The Włodawka River catchment of an area of 725 km2 covers the central and eastern part of the Łęczna-Włodawa Lake District. Evaluation of the role of hydrogenic areas in runoff creation was based on materials of the Department of Hydrography and the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management data. The analysis was conducted for selected catchments in which additional hydrometric measurements and water quality tests were done. Such parameters as: the share of hydrogenic surfaces in total catchment area, types of wetlands, their hypsometric location and position with reference to drainage streams were taken into consideration for evaluation. The degree of anthropogenic transformation of the marshland was expressed in terms of density and depth of the drainage ditches that dissect it. It was found that the drained gyttja of Krowie Bagno plays a considerable role in increasing the minimum discharge. Wetlands in the Włodawka River catchment influence the conditions of the runoff and water quality, which is noticeable, primarily, in the concentration of organic carbon, and of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds.

Studies on biocompatibility of AISI 316LVM steel indicate the need to eliminate the nickel from the surface and replace it with other elements of improved biocompatibility. Therefore, in the presented work selected physicochemical and mechanical properties of the diffusive nitrocarburized layer formed by plasma potential by means of an active screen made of the Fe-Cr-Ni were studied. In the paper we present results of microstructure and phase composition of the layers, roughness, and surface wettability, potentiodynamic pitting corrosion resistance, penetration of ions into the solution as well as mechanical properties. The studies were conducted for the samples of both mechanically polished and nitrocarburized surfaces, after sterilization, and exposure to the Ringer’s solution. Deposition of the nitrocarburized layer increased the contact angle, surface roughness, surface hardness, and corrosion resistance with respect to the polished surfaces. The nitrocarburized layer is a barrier against the ions release into the solution and sterilization and exposure to Ringer solution. The obtained results showed beneficial increase of both mechanical and electrochemical properties of the deposited layer, and thus the applicability of the proposed method of surface treatment of the 316LVM steel for short-term implants after sterylization.

Pipeline welding is an integral part of oil and gas exploration industries. Often the welded joint failures were due to lack of weld quality, improper heat treatment and even poor workmanship. Further, the use of new material in pipeline industry puts focus on a better understanding of qualifying requirements of welding for reducing the failures in future. This necessitates the need for development and design of suitable welding fluxes for joining these materials. In this paper an attempt is made to study the effects of submerged arc welding fluxes on weldability as well as structural integrity issues in pipeline steels. Physicochemical and thermophysical properties of submerged arc fluxes widely affects the mechanical behaviour of pipeline steels. This paper presents an overview of the role of welding parameters, flux composition, cooling rate, slag behaviour and physicochemical properties of slag on final welded joint properties such as tensile strength, impact toughness etc. during submerged arc welding.