No abstract

The phase composition and concentrations of six potentially toxic elements (Zn, Pb, Mn, Cu, Ni, and Cd) in topsoil and plants were studied. The samples were taken from the waste dump in Katowice in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Mineral matter was identified by XRD and SEM. Mineral composition of studied topsoils depends on material composition used to forming the surface layer on the dump. There aluminosilicates (chlorite, muscovite, clays minerals), quartz, Fe and Ca sulphates and Fe oxides dominate. On plants shoots there were identified dolomites, Fe oxides, Ca sulphates, Na and K chlorides and rarely Au-Cu alloys beside quartz and aluminosilicates. By using AAS and ICP-OES contents of heavy metals in soils and plants were determined. Scanning electron microscope allowed to define the chemical composition in soils and plants and XRD to identify mineral contents. In this work measurement of pH and total organic carbon content were carried out. Results indicate that topsoil is highly enriched in heavy metals, especially in zinc, and it is positive correlated with contents of metals in plants growing on such contaminated area. In soils Zn content was in the range from 120 to 3550 mg kg-1 , Pb from 31 to 905 mg kg-1, Ni from 3 to 78 mg kg-1 and Cd from1 to 11 mg kg-1. For plants it was respectively Zn to 284 mg kg-1 , Pb to 59 mg kg-1 , Ni to 4 mg kg-1 and Cd to 1 mg kg-1. The results indicate that application of coal wastes as reclamation material is not advised due to environmental issues.

No abstract

Purpose The analysis of n-alkanes in palaeoenvironmental studies of peatlands is mainly limited to ombrogenous peatlands which are a rare feature in the environment. Using n-alkane and plant macrofossil analysis, we have tracked changes in the environment in the valley of a large Central European river. We tested the possibilities for applying such studies to low-moor bogs which are the most commonly occurring type of bog in the world. Materials and methods Representative peat samples were taken from two profiles in a peatland located in the Vistula Valley (southern Poland), and they were analysed for the occurrence and distribution of biomarkers. The distribution of n-alkanes was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The botanical composition of the samples was determined by analysis of plant macrofossil remains, and the degree of peat decomposition was also determined. Results and discussion Samples of low-moor peat were characterised by a prevalence of medium- and long-chain n-alkane homologues, which is typical for higher plants. The variable values of the CPI, CPI (25–31), and the C23/C25 ratio have provided information on the stages of formation of the Zapadź bog. The source of n-alkane differentiation is vegetation change related to palaeohydrological dynamics and palaeoenvironmental conditions within the peatland. Conclusions We have shown that analysis of n-alkanes can be successfully used in low-moor bogs as a complement to palaeobotanical and palaeozoological methods. The bringing together of these types of research enables changes in the ecosystems of large river valleys to be tracked.

No abstract