Enhancement of deltamethrin degradation by soil bioaugmentation with two different strains of Serratia marcescens

Deltamethrin is one of the most commonly used pyrethroid in agricultural practice in different geographic regions of the world. It is detected in many environments, especially in soil and water, and can exhibit toxic effect to human and other organisms. In this study, we describe two bacterial strains DeI-1 and DeI-2, isolated from soil, and both identified as Serratia marcescens based on profile of the fatty acid methyl esters, biochemical test, and 16S RNA gene analysis, which were shown to efficiently degrade deltamethrin. Degradation of deltamethrin in mineral salt medium (50 mg l^?1) proceeded by strains DeI-1 or DeI-2 reached the values of 88.3 or 82.8 % after 10 days, and DT50 was 2.8 or 4.0 days, respectively. Bioaugmentation of deltamethrin-contaminated non-sterile soils (100 mg kg^?1) with strains DeI-1 or DeI-2 (3 × 10⁶ cells g^?1 of soil) enhanced the disappearance rate of pyrethroid, and its DT50 was reduced by 44.9, 33.1, 44.4, and 58.2 days or 39.1, 25.8, 35.6, and 46.0 days in sandy, sandy loam, silty loam, and silty soils, respectively, in comparison with non-sterile soils with only indigenous microflora. The three-way ANOVA indicated that DT50 of deltamethrin was significantly (P < 0.01) affected by soil type, microflora presence, and inoculum, and the interaction between these factors. Generally, the lower content of clay and organic carbon in soil, the higher degradation rate of deltamethrin was observed. Obtained results show that both strains of S. marcescens may possess potential to be used in bioremediation of deltamethrin-contaminated soils.     

Chemometric analysis of <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs activity and heavy metals distribution in the Tatras’ soil

The goal of the paper was to determine the activity of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁴⁰K radionuclides as well as heavy metals Zn, Cr, Pb in soil samples taken from the Tatra National Park in the south of Poland. The samples were obtained as cores (10 cm in diameter) from the top 10-cm layer of the soil. Each sample was divided into three subsamples (a, b and c), where a was the subsample closest to the surface and c was the deepest one. Activity of the radionuclides was determined by means of gamma spectrometry, while analysis of heavy metals was performed (after microwave digestion) using atomic absorption spectrometry technique. The highest activity of cesium-137 was detected (5112 ± 120 Bq kg^?1) in the “a” layer of the core with the peak concentration of cesium-137 (14,452 ± 278 Bq m^?2) in the whole soil core. The highest detected concentration of heavy metals was: Zn—52.8 ± 4.4 mg kg^?1, Pb—260.1 ± 9.4 mg kg^?1, Cr—52.8 ± 4.4 mg kg^?1, respectively. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used to examine the obtained data. Application of statistical analysis tools allowed specifying the interdependencies between the examined variables.     

Very Low Frequency Electromagnetic Induction Surveys in Hydrogeological Investigations; Case Study from Poland

In 2011, a geophysical survey was carried out in the surroundings of the Jagiellonian University in Cracow, using a Very Low Frequency method. The measurements were designed to determine the reason of frequent flooding of the lowest level of the building. The main objective of the study was to find out from where and in which way the rainwater seeps into the building and how this problem can be solved in the least invasive manner. The aim of geophysical methods was also to provide necessary information that will enable the construction of a hydro-geological model of the local environment. The interpretation revealed the presence of a sandy gutter surrounded by impermeable clay. There is a big resistivity contrast between those layers. Their location and approximate dimensions were determined.     

Density and magnetic models of the lithosphere along CELEBRATION 2000 profile CEL01

The paper presents 2D density and magnetic models of the crust and upper mantle along the DSS line profile of the CELEBRATION 2000 project that crosses the most important geological units in Central Europe. These are the Alps-Carpathians-Pannonian (ALCAPA) region, the SE part of the Paleozoic Platform (PLZ), the Trans-European Suture Zone (TESZ) and a fragment of the SW portion of the East European Craton (EEC). The density and magnetic models were constructed on the basis of a 2D model of P-wave velocity converted into density model, geological data as well as geothermal data and the results of integrated geophysical modelling for the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary.     

CO 2 emission trading model with trading prices

In this paper we consider the buying/selling prices of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission permits in trading models with uncertainty. Permission prices, although usually omitted from standard models, may significantly influence the trading market. We thus undertook to construct a more realistic trade model and to compare it with the standard one. To do this, we introduced several important changes to the standard model, namely, (1) a new optimized quality function; and (2) transactions with price negotiations between regions. We also enhanced the model using methods described in the literature to allow it to deal with reported emissions uncertainty. Additionally, we used an original method of simulating this kind of market based on a specialized evolutionary algorithm (EA).     

Differences in the abiotic parameters of water in coastal lakes in the light of the EU water framework directive: An example of the Polish southern Baltic coast

Coastal lakes have a specific hydrological regime determined by the influence of sea and inland water and the local hydrographic conditions. There are several problems concerning the protection and assessment of water quality of these bodies. The most important features differentiating coastal lakes from other lakes are: high salinity, a wide range of seasonal and short-term water quality changes, and specific aquatic ecosystems adapted to these conditions. These matters have not been sufficiently taken into account in the existing classifications and typologies of lakes in Poland. The problem has not been solved by the establishment of the adequate reference conditions and new guidelines for the classification of water status (which are being prepared according to the Common Strategy for the Implementation of the Water Framework Directive) regarding inland surface waters (rivers and lakes) and marine waters (coastal and transitional). An important issue is to define criteria which would help to distinguish all those hydrographic objects and to establish water quality standards for them.     

Simulation of an uncertain emission market for greenhouse gases using agent-based methods

The paper presents the problem of a simulation of the greenhouse gases emission permits market where only low accuracy emission amounts are known. An organization of the market with uncertain emissions is proposed and trading rules for individual market participants are discussed. Simulation of the market is based on a multi-agent system. Negotiation of purchase/sale prices between the parties are introduced, where the trading parties adopt one of two options: (i) bilateral negotiations, and (ii) sealed bid reverse auctions. Results of simulation runs show trajectories of transaction prices, as well as probability distributions of learning agents’ bidding prices.