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We have carried out studies to examine the possibility of using biosorbents: the epigeic mosses Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. ex Brid.) Mitt., and the epiphytic lichens Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. in active biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution of surface waters. The dried sea algae Palmaria palmata (L.) Weber & Mohr were used as the third biosorbent. The studies were conducted in the waters of the Turawa Reservoir, a dam reservoir with a significant level of eutrophication in south-western Poland. Incremental concentrations of Mn, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb were determined in the exposed samples. It was shown that a 2-h exposure period increases the concentration of some metals in the exposed samples, even by as much as several hundred percent. High increments of nickel concentrations in the algae Palmaria palmata (mean: 0.0040 mg/g, with the initial concentration of c0 < 0.0016 in the algae) were noted, with negligible increments in concentrations of this metal in mosses and lichens. In contrast, mosses and lichens accumulated relatively high amounts of Cd (mean: 0.0033 mg/g, c0 = 0.00043 mg/g) and Pb (mean: 0.0243 mg/g, c0 = 0.0103 mg/g), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anthropogenic impact of metals on aquatic environments is a risk for biota, and thus their levels must be controlled. Callitriche cophocarpa Sendtn. belongs to a genus with a potential for accumulation of elevated metal levels. Thus, it may provide consolidated evidence of contamination. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to determine Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in this species collected together with water and bottom sediments from rivers with various levels of pollution. Of these rivers, one less polluted and one more polluted was selected for the collection of C. cophocarpa for an experiment to compare its Cu and Zn concentration potential. Both metals were supplemented at concentrations 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05, 0.08 and 0.14 mg L−1 of Cu as CuSO4 × 5H2O and 0.4, 0.6, 0,9, 1,35, 2.03 and 3.04 mg L−1 of Zn as ZnSO4 × 7H2O, and in the binary design containing (mg·L−1) 0.01Cu + 0.4Zn, 0.02Cu + 0.6Zn, 0.03Cu + 0.9Zn, 0.05Cu + 1.4Zn, 0.08Cu + 2.03 Zn and 0.14Cu + 3.04Zn. The upper concentrations of Cr, Cu, Mn and Zn in C. cophocarpa shoots from both types of rivers as well as of Ni and Pb in shoots from more polluted rivers were higher than the values typical for toxicity thresholds with no visible harmful effects, which may indicate accumulation abilities of C. cophocarpa for these metals. Both roots and shoots of C. cophocarpa may be included in the group of macroconcentrators for bottom sediments with respect to Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn and deconcentrators of Pb. Greater accumulation of most metals in roots than in shoots indicates their restricted mobility and translocation by C. cophocarpa to shoots. C. cophocarpa from the less polluted river and exposed to all experimental solutions contained significantly higher levels of Cu and Zn than that from the more polluted river exposed to identical experimental solutions. The plants collected from the more polluted river influenced by surplus of metals and living under chemical stress could probably limit further accumulation by developing a resistance mechanism. Cu and Zn contents in C. cophocarpa were higher when treated with separate metals than for binary treatment both in the more and less polluted river. Such research presenting the impact of a combination of metals could be important for understanding and explaining the interactions of these elements which may influence their bioavailability in nature as well as importance in the evaluation of the risk of environmental toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, human impact on the Earth's ecological environment has become increasingly visible, with serious negative consequences. One of the most important pollutants are heavy metals which can easily bind to sediments. Due to their toxic behavior, persistence, lack of biodegradability and bioaccumulation, they are considered key river pollutants that need to be controlled. This study examined two rivers: the Liwiec and Muchawka rivers located in south-eastern Poland. The mouth of the Liwiec River is the Bug River, which is partly the border between Poland and Belarus. In turn, the mouth of the Muchawka River is the Liwiec River. The objectives of the study were the following: (1) To complete a qualitative analysis of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn) in the waters and bottom sediments of the Liwiec and Muchawka rivers; (2) To assess the degree of heavy metal contamination; (3) To identify the sources of contamination. The analysis included samples of surface water and bottom sediments collected (16 water and 16 bottom sediment samples were taken from the Muchawka River and 32 water and 32 bottom sediment samples were taken from the Liwiec River) in June and September 2022. The variability of characteristics, such as temperature, precipitation and