In the southern Spitsbergen area, thermal and mineral waters are primarily
associated with subpermafrost deep circulation, being mixed with shallow circulation and
glacial waters. Four thermal springs, located in the region of Stormbukta (Sørkappland),
were studied and analyzed. In the thermal waters, the main cation is sodium, while the
main anions are chloride and bicarbonate. The temperatures of the mineral and thermal
waters range from 3.4 to 15.1°C. The pH values are between 7.43 and 8.41. The total
dissolved solids (TDS) content of the geothermal waters is in the range of 346–4031 mg/l
and the Olsok thermal spring has the highest TDS values. Based on the variation in
physicochemical characteristics, two thermal water types were distinguished in the study
area. The first type is associated with thermal waters originating from deep circulation
waters. The second type is associated with the thermal and mineral waters originating
from the mixture of subpermfrost hot brines with glacial waters.
A mathematical model for the purposes of methane hazard assessment in mines was developed in the Central Mining Institute as part of the statutory activities conducted in 2017 and 2018. The model describes the course of kinetics of methane sorption on coal samples while taking into account the diffusion coefficient. The paper presents the formulas describing the mathematical model of methane emission from coal sidewall to longwall working, taking into account the sorption properties of coal – sorption capacity of coal (related to methane) and the effective diffusion coefficient of methane in coal. In the light of the conducted research, such a methodology for describing this phenomenon enables a more precise determination of the amount of methane released to the longwall from the exploited coal seam, which in turn makes it possible to select appropriate methane prevention measures.
In this year we commemorate the 50 year anniversary of death of the outstanding Polish physical chemist professor Wojciech Świetosławski (1881–1968). His work was reviewed by prof. prof A. Dorabialska, K. Zieborak, W. Kemula and others. In this note one of his last and youngest students brings about reminiscences of the political problems he had to face, which could not have been described or even mentioned under the Soviet communist rule over Poland.
The Hoglandvatnet and Ålandvatnet are genetically associated with the action of a large ice stream issuing from Mittag-Lefflerbreen towards Lomonosovfonna as far nortwards as Austfjorden. The accomplished investigations permit water properties to be described for Hoglandvatnet and Ålandvatnet, as well as the chemical composition of the basin waters to be correlated with lithologic diversity of the surrounding massifs and the composition of glacier water feeding them. Water of Hoglandvatnet has a rather uniform ion composition. It is sulphate-calcium water. Low mineral contents of glacier water and that flowing through crystalline rocks of Framstaken and feeding the basin result in its less marked effect on the Hoglandvatnet water, compared with highly mineralized water of streams issuing from Trikolorfjellet and Tarantellen. Water of Ålandvatnet has a somewhat different quantitative ion composition than that of Hoglandvatnet. It is calcium-sulphate-bicarbonate water which is richer in the bicarbonate ion than the Hoglandvatnet waters. This is most likely due to the influence of bicarbonate water of Ålandelva and glacier water feeding the basin. It can also be the result of a smaller contribution from highly mineralized calcium-sulphate water issuing from Trikolorfjellet.
Efforts were made to demonstrate that in biorefineries it is possible to manufacture all the commodities required for maintaining human civilisation on the current level. Biorefineries are based on processing biomass resulting from photosynthesis. From sugars, oils and proteins, a variety of food, feed, nutrients, pharmaceuticals, polymers, chemicals and fuels can further be produced. Production in biorefineries must be based on a few rules to fulfil sustainable development: all raw materials are derived from biomass, all products are biodegradable and production methods are in accordance with the principles of Green Chemistry and Clean Technology. The paper presents a summary of state-of-the-art concerning biorefineries, production methods and product range of leading companies in the world that are already implemented. Potential risks caused by the development of biorefineries, such as: insecurities of food and feed production, uncontrolled changes in global production profiles, monocultures, eutrophication, etc., were also highlighted in this paper. It was stressed that the sustainable development is not only an alternative point of view but is our condition to survive.
Research on the chemistry of atmospheric precipitation in the Hornsund region of Svalbard has been extended by analysis of the organic contents. In rainfall samples collected in September 2003, the organics were separated by solid phase extraction (SPE), eluted and analysed on gas chromatograph coupled to a mass selective detector (GC/MS). Rainfall pH was in the range 4.72–5.45, the low values suggesting possible pollution. Concentrations of inorganic ions, expressed as total dissolved salts (TDS), were 5.40–13.18 mg L–1. Non-sea-salt (nss) sulphates were in the range 5–11 μeq L–1. In all samples, long-chain alkanes with chain length up to C36, and their methyl derivatives were detected. Among aromatic compounds biphenyl, dibenzofuran and its methyl derivatives were found. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were represented by naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluorene, acenaphthene, fluoranthene and pyrene. There were no PAHs with higher numbers of rings. The synoptic meteorological conditions in September 2003 indicate that all organic and inorganic pollutants were of local origin.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the addition of fungal solid-state fermented product (FP) enriched with gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and β-carotene to feed on the haematological and immunological parameters of broiler chickens. Eighty 1-day-old COBB 500 broiler chickens were divided into two groups. The control group was fed with basic diets and chickens of the experimental group received 10% addition of FP, while the amount of basic diet was reduced. FP was produced during a solid-state fermentation (SSF) process using Umbellopsis isabellina CCF2412 as a producer of GLA and β-carotene. After 38 days of feeding, blood samples were collected and analyzed. Lower total and LDL-cholesterol values were measured in blood samples of the experimental animals (p<0.05). However, the triacylglycerol content was higher in the experimental group (p<0.05). Significantly higher levels of hematocrit and hemoglobin, and lower eosinophil and basophil content in the experimental group were recorded (p<0.05). The experimental group showed higher numbers of B lymphocytes and greater phagocytic capacity (p<0.05). The results indicate that a fermented product produced by SSF, using the fungal strain Umbellopsis isabellina, is a good source of GLA and β-carotene, which can influence the biochemical, hematological and immunological parameters of broiler chickens.
Investigations of the snow cover at the end of the winter 1990/1991 were carried out in several areas in West Spitsbergen, namely, Lomonosovfonna, Kongsvegen, Fridtjovbreen, Amundsenisen and that north of the Hornsund Fjord. The physical properties and chemical nature of precipitation and the snow cover were determined. The studies revealed high variation in the precipitation and the thickness of the snow cover: 317 mm w.e. (water equivalent) in the Hornsund area, 659 mm w.e. at Lomonosovfonna, 1076 mm w.e. at Fridtjovbreen and 1716 mm w.e. at Amundsenisen. The salt loads deposited in the snow cover in different parts of West Spitsbergen were also calculated (2.8 t/km2 at Lomonosovfonna, 15.8 t/km2 at Kongsvegen and 43.2 t/km2 at Amundsenisen). An intensive process of demineralisation during the conversion of snow to firn was revealed, reaching as much as 90% during the first summer. An attempt to determine the anthropogenic element content using the pH values for the precipitation and snow cover was also made. A distinct correlation between the physico-chemical characteristic of snow layer and falling snow was found. On the basis of the quality of the precipitation and snow cover, West Spitsbergen has been classified into following provinces: (1) northern situated within Arctic High (Lomonosovfonna and Kongsvegen), (2) southern ndergoing mainly moving air masses from the Arctic High and Greenland Low (Amundsenisen and Hornsund region).
The role of the addition of nitrogen to the discharge plasma of CO lasers on thermodynamic properties and composition of the laser active medium is discussed here. It is shown that nitrogen addition improves laser characteristics and changes the composition of the laser active medium. The addition of nitrogen significantly decreases CO dissociation level and concentrations of C atoms created in plasma-chemical reactions of laser discharge.
The chevkinite group of minerals are REE,Ti-silicates increasingly recognized as widespread accessory phases in a wide range of igneous and metamorphic parageneses. Members of the group are here recorded from five localities in Poland: a two-pyroxene andesite from the Kłodzko-Złoty Stok intrusion, a trachyandesite intrusion north of the Pieniny Mountains, a rapakivi-type granite from the Krasnopol intrusion, an anorthosite from the Suwałki Anorthosite Massif, and nepheline syenite from the Ełk syenite massif. Specific members found are chevkinite-(Ce), perrierite-(Ce) and, potentially, the Al-dominant analogue of perrierite-(Ce). The case is made that chevkinite-group minerals will, through systematic investigation, be found in a wide range of Polish igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Trace metal composition of snowpack, snow-melt filter residues and top-soils were determined along transects through industrial towns in the Usa River Basin: Inta, Usinsk and Vorkuta. Elevated concentrations of deposition elements and pH in snow and soils associated with alkaline coal ash within 25-40 km of Vorkuta and Inta were found. Atmospheric deposition in the vicinity of Vorkuta and Inta, added significantly to the soil contaminant loading as a result of ash fallout. The element concentrations in soils within 20-30 km of Vorkuta do not reflect current deposition rates, but instead, reflect an historical pollution legacy, when coal mining activity peaked in the 1960s. There is little evidence of anthropogenic metal deposition around the gas and oil town of Usinsk.