Effect of peat samples drying on measured content of carbon and nitrogen fractions

The aim of the study was to compare the content of carbon and nitrogen fractions in fresh and dried samples of peat. The samples were extracted in 0.25 mol KCl·dm.-3, 0.25 mol H2SO4·dm.-3 and 2.5 mol H2SO4·dm.-3. Based on the extractions and analysis of total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) following fractions of carbon and nitrogen were isolated: nonhydrolyzable carbon (NHC) and nitrogen (NHN), hardly hydrolyzable carbon (HHC) and nitrogen (HHN), easy hydrolyzable carbon (EHC) and nitrogen (EHN), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), and its ammonium (NH4.-N) and nitrate (NO3.-N) form. Large differences between fresh and dried samples were observed in the content of some analyzed fractions . especially NO3.-N, NH4.-N, DON and HHC. 1.6.3.5 times higher concentrations of NO3.-N were observed in dry samples in comparison with fresh. In dried samples were also observed higher concentrations of NH4.-N and DON. In general lower concentrations of EHN, NHN, HHC and higher of HHN and EHC were observed in dried samples in comparison to fresh. Higher content of mineral nitrogen, as well as DON and DOC in dried samples, is probably an effect of mineralization of carbon and nitrogen compounds during initial stage of drying. The obtained data suggest, that the content of NO3.-N, NH4.-N, DON and EHC analyzed in dried samples of peat is overestimated. Extractions of the fractions from organic samples should be done based on fresh samples, just after sampling

The state of ionic balance in selected plant species from natural habitats of the Piska Primeval Forest (NE Poland)

The objective of this paper was an attempt to estimate the impact of variable habitat conditions on the ionic state and ionic balance of selected species of plants occurring in an environment with scarce anthropogenic pressure in the Piska Primeval Forest, north-eastern Poland. The analysed mono- and dicotyledonous plants showed very high amounts of total nitrogen, exceeding sum of alkaline cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+), particularly at poor natural habitats (Sphagno-girgensohni-Picetum and Pino-Quercetum communities). Lack of alkaline cations is probably compensated by nitrogen in the form of NH4+, therefore maintaining the ionic balance of cations and anions in plants. Plants inhabiting habitats such as the Tilio-Carpinetum community show very high amounts of potassium. Some potassium radioactivity is probably indispensable for the physiological processes in plants instead of solar radiation

Speciation of Cd and Pb in organic soil treated with municipal sewage

Streszczenie Badania przeprowadzono w oparciu o wyniki uzyskane z eksperymentu polowego. Celem badań było określenie wpływu oczyszczonych ścieków miejskich, zastosowanych w dawce pojedynczej, optymalnej dla danej rośliny (ustalona w oparciu o ładunek N i wody) i podwójnej dawce ścieków na zawartość i specjację Cd i Fb w glebie organicznej obojętnej. W pobranych z każdego obiektu, uśrednionych próbach glebowych, oznaczono zawartość ogółem Cd i Fb oraz specjację tych metali. Wyodrębniono 5 frakcji Cd i Pb zdefiniowanych operacyjnie: wymienną (FI), węglanową określaną jako „związaną specyficznie” (F2), związaną z tlenkami Fe-Mn (F3), organiczną(F4) i pozostałości (F5). Stwierdzono, że całkow ita zawartość ołowiu w badanej glebie odpowia- dała wartościom naturalnym, zaś ilość kadmu przekraczała dopuszczalne normy ustalone dla gleb organicznych. Wyniki chemiczne- go frakcjonow ania Cd i Fb w glebie wytworzonej z torfu niskiego, zarówno z obiektów' naw ożonych oczyszczonymi ściekami, jak i z obiektu kontrolnego przedstaw iają następujące uszeregow anie procentowy ch zawartości poszczególnych frakcji w kolejności ma- lejącej: F3>F2>F4>F1>F5 - kadm, F3>F4>F2>F5>F1 - ołów. Oczyszczone ścieki miejskie, będące źródłem łatwo rozpuszczalnych związków organicznych, mogą w'pływać nawiązanie Cd i Fb we frakcji organicznej, co potwierdza odnotowany w badaniach wzrost ilości metali w tej frakcji w glebie.

