Bioindicative comparison of the fern Athyrium distentifolium for trace pollution in the Sudety and Tatra mountains of Poland.

Concentrations of the elements Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were measured in the fronds of the fern Athyrium distentifolium from the Sudety and Tatra mountains (Poland). The A. distentifolium sites in the Sudety mountains which were influenced by long-range metal transport from the former Black Triangle were distinguished by the principal component and classification analysis (PCCA). These sites were situated on the west side slopes of one of the ranges in the Sudety mountains (within a 150-km radius of the heart of the former Black Triangle) at an altitude of 700 m asl, and exposed to prevailing winds. This most affected area had significantly higher foliar concentrations of Cu, Cr and Ni which are typical for long-range transported airborne elements occurring in coal fly ash emitted by lignite combustion industry.

Bioindication capacity of metal pollution of native and transplanted Pleurozium schreberi under various levels of pollution.

During a period of 90d assays were carried out with the moss Pleurozium schreberi transplanted from an uncontaminated control site to 27 sites selected in one of the most polluted regions of Upper Silesia (Poland). The native mosses of this species were collected from the polluted sites. Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn were determined in P. schreberi and in the soil of all of the sites. The sites were divided into more and less polluted ones. The obtained results indicate that the native P. schreberi from the more polluted sites accumulated significantly more Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn than the transplanted moss from the same sites. The transplanted P. schreberi from the less polluted sites accumulated significantly more Cr, Pb, Zn, significantly less Cu and comparable amounts of Cd, as compared to the native moss. The selection of native versus transplant P. schreberi as a bioindicator depends on the level of pollution.

Self-organizing feature map (neural networks) as a tool to select the best indicator of road traffic pollution (soil, leaves or bark of Robinia pseudoacacia L.).

Concentrations of the elements Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were measured in the leaves and bark of Robinia pseudoacacia and the soil in which it grew, in the town of Olesnica (SW Poland) and at a control site. We selected this town because emission from motor vehicles is practically the only source of air pollution, and it seemed interesting to evaluate its influence on soil and plants. The self-organizing feature map (SOFM) yielded distinct groups of soils and R. pseudoacacia leaves and bark, depending on traffic intensity. Only the map classifying bark samples identified an additional group of highly polluted sites along the main highway from Wroclaw to Warszawa. The bark of R. pseudoacacia seems to be a better bioindicator of long-term cumulative traffic pollution in the investigated area, while leaves are good indicators of short-term seasonal accumulation trends.

Bioindication of trace metals in Brachythecium rutabulum around a copper smelter in Legnica (Southwest Poland): Use of a new form of data presentation in the form of a self-organizing feature map.

Concentrations of the elements Al, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn were measured in the terrestrial moss Brachythecium rutabulum and the soil on which it grew. Soil and moss plants were sampled at sites situated 1.5, 3, 6, 9 and 15 km to the north, south, east and west of the Legnica copper smelter (SW Poland). The self-organizing feature map (SOFM) or Kohonen network was used to classify the soil and moss samples according to the concentrations of the elements. The self-organizing map yielded distinct groups of B. rutabulum and soil samples, depending on the distance from and direction to the source of pollution. When the map-identified groups of sites with similar soil metal concentrations were combined with the map-identified groups of sites with similar metal concentrations in B. rutabulum, these maps were found to correspond closely. The SOFMs accurately represented the least polluted, moderately polluted and severely polluted sites, reflecting the distribution of metals that is typical of the smelter area, caused by the prevailing westerly and northerly winds.

Heavy metals in aquatic macrophytes from two small rivers polluted by urban, agricultural and textile industry sewages SW Poland.

This article presents the results from a study of the comparison of 2 lowland rivers: the Olobok and the Pilawa in southwest Poland polluted by urban, agricultural, and textile industry sewages. pH and concentrations of Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate, and sulfate were measured in water samples and concentrations of Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, N, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, and Zn were measured in stream bottom sediments and in the aquatic macrophytes Elodea canadensis, Callitriche verna, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton natans, and Ceratophyllum demersum from the river Olobok and Elodea canadensis, Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton crispus, and Veronica beccabunga from the river Pilawa. The matrix of concentrations of 16 elements in 27 plant samples of 7 species from 15 sampling sites of 2 rivers and concentrations of 15 elements and pH in water samples and 16 elements and pH in bottom sediment samples of these sites was submitted to numerical classification, which revealed that sampling sites from the rivers were differentiated by the value of factor 1 of principal component analysis (PCA), which was related to the pH of water, Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, and Ni in water and Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Ni, P, and S in bottom sediments. More polluted parts of both rivers were differentiated from less polluted parts by the value of factor 2 of PCA, which was related to Pb, Zn, and sulfates in water and Ca and Zn in bottom sediments. Macrophytes from the Olobok and Pilawa rivers were differentiated by the value of factor 1, which was related to Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Ni, N, Na, Pb, and S. Groups of macrophytes of more and less polluted parts of both rivers differed by the value of factor 2, which was related to P, K, and Mn. Downstream of the sewage outputs in both rivers, a significantly increased level of pollution occurs with elements correlated with factor 1: Among others were Cu and Cr, typical for the textile industry along the river Pilawa, and among others were Mn and Ni, typical for the urban and agricultural activities in the river Olobok.

