Explore the vast range of titles available.

Growing concern over mineral resources supply forces us to search for alternative sources of Phosphorus. The possibility to recover phosphorus from incinerated sewage sludge ashes appears to be an important aspect in anthropogenic phosphorus cycle and sustainable economy. To make phosphorus recovery efficient it is important to learn the chemical and mineral composition of ash and phosphorus speciation. The phosphorus content in the ash was over 7%, what corresponds to medium rich phosphorus ores. The main phosphorus rich mineral phases were phosphate minerals. The most widespread was tri-calcium phosphate Whitlockite with various Fe, Mg and Ca proportions. In minority Fe–PO 4 and Mg–PO 4 were detected. Whitlockite commonly overgrown with hematite, influences negatively mineral solubility and thus recovery potential and indicates low bioavailability of phosphorus. Considerable amount of phosphorus was found in the low crystalline matrix where phosphorus content was around 10 wt% however low crystallinity and dispersed phosphorus also does not strengthen the potential to recover this element.

Organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the soils of the High Arctic play an important role in the context of global warming, biodiversity, and richness of tundra vegetation. The main aim of the present study was to determine the content and spatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (N ), and total phosphorus (P ) in the surface horizons of Arctic soils obtained from the lower part of the Fuglebekken catchment in Spitsbergen as an example of a small non-glaciated catchment representing uplifted marine terraces of the Svalbard Archipelago. The obtained results indicate that surface soil horizons in the Fuglebekken catchment show considerable differences in content of SOC, N , and P . This mosaic is related to high variability of soil type, local hydrology, vegetation (type and quantity), and especially location of seabird nesting colony. The highest content of SOC, N , and P occurs in soil surface horizons obtained from sites fertilized by seabird guano and located along streams flowing from the direction of the seabird colony. The content of SOC, N , and P is strongly negatively correlated with distance from seabird colony indicating a strong influence of the birds on the fertility of the studied soils and indirectly on the accumulation of soil organic matter. The lowest content of SOC, N , and P occurs in soil surface horizons obtained from the lateral moraine of the Hansbreen glacier and from sites in the close vicinity of the lateral moraine. The content of N , P , and SOC in soil surface horizons are strongly and positively correlated with one another, the higher the content of nutrients, the higher the content of SOC. The spatial distribution of SOC, N , and P in soils of the Hornsund area in SW Spitsbergen reflects the combined effects of severe climate conditions and periglacial processes. Seabirds play a crucial role in nutrient enrichment in these weakly developed soils.

The aim of the study was to test the suitability of the 6th edition of Polish Soil Classification (SGP6) in reflecting the typical features of subalpine Bieszczady Mts. soils in comparison with the 5th edition of Polish Soil Classification (SGP5) and the newest version of World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB). Five soil profiles located in differentiated in terms of the parent material, topography and vegetation conditions of the natural environment were investigated. On the basis of described morphology and determined properties soils were classified according to different soil classifications. All soils under study were featured by presence of thick A horizons and high content of soil organic carbon accumulated even very deep in the profiles. Some of the mineral topsoil layers were classified as umbric/umbrik horizons. Moreover cambic/kambik horizons were present and in some cases also weak redoximorphic features occurred. The SGP6 enabled to distinguish soils with a thick, organic carbon-rich A horizons as umbrisols, a newly created subtype of grey soils. Furthermore, the soil taxonomic position according to SGP6 was more detailed in relation to the soil trophic status (in case of brown soils) and occurrence of weak redoximorphic features. That was reflected in number of subtypes to which analyzed soils were classified – 4 in SGP6 vs 2 in SGP5.

