Papers by Waldemar Spychalski
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2019
Anthemous Valley, located in Northern Greece, has witnessed two different models of habitation du... more Anthemous Valley, located in Northern Greece, has witnessed two different models of habitation during the Neolithic, while the Bronze Age comprises only of tell sites. Until recent no tell settlement model was recorded that could be associated with the Neolithic. Following article discusses the results of geoarchaeological works in Nea Raedestos which revealed the presence of anotherthird type of Neolithic settlementa tell type. The ERT, vibracoring and laboratory analyses provided material for archaeological comparisons between the discussed site and other Neolithic record in the Anthemous Valley. In the light of results, the Nea Raedestos Neolithic site differs in terms of spatial organization from the already known extensive settlements in Vassilika-Kyparissi, Thermi and Galatista, and thus constitutes first evidence of Neolithic tell in the Anthemous Valley.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Among various heavy metal sources the metallurgic industry is the most threatening because emitte... more Among various heavy metal sources the metallurgic industry is the most threatening because emitted metals presented are the chemical forms in which metals are found in soil are more bioavailable and thus very easily are introduced into the environment and spread in both soils and plants. In this study such a situation is presented and the potential negative effect of emitted metals on soil and vegetables is estimated. Therefore, the following indicators were used: bioconcentration factors calculated for the total amount of metals (BCF) as well as daily intake of metal (DIM) and health risk index (HRI). Analyzed soils and vegetables originated from allotment gardens located at different distances from local industrial plants. The greatest amounts of metals in investigated materials (soils and plants) were found for the industrial zone and the lowest for samples representing the suburban zone. Among the analyzed metals Zn showed the highest (223.94–2645.13 mg·kg−1 for soils and 9.14–4...
Agronomy
The increasing mass of organic waste as well as the assumptions of a circular economy enforce the... more The increasing mass of organic waste as well as the assumptions of a circular economy enforce the rational management of this type of waste. One method of recycling is composting, which makes it possible to use waste efficiently as an organic fertilizer. This paper presents the results of a comparative study of six different composts in terms of their agricultural quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioavailable amounts of metals using single extractions with DTPA solution and to characterize various humic compounds. Particular attention was paid to the amounts of labile carbon (LC), hot water-extractable carbon (HWC), and the quantity and quality of humus substances (HS). Regardless of compost types, they were characterized by a small share of easily decomposable compounds such as fulvic acids (FAs), LC, and HWC, which may indicate the low susceptibility of compost humic substances to microbiological degradation in soil. In general, the bioavailable metal amounts fou...
Nine phyto-ashes from the biomass combustion of birch (<i>Betula</i>), oak (<i>... more Nine phyto-ashes from the biomass combustion of birch (<i>Betula</i>), oak (<i>Quercus</i>), red oak (<i>Quercus rubra</i>), horbeam (<i>Carpinus</i>), pine (<i>Pinus sylvestris</i>), poplar (<i>Populus</i>), maple (<i>Acer</i>), oilseed rape straw (<i>Brassica napus</i>) and wheat straw (<i>Triticum aestivum</i>) were blended with a biogas digestate at 1:1 mass ratio to give nine organic-mineral soil improvers. The concept of the research was to outline an eco-friendly and low cost soil improver for remediating degraded lands. These (i.e. phyto-ashes, improvers and the biogas digestate) were applied (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 t·ha<sup>-1</sup>) to a soil metallurgically contaminated with Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd. Of several tested parameters, pH changes revealed that organic-mineral soil improvers may efficiently replace (linear R<sup>2</sup>>0.90****, P<0.001) ...