Self-organizing feature map (neural networks) as a tool in classification of the relations between chemical composition of aquatic bryophytes and types of streambeds in the Tatra national park in Poland.

Concentrations of the elements Al, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were measured in the aquatic bryophytes Fontinalis antipyretica, Platyhypnidium riparioides and Scapania undulata. These bryophytes were sampled from streams flowing through granites/gneisses, limestones/dolomites and sandstones in the Tatra national park in Poland. The Self-organizing feature map (SOFM) or Kohonen network was used to classify the bryophytes according to the concentrations of the elements. This method was verified using principal component analysis (PCA) to check whether this well-known technique would give similar results. Both the self-organizing map and ordination by PCA yielded distinct groups of aquatic bryophytes growing in streams flowing through different types of rock, groups which differed significantly in the concentrations of certain elements. Bryophytes from granites/gneisses were distinguished by higher concentrations of Cd and Pb, while those from sandstones had a higher concentration of Cr and those from limestones/dolomites had higher concentrations of Ca and Mg. The SOFM and PCA ordinations thus yield identical classifications of bryophytes from the Tatra mountains streams.

Comparison of the moss Pleurozium schreberi with needles and bark of Pinus sylvestris as biomonitors of pollution by industry in Stalowa Wola (southeast Poland).

Concentrations of heavy metals were determined in the terrestrial bryophyte Pleurozium schreberi and in samples of bark and current and previous year needles of Pinus sylvestris collected along transects around the Stalowa Wola industry center (southeast Poland) and compared with material of the same species from a control site. The suitability of bark and pine needles for use in monitoring of serious heavy metal pollution was investigated. In the examined area current and previous year pine needles can be considered suitable biomonitors for atmospheric pollution for Cu and Zn and bark for only Cu. Bioaccumulation abilities of Cd and Cu in P. schreberi and P. sylvestris current and previous year needles were similar. Current and previous year needles were better accumulators of Mn, Ni, and Zn compared to the moss P. schreberi. Bark was a better accumulator of Cd, Cu, and Ni and an inferior accumulator of Mn compared to P. schreberi in the examined area.

Differences in concentration of heavy metals between native and transplanted Plagiothecium denticulatum: a case study of soils contaminated by oil well exudates in South East Poland.

For a period of 60 days, the terrestrial moss Plagiothecium denticulatum was transplanted from a clean control site to a soil contaminated with crude oil exudates (Krosno, South East Poland). Native P. denticulatum growing on this contaminated soil was collected during the same period. Concentrations of the metals Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn as well as the macroelements N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S were determined in P. denticulatum and in soils from the contaminated and control sites. Contaminated soil was the main contributor of Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn to native and transplanted P. denticulatum. Other sources of contamination apart from the soil existed for Cd and Cu. Transplanted P. denticulatum accumulated significantly more Al, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, and native P. denticulatum accumulated significantly more N, P, K, and Ca. Higher levels of N, P, K, and Ca in native P. denticulatum indicates a possible mechanism to prevent the loss of these elements as observed in the transplanted P. denticulatum.

A comparison of native and transplanted Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw. as biomonitors of water polluted with heavy metals.

Native and transplanted mosses of the species Fontinalis antipyretica were studied to assess their capacity as biomonitors of heavy metals. Assays were carried out with transplanted mosses (sampled from an unpolluted control stream) exposed for 60 days to five streams polluted with heavy metals. At the same time, native mosses were collected from the exposure sites. Concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn were determined in the mosses (native and transplants), stream waters, and sediments of both exposure and control sites. The results showed that the transplanted mosses accumulated significantly more Al, Cr, Cu, Pb, V, and Zn than the native mosses. The concentrations of Co and Mn in all streams were significantly higher in the native mosses.

Toxic metals in aquatic plants surviving in surface water polluted by copper mining industry.

