The results of first investigation (from the formation in 1939) Gliwice Channel of polycyclic hydrocarbons concentration in bottom sediments was given. PAHs is a very important element of pollution for point of view of bottom deposits utilisation. From the Gliwice Harbour during the channel concentrations of PAHs are reduce. The most polluted is section of first 10 km. The highest concentration (7528 μgfkg) was determined in the bottom sediments of Kłodnica River, on the water intake to the channel. The smallest concentration was determined on the section from 19 to 28.9 km of channel (175 to 700 μg/kg ). The section from chemical factory Blachownia to Kozie Harbour has concentrations 946.88 μgfkg to 2254.915 μgfkg. During the every flood-gate-sections the PAHs concentrations were increased. The hydraulic conditions are the agent determining the distribution of PAHs by influent on the organic suspended solids sedimentation.

The paper presents current reports on kinetics and mechanisms of reactions with mercury which take place in the exhaust gases, discharged from the processes of combustion of solid fuels (coals). The three main stages were considered. The first one, when thermal decomposition of Hg components takes place together with formation of elemental mercury (Hg0). The second one with homogeneous oxidation of Hg0 to Hg2+ by other active components of exhaust gases (e.g. HCl). The third one with heterogeneous reactions of gaseous mercury (the both - elemental and oxidised Hg) and solid particles of fl y ash, leading to generation of particulate-bound mercury (Hgp). Influence of exhaust components and their concentrations, temperature and retention time on the efficiency of mercury oxidation was determined. The issues concerning physical (gas-solid) and chemical speciation of mercury (fractionation Hg0-Hg2+) as well as factors which have influence on the mercury speciation in exhaust gases are discussed in detail.

The paper presents two sample preparation procedures for the determination of aldehydes in wet deposition. In both cases the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatization and solid phase extraction were applied. The derivatization in method A was applied before the extraction, the extraction in method B was carried out with simultaneous derivatisation. Accuracy of both methods was evaluated on the basis of the analysis of aqueous solutions of selected carbonyl compounds. Both methods were characterized by good recovery, however, due to the precision of the method expressed as RSD for testing of environmental samples the method B was used.

The analysis of environmental samples showed significant differences in the concentrations of aldehydes in wet deposition, depending on the location of the sampling point. In the case of samples taken from agricultural areas the predominant aldehydes were formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Formaldehyde was from 31% to 47% of the determined compounds. While in samples collected near a traffic source, in the deposition acrolein was determined at the levels from 62% to 64% of the identified compounds.

Determined concentrations of BTEX and PAHs in bottom sediments of strong polluted dam- reservoir Dzierżno Duże (Western Part of Upper Silesian Region in South of Poland) are presented. Hydrocarbons (PAH) concentrations have not grown since 1979. The effect of adaptation process of microbiological groups to PAH degradation over the long period of pollution in the anthropogenic ecosystem is presented. Organic pollutants are deposited in the bottom of the Kłodnica river estuary. Total PAHs concentration in bottom sediments was estimated about 30 mg/kg dry weight near the Kłodnica estuary and it gradually decreases. In the distance of 700 m from first part of the water reservoir, PAH concentration is lower than 80% of the concentration, which was determined in the first sampling points of the estuary. In the present ecosystem the hydrocarbons are the element of strong environmental contamination.

The procedure for simultaneous extraction from soil and determination by means of GC-ECD insecticides: aldrin, dieldrin, endrin and herbicide: atrazine was worked out. The proposed GC-ECD technique provides limits of detection in range 12 μg/mL - 18 μg/mL and 2 μg/mL, for insecticides and atrazine, respectively. Two different types of extraction: microwave assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) with different solvents were tested to choose the procedure that provides the highest recoveries of analytes and low detection limits, typical for trace analysis (100 ppm or 100 mg/g, IUPAC). On the basis of recoveries and precision both extraction methods were compared. The insecticides recovery from soil samples obtained by UAE were in range 40-85%, coefficient of variation (CV): 1.3-5.0%, whereas for atrazine recovery was below 15% (CV: 8-18%). The most efficient and precise extraction procedure turned out to be MAE with n-hexane: acetone. The recoveries were in range 70-85% for insecticides and 84% for atrazine, CV: 0.4-2.2% and 5.3% for insecticides and atrazine, respectively. The presented MAE-GC-ECD procedure enables extraction and determination of aldrin, dieldrin, endrin and atrazine in soil samples with high recoveries, precision and limits of detections in range 6 ng/g - 8 ng/g in the case of insecticides and 1.5 ng/g for atrazine.