W pracy określono zmienność temperatury i wilgotności gleb brunatnych na trzech stanowiskach w paśmie Połoniny Wetlińskiej i związek tych parametrów z warunkami meteorologicznymi. Badania prowadzono na dwóch głębokościach (20 cm i 45 cm) w okresie od 23.11.2020 r. do 19.11.2021 r. Badania wykazały występowanie wyższej temperatury gleby od końca kwietnia do sierpnia w przypowierzchniowej części analizowanych gleb oraz jej silną zależność od temperatury powietrza w półroczu ciepłym i najwyższą średnią temperaturę na stanowisku eksponowanym w kierunku południowym (7,5ºC na obu głębokościach). W półroczu chłodnym wykazano mniejszą zmienność temperatury gleby, izolujące działanie pokrywy śnieżnej i brak przemarzania gleb w badanych lokalizacjach. Średnie roczne wartości wilgotności objętościowej badanych gleb mieściły się w zakresie 42–53% na głębokości 20 cm i 39–44% na głębokości 45 cm. Wyższe wartości wilgotności objętościowej cechowały te spośród badanych gleb, które charakteryzują się mniejszym udziałem frakcji iłowej, mniejszą gęstością objętościową i wyższą zawartością materii organicznej. Na wzrost wilgotności gleb, poza infiltracją wody opadowej i roztopowej, wpływać może również dostawa wód spływu śródpokrywowego. Wilgotność analizowanych gleb była zależna od sumy opadów w okresie poprzedzającym. W półroczu chłodnym wyższej wilgotności dodatkowo sprzyjała wyższa temperatura powietrza, natomiast w półroczu ciepłym odwrotnie – niższa. W pracy udokumentowano mniejszą zmienność wilgotności gleb na dwóch polanach śródleśnych na stoku północnym Połoniny Wetlińskiej względem stanowiska na otwartej przestrzeni na stoku południowym. Zmienność wilgotności była najmniejsza w okresie zimowym w najwyżej położonym stanowisku blisko grzbietu, a największa w okresie letnim na stoku południowym. Ponadto, w półroczu ciepłym ewapotranspiracja stanowiła ważny czynnik, wpływający na większą dynamikę zmian wilgotności objętościowej gleb w płytszej części badanych profili. Większe zdolności retencyjne gleb w górnych częściach bieszczadzkich pasm górskich mogą wpływać na efektywniejsze zasilanie zbiorników wód podziemnych, które następnie są drenowane przez wysoko położone źródła.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the link between planktivorous little auks (Alle alle) and their soil fertilization, the concentration of total, and different forms of phosphorus in the surface layer of the High Arctic soils and the vascular plant composition of the tundra vegetation. Samples of the surface soil layer (0–10 cm) were collected along three pairs of transects (affected and unaffected by little auks) at different locations in Spitsbergen (Svalbard). The surface layer of soils affected by little auks was characterized by a significantly higher mean concentration of Ptot (1.02–1.44 g kg−1) compared to those not affected by seabirds (0.58–0.77 g kg−1). The mean concentration of different forms of P was also generally higher in soils affected by seabirds (i.e., labile P: 0.13–0.34 g kg−1, moderately labile P: 0.31–0.90 g kg−1, stable P: 0.27–0.39 g kg−1) than in unaffected soils (labile P: 0.04–0.18 g kg−1, moderately labile P: 0.30–0.37 g kg−1, stable P: 0.12–0.24 g kg−1); however, the differences were not always significant, most likely due to the high heterogeneity of specific environmental conditions at the local scale such as soil type, soil chemical composition, and vegetation type. Vascular plant cover was significantly and positively related to the concentration of the P forms studied in the soil. The phosphorus gradient significantly altered the composition of the vascular plants and explained 58.4% of its variation. Little auks are an important source of soil phosphorus in terrestrial ecosystems in the High Arctic that significantly affect the cover and composition of vascular plants.