humidity, contributes to seasonal changes in the distribution characteristics and sources of heavy metals. The study showed that only a small part of the heavy metals entering rivers are present in the water depth in the dissolved state, and most of them enrich the sediment, resulting in much higher concentrations of heavy metals in the sediment than in the water column. The differences in the distribution of some elements in water and sediment are due to the fact that surface sediments retain long-term records. Therefore, sediment can be considered a potential source of heavy metals in the aquatic environment. In general, the content of heavy metals determined in bottom sediments was not high but indicative of anthropogenic human activity. There is a possibility of re-release of heavy metals from the sediment into the water when hydrodynamic conditions or environmental factors (pH, redox potential, etc.) change, which could lead to secondary water pollution. The data obtained will be of great importance to both researchers studying river systems and the population living in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the research study on the concentration of Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Ca in the sediment as well as in the supernatant (layer of water just above the sediment) of the Bagry Lake, Cracow (Poland); Ca was not included in the supernatant analysis. There are a number of works in the literature on the concentrations of metals in the water environment of flow-through dam reservoirs and factors influencing their distribution. These reservoirs were created for various purposes, e.g., water supply, flood protection, leveling the flows in the rivers and recreational purposes. Since it is difficult to find information on metals and factors influencing their distribution in the aquatic environment of post-exploitation reservoirs, this work aims to fill this gap. The additional purpose of the work was to assess the potential influence of metals' presence in the sediment of Bagry Lake on benthic organisms. Correlations between metals in the sediment and their volatile and mineral fractions as well as in particle size fractions of ≥0.06 mm and <0.06 mm were determined. Except for cadmium, metals showed a positive correlation with the sediment volatile fraction of granulometry <0.06 mm (a clay-silty fraction). It has been shown that metals, in both supernatant and sediment, are of an anthropogenic origin related to previous on-lake operations, as well as a nearby modern technical infrastructure. Statistical models were used to measure the strength of relationships between the concentration of various metals in the sediments. A cluster analysis was used to study interactions between the concentration of metals in supernatant, in sediment and in its volatile and mineral fractions as well as in fractions with different granulation. It was found that individual metals and sediment fractions form pairs of quite strong clusters, e.g., Fe sediments and Mn sediments, Fe supernatant and Mn supernatant, Cu supernatant and Pb supernatant, volatile fraction and mass fraction of particles < 0.06 mm and mineral fraction and mass fraction of particles ≥ 0.06 mm. The equilibrium model "supernatant—sediment mineral fraction—sediment volatile fraction" was developed for metals in various granulometric fractions of the sediment as well as in the supernatant. The model estimated a metal concentration in both fractions of the sediment (separately) as well as an impact they had on the metal concentration in the supernatant. It also showed how changes in a metal's concentration in both fractions are reflected in concentrations of metals in the aquatic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents an attempt to forecast heavy metal pollution of sediments of four designed reservoirs in southern Poland. For this purpose, concentration of dissolved heavy metals (lead, cadmium and nickel) was determined in water of watercourses on which the designed reservoirs will be constructed and also in sediments and water flowing into six reservoirs that are already in use. Based on the results of the heavy metal concentrations of six exploited reservoirs, a relationship was developed between heavy metal concentration in the sediment as a function of the concentration of these metals in the inflowing water. Using these relationships, the forecast concentrations of these metals in the sediments of the designed reservoirs were estimated. The mean concentrations of these metals in the planned reservoirs were 20.5 mg.kg-1 for lead, 3.4 mg.kg-1 for cadmium and 14.8 mg.kg-1 for nickel. No dangerous pollution of analyzed metal of water inflows to the planned reservoirs was found. The calculated geoaccumulation index indicates that in terms of the lead and nickel concentrations, sediments in the planned reservoirs will be unpolluted to moderately polluted, while for cadmium concentrations - they will be moderately to strongly polluted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In the year 2016, passive biomonitoring studies were conducted in the forest areas of southern and north-eastern Poland: the Karkonosze Mountains (Kark), the Beskidy Mountains (Beskid), Borecka Forest (P. Bor), Knyszynska Forest (P. Kny), and Białowieza Forest (P. Bia). This study used bark from the tree, Betula pendula Roth. Samples were collected in spring (Sp), summer (Su), and autumn (Au). Concentrations of Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb were determined for the samples using the atomic absorption spectrometry method with flame excitation (F-AAS). Based on the obtained results, the studied areas were ranked according to level of heavy-metal deposition: forests of southern Poland > forests of north-eastern Poland. Some seasonal changes in the concentrations of metals accumulated in bark were also indicated, which is directly related to their changing concentrations in the air during the calendar year, for instance, the winter heating season produces higher concentrations of heavy metals in the bark samples taken in spring. When deciding to do biomonitoring studies using bark, but also other biological materials, it is necessary to take into account the period in which the conducted research is done and the time when the samples are taken for analysis, because this will have a significant impact on the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There was conducted a comparative study of the concentrations of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd) in the surface layer of sediments collected in two investigation periods: 1999–2000 and 2013. The results demonstrated that the degree of metals pollution decreased over time. The contamination factors (Cf) calculated for Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd were respectively 3.63, 3.86, 3.23, and 3.25 in the first period of research and 1.35, 3.42, 1.98, and 1.43 in the second one. The metal speciation analysis indicated that Zn was mainly associated with the Fe–Mn oxides fraction and the residual fraction, and Cu – with the residual fraction and the organic fraction in both periods of investigation, while the percentage of geochemical fractions in binding of Pb and Cd changed in time. The share of fractions Fe–Mn oxides/carbonate increased in the case of Pb, and carbonate/exchangeable fractions in the case of Cd. The risk assessment code (RAC) decreased in the following order: Cd > Zn > Pb > Cu and was higher in 2013 - it achieved the very high-risk category in the case of Cd. Thus, despite the decrease of sediment pollution, RAC for Cd increased due to changed geochemical speciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Despite the size of small watercourses, their contamination is a major environmental problem. The Małopolska Upland and the adjacent Silesian‐Cracow Upland, situated in the Lesser Poland region, are two good examples of an area with many small rivers and creeks, which are highly susceptible to contamination. The study reports the condition of small watercourses in terms of their contamination with zinc, lead and cadmium. Both water and sediments were studied. The atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) method was used to determine the concentrations of metallic elements. The analytical results showed that despite the decreasing impact of the local industry, levels of concentration of all the studied metals in sediments are significantly elevated in the distance range approximately up to 20 km from the emitters. However, analysing the changes of metallic contaminants content with increasing distance one can state that watercourses located further than 30 km from the emitters are safe for aquatic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxbow lakes have received much attention in recent years due to their ecological importance and vulnerability for contamination. Sediment cores collected from the floor of oxbow lakes indicate the increasing contamination of lakes with heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr) over the last fifty years, owing to the development of transport and industry. Little is known, however, about how various factors can enhance or impede the migration of metallic contaminants between the pollution source and lake ecosystems. To untangle these complex processes, the metal distribution was studied throughout the waters and sediments of an urban zone-river-oxbow lake system in the Middle Odra Valley, Germany/Poland. As expected the degree of metal contamination is highest (> 10 enrichment) at low distance (< 1 km) from the human source of pollution. Using correlations with highly mobile in water Na + and Cl − ions, we reveal, however, that due to hydrological factors some metals (Cu, Cd, and Pb) are up to > 5 times enriched in the sediments of lakes even > 10 km distant from the nearest source of pollution. The lakes that are permanently connected with the Odra River or that are frequently flooded are most vulnerable for contamination. Although the metal concentrations are especially enriched in the smallest grain size fractions, this portion of metals seems to be less bioavailable with respect to that accumulated within the larger grain size fractions. Concentrations of metallic contaminants in the bottom sediments of the Middle Odra lakes are generally lower than in other oxbow lakes. Having untangled the variety of processes controlling metal migration in a complex river-oxbow lake system operating on these low metal concentrations, allows us to believe that our approach could become a paradigm for future trace element studies in a variety of similar lowland systems across the World. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of alkali and heavy metals in coastal sediments of three Polish beaches was assessed. In all locations there are sandy beaches of different characteristics according to the anthropogenic impact and degree of sheltering. Core sediments collected in Czołpino and Ustka were characterized by the highest concentration of Cd, Ag, Ba, and Al, Cu, Cr, Bi, Na, respectively. Among the alkaline metals core sediments were the most abundant with Ca, Bi, Mg and Na, presenting almost stable decreasing order in all beaches. The majority of dredge material collected can be classified as light or trace contaminated by Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd and Hg. An abundance of mineralogical components in core sediments in Ustka increases in Summer and Autumn, while in Puck is stable throughout the year. The content of studied metals in core sediments collected in three Polish beaches changes both in the vertical and horizontal profiles of the beach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the heavy metal concentrations assessed both in bottom sediments and water flowing into two small reservoirs at Krempna and Zesławice, southern Poland. The experiments were carried out in spring, summer, autumn and winter 2010–2011. The resulting concentrations of lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium and copper were compared with the Environmental Quality Standards, guidelines of the Regulation of the Minister of Environmental Protection, regulations of the Polish Geological Institute and State Institute of Environment Protection, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, and with the regulations adopted in Germany, Denmark, the United States and Canada. Regarding the total heavy metal concentrations, water flowing into the examined reservoirs was not polluted. The highest concentrations of heavy metals were found in water flowing into the reservoirs in spring and summer. The heavy metal concentrations in sediments of the reservoirs at Krempna and Zesławice were much higher than the concentrations of the elements discussed present in waters flowing into these reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The results of study of heavy metals content in water, suspended solids and bottom sediments of the Utrata River have been presented. The highest concentrations were observed for the dissolved form of Pb (0.35 mg/dm3). All heavy metals under investigation were present in suspended solids (over 90%). Remarkable amount have also been found in sediments [mg/kg] Zn - 174, Cu - 76, Pb - 49, and Cd - 2.5. Water extracts showed lower concentrations, while EDTA extraction was several times more efficient (over 2 6%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of heavy metal pollution of Vistula River sediments, within high urbanized area. The study was conducted in Warsaw agglomeration, which is the largest emitter of urban pollution in the central part of Poland. Measurements were performed for fine fractions (71 µm and less than 71 µm) of sediments taken from the surface layer of river bank. An interdisciplinary approach including magnetic methods (e.g. mass magnetic susceptibility χ, temperature dependence magnetic susceptibility and hysteresis loop parameters), microscopic and chemical analyses was undertaken to assess the level of heavy metal pollution.The results showed local impact of Warsaw's activity on the level of heavy metals pollution. This was indicated by the maximum values of magnetic susceptibility and the maximum concentrations of heavy metals in the city center. The anthropogenic origin of pollution was confirmed by magnetic mineralogy of finest granulometric fraction (less than 0.071 µm), dominating by magnetite and large amount of spherical magnetic particles. The dominant sources of sediments pollution were discriminated by analysis the relationship between magnetic parameters dependent on the domain structure of magnetic particles and the concentrations of individual heavy metals. It was found that the source of cadmium, zinc and copper were mainly vehicle emissions and the motion process of vehicles such as abrasion of road surfaces, brake discs, brake pads etc. These chemical components are associated with irregularly-shaped particles. Nickel, aluminum, titanium and chromium were connected with spherical shaped particles originated from high temperature combustion processes. Results suggested that the source of large amount spherical particles in sediments observed in the city center was the storage of ashes from coal power plant, located at the south of Warsaw. This was demonstrated by the similarity in mineralogy and morphology of magnetic particles observed in sediments and street dust collected from the road at the vicinity of the waste disposal site. The study demonstrated that magnetic method have a useful and practical application for detecting and mapping heavy metal pollution of river systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]