The MAE-GC-ECD procedure was applied for the above mentioned pesticides determination in environmental samples. Soils were collected in agricultural as well as rural areas in Poland. In all cases atrazine was determined in concentration range: 0.0187 mg/g - 0.1107 mg/g. Aldrin and dieldrin was detected in soil samples from two locations.

The content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and sediments of the Blachownia

reservoir (South Poland) was investigated. Spatial variability of PAH concentrations in the longitudinal profi le of the

tank was determined. PAHs in samples were determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric

detection (GC-MS QP-2010 Plus Shimadzu) using an internal standard. Concentrations ranged from 0.103 μg/L to

2.667 μg/L (Σ16 PAHs) in water samples and from 2.329 mg/kg d.w. to 9.078 mg/kg d.w. (Σ16 PAHs) in sediment

samples. A pollution balance was calculated and it was estimated that the infl ow load was 17.70 kg PAHs during

the year and the outfl ow load was 9.30 kg PAHs per year. Accumulation of about 50% of the annual PAH loads

(8.90 kg) is a threat to the ecological condition of the ecosystem. It was calculated that the PAH loads in bottom

sediment were about 80 kg, which limits their economic use. Improvement of the ecological status of this type of

reservoir can be achieved by removing the sediment. Analysis of the diagnostic ratios obtained for selected PAHs

showed that the potential sources of PAH emissions in small agricultural – forest catchments can be combustion

of a coal, wood, plant material (low emission, forest fi res, burning grass, etc.). Transportation is also signifi cant.

The pesticide persistence, in particular in soils, often significantly exceeding the declarations of their manufacturers is surprising. There are many publications devoted to the explanation of this phenomenon in the field literature, but the diverse research methodologies used may lead to the ambiguous conclusions. On the basis of the collected literature, the attempt was made to systematize the available information on the interactions of commonly used groups of pesticides with individual soil components. The complex mechanisms of interactions between pesticides and soil based on van der Waals forces, ionic and covalent bonding, ligand exchange and charge transfer complexes formation were demonstrated. It was also proved that the nature of interactions is strictly dependent on the structure of the pesticide molecule. The conclusion of the review may contribute to the choice of plant protection products that, in addition to their effectiveness, are as little ballast for the environment as possible.

This article focuses on discussing the adsorption process of phenol and its chloro-derivatives on the HDTMA-modified halloysite. Optimized chemical structures of phenol, 2-, 3-, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichloro-, and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol were obtained with computational calculation (the Scigress program). Charge distributions and the hypothetical structure of the system HDTMA-modified halloysite are among their key features. The above-mentioned calculations are applied in order to explain adsorption mechanism details of chlorophenols on the HDTMA-modified halloysite in aqueous solutions. The results of electron density distribution and solvent accessible surface area calculations for phenol and chlorophenols molecules illustrate the impact of chlorine substitution position in a phenol molecule, both on the mechanism and the kinetics of their adsorption in aqueous solutions. Experimental adsorption data were sufficiently represented using the Langmuir multi-center adsorption model for all adsorbates. In addition, the relations between adsorption isotherm parameters and the adsorbate properties were discussed. This study also targets at explaining the role of meta position as a chlorine substituent for mono-chloro derivatives. Given the above findings, two possible mechanisms were utilized as regards chlorophenol adsorption on the HDTMA-modified halloysite, i.e., electrostatic and partition interactions when the chlorophenols exist in a molecular form.

Rising carbon dioxide emissions are driving climate change and there is growing pressure to find alternative energy sources. Co-combustion of waste with fuels is still occurring in some regions of the world, and it is important to know the compounds emitted from such combustion. This study investigated the emissions from the combustion of wood pellets with waste. The wood pellet was combusted with different additions of polyethylene terephthalate plastic and medium-density fiberboard (10 and 50%), in a low-power boiler (18W). Phenols, alkylphenols, phthalates, biomass burning markers, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions were determined. Gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometry detector was used to analyze these compounds after extraction and derivatization in the particulate matter and gas phase. The emissions of biomass burning markers and phthalates were the highest among all the compounds determined for MDF addition. The total emission of these compounds was 685 mg/h and 408 mg/h for 10% addition and 2401 mg/h and 337 mg/h for 50% addition, respectively. For the co-combustion of biomass with PET, PAHs and phenols had the highest emission; the emission was 197 mg/h and 114.5 mg/h for 10% addition and 268 mg/h and 200 mg/h for 50% addition, respectively. In our opinion, the obtained results are insufficient for the identification of source apportionment from household heating. After further study, tested compounds could be treated as markers for the identification of the fuel type combusted in households.