In this work the effectiveness of the biotransformation of phosphogypsum in the cultures of sulphatereducing bacteria (SRB) was studied. SRB were isolated from soil contaminated with automobile fuel. The microorganisms were grown by two methods: the enrichment of the cultures and microcosms in: Postgate, minimal medium (with phenol, acetate or lactate) and Emerson medium. All media contained phosphogypsum as electron acceptors. The isolated microorganisms were passage in medium containing different carbon compounds: ethanol, lactate, phenol, acetate casein or lactose to test the effectiveness of biotransformation of phosphogypsum depending on the source of carbon used. In cultures in Postgate medium with lactate or casein there were found the maximal H2S concentration (654 and 540 mg HS-/dm3) and maximal decrease of phosphogypsum 84% and 64%, respectively. The isolated microorganisms utilised alcohol, sugar, protein and phenol.

This paper presents the results of the research aiming at determining content of selected anions in the samples containing precipitated water (rainwater and snowfall water) by isotachophoretic method. This work is a continuation of the complex pollution monitoring in the areas of Siedlce and Olecko (near Suwałki). The samples were collected from November 2006 to May 2007. Days of sampling depended on atmospheric conditions. Sulfate and hydrogen carbonate turned up to be the dominant anions in samples which were collected in city centers. Higher contents were observed in Siedlce. The content of nitrites in both cities was low. The highest concentration of sulfates and chlorides in rainwater was obtained in the samples collected near the Company of Thermal Energy (CTE) in Siedlce. Similar results of sulfate concentration were observed in Olecko. In samples of snowfall water (collected near to the CTE) sulfates and sulfites were the dominating anions.

The intensive agricultural use of the land affects both quantity and quality of river water in the catchment area. Such impact is visible also in the Szreniawa River catchment in the Małopolskie Voivodeship. The combination of intensive plowing and soil susceptibility to water erosion are the main causes of soil and nutrients depletion during the heavy rainfall. The aim of the study is to determine changes in the water quality in the Szreniawa River catchment compared to the agri-culture use and precipitation level.

The quality of surface water has been analysed in the river catchment area in three sampling points. The concentration of the total suspended soils in the samples collected after heavy rainfall in August 2017 reached a value of 837 mg·dm–3. The average concentrations of N-NO3 in the years of 2016–2019 ranged from 0.16 to 13.46 mg·dm–3, with the highest val-ues in the summer (up to 13.46 mg·dm–3). The concentration of N-NH4 and P-PO4 in the Szreniawa water was affected by precipitation. The highest value of average concentration of N-NH4 3.00 mg·dm–3 was recorded in the autumn of 2019 in the middle section of the river. The highest value of P-PO4 0.90 mg·dm–3 was recorded in the autumn of 2019 mostly due to water erosion of the loess areas. Erosion has been caused by the short-term heavy rainfall. As a result, suspended solids, soluble and insoluble phosphorus compounds leaked to the river.

An analysis has been carried out of the influence of annealing time at the preheating temperature of 650 °C on the change in hardness and alloy structure of lamellar graphite cast iron in the working as well as in the laboratory conditions. This preheat temperature is common during reclaiming welding of castings with complex shapes. The changes in unalloyed cast iron EN-GJL 200 to EN-GJL 300 according to ISO 1690 standard and cast iron with low amount of elements such as Sn, Cu, Cr, and Mo and their combinations were assessed. It was found that the cast iron of higher strength grades has better hardness and structural stability. Cast iron alloyed with chromium or its combinations has the highest stability. In unalloyed cast iron, a partial degradation of pearlite occurs; in alloyed cast iron the structural changes are not conclusive.

This paper presents the results of observations on occurrence of Tetranychidae. During 1995-2001 investigations a total of 10 species, namely Bryobia praetiosa, Eotetranychus carpini, E. cary/i, E. pruni, E. tiliarum, Eurytetranychus buxi, Panonychus ulmi, Schizotetranychus schizopus, Tetranychus viennensis and T. urticae were collected in ornamental nurseries in Poland. The T. urticae was the most frequent species ofmites and it was found on 60 different species of plants belonging to 1 7 families. This species caused severe damage on Spiraea japonica (Rosaceae), Ulmus minor 'Jacqueline Hillier' (Ulmaceae), Magnolia spp. (Magnoliaceae), Buddleja davidii (Buddlejaceae), Sambucus nigra (Caprifoliaceae), Laburnum xwatererii (Fabaceae) and Daphne mezereum (Thymelaceae). Among ocher tetranychids, S. schizopus is also dangerous pest of grafted willows.

There is a high impact of the solar cells on energy manufacturing. For several years the energy efficiency was limited due to base-materials' structural and technological limits. High increase of energy harvesting of solar cells has been observed since the first solar cell based on dye-sensitized colloidal TiO₂ films occurred. One of the most promising solutions are used quantum dots (QD) for light energy conversion. In this paper, we described the use of selected characterization techniques for sandwich-type TiO₂/QD composites for a low-cost quantum dots' solar cell in the point of view of mass manufacturer of solar cells and research and development laboratory. Moreover, the increasing role of Raman spectroscopy and mapping for the TiO₂/QD was presented and compared with other necessity techniques for solar cell investigations such as ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS).

In this interview, Professor Edoardo Tortarolo discusses his intellectual trajectory and reflections on historiographical practice. Influenced by historians Franco Venturi and Reinhart Koselleck, Tortarolo shares his fascination with the philosophical approach to history. He explores the shifting paradigms in historiography, from nation‑state‑centred perspectives to embracing global history and the evolving relationship between history and other sciences. Looking ahead, Tor-tarolo envisions a changing landscape for historical studies, influenced by gamification, evol-ving mass media, and the merging of factual and fictional historical accounts. Despite the emergence of diverse narratives, he stresses the significance of traditional, veracious historical accounts. Expressing optimism, he believes the past holds a future with new possibilities.

Technical system for condition monitoring and failure diagnostics of gear driver with roller bearings was tested in situ. The experimental measurement data of rotors shaft vibration displacements were introduced into physical model of gear teeth meshing dynamics. The modelling and simulation of teeth failures in gear driver with roller bearings was performed by finite element method. The experimental and simulation results were used in identification and elimination of sources of gear teeth damages and bearings failures.