Concentrations of the metals Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn, as well as the macronutrients N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S were measured in water, sediments, and the aquatic macrophytes Potamogeton pectinatus and Myriophyllum spicatum, growing in surface water receiving sewages and solid wastes from a copper smelter and a copper ore processing factory located in the Legnica-Glogow copper district in Southwest Poland. The deposition of mineral wastes in this area belong to the largest repository in Europe. The plants were able to survive at heavily contaminated sites. The concentrations of Cd (up to 0.6-1.7 microg/L in water and up to 10.1-12.9 mg/kg in sediments), Cu (up to 29-48 microg/L in water and up to 4.6-5.6g/kg in sediments), Pb (up to 1.5-2.2 g/kg in sediments), and Zn (up to 167-200 microg/L in water and up to 1.4-1.8 g/kg in sediments) seriously exceeded background values. P. pectinatus was able to survive tissue concentrations (in mg/kg) of up to 920 Cu, 6240 Mn, 98 Co, and 59 Ni, while M. spicatum survived tissue concentrations up to 1040 Cu, 6660 Mn, and 57 Co for. Enrichment ratios of elements in plant tissue and in water were much higher than those between plant tissue and sediments.

Efficiency in removing pollutants by constructed wetland purification systems in Poland.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency between Phragmites communis, Salix viminalis, and Populus canadensis in removing the heavy metals Al, Ba, Mn, Ni, Sr, V, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Pb and the eutrophying macroelements phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, chloride, sulfate, Ca, Mg, K, and Fe from sewage in subsurface flow constructed wetlands in Poland. The effectiveness of the sewage treatment system was higher in summer compared to winter for the removal of (1) all heavy metals, phosphate (P) and mineral nitrogen (N) for all of species, (2) sulfates (S) for Phragmites and Salix, (3) iron (Fe) for Salix, and (4) chloride (Cl) for Salix and Populus. Analysis of variance indicated that there was no significant difference between the purifications systems in phytoremediation of Mn; so all species were equally effective (99%, prob. level 0.001). The Salix wetland system was most effective in purification of water and removal of macroelements (24-82% in summer, 10-80% in winter with Fe 97%), Cd (58-71%), V (100%), and Zn (84-92%). The Phragmites system was most effective in purification and removal of Al (81-97%), Ba (70-95%), Pb (64-81%), and Sr (24-51%), while in the case of Cu (49-60%) and Ni (55-67%) the Populus wetland system proved most effective. The outflowing water of the wetlands contained elements in amounts exceeding the admissible levels as established for unpolluted water both in winter and summer. Therefore the effectiveness of the observed phytoremediation systems in this study was not sufficient alone to remove these elements and can be considered as a supplemental tool in purification of sewage.

Bioindication of heavy metals with aquatic macrophytes: the case of a stream polluted with power plant sewages in Poland.

The Kozi Brod (left tributary of the Biala Przemsza, east of Katowice) flows in a highly industrial coal-mining area dominated by the power plant of Siersza. Concentrations of the microelements nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), barium (Ba), aluminum (Al), vanadium (V), and strontium (Sr), as well as the macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and sulfur (S), were measured in water and plants of the Kozi Brod. The collected plants were: Myosotis palustris L. Nathorst, Galium palustre L., Mentha rotundifolia L. Huds., Mentha aquatica L., Berula erecta (Huds.) Coville, Cardamine amara L., Epilobium angustifolium L., Geranium palustre L., Lysimachia vulgaris L., Crepis paludosa L. Much., Calitriche verna L., Solanum dulcamara L., and the aquatic moss Hygrohypnum ochraceum (Turn.) Loesk. These plants were used to evaluate the spatial distribution of elements in the Kozi Brod and contained elevated levels of Co, Cd, Zn, Ni, Mn, Al, Pb, and Cu. Significant correlations between concentrations of Cd, Zn, and Mn in water and plants indicate the potential of these species for pollution monitoring.

Concentrations of heavy metals and plant nutrients in water, sediments and aquatic macrophytes of anthropogenic lakes (former open cut brown coal mines) differing in stage of acidification.

Concentration of heavy metals (Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn) as well as macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S) were measured in water, bottom sediments and plants from anthropogenic lakes in West Poland. The collected plants were: Phragmites australis, Potamogeton natans, Iris pseudoacorus, Juncus effusus, Drepanocladus aduncus, Juncus bulbosus, Phalaris arundinacea, Carex remota and Calamagrostis epigeios. Two reference lakes were sampled for Nymphaea alba, Phragmites australis, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Typha angustifolia and Polygonum hydropiper. These plants contained elevated levels of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu and Mn, and part of the plants contained in addition elevated levels of Mn, Fe, Pb, Ni and Zn. Analyses of water indicated pollution with sulfates, Cd, Co, Ni. Zn, Pb and Cu, and bottom sediments indicated that some of the examined lakes were polluted with Cd, Co and Cr. Strong positive correlations were found between concentrations of Co in water and in plants and between Zn in sediments and plants, indicating the potential of plants for pollution monitoring for this metal. Heavy metal accumulation seemed to be directly associated with the exclusion of Ca and Mg.

Heavy metals in three lakes in West Poland.

Concentrations of heavy metals (Ni, Cr, Co, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd, Cu, Hg, Fe) as well as macronutrients (P, Ca, Mg) were measured in water, bottom sediments, and plants of three lakes in West Poland (southwest of Poznan). The plants collected were Nymphaea alba, Nuphar luteum, Ceratophyllum demersum, Phragmites communis, Typha latifolia, and Schoenoplectus lacustris. These plants contained elevated levels of Co, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Hg. Analyses of water and bottom sediments indicated that the lakes were polluted with Zn, Cd, Cu, and Pb and partly with Ni and Hg. Strong positive correlations were found between concentrations of Cd in water and in plants, between concentrations of Cd in bottom sediments and in plants, between concentrations of Cr in water and in plants, between concentrations of Cr in bottom sediments and in plants, and between concentrations of Fe in water and in plants, indicating the potential of plants for pollution monitoring for these metals. A negative correlation was found between biomass production and Pb and Mn content in water and Pb and Mn content in bottom sediments. Cr and Cd accumulated in plants at a higher rate from bottom sediments than from water. The accumulation rate of Fe in plant tissues was higher with an increase in Fe in water than with an increase in Fe in bottom sediments.

Bioindication of heavy metals in soil by liverworts.

Studies were made of the accumulation of the heavy metals Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, and Zn and the macroelements N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in liverworts Conocephalum conicum, Marchantia polymorphia, and Pellia epiphylla collected from 57 microhabitats in Poland (Lower Silesia, Tatry Mts., and Puszcza Augustowska forest) and one microhabitat in the Czech Republic (Moravsky Kras). Ecological differentiation of Conocephalum conicum, Marchantia polymorpha and Pellia epiphylla populations is closely correlated with the soil chemistry. The evidence for this assumption are the significant positive correlations between concentrations of elements in soil and in the examined liverworts. In particular, correlations between contents of chromium and cobalt in soil and in Conocephalum conicum and between nickel, chromium, copper, and barium in soil and in Pellia epiphylla prove that these plants can be useful in monitoring of contamination of soil with elements mentioned above. Concentrations of cobalt in almost all the examined liverworts surpass the average background values of this element established for terrestrial bryophytes what proves that these plants tolerate increased accumulated amounts of this element and may therefore act as bioindicator for this heavy metal. Cationic equilibrium of Conocephalum conicum, Marchantia polymorpha and Pellia epiphylla examined according to Czarnowski (1977) pointed to the existence of some disturbances in ionic balance of these plants caused probably by elevated concentrations of microelements (especially iron, cobalt, lead, and copper) in their tissues.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals by aquatic macrophytes around Wroclaw, Poland.

Studies were made of heavy metal accumulation in aquatic macrophytes growing in streams and ponds around Wroclaw, Poland, partly affected by atmospheric pollution, effluents of chemical factories, and groundwater contaminated by slagdumps from a smelter and power station. The highest concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in surface water and aquatic macrophytes surpass the average values established for background reference sites. Significant positive correlations were found between Cu contents in water and Cu, Cd, and Zn contents in plants, between Cu and Cd in plants, between Co and Ni in plants, between Ni contents in water and Ni and Cu contents in plants, between Zn in water and Cu in plants, and between Cd and Ni in plants. Negative correlations were found between Cd contents in water and Zn contents in plants, between Co in water and Cd in plants, and between Zn in water and Co in plants. Experiments with the liverwort Scapania undulata originating from a clean, forested, mountain stream and cultivated in solutions containing 70-100% sewage from a chemical factory demonstrated an increase in lead content (85 times in 100% sewage and 58 times in 70% sewage) and in mercury content (40 times in 100% sewage and 20 times in 70% sewage), and also an increase in contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, and Ni. Exposure to 70% sewage concentration during the 14 days of the experiment may be recognized as harmless for S. undulata, so this liverwort could be used in biotechnical purification of water.

Preliminary investigations into the bioaccumulation of mercury by the liverwort Scapania undulata L. (Dum).

Studies were made of the aquatic liverwort Scapania undulata (L.) Dum from streams in the Polish Sudeten Mountains. It was found that this species growing in water with mercury concentrations below the detection limit (10(-3) micrograms/liter) contains from 0.025 to 4.7 mg Hg/kg dry wt. According to the bioassay the lethal concentration of Hg2+ (24-hr LC100) for S. undulata appeared to be 500 or 1000 micrograms/liter, depending on the population the liverworts were chosen from. Exposure to 16 micrograms Hg2+/liter for 14 days may be recognized as harmless for S. undulata. After completion of the experiment S. undulata, treated with 64-512 micrograms Hg2+/liter, accumulated respectively 46-2800 times more mercury than the blank.