1. Zmienność sezonowa glonów planktonowych rozwijających się w wodach stawów zlokalizowanych w Parku Habsburgów w Żywcu / Seasonal variability of planktonic algae developing in water of ponds located in the Habsburg Park in Żywiec

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

Article (PDF) CC BY 4.0 / 1_jachniak_vol420221-9.pdf 

Keywords
planktonic algae, park ponds

Abstract
The aim of this research was to characterize the species structure and biomass of planktonic algae in the ponds of the Habsburg Park in Żywiec. This research was conducted in the 2018 vegetation season. The water samples for research were taken from two research points. The first research point was located in the north-west part of the park, in a sunny place, while the second research point was located in the south-eastern part of the park, in a shaded place. The phytoplankton biomass (given in wet mass) was calculated by comparing the phytoplankton organisms to geometric figures, and then measuring their volume. A special converter was used to convert volume to mass. Algae keys were used to identify planktonic algae species. The results of the conducted analyzes showed the variability of the phytoplankton biomass in the research season. The highest values of total planktonic algae biomass were recorded in the summer period, in turn, the lowest values were recorded in the spring and autumn periods at both research points. The following groups of planktonic algae were found on both research points: Bacillariophyceae, Chrysophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Cryptophyceae and Euglenophyceae. The conducted research showed that diatoms (59.6% share) and green algae (22.5% share) had the highest average percentage share in the total phytoplankton biomass on the first research point, whereas on the second research point the diatoms (66% share) and euglenins (15.3% share) had the highest average percentage share in the total phytoplankton biomass. The greatest species diversity was found among diatoms and green algae, in the remaining algae groups only two or three species of algae dominated. During the research, algae that prefer low fertile water were observed (e.g. Encyonema minutum (Hilse) D.G. Mann, Pinnularia sp.) and that prefer more fertile environments (e.g. Coelastrum astroideum De-Not., Aulacoseira granulata (Ehr.) Simonsen. Some of them belonged to ubiquitous algae, typical for various environments, e.g. Cryptomonas erosa and Ulnaria ulna (Nitzsch) Ehrenberg.

For citation:
Jachniak E. 2022. Seasonal variability of planktonic algae developing in water of ponds located in the Habsburg Park in Żywiec. Polish Journal of Materials and Environmental Engineering, 4(24), 1-12 (in Polish). DOI: https://doi.org/10.53052/pjmee.2022.4.01

2. Skuteczność filtracji dzbankowej w zmiękczaniu wody wodociągowej i usuwaniu chloru / Performance of jug filtration in tap water softening and chlorine removal

Gabriela KAMIŃSKA, Ewa PUSZCZAŁO, Anna MARSZAŁEK
Silesian University of Technology, Department of Water and Wastewater Treatment, Konarskiego 18, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
gabriela.kaminska@polsl.pl

Article (PDF) CC BY 4.0 /2_kaminska_i_in_vol4202213-20.pdf

Keywords
jug filters, tap water, water hardness, chlorine

Abstract
Water hardness, taste, smell, and color are the most important tap water parameters for consumers. Microbiological and physicochemical parameters of tap water should not exceed the permissible values listed in Regulation of Ministry of Health on the quality of water intended for human consumption. Tap water parameters are regularly monitored, however periodically, deviations are allowed, which make it possible to supply water that does not meet the requirements of quality standards. Such a situation causes that consumers have doubts about the health safety of the supplied water. The organoleptic properties of the water such as taste, smell and color can be easily improved at home using jug filters. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of eight inexpensive and easily available jug water filters to soften and remove chlorine from water. Filters were labeled with symbols A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H. Experiments were performed with model water, which was prepared from drinking water taken directly from a sink and spiked with hypochlorite sodium. The hardness of model water was 7.5 mval/L, while free chlorine concentration was equaled 1.1 mg/L. 200 L of model water was filtered by each filter in duplicates. It was found that jug filtration is an effective method for removal of chlorine from water, provided that a use of proper filter. Although, all used filters are dedicated to removal of chlorine from water, not all of them represented a sufficient removal of chlorine. Filters A, B and C were the most effective for chlorine removal. For these filters, chlorine concentration was reduced to the value of 0.075 mg/L. Moreover, for filters A, B, C and E, the concentration of chlorine in the filtrates remained relatively similar throughout the entire experiment. Filters D and H represented the poorest efficiency of chlorine removal. Concentration of chlorine in these filtrates exceeded permissible value recommended by Regulation of Ministry of Health. Among eight studied filters (i.e. 0.3 mg/L), filters A and B are considered as the most effective for water softening. Generally, the efficiency of jug filtration in water softening was at mediocre level and decrease in time. It could have been caused by the high initial hardness of tap water in Gliwice. In the case of very hard water, more often than recommended by the manufacturers replacing the filter cartridges is recommended.