Physical and water properties of Albeluvisols in the Silesian Lowland (SW Poland)

Soil texture, bulk and specific density, total porosity, and the water capacity at pF 0.2.7 were measured in Albeluvisols with more or less pronounced lithological discontinuity. The soil pits were located in the north-eastern part of the Silesian Lowland, on the glacial plain built of till blanketed with cover materials of various origin, mainly sands. Distinct albeluvic tongues with sandy texture and strong stagnic color mosaic at the contact of eluvial and illuvial horizons were identified in all profiles under study. The lowest bulk density was measured in the plough layers, while the highest in subsoil EBw horizons or glossic E/Bt horizons. Total porosity was the largest in plough layers, rapidly decreased in subsoil E horizons and then back increased with depth. Water capacity (at each measured pF value) was strongly correlated mainly with clay content and rapidly raised in E/B horizons. The highest field water capacity was measured in E/Bt horizons at low albeluvic tonguing intensity, or in deeper parts of Bt horizon at larger intensity of albeluvic tonguing into the illuvial horizon. The easily available water stock in the upper 100 cm-thick column of Albeluvisols with lithological discontinuity depends mainly on the depth of transition of eluvial (coarser) and illuvial (finer-textured) zones, similarly to typical Luvisols with the same type of textural (lithological) variability in the soil profile.

Classification of technogenic soils according to WRB system in the light of Polish experiences

Technosols are relatively young soil group in WRB soil system, and there is still a lot of to do to better understand processes taking place in these soils and to classify them in a proper way. The objectives of this paper were to (1) evaluate Technosol and 'technogenic' qualifiers for other Reference Soil Groups, and (2) propose new solutions which would improve the classification of technogenic soils in WRB. New qualifiers . Edific, Nekric, Misceric, Artefactic, Radioactivic and new specifier . Technic . are proposed to be added to keys to Technosols. Moreover, Salic and Sodic qualifiers should be also available for Technosols. Furthermore, the supplementation of definitions of thionic horizon and sulphidic material with reference to Technosols is also suggested

„Quaternary rendzinas” in the Systematics of Polish Soil

It is suggested that calcareous soils formed from calcareous gyttja were termed quaternary rendzinas, as indicated by Uggla. Their differentiation is connected with the amount of calcium carbonate and anthropogenic modification of surface horizon. Soils being in the initial phase of organic matter accumulation are suggested to be termed initial quaternary rendzinas, whereas the soils that have humus horizon more than 10 cm thick - proper quaternary rendzinas. Taking into consideration the fact that humus horizon of these soils is developed during siltation with alluvial or deluvial deposits, separation of calcareous post-lacustrine soils in alluvial and deluvial soils should be considered alternatively.

Katena gleb mułowo-madowych w okolicy Suraża w Dolinie Górnej Narwi / Muddy-alluvial soils catena near Suraż in the Upper Narew Valley

The aim of the study was the recognition of profile structure and main physical properties of humus-rich endogley soils, which form muddy-alluvial habitats, and soils appearing together with them in a catena developed in the Upper Narew Valley near Sura¿. Plant communities growing on these soils were also recognized. Typological development of the analysed soils is clearly connected with microrelief of flood terrace, water conditions and vegetation cover. The most moisture positions taken by humus-rich endogley soils are overgrown by Glycerietum maximae community. Typic czernozemic alluvial and mucky-like soils with Phalaridetum arundinaceae community are found slightly higher. In the highest and the most dried parts of the analysed terrain mucky soils overgrown by plant community with domination of Alopecurus pratensis appears. Due to lower ash content physical properties of humus-rich endogley soils and peaty-like deposits considerably distinguish from properties of the other soils and deposits founded on the study area.

Ocena zawartości rtęci w poziomach powierzchniowych i podpowierzchniowych intensywnie użytkowanych rolniczo gleb aluwialnych / Assessment of total mercury content in the surface and subsurface horizons in intensively used agricultural alluvial soils

One of the major factors determining hazard for humans, animals and plants is the increased content of trace elements in the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of mercury in surface and subsurface horizons of alluvial soils intensively used for agriculture in aspect of relationship between soil components and Hg amount bound by the soil. The results showed that there was no mercury contamination and dominant component binding this element in analyzed soils was clay fraction. The determined concentrations of mercury were close to the geochemical background level.

Model of nitrogen management on farms specializing in livestock production

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the efficiency of agricultural production and selected parameters of farms and data describing the flow of nutrients on the farms. An analysis model was developed for nitrogen management on farms specializing in livestock production. The study was conducted on 20 farms located in 12 municipalities of the Mazowieckie province in central Poland in 2009.2012. The model was developed using multiple linear regression analysis in accordance with the backward stepwise method. Based on the regression analysis, the farm parameters that did not determine the dependent variable were eliminated. In the end, there were 10 independent variables included in the model. The model indicates that the efficiency of nitrogen management, expressed in cereal units per 1 kg of nitrogen (CU·kg-1 N), is significantly affected by: crop rotation, the demand for purchasing animal feed, the intensity of livestock production, the nitrogen content of farmyard manure, the nitrogen doses applied in mineral and natural fertilizers, and nitrogen outflow from farms with the sale of plant and animal products. The developed model explains 70% of the variation in the coefficient of efficiency expressed in cereal units per 1 kg N.