Water samples collected from the water-supply system often towns were examined in order to evaluate the ground water quality in the commune of Gogolin. The changes of 17 parameters of water composition and water quality were determined by analytical methods described in Polish Standards. The quality of ground waters was estimated by comparing the results obtained with both limit values for drinking water in Poland and criteria of classification of ordinary ground waters according to Polish State Environmental Monitoring. It was found that ground water from each of the investigated water intake met all the requirements set for drinking water and household purposes (with few exceptions). The concentrations of most of the parameters determined within the research indicated waters of the highest (class la) and high quality (class lb). However, influence of anthropogenic factors was also marked on water purity. The limit value of the following parameters was occasionally exceeded: nitrate nitrogen - max. by 50% in Obrowiec and 20% in Chorula, sulphates - by 19% in Kamień Śląski, iron - by 100% in Górażdże.

The work concerns an important in our times problem related to different areas as ecology, economy and proper use of energy resources: reduction of NOx by rebuming process. The main goal of the work was to develop the technology of NOx reduction during zone combustion of coal and mine gas with process optimal conditions determination in power boilers in aspect of environmental protection. In the work was presented: investigation of numeric model of zone combustion of coal and mine gas; aplied combustion research of the boiler OCG-64 produce on RAFAKO.

Changes in activity of amylase, cellulase, protease and dehydrogenase during biodegradation of petroleum contaminants were investigated in laboratory studies. Refinery soil polluted for a long time was modified by commercial biological preparation and natural biological preparation (prepared from this soil). These modifications did not influence cellulase and protease activity. Activity of amylase and dehydrogenase changed in these samples. In the sixth week the highest activity of dehydrogenase was noticed, especially in soil with commercial biological preparation. Modifications had a great influence on contaminants degradation. The highest elimination of TPH (20,4%) and heavy fractions (10,5%) took place in soil modified by commercial biological preparation. The highest PAH elimination was in soil with natural bacterial preparation

This paper described a determination of volatile organic compounds (such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and phenol) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 by US EPA method) in atmospheric air in Zabrze in 1997. Samples were collected on sorbents (graphitized carbon for BTEX, Chromosorb 102 for phenol and polypropylene filter for PAH) capable of selectivity trapping a wide range of substances. Samples were than analysed using an extraction by solvents followed by capillary gas chromatography with flame ionised detector or ion trap mass detector. The lower limit of detection was circa O.Ol μg/m3 for most compounds. Using a gas chromatograph with ion trap mass detector it was possible to identify 35 organic compounds in urban air in Zabrze. GC-MS is powerful tool for identification organic compounds, but GC with FID detector is most sensitive for quantitative determination of volatile organic compounds.

In the paper the reburning process has been characterised. A dependence of NOx in flue gas content decreasing efficiency on some parameters has been pointed. During experiment the reburning process has been controlled with pulse disturbation of reburning fuel injection. An increasing of NOx reduction efficiency has been noticed, due to pulsations intensifying mixing process in reduction zone.

In the years 1988 and 1998-1999 botanical investigations were carried out within the projected "Diabla Góra" nature reserve, located near Bukowno town in the north-eastern part of the Silesian Upland. The occurrence of 57 taxa of bryophytes (5 liverworts and 52 mosses) as well as 248 taxa of vascular plants were reported. Among bryophytes there are 11 taxa regionally rare and endangered, for example Barbilophozia barbata and Pterigynandrum filiforme. Ten species (17.5% of brioflora) represent mountain element. Among vascular plants there are 20 protected species (8.1% of vascular flora) and 22 regionally rare and endangered taxa, for example Allium montanum, Botrychium lunaria, Orobanche caryophyllacea, Scorzonera humilis and Thalie/rum minus. Six taxa (2.4% of vascular flora) are mountain species. Eight associations (4 forest and 4 non-forest) were distinguished. The most interesting are thermophilous beech forest Carici-Fagetum and xerothermic grasslands from class Festuco-Brometea.