In this paper, the results of the analyses of selected chemical water quality parameters and taxonomic composition of macroinvcrtcbratcs of the Liwiec River and its chosen tributaries (central-eastern Poland) arc presented. Chemical and biological water quality assessment was performed, and four biotic indices were tested: Belgian BBi, French IBGN, British BMWP/OQR, and biotic index BMWP-PL developed for Polish rivers. Correlations between the values of the latter and chemical water parameters show that BMWP-PL is a useful tool for the assessment ofwater quality of lowland rivers in Poland (similar to the Liwiec).

Electrostatic prccipitators (ESP) arc the most commonly used devices for gas cleaning in the power industry. From the beginning of ESP usage on a commercial scale, it has been said that all swirls and turbulences should be eliminated from the gas flow, approaching uniform gas distribution in an ESP chamber. Application of CFO (Computer Fluid Dynamics) methods in electrostatic precipitation caused radical changes in views on the role of the gas flow. Series of non-uniform gas flows was then indicated, causing an increase in ESP efficiency. This paper is a review of the gas flow distributions used in ESP and their influence on ESP efficiency. The results of computer analysis presented in this paper show that diversification of gas velocity in the ESP chamber leads to efficiency improvement for shorter zones; however, for longer zones it causes an efficiency drop. The efficiency raise owing to diversification of gas flow profile is a consequence of exponential gas velocity - efficiency dependence.

The results of research on the role of water mass movements arising as a result of anthropoprcsion, in heavy metals arrangement in sediments have been presented on the example of dam reservoir in Rybnik. The carried out thermo-visual measurements of the thermally polluted Rybnik dam-reservoir revealed spatial diversification of water temperature. The zones of diverse dynamics of water mass movements have been shown, including the zone of intensive water flow and the zone of stagnation. [t has been proved that the values of these concentrations arc strongly diverse in space. This is the result of the cutrophication grade, bioaccumulation process, and anthropomixtion. As a result of specific water movement, which transports biomass inside the ecosystem, the zone, developed in which the transfer of heavy metals to the sediments is intensified. This zone of about 150 ha in area was located. The maximum concentrations of metals described in this area arc: for cadmium - 30 mg/kg, for nickel - 55 mg/kg, for chromium - 130 mg/kg, for lead - 160 mg/kg, for copper - 1 000 mg/kg, for zinc - 1300 mg/kg. In the case ofmobile fractions, potentially capable of freeing themselves from sediments the concentration values are: for cadmium - 14 mg/kg, for nickel - 15 mg/kg, for chromium - 4 mg/kg, for lead - 8 mg/kg, for copper - 100 mg/kg, for zinc - 600 mg/kg. The participation ofmobile fractions of metals in their total quantity was: for zinc - 46%, for cadmium - 46%, for nickel - 27%, for copper - 10%, for lead- 5%, for chromium - 3%. The relationship between the total concentrations of metals likewise their mobile forms and the content of organic matter in sediments, points to the role ofbiomass of plankton organisms and detritus as bio-sorbcnt in the process of transporting and transferring metals from water to sediments. With reference to water mass dislocation effect inside the reservoir under the influence of anthropogenic factor, in the situation when this factor is stronger than the factors which cause natural water movements, author suggests using the term anthropomixion.

In the defunct Górka heading there is both a waste disposal site with an area of 6.7 ha containing approximately 600 000 m3 of waste generated in the course of aluminum oxide production and a pond with an area of 3 ha and depth ofup to 15 m containing about 400 000 m3 of effluent (leachate water). The reservoir is filled with infiltrates flowing in from the above-mentioned disposal site at a rate - 130 m3/day. The subsidence of the pond bottom and infiltration of solutions into the Triassic and Jurassic water resources, estimated at - 40 m3/day, is a cause of serious concern. The basic problem of the effluents in the Górka pond is their high alkalinity (pH 12-14) and variable pollutant content, the level of which increases with the pond's depth. The proposed solution involves pumping out and treating about 500 000 m3 of effluents retained in the Górka reservoir. The effluents would be treated in a reverse osmosis plant using a process which has so far been verified on a quarter-commercial scale. The treatment process by-product would be discharged into the Ropa stream. The brine solution (containing - 25% NaCl), would be solidified. The next stage after pumping would be the utilization of approximately 50 000 m3 of bottom slurry. Highly alkaline slurries would be utilized in the production of self-solidifying mixtures. These mixtures would be used to scal the bottom of the Górka reservoir and part of the edges of the defunct quarry, according to requirements. The next stage would involve outcropping the feed-water sources located in the northern section of the old heading to reconstruct the original flow system from the sources to the Ropa River. The excavated solid waste would be relocated into the remainder of the disposal site containing solid aluminium waste. The surface ofthc site would be scaled and then reclaimed. The final stage involves macrolcvclling of the site into an amphitheatre system, outcropping the fertile soil layer, constructing a lake and streams, and finally land reclamation of the whole site.

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) have the potential to alter hormone pathways that regulate life processes in humans, vertebrates and invertebrates. Besides xcnobiotics having endocrine effects, there arc naturally occurring estrogenie compounds. The limited number of studies with EDCs in invertebrates is partially due to the fact that their hormonal systems are rather poorly understood in comparison with vertebrates. It is also important, but difficult to discriminate between hormone - mediated and other toxicological modes of action. Data of the potentially adverse impact of EDCs on wildlife species are reviewed.