adjacent to the metal industry plants, in a consequence of pollutants emission, especially dusts containing the heavy metals, into the atmosphere,. In the surroundings of Głogów Copper Smelter (GCS) elevated amounts of copper and lead has been noted. In the soils of the test sites were found up to 5250 mg・kg-1 Cu and 1290 mg・kg-1 Pb. The forest litter contained 3.3-5.1 more Cu and 3.9-8.6 Pb than the humic horizon of the soil. Analyse of the different soils covering the GCS protective forest area let specify the stabilising role of particle size distribution, TOC content and the soil reaction to Cu and Pb migration in the environment.