Aquatic ecosystems developed within landslide depressions are common in the region of the Outer Western Carpathi, and they frequently record detailed pond-to-fen vegetation successions initiated by the warming climate of the Bølling-Allerød period. In the Klaklowo landslide fen (the Beskid Makowski Mountains, S Poland) the late glacial deposits are represented by a long (approximately 2.5 m) minerogenic-organic sequence with a distinct section corresponding to the Older Dryas cooling. Here, we applied a high-resolution multi-proxy study (grain size, geochemical, pollen and macrofossil analyses, radiocarbon dating), and we reconstructed vegetation, hydrological and climate changes recorded in the bottom part of the Klaklowo fen sequence (depth range of 250–367 cm). A special emphasis was put on investigating the conditions affecting development of Characeae-dominated vegetation succession and possible reasons behind the discontinuous pollen record. Multi-proxy results revealed that the late glacial sequence (ca. 14,600–13,500 mod. cal yrs BP) of the Klaklowo fen consisted of five palaeoecological stages of development which correspond to the Greenland ice core and Gerzensee chronologies. During the first stage, presumably dry and cold conditions of steppe-tundra prevailed in the surroundings of a poor-in-vegetation Klaklowo waterbody I, matching the Oldest Dryas and Bølling climatic phases. Deterioration of the pollen record observed within this stage most probably resulted from the post-depositional oxidation due to periodical water-level changes of the waterbody I. During the second stage, palaeo-pond was transformed into a short-lasting fen likely with a more wide-spread steppe-tundra vegetation in the catchment area reflecting the dry and cold climate of the Older Dryas. Further two sub-stages of the Klaklowo waterbody II were characterized by aquatic vegetation and boreal forest succession signalizing the Allerød warming. The co-occurrence of macrophytes dominated by wide-spread Characeae meadows and intense precipitation of calcium carbonate indicate that alkaline conditions prevailed in the Klaklowo waterbody II at that time. Carbonate formation probably resulted from leaching of carbonate-bearing bedrock in the catchment area and calcium-rich groundwater supply to the pond intensified by increased precipitation. The last stage is characterized by the disappearance of Characeae meadows which may be attributed to multiple factors including the transition of the palaeo-pond into a fen and related acidification.

The purpose of the research was to define the variability of soil temperature and moisture in three profiles in the Połonina Wetlińska Range in the period 23/11/2020–19/11/2021 and to assess the relationship between these parameters and meteorological conditions. Soil temperature and moisture loggers were situated at two depths (20 cm & 45 cm). Research has shown a higher soil temperature at a subsurface depth between the end of April and August. The soil temperature was strongly correlated with the air temperature in the warm half-year. The highest average soil temperature was observed for the southern slope (7,5ºC at both depths). In the cold half-year, low variability of soil temperature, the the insulating role of snow cover, and the lack of soil freezing were discovered. The annual average volumetric soil moisture of the soils studied ranged from 42% to 53% at a depth of 20 cm, and from 39% to 44% at a depth of 45 cm. Among the soils studied, those represented by the lower clay fraction content, the lower bulk density, and the higher organic matter content were characterised by the higher volumetric moisture. An increase in soil moisture, mainly driven by infiltration of rainwater and melting snow, may also be caused by lateral throughflow. Generally, soil moisture was dependent on the previous precipitation totals. Additionally, in the cold half-year, higher soil moisture was related to higher air temperature, whereas in the warm half-year, this relation was opposite. The research revealed a lower variability of soil moisture in profiles located within a forest glade on the northern slope than at the profile located within a meadow, on the southern slope of the Połonina Wetlińska. The variability in soil moisture was lowest during the winter months in the highest elevated profile close to the ridge, whereas the highest variability was observed during the summer on the southern slope. Furthermore, in the warm half-year, evapotranspiration was an important factor resulting in a greater variability of soil moisture at shallower depths of the studied profiles. The higher soil retention capacity in the upper part of the Bieszczady Mountains ranges may affect a more effective recharge of groundwater reservoirs, which feed springs located in the upper part of the slopes

The purpose of the research was to define the variability of soil temperature and moisture in three profiles in the Połonina Wetlińska Range in the period 23/11/2020–19/11/2021 and to assess the relationship between these parameters and meteorological conditions. Soil temperature and moisture loggers were situated at two depths (20 cm 45 cm). Research has shown a higher soil temperature at a subsurface depth between the end of April and August. The soil temperature was strongly correlated with the air temperature in the warm half-year. The highest average soil temperature was observed for the southern slope (7,5oC at both depths). In the cold half-year, low variability of soil temperature, the the insulating role of snow cover, and the lack of soil freezing were discovered. The annual average volumetric soil moisture of the soils studied ranged from 42% to 53% at a depth of 20 cm, and from 39% to 44% at a depth of 45 cm. Among the soils studied, those represented by the lower clay fraction content, the lower bulk density, and the higher organic matter content were characterised by the higher volumetric moisture. An increase in soil moisture, mainly driven by infiltration of rainwater and melting snow, may also be caused by lateral throughflow. Generally, soil moisture was dependent on the previous precipitation totals. Additionally, in the cold half-year, higher soil moisture was related to higher air temperature, whereas in the warm half-year, this relation was opposite. The research revealed a lower variability of soil moisture in profiles located within a forest glade on the northern slope than at