The possibility of applying gas chromatograph to air samples discrimination in regard to odour intensity and hedonic quality was examined. The air samples were arornatised with lemon oil and four admixtures. fourteen distinctive points of a chromatogram were appointed and the distances from the points lo a set basis were measured. The set of h 1-h 14 parameters (inputs) and varied individual sensory estimations of I and H (outputs) was used as a training data set for NN. Possibility of discrimination of the odour quality of the samples situated close to the threshold of odour quality difference detectability was confirmed on the level of approximately one.

This paper presents the qualitative and quantitative results of the research into potential pathogens of genus Staphylococcus in the air in the centre and in the recreational areas of Olsztyn. The qualitative examinations were conducted for one year, from October 2002 to September 2003, with one-month intervals between measurements, which were done at testing sites with the use of sedimentation and impaction methods of sampling. When the samples were taken by the sedimentation method, the average count of this type of bacteria at various sites was higher than in those taken by the impaction method. The colonies of Staphylococcus bacteria, isolated from air samples taken four times during the test period in October 2002, January, April and July 2003, were further identified down to the species, based on biochemical tests. A wider species diversity of this type of bacteria was found in the samples taken by the sedimentation method (8 species) than by the impaction method (3 species). Among the Staphylococcus bacteria isolated from air the following species dominated: S. xylosus 61% and S. len/us 15% when the samples were taken by the sedimentation method and 31 % and 62%, respectively, with the impaction method. When the samples were taken by the sedimentation method, 8% of Staphylococcus aureus and 2% Staphylococcus epidermidis were found among all the isolated bacteria (627 cfu/m3). These species were not found in the samples taken by the impaction method.

The aim of the study was to estimate the content of trace elements: zinc, cadmium, lead, molybdenum and nickel in products and wastes of coal treatment from Upper-Silesian Basin. Two analytical methods were applied: atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS, ETAAS) and anodic (ASY) and adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSY). ASY is used to determine zinc, cadmium and lead; AdSY molybdenum and nickel, and FAAS and ETAAS to determine all elements. In the case of Zn, Ni, Mo, Pb and Cd determined by FAAS (ETAAS) the concentrations were practically the same as those obtained by ASY or AdSY.

In order to select the most optimum parameters for running heat recuperation process from aerobic composting process, three testing stages were run involving the registration of the value of recuperated heat volume and the observation of cooling impact on composting process parameters. The values of thermal conductivity coefficient were measured as a function of compost temperature, density and age. The values ranged from 0.171 to 0.300 W/mK. The optimum parameters for process running were selected. Basing on them it was estimated how much heat will be possible to recuperate during the composting process on industrial scale using a battery of heat exchangers. For artificially aerated pile with the following dimensions: lower base 8 m, upper base 5 m, height 3.5 m, length 3 m; it will be possible to recuperate approximately 7.4 kW (from 1 m2 of heat exchanger surface - 774 W).

The objective of the research presented in the paper was to study the process of adsorption of oil impurities with the use of clinoptylolite and diatomite. The effect of various factors on process course was determined, the process was described with isotherms and the adsorptive capacities of tested minerals were determined on their basis.

This study includes the results of investigations carried out on the Bytomka River which were made from September 2003 to January 2004. The results emphasized the changes of physico-chemical parameters of water quality. Low concentration of dissolved oxygen and high concentration of ammonium nitrogen and COD are probably caused by the discharge of municipal waste-water. High salinity is caused by coal-mines water from the river basin area. All of the discussed parameters of water quality (except for pH-index and nitrate nitrogen) are beyond official classification. Although in the river basin area there are currently activities which protect the environment, no changes of water quality have been observed except for the salinity which is growing up all the time. Improvement of the existing situation will be possible only if firm waste-water managements action is taken.

The objective of the project was to find out whether the composting process of municipal waste may be used as a low temperature heat source. It was determined that during high temperature phase of the process on average 930.5 kJ of heat is produced per kg of compost. The designed and made laboratory model was used for carrying out three stages of testing, boiling down to running the composting process with parallel heat recuperation from the process. Basing on the tests, the parameters having affecting the heat recuperation process effectiveness were determined, viz.: optimum initial temperature of cooling water should be approximately 30°C, the reduction of flow rate of the cooling water has advantageous impact on the increase of process efficiency, whereas the safe temperature lower limit for compost cooling should be higher than 52°C (which safeguards compost sanitary purity). It was also observed that in parallel to compost age heat recuperation process efficiency is declining.

The presents paper determination of 16 PAHs in collected samples of soil or plants and investigation of sorption process dynamics. The investigation included plants growing on shoulder of road and on cultivated field. As accumulations of quality of environment cabbage, parsley, carrot, cucumber, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), plantain (Plantago major) and colfsfoot (Tussilago farfara) were used. The samples were collected at a defined distance to the main road E8 (Moscow - Berlin), near Siedlce. A total PAHs concentration in soil and cabbage samples collected in the distance 5 m to the road was 1.5 I μg/kg (total carcinogenic PAHs = 556.03 ng/kg) and 358.90 ng/kg (total carcinogenic = I 01.17 ng/kg) respectively. On the other hand, total PAHs in samples collected in 15 m distance to the road was 136.46 ng/kg for soil (total carcinogenic = 27.30 ng/kg) and 87.20 ng/kg for cabbage (total carcinogenic= 12.17 ng/kg).