For citation:
Kamińska G., Puszczało E., Marszałek A. 2022. Performance of jug filtration in tap water softening and chlorine removal. Polish Journal of Materials and Environmental Engineering, 4(24), 13-20 (in Polish). DOI: https://doi.org/10.53052/pjmee.2022.4.02

3. Środowiskowe aspekty wymywania składników mineralnych z popiołów lotnych i żużli elektrownianych / Environmental aspects of the leaching of mineral components from power plant’s fly ashes and slags
Zdzisław ADAMCZYK
Silesian University of Technology, Department of Applied Geology, Akademicka 2, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
zdzislaw.adamczyk@polsl.pl
Andrzej HARAT
University of Bielsko-Biala, Department of Civil Engineering, Willowa 2, 43-309 Bielsko-Biała, Poland
aharat@ubb.edu.pl
Andrzej JAGUŚ
University of Bielsko-Biala, Department of Environmental Protection and Engineering, Willowa 2, 43-309 Bielsko-Biała, Poland
Andrzej PORSZKE
AP Geotechnika, Kukułek 8, 43-215 Studzienice, Poland

Article (PDF) CC BY 4.0 / 3_adamczyk_i_in_vol4202221-29.pdf

Keywords
combustion waste, fly ash, slag, leachability test, migration of chemical substances

Abstract
Leachability of chemical substances from waste produced during fuel combustion in a power plant has been investigated. The aim of the research was to identify the chemical composition of eluates obtained from fly ashes and slags subjected to the leaching test. The results of leaching tests indicate potential environmental hazards related to the migration of chemical substances. Migration can occur both during the storage of waste and due to the weathering of usable materials, including those made from waste. Leachability of the following substances has been analysed: sodium, potassium, chlorides, sulphates, arsenic, zinc, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and chromium. The analysis of the results has demonstrated, above all, that fly ash eluates contain much more substances than slag eluates. This is particularly evident in the case of chlorides and sulphates, as well as nickel, which practically was not found in slag eluates. The leached substances included among others zinc, lead, chromium, which are potentially toxic to living organisms. It should be noted, however, that the contents of these substances in the eluates did not exceed the permissible concentrations in industrial wastewater discharged into the environment. Exceedances occurred only in the case of sulphates contained in ash eluates. The concentrations of a given substance in the tested eluates were found to be different during the entire research period. These differences, especially in fly ash eluates, reached several dozen and even more than one hundred percent. This shows that the use of power plant waste in civil or water engineering should be preceded by an analysis of potential environmental impact.

For citation:
Adamczyk Z., Harat A., Jaguś A., Porszke A. 2022. Environmental aspects of the leaching of mineral components from power plant’s fly ashes and slags. Polish Journal of Materials and Environmental Engineering, 4(24), 21-29 (in Polish). DOI: https://doi.org/10.53052/pjmee.2022.4.03

4. Charakterystyka fizyczna i chemiczna osadów korozyjnych w rurach żelaznych eksploatowanych w obecności przepływu wody / Physical and chemical characteristics of corrosion deposits in iron pipes operated in presence of water flow
Lucyna PRZYWARA
University of Bielsko-Biala, Department of Environmental Protection and Engineering, Willowa 2, 43-309 Bielsko-Biała, Poland
lprzywara@ubb.edu.pl
Agnieszka JASZCZUROWSKA
Graduate of the University of Bielsko-Biala
agnieszkasobel@vip.onet.pl

Article (PDF) CC BY 4.0 / 4_przywara_jaszczurowska_vol4202230-40.pdf

Keywords
corrosion, scale formation, drinking water distribution system, iron pipe

Abstract
The presented paper contains issues related to corrosion of water supply lines formed in cast iron and steel. This process can manifest in different ways, including pipe degradation, release of iron by-products, water flow restriction, microbial growth and the reduction of drinking water safety for consumers, which present a significant threat to water supply safety. The aim of the paper was to show changes that emerged in pipes formed in grey cast iron and steel as a result of potable water flow depending on the duration of their use. The corrosion scales from old water pipe lines were analyzed for their structure and composition. The description of the test methodology presents the procedure regarding, analysis of the inner and outer coating with the use of scanning equipment, and chemical analysis of the corrosion sludge. In this study, corrosion products were carefully collected from four old, corroded iron pipes made of different materials – gray cast iron and steel. It can be concluded that scale characteristics, including micromorphology, porosity and composition, vary significantly due to different pipe materials and times operating. Characteristics of corrosions scales sampled from different pipe segments show obvious differences, both in physical and chemical aspects. Corrosion scales were found highly amorphous. Diverse results can be observed in the case of the test of inner and outer surface of water supply pipes with the use of scanning equipment. The highest quantity of corrosion pits in the structure were present in the line formed in grey cast iron no. 2, while the deepest pits – over 14 mm – were recorded in steel pipe no. 4. Lines with the most reduced cross-section include steel pipe no. 3, which was characterized by presence of sludge sized over 26 mm. When considering the issue of the chemical composition of the formed corrosion sludge, particular attention must be drawn to the elements that may penetrate into water as a result of its flow, thus causing a considerable deterioration of its quality in chemical and physical terms. Among the major constituent elements of the deposits, iron was most prevalent followed, in the order of decreasing prevalence, by silicon, aluminum, sulfur, calcium, manganese, magnesium. Consequently, characterization of corrosion scales is indispensable to water quality protection.

For citation:
Przywara L., Jaszczurowska A. 2022. Physical and chemical characteristics of corrosion deposits in iron pipes operated in presence of water flow. Polish Journal of Materials and Environmental Engineering, 4(24), 30-40 (in Polish). DOI: https://doi.org/10.53052/pjmee.2022.4.04

5. Jakość wody rzeki Wisły i jej dopływów na terenie wybranych gmin powiatu cieszyńskiego (Polska południowa) / Water quality of the Vistula River and its tributaries in selected municipalities in the Cieszyn district (South Poland)

Anna SALACHNA
University of Bielsko-Biala, Department of Environmental Protection and Engineering, Willowa 2, 43-309 Bielsko-Biała, Poland
asalachna@ubb.edu.pl
Adrianna KUMOREK, Anna LEGIERSKA, Michał JANECKI
Graduate of the University of Bielsko-Biala

Article (PDF) CC BY 4.0 / 5_salachna_i_in_vol4202241-49.pdf

Keywords
water quality, ecological state of the water ecosystem, benthic macroinvertebrates, BMWP-PL index, Margalef’s biodiversity index

Abstract
The paper presents an assessment of the water quality of the Vistula river and its tributaries in selected municipalities in the Cieszyn district based on benthic macroinvertebrates. A total of 45 samples were taken on nine positions. Most of the collected individuals were identified to the family level, except: Heptageniidae which was diagnosed to the genus; Turbellaria and Oligochaeta identified into the class. The conducted research showed that 54 taxa of benthic macroinvertebrates occurred at the analyzed sites. Among them, 40 taxa have a bioindicative value. The most sensitive to pollution are mayflies from the family Ameletidae and caddisflies from the families Glossosomatidae, Leptoceridae and Beraeidae. However, their frequency and density at the study sites was very low. The families Ephemerellidae, Heptageniidae, Hydropsychidae and Polycentropodidae as well as annelids from the Oligochaeta class were much more frequent. Based on macrozoobenthos diversity data, two biological indices were calculated: BMWP-PL index and Margalef’s biodiversity index. The values of these biological indicators was using to the classification of water into the appropriate quality class. The final classification showed that the examined sections of the Vistula river represents the I, II and III class of water quality what indicated high, good and moderate ecological potential/state. The first class of water quality in terms of both indices was recorded at the sites located in Ustroń, Skoczów and Drogomyśl. For these positions, the value of the BMWP-PL index was over 100, while the value of the Margalef’s index was in the range of 6.26–7.17.The lowest, third class of water quality was found in Kiczyce and Ochaby Wielkie. In these places, the diversity of macroinvertebrates was the lowest, which was reflected in the low values of both studied indices (BMWP-PL: 40; 41, Margalef's index: 2.6; 3.37).

For citation:
Salachna A., Kumorek A., Legierska A., Janecki M. 2022. Water quality of the Vistula River and its tributaries in selected municipalities in the Cieszyn district (South Poland). Polish Journal of Materials and Environmental Engineering, 4(24), 41-49 (in Polish). DOI: https://doi.org/10.53052/pjmee.2022.4.05