The method of solid-phase extraction on TENAX TA beads was applied in order to assess the content of potentially bioavailable PAH fractions in soils highly contaminated with these compounds. The extraction was carried out at 20°C and 60°C to enable separation of two fractions: ,,easily bioavailable" and ,.hardly bioavailable", correspondingly. The data obtained indicated a relatively low content of potentially bioavailable PAHs in soils with 4 and 5+6-ringed compounds as dominant groups.

The aim of this study was to assess soil contamination with toxic metals in the area of Piekary Śląskie (Silesian Voivodeship), taking into consideration various land use patterns. The scope of research covered the determination of lead and cadmium concentration in soil in the following areas: allotment gardens, fallow lands and kindergarten playgrounds. The lead and cadmium concentrations in soil samples were determined using a flame atomic absorption spectrometry technique, after the aqua regia extraction in a MDS 2000 microwave digestion system. The metal contents in the analyzed soil samples varied remarkably, depending on the sampling location and its distance from the main emitter of toxic metals in Piekary Śląskie, i.e. "Orzel Bialy" Non-Ferrous Metal Smelter. Metal concentrations determined in all soil samples significantly exceeded the concentration levels accepted in Poland for arable lands and residential areas. The lead and cadmium concentrations in soil should become the basis for stopping edible plants cultivation in the area of Piekary Śląskie. The contaminated soil in kindergarten playgrounds can be an important source of lead and cadmium contamination, posing hazard to the children's health. Contamination of playgrounds with toxic metals should stimulate undertaking actions aimed at modernization of playgrounds and reduction of the children's contact with soil. In the context of the applied result assessment criteria the soil concentrations of these metals observed in the region of Piekary Śląskie should arouse great concern among its users and local authorities.

Soil contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons is a serious problem. In the soil in the location of highways, fuel pumping station and airfields high pollutant concentrations are found. The contents of total hydrocarbons (THC) and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analysed in the surface (0-20 cm) soil samples from airfields in Dęblin Marked differences in the pollution level of the above areas were noted. The PAH contents ranged from 113 to 5638 μg/kg and THC contents range from 40 to 430 mg/kg. The analysis was carried out by reverse phase HPLC (PAHs) and SOXTEC apparatus according to Polish norm PN-86/C-04573/01.

The aim of the study was to assess the degree of soil contamination by PAHs in the area of charcoal kiln basis, located in the East Carpathian Biosphere Reserve. The concentrations of PAH in soil samples derived from various sampling locations pointed to a strong or a very strong contamination of the ecosystem by these compounds (8,95 μgxg·'-283,53 ugxg'). PAH concentrations in the soil differed significantly between the sampling locations. Analysis of samples from different soil layers (to 30 cm) pointed to a threat of washing out into groundwater. The highest concentrations of PAH corresponded to soil samples collected near kilns (distance of 1.5 m), and were in the range of 17.81 ugxg' - 435.54 ugxg'. PAH content in soil gradually decreased with increasing distance from the kilns to values < I μgxg-'. The analysis of the data from three sampling periods (June-August) pointed to higher concentrations of PAHs in soil collected in the middle of the burning season, what was probably due to their more intense emission and a relatively small amount of precipitation.

The aims of the current study are the physicochemical characterization, spatial assessment and monitoring of hydrocarbon contamination in quagmire of three sites (Agreb, Gassi and Zotti) in the Hassi Messaoud region (Algerian Sahara), as a result of the presence of an important oil industry rejecting industrial wastewater. Samples were obtained from three different depths for each site. Total Hydrocarbons (THC) were determined by a gravimetric method, and the four (F1:C6-C10), (F2:C10-C16), (F3:C16-C34) and F4>C34) hydrocarbon fractions and BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl-benzene and Xylene) were determined by using gas chromatography (FID). The results obtained show a high contamination with hydrocarbons in different sites and depths. The concentrations of THC, four hydrocarbon fraction and BTEX recorded on Agreb site in different depth were in this order: 51200–120000 mg/kg d.w.; <LOD – 59500 mg/kg d.w.; 2.4–90.8 mg/kg d.w. respectively; and for Gassi site, in this order: 59600–70300 mg/kg d.w.; < LOD – 43000 mg/kg d.w.; 8.5–112 mg/kg d.w. Finely they were in the following order: 18100–19200 mg/kg d.w.; <LOD – 9130 mg/kg d.w.; 2.75–65 mg/kg d.w. for Zotti site. Statistical analysis demonstrated an important site effect of THC and the three hydrocarbon fractions except for F4. However, there is no site and depth effect for BTEX. On the other hand the depth effect is significant just for THC, F1 and F2 of hydrocarbons. This variation can be attributed to the difference of physicochemical parameters between studied sites.