ABSTRACTS. This paper contains the results of the research of selected macroelements, microele-me... more ABSTRACTS. This paper contains the results of the research of selected macroelements, microele-ments and elementary composition in over-ground parts of sectio Vulpinae (Carex vulpina L., C. otrubae Podp.) in two developmental stages. Key words: Carex, elementary compositions, macroelements, microelements, crude ash
ABSTRACT. This paper contains the results of research of concentrations of macroelements (P, K,
Geoderma Regional, 2021
Abstract The Grojec Valley (GV) peatland area in Central Poland is located close to lignite-fired... more Abstract The Grojec Valley (GV) peatland area in Central Poland is located close to lignite-fired power plants, which could be sources of potentially toxic elements (PTE). The aims of this study are: (1) to determine the effect of the lignite-fired power plants on soil pollution, (2) to evaluate pollution indices and magnetic susceptibility methods for determining the origin and distribution of PTE in soils, and (3) to demonstrate the importance of appropriate geochemical background (GB) selection for pollution studies in peatland soils. In order to comprehensively assess the soil pollution, four pollution indices (calculated using various types of GBs), and the mass-specific magnetic susceptibility method were used. The low content of analyzed PTE (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn), the calculated pollution indices, and the magnetic susceptibility values (overall >20 × 10−8 m3 kg−1) indicated generally low pollution levels in the studied soils. This would suggest that power plants have had a minor impact on the fen soils, although exceptions were observed in the southernmost part of GV, the highest content of Cr (6.87–9.11 mg kg−1), Ni (7.11–10.3 mg kg−1) and Cu (14.1–19.5 mg kg−1). In addition, based on the Potential Ecological Risk (RI) and Contamination Security indexes (CSI), this area showed the highest potential ecological risk (81.9–102) and limit of toxicity (0.59–0.67) among the studied plots, respectively. The Enrichment factor (EF) and Contamination Security index (CSI) values were the most comparable, thus we consider that, in combination with magnetic susceptibility measurements, they comprise a useful set of tools for fen soil contamination studies. Furthermore, we suggest the application of an local organic GB (i.e. PTE content in the deeper organic layer) in such studies.
Soil Science Annual, 2021
Journal of Research and Applications in Agricultural Engineering, 2017
The paper presents the results of the research on t e effect of PRP SOL fertilization on the basi... more The paper presents the results of the research on t e effect of PRP SOL fertilization on the basic che mical properties of soil and composition of soil solution. The soil has been sampled from the level of humus of many years' exp eriment established on light soil using traditional fertilization (NPK) and PRP SOL fertilizer was used instead of PK fert iliza ion. Nitrogen doses remained the same in both combinations. Collecte d samples for testing were taken from a depth of 020 cm using an automatic soil sampler. In the plots where PRP SOL fe rtilization was applied, a statistically significan t decrease in the content of available forms of potassium and an increase in the amount of available magnesium forms were observ ed. There was no significant influence of factors used in the experi m nt on total organic carbon and nitrogen content. Long-term application of PRP SOL fertilization resulted in statistically significant differences in chemical composition of s il solutions. A si...
Soil Science, 2020
The aim of the study was to analyse the enzymatic activity of dehydrogenases, urease, alkaline ph... more The aim of the study was to analyse the enzymatic activity of dehydrogenases, urease, alkaline phosphatase and proteases in post−mining soils. Moreover determined the count of heterotrophic bacteria, moulds, actinobacteria and bacteria of the Azotobacter sp. genus. The research was conducted between 2015 and 2017 in experimental areas of the Pątnów dump, which belongs to the Department of Soil Science and Land Reclamation, Poznań University of Life Sciences. Soil samples for analysis were collected at depths of 0−30 cm and 30−60 cm. The fi rst factor under analysis was two simplifi ed crop rotation systems, i.e. a rapeseed and cereal system (alternating cultivation of wheat and winter rapeseed) and a forage and cereal system (the cultivation of alfalfa with grasses for four years followed by the growing of winter wheat for the next two years). The second factor under analysis was three sub−blocks with increasing mineral fertilisation levels: 0NPK, 1NPK and 2NPK. The research results...
The paper contains the data on the physical-chemical properties of soils developed during the lon... more The paper contains the data on the physical-chemical properties of soils developed during the long-term experiment run on the post-mining grounds. In the experiment different combinations of the NPK fertilization was applied (N, P, NK, NP., K, PK, NPK and 0NPK). The samples were taken from two layers: 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm. The analyzed soils after 30 years showed homogeneity of grain size. The results obtained in grain size analyses with different methods were different, however the soil samples could have been classified to the same agronomic category of medium soils. The methods of texture analysis gave different contents of granulometric fractions which led to different PTG classification of soils. The analyzed soils showed 39.85-99.58 g CaCO3· kg and basic pH. 30-year-long complex NPK fertilization resulted in doubling the organic carbon and total nitrogen contents in the surface layer of soils. The most pronounced increase in bioavailable forms of K and P was obtained due to NP...
Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 2012
In the presented study, three methods of copper fractionation – Tessier et al., BCR, and Zeien-Br... more In the presented study, three methods of copper fractionation – Tessier et al., BCR, and Zeien-Brummer – were compared. The object of experiments comprised soil samples collected from the drilling level (0-25 cm) of soils situated at two transects (eastern and western) and at different distances from the source of emission (i.e. shaft furnace chimneys) near the Legnica Copper Smelter. Copper content was determined by the AAS method using appropriate reference materials. A significant dependence was found in the copper concentration at a distance from the emitter that declined markedly at points more distant from it. Mean values of copper in individual fractions as well as confidence intervals exhibited a higher similarity between Tessier et al. and Zeien-Brummer methods. In the case of all methods, copper quantities in fraction B (associated with Fe and Mn oxides) and C fractions (associated with organic matter) were similar. In the remaining fractions, i.e. A (easily exchangeable a...
Archaeological Prospection, 2021
This article discusses two cases of so-called double barrows from the Middle Bronze Age Komar ow ... more This article discusses two cases of so-called double barrows from the Middle Bronze Age Komar ow culture cemetery in Bukivna, in the Upper Dniester Basin (Ukraine), in order to demonstrate the potential of incorporating geophysical image analysis, excavations and sedimentological studies towards identifying subterranean funerary architecture. The magnetometer prospection of the Bukivna necropolis revealed the presence of a specific dipolar anomaly within the extent of a double barrow. The excavations uncovered burnt wooden-clay constructions related to mortuary houses. The sedimentological samples collected from the features below the mound provided data for the increased ferrous content. Another double barrow located in the Pidhoroddia cemetery was prospected by means of magnetometry, which did not reveal any similar anomaly within the magnetometry plan, thus providing evidence for a possible lack of discussed mortuary structure.
The aim of the research was to determine an enzymat ic activity and the number of bacteria, Actin... more The aim of the research was to determine an enzymat ic activity and the number of bacteria, Actinomycat ales and fungi in anthropogenic soils formed from post-mining materia ls. Experimental factors included two crop formatio ns and three levels of mineral fertilization. The conducted research sh owed that higher microbiological activity occurred in the soils from the fodderfrumentaceous crop rotation, where lucerne had been cultivated for four years. Important influ ence of mineral fertilization on the microbiological activity of soils in frumentaceous-rapeseed crop rotation was found, whereas in soils where fodderfrumentaceous crop rotation was implemented , no major influence of mineral fertilization on so il’s microbiological activity was found.
The sedimentological, geochemical and diatomological research into the core taken from the fossil... more The sedimentological, geochemical and diatomological research into the core taken from the fossil lake located in the glacial channel of Samica river prove the increasing anthropogenization of the landscape in the microregion surrounding the settlement in Bruszczewo. Anthropogenic indices of the Early Bronze Period in the palynological research include: high decline in the percentage of tree pollens caused by deforestation, indicators of grazing animals and farming as well as notice- able eutrophication of the lake (fungal spores and algae thriving on dung, droppings and excrement). In the sedimentological research, cultural layers correspond with accelerated mineral sedimentation in the basin (medium- and fine-grained sands). Each time it is preceded with organic sedimentation (from humus levels). Above results might signi- fy the initiation of erosion-denudation processes in the catchment, settled and economically exploited by individual cultural groups. Results of the anthropogen...
Land Degradation & Development, 2019
The aim of this paper was to evaluate the link between environmental conditions and the vegetatio... more The aim of this paper was to evaluate the link between environmental conditions and the vegetation pattern of mountain peatlands drained for forestry. We assumed that (a) water chemistry and soil properties differ between the investigated peatlands types—from fen to bog, (b) the vegetation pattern is dependent on water chemistry and soil properties, and (c) water chemistry and soil properties play different roles in determining peatland patterning. For our study, five ecologically and topographically diverse forestry‐drained shallow peatlands in Central Sudetes, Poland, were selected. A comparison between the studied peatlands and environmental variables was done by discriminant analysis, whereas vegetation–environmental relationship was analysed by canonical correspondence analysis. Results demonstrated that pH, HCO₃⁻, NO₃⁻, and Ca²⁺ best explained the variation in water chemistry (approximately 74%), whereas base saturation, pHwₐₜₑᵣ, and plant‐available phosphorus best explained the variation in soil properties. Plant assemblages within the peatlands exhibited three vegetation clusters that did not always correspond to peatland ecological type. The vegetation was mostly affected by water chemistry (explained up to 54% of variation), rather than by soil properties. Vegetation within such ecosystems seems to be a good indicator of differences in water chemistry, caused by differences in bedrock (soligenic fen peatlands) or atmospheric inputs (ombrogenic bogs). Our results will help improve our understanding of vegetation–environment relationships in degraded mountain peatland ecosystems in the temperate climate zone. They might also be useful for proper planning of restoration and monitoring of these ecosystems.
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Papers by Waldemar Spychalski