1. Projekt koncepcyjny systemu zagospodarowania wód opadowych dla osiedla jednorodzinnego / Conceptual design of a rainwater management system for a single-family housing

Ewa SUCHANEK-GABZDYL
University of Bielsko-Biala, Department of Environmental Protection and Engineering, Willowa 2, 43-309 Bielsko-Biała, Poland
esuchanek@ubb.edu.pl

Article (PDF) CC BY 4.0 / 1_suchanekgabzdyl_vol320221-9.pdf 

Keywords
rainwater, infiltration, retention, reservoir

Abstract
The aim of the research was to create a draft concept for the management of rainwater from the area of a single-family housing estate through the use of retention and infiltration systems with the possibility of collecting rainwater on the surface or under its surface. These systems include: a storage reservoir, an absorbent trough, a rain garden, an infiltration basin, drainage boxes and root boxes. All devices have been designed in such a way that they harmonize with each other and create an extensive system of blue and green infrastructure, without overloading the sewage network. The amount of rainwater was also calculated and the planned devices were designed and dimensioned. The devices located in the estate were arranged in such a way that they could intercept water from every part of the drained area. They can hold a total of nearly 46.5 m³ of water at the same time. This gives a very high efficiency of operation in terms of protection of surface waters and retaining them at the place of their formation. Thanks to such a high absorbency of the devices used, the estate is able to work like a sponge. The accumulated water from the drained catchments is mostly drained directly into the soil profile. This has a positive effect on maintaining the appropriate quality and high level of groundwater. Water, infiltrating into the ground through drainage layers, undergoes natural pretreatment, limiting the migration of organic and mineral micro-pollutants. The applied infiltration allows to increase the efficiency of groundwater intakes without reducing their level excessively, and its maintenance is necessary to ensure an appropriate composition of these waters. Oxygenated water infiltrating the aquifer, which contains iron and manganese compounds, can oxidize sulphides to sulphates and dissolve ferric and manganese sulphates. This means an increase in costs and an extension of the purification and treatment process of the abstracted waters. The planned infiltration and retention system is of a landscape nature. It is related to the shape and development of the land surface and the directions of its use. At the same time, the systems used do not take up much space on the ground surface, give the impression of being natural, thanks to which the area around the buildings has become more attractive in terms of aestheticsand functional.

For citation:
Suchanek-Gabzdyl E. 2022. Conceptual design of a rainwater management system for a single-family housing. Polish Journal of Materials and Environmental Engineering, 3(23), 1-9 (in Polish). DOI: https://doi.org/10.53052/pjmee.2022.3.01

2. Wykorzystanie dyfraktometrii rentgenowskiej do badania morfologii polimerów stosowanych do produkcji geosyntetyków / The use of X-ray diffraction for research the morphology of polymers used in the production of geosynthetics

Marcin BĄCZEK, Czesław ŚLUSARCZYK
University of Bielsko-Biala, Department of Materials Engineering, Willowa 2, 43-309 Bielsko-Biała, Poland
mbaczek@ubb.edu.pl
cslusarczyk@ubb.edu.pl

Article (PDF) CC BY 4.0 / 2_baczek_ślusarczyk_vol3202210-20.pdf

Keywords
WAXS, SAXS, degree of crystallinity, lamellar structure system, polymers

Abstract
X-ray methods are very useful tools for the structural characterization of polymer systems. Considering the angular range in which X-ray scattering is registered, one can distinguish wideangle (WAXS) and small-angle (SAXS) X-ray scattering techniques. WAXS method is most frequently used to characterize crystalline regions in semicrystalline polymers. By means of these method one can estimate the weight fraction of the crystalline regions (i.e. the degree of crystallinity), the mean sizes of crystallites and the orientation of crystallographic planes towards the chosen direction. WAXS can also be used to determination of polymorphism in polymers. Application of SAXS method to the investigation of two-phase polymer systems yields information about the long period of the lamellar structure, the thickness of crystalline regions in lamellar stacks and the thickness of the transition layer between crystalline and amorphous regions. For amorphous two-phase polymers SAXS permits determination of the correlation lenght which is connected with mean sizes one of the phase. In the case of fractal systems SAXS is used to estimate the fractal dimension. This paper will briefly discuss individual X-ray methods and present specific examples of their applications in the evaluation of the supermolecular structure of several selected types of fibers made of polymers used for the production of geosynthetics, i.e. polyester (PES) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN).