The linuron contaminated soil was subjected to remediation using ozone as an oxidant. The experiments were performed both in laboratory and pilot plant installations. Kinetics of linuron degradation was determined for both systems. Moreover, main linuron metabolites were identified, and possible degradation pathway was proposed. The soil remediation was found to be successful, which was verified by chemical and biological tests. The half-life time of linuron in the pilot scale installation was no more than 7.5 h. To verify the efficiency of soil detoxification, a toxicity test was performed, which utilized Eisenia foetida earthworm. The test organisms were exposed for 14 days to the linuron contaminated soil prior and after the remediation procedure. It was observed that in the control group and the group of organisms exposed to the ozonated soil, the survivability was 100%, whereas the earthworms exposed to the linuron contaminated soil that was not ozonated did not survive at all.

Zanieczyszczenia przemysłowe przyczyniają się z reguły do poglębicnia degradacji rolniczej przestrzeni produkcyjnej, prowadząc między innymi do nagromadzenia metali ciężkich w glebie. Do grupy metali ciężkichzaliczany jest nikiel, który w małych ilościach jest niezbędny dla wzrostu i rozwoju organizmów żywych, natomiast występujący w nadmiarze jest toksyczny. W czteroletnim doświadczeniu wazonowym badano wpływ zanieczyszczenia gleby niklem (50, I 00 i 150 mg Ni/kg gleby zastosowanego w formie NiSO,711,O) na tic zróżnicowanego wapnowania (wg 0,5; I i 1.5 Hh gleby zastosowanego w formie CaCO) na zawartość Pb i Mn w koniczynie czerwonej. Zawartość metali oznaczono metodą ICP-J\ES po wcześniejszej mineralizacji materiału roślinnego ,,na sucho" w piecu muflowym w temperaturze 450°C i rozpuszczeniu popiołu w I 0% roztworze HCL. Wyniki badań opracowano statystycznie analizą wariancji z wykorzystaniem rozkładu F-FisheraSnedecora wg programu F.R. Anal.var 4.1., a wartość NIR.,5 wyliczono wg testu Tukeya. W celu znalezienia związków między badanymi cechami w pracy przeprowadzono również analizę korelacji liniowej. Zawartość obu metali w roślinach uprawianych na glebach zanieczyszczonych niklem była większa w odniesieniu do roślin uprawianych na glebach niezanieczyszczonych, co może świadczyć o synergizmie niklu i omawianych metali. Zastosowane wapniowanie (niezależnie od ilości CaCO, wprowadzonego do gleby) powodowało istotne zmniejszenie zawartości obu metali w roślinie testowej. Przeprowadzone badania wykazały synergistyczne zależności pomiędzy niklem a ołowiem i manganem.

The analysis of ecological hazards on soil pollution by oil products has been provided in the impact zone of the railway. The results of oil product migration in soils in the area of influence on section Lviv–Khodoriv are given. To study this problem, a method was used to take soil samples according to the standard DSTU ISO 10381-4: 2005. To determine the content of petroleum products used the method MVV No. 081/12-0116-03 Pochvy. Based on the results of the study it was found that contamination with petroleum products in the study area exceeds the norm in the area of influence of the railway at a distance of 5 to –50 m on average 3.5 times. It is proposed to make management decisions to prevent violations of the sanitary protection zone of the railway and the placement of agricultural plots on it. For rehabilitation of contaminated soils, it is advisable to use a natural sorbent – glauconite, which is widespread in the bowels of Ukraine. The adsorption capacity of glauconite relative to diesel fuel has been experimentally established. According to our experiments it is proved the high efficiency of the proposed sorbent, which is 90%. Therefore, in the future it is necessary to periodically monitor the condition of the soil in the area to prevent pollution. This study proves that this practice is necessary.

Background concentrations of main trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in pristine soils of the Beliy Island situated in the Kara Sea, Yamal autonomous region, North-West Siberia, Russia. Belyi Island is considered as reference landscpae for further investigation of soil polychemical contamination of the Yamal region. Three plots with different functional load (mature ecosystem, occasionally and permanently affected plots) were investigated with aim to evaluate the trend of long term polychemical effect on Stagnic Cryosols - benchmark soil type of the Yamal region. Accumulation of trace elements was not fixed in all soils investigated due to absence of direct sources of heavy metals on the territory of the Beliy Island. At the same time, there were essential alterations of PAHs fractional composition and content due to pronounced accumulation of the petroleum products combustion in the vicinity of the permanent meteorological station and former seasonal field base. The most intensive and statistically significant accumulation was noted for phenanthrene, anthracene, benzo[k]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene. This indicates accumulation of the PAHs in soils, affected by the anthropogenic activity on the meteorological station. The most pronounced differences were revealed for the superficial layer of 0-5 cm. Deeper horizons of soil did not show accumulation of contaminants. Data obtained can be used for organization of further monitoring of contamination of soils and landscapes in Yamal as developing and industrial region.