Impact of microtopography on the geochemistry of soils within archaeological sites in SE Poland

The geochemical record of human impact within three archaeological sites in SE Poland was analysed. The total levels of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and P were defined. The content of the studied elements was found to be higher than the determined geochemical background. In all cases, significantly higher concentrations (2–3 times) of trace metals were found in sediments filling small depressions and foot-slope locations. These concentrations were often higher than in the profiles within the archaeological objects. The vertical distributions of elements were also different from soil profiles located on flat surfaces. The study thus confirms that microtopography and soil erosion may impact (diversify) the initial horizontal and vertical variation of geochemistry of soils within archaeological sites caused by human activity. This should be taken into account when using geochemical prospecting in archaeological studies in areas with varied topography.     

The mycobiota of discoloured needles of the Swiss stone pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus cembra</Emphasis> L.) in the Tatra Mountains (Poland)

The Swiss stone Pine (Pinus cembra L.) is an alpine species, fairly commonly occurring in the Alps and the Carpathians, close to the timberline. Natural sites of the Swiss stone pine in Poland are found exclusively in the Tatra Mountains, within the area of the Tatra National Park (TNP). In 2017, the health status of the needles of P. cembra was determined and their mycological analysis was carried out. As a result, 11 species of fungi were isolated from the needles showing disease symptoms, manifested by various shades of discoloration. The most frequently observed species was Fusarium oxysporum. It probably does not bring on disease symptoms, but may affect the development of other frequently isolated species (such as Sydowia polyspora, Lophodermium sp. and Lophodermium conigenum) that are pathogenic to Pinus spp.     

Reflected and transmitted waves in a channel with side porous mattresses

The problem of wave propagation and wave damping in a channel with side porous mattresses of arbitrary shape protruding from the walls is studied. The solution was achieved by applying 3-D boundary element method and was employed to study wave field in the channel and to analyze the effect of the geometry of the mattresses and physical and hydraulic properties of porous material on wave damping. The results show that wave damping in the channel strongly depends on wave parameters, especially, on the wave number. Wave reflection and transmission decrease with increasing the wave number. The results also show that the wave field in the channel strongly depends on the geometry of the mattresses as well as on physical and hydraulic properties of porous material used to build these wave dampers. The geometry of the mattresses and physical and hydraulic properties of porous material have a moderate effect on wave reflection and a significant effect on wave transmission. The results show that wave transmission down the channel decreases with increasing the length and thickness of the mattresses. Moreover, wave transmission decreases with increasing the porosity and damping properties of porous media used to build the mattresses. The analysis shows that porous mattresses protruding from the channel walls are very efficient in damping water waves propagating down the channel and may be built in channels to reduce high waves and achieve desired wave conditions. Theoretical results are in reasonable agreement with experimental data.     

Wave reflection and transmission at permeable breakwaters of arbitrary cross-section

A theory is formulated to predict wave reflection and transmission at an infinite rubble-mound breakwater. The breakwater may be a multilayered structure with arbitrary cross-section. It is assumed that the incident wave is normal to the structure and the wave may be described by linear theory. A hybrid method has been applied to solve the boundary value problem.Comparison between experimental and theoretical results shows reasonable agreement.     

Effect of sodium chloride on the metabolic activity of halophilic bacteria isolated from the Lake Gardno estuary

The effect of different concentrations of sodium chloride on the metabolic activity of halophilic bacteria derived from the Lake Gardno estuary was studied using respirometric methods. The influence of salt was examined in two ways: the bacteria were preincubated in various concentrations of sodium chloride, and the cells used for respirometric measurements were supplied with substrates dissolved in water amended with various concentrations of the salt. Generally, an increase in the concentration of sodium chloride in the medium used for preincubation resulted in an increase in metabolic activity. Conversely, a decrease was noted when solutions of increasing salt content were employed to dissolve the substrate. The decrease in oxygen uptake noted when increased amounts of salt were added is proposed to be the result of the short period allowed for adaptation of cells to the higher salt concentrations.     

Effect of weather conditions on the incidence of Lophodermium yellow needle blight in the dwarf mountain pine in the Karkonosze and Izerskie Mountains (Poland)

The study aimed to determine, by using a statistical model, the effect of weather conditions on the incidence of Lophodermium yellow needle blight causing by new species for science- Lophodermium corconticum, in the mountain dwarf pine growing in the subalpine Karkonosze Mountains and the Izerskie Mountains(Poland). Needles showed symptoms of yellow spots, gradual discolouration and premature fall in July. The assessment of healthiness of infected mountain dwarf pine needles spanned three years(2011- 2013) and was conducted in several test sites in the Karkonosze and Izerskie Mountains. The results were analyzed by taking into account the meteorological conditions. Field observations seem to indicate that the highest infestation of mountain dwarf pine occurs in June and July, while September and October see a significantly lower disease index in the Karkonosze Mountains. The lower indices of the infestation of mountain dwarf pine are characteristic for the vegetation in the Hala Izerska high mountain pasture; whereas the environmental conditions prevailing in the Kocio? Ma?ego Stawu cirque and above the Samotnia hostel are conducive to the development of Lophodermium yellow needle blight.     

The ice/bed interface mosaic: deforming spots intervening with stable areas under the fringe of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet at Sampława,Poland

The glacial sediment succession exposed close to the southern margin of the Late Weichselian Scandinavian Ice Sheet in Poland reveals a mosaic consisting of isolated patches of heavily deformed deposits separated by areas lacking any visible evidence of deformation. In the studied outcrop, the subglacial deforming spots composed of outwash deposits intercalated with till stringers are about 2–10 m wide and 20–60 cm thick. They rest on outwash sediments and are covered by a basal till. Based on structural and textural characteristics, the deforming spots are interpreted as previous R‐channels filled with meltwater deposits. Lack of deformation in outwash sediment immediately beneath the deforming spots and in the intervening areas between the channels suggests that the ice‐bed was frozen and the deformation of the channel infill was facilitated by high pore‐water pressure arising because water drainage into the bed was impeded by permafrost. Channel infill deposits and the till immediately above were coevally deformed to a strain of less than 9. This study documents the possible co‐existence of deforming and stable areas under an ice sheet, generated by spatially varying thermal and hydrological conditions affecting sediment rheology.