For citation:
Bączek M., Ślusarczyk C. 2022. The use of X-ray diffraction for research the morphology of polymers used in the production of geosynthetics. Polish Journal of Materials and Environmental Engineering, 3(23), 10-20 (in Polish). DOI: https://doi.org/10.53052/pjmee.2022.3.02

3. Nowe stanowiska jemioły pospolitej jodłowej Viscum album L. subsp. abietis (WIESB.) JANCH. na Pogórzu Śląskim i w północnej części Beskidu Śląskiego / New localities of Mistletoe Viscum album L. subsp. abietis (WIESB.) JANCH in the Silesian Foothils and in northern part of the Silesian Beskid Mts
Tomasz BECZAŁA, Tomasz JONDERKO
Górecki Nature Club Association, Zalesie 12, 43-436 Górki Wielkie, Poland
Damian CHMURA
University of Bielsko-Biala, Department of Environmental Protection and Engineering, Willowa 2, 43-309 Bielsko-Biała, Poland
dchmura@ubb.edu.pl

Article (PDF) CC BY 4.0 / 3_beczała_jonderko_chmura_vol3202221-27.pdf

Keywords
distribution, new localities, ATPOL, mistletoe, silver fir decline

Abstract
The semiparasitic plant common fir mistletoe Viscum album L. subsp. abietis (WIESB.) JANCH is the rarest of three subspecies in Poland. In the country this mistletoe has northern border of distribution range. The previous literature data suggested that the subspecies has only few localities in the Silesian Foothils and in northern part of the Silesian Beskid Mts (southern Poland) and in addition, some of them were not confirmed. Mistletoe Viscum album subsp. abietis has been reported to increase its range and abundance in Europe recently therefore authors decided to update the distribution data of the subspecies the aforementioned area. The data about distribution of host tree silver fir Picea abies was taken from forest database and from personal communication with foresters. The area was search to find localities of the individuals on trees. In case of the single specimens on fir trees binoculars were used. In total 39 localities were given including more than 30 new localities when com-pared to literature data from 20th century. In Silesian Foothils there are 20 localities and 19 stands in the Silesian Beskid Mts. On the localities the abundance of individuals ranged from single plants on one tree to massive infestation of several dozen of fir trees. The common fir mistletoe distribution seems to be an underestimated in the southern part of the Silesian Voivodeship, it is highly probable that its next localities will be found in nearest future. Despite the category endangered “EN” in the Red Book of Plants of the Silesian Voivodship the species is not threatened anymore. On the contrary it becomes to pose a serious threat to silver fir because it can contribute to decline of trees. During the massive infestation of firs by mistletoe, fir trees often die gradually. The obtained new information will allow for a better recognition of the current species distribution and a possible revision of the threat category of common fir mistletoe in the territory of Silesian Voivodeship. For a more detailed analysis of the degree of expansion of this species, it would be advisable to examine the number of individuals and study the development of mistletoe over time on the host on randomly selected trees.

For citation:
Beczała T., Jonderko T., Chmura D. 2022. New localities of Mistletoe Viscum album L. subsp. abietis (WIESB.) JANCH in the Silesian Foothils and in northern part of the Silesian Beskid Mts. Polish Journal of Materials and Environmental Engineering, 3(23), 21-27 (in Polish). DOI: https://doi.org/10.53052/pjmee.2022.3.03

4. Drzewa przydrożne w gminie Buczkowice (województwo śląskie) / Roadside trees in the Buczkowice commune (Silesian Voivodeship)
Ewa PIETRASZKO
University of Bielsko-Biala, Department of Environmental Protection and Engineering, Willowa 2, 43-309 Bielsko-Biała, Poland
epietraszko@ubb.edu.pl
 

Article (PDF) CC BY 4.0 / 4_pietraszko_vol3202228-43.pdf

Keywords
roadside trees, environmental inventory, biological monitoring

Abstract
The research consisted of inventory and health status assessment of 105 roadside trees growing along Voivodeship Road 942 (Buczkowice commune, Silesian Voivodeship). During the study, dendrometric data, such as: tree height, circumference and diameter at the base and at the breast height, crown height, height to first branches, crown span and its shape were collected. Roadside trees, on the one hand, are aesthetic element of road surroundings responsible for environmental and protective functions, and on the other they effect on the safety of road users. Taking this into consideration, it is necessary to take care of regularity of maintenance activities and treatments to ensure proper trees health. At the same time, the proximity of the road may lead to need to remove some trees – e.g. during modernization and construction works related to road infrastructure. Roadside trees in the Buczkowice commune belonged to 13 species, among which 10 were deciduous tree species and 3 were coniferous species. The most numerous were black poplars cultivar ‘Italica’ (Populus nigra L. ‘Italica’, 21 specimens). Two invasive alien species (green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica and black locust Robinia pseudoacacia) were found with a total number of 15. Three trees had circumference that corresponded to the circumference of monumental trees (two sycamores Acer pseudoplatanus and one black alder Alnus glutinosa). Trees health condition was based on presence of trunk and crown damage. Specifically, 53 of the examined roadside trees had satisfactory, 37 – average, 9 – good and 6 – poor health condition. In order to keep trees in good health, regular conservation and protection treatments are recommended. It was noted that such actions can help reduce the risk to road safety. The main threats to roadside trees were also indicated (collisions with vehicles, increase in salinity due to the use of chemicals to prevent road icing during winter and waste deposited around trees). In addition, the quantitative status of roadside trees in 2018 and 2022 were compared. Before 2022, 46 trees were removed as a result of road investments involving the construction of ring road of Buczkowice, sidewalk and bicycle path.

For citation:
Pietraszko E. 2022. Roadside trees in the Buczkowice commune (Silesian Voivodeship). Polish Journal of Materials and Environmental Engineering, 3(23), 28-43 (in Polish). DOI: https://doi.org/10.53052/pjmee.2022.3.04

5. Zastosowanie fermentacji psychrofilowej do oczyszczania ścieków komunalnych / The application of psychrophilic digestion for municipal sewage treatment

Bożena MROWIEC
University of Bielsko-Biala, Department of Environmental Protection and Engineering, Willowa 2, 43-309 Bielsko-Biała, Poland
bmrowiec@ubb.edu.pl

Article (PDF) CC BY 4.0 / 5_mrowiec_vol3202244-53.pdf

Keywords
anaerobic treatment, psychrophilic digestion, anaerobic filter, municipal wastewater treatment

Abstract
Used in practice biological wastewater treatment systems under aerobic conditions are characterized by high energy consumption and a significant sewage sludge production. Anaerobic wastewater treatment differs from conventional aerobic treatment. The absence of oxygen leads to controlled conversion of complex organic pollutions, mainly to carbon dioxide and methane. Anaerobic treatment has favourable effects like removal of higher organic loading, low sludge production, high pathogen removal, biogas gas production and low energy consumption. Psychrophilic anaerobic treatment can be an attractive option to conventional anaerobic digestion for municipal sewage (and wastewaters with industrial effluents) that are discharged at moderate to low temperature. Most reactions in the biodegradation of organic matter require more energy to proceed at low temperatures than at a temperature optimum of 37ºC. However, same reactions, such hydrogenotrophic methane production, acetate formation from hydrogen and bicarbonate, require less energy. In this work, an upflow anaerobic filter for municipal sewage treatment was used. The investigations were carried out in laboratory scale. The sewage treatment process was operated in psychrophilic conditions in the temperature 15–19°C. The value of hydraulic retention time in anaerobic bioreactor was 48 h. A real municipal sewage was taken from the treatment plant, operated in a full scale. The COD values of raw sewage were between 380 and 895 mg O₂/L. The sewage used was additionally polluted with ammonia nitrogen average 81 mg NH₄⁺/L, phosphate – 27 mg PO₄^3-/L as well as sulphates 69 mg SO₄^2-/L. The investigations comprised of three series of different organic loading rates: series 1 – 0.19 kg COD/(m³·d), series 2 – 0.32 kg COD/(m³·d) and series 3 – 0.26 kg COD/(m³·d). Depending on values of sewage/organic loading rates 46–72% of COD were removal at psychrophilic conditions. The presence of ammonia nitrogen and sulphates did not have a negative impact on the process of organic matter degradation. Anaerobic treatment was effective in removing biodegradable organic compounds, but mineral compounds (NH₄⁺, PO₄^3-, S^2-) remained in high concentrations. Therefore, these compounds require removing by an additional post-treatment step.

For citation:
Mrowiec B. 2022. The application of psychrophilic digestion for municipal sewage treatment. Polish Journal of Materials and Environmental Engineering, 3(23), 44-53 (in Polish). DOI: https://doi.org/10.53052/pjmee.2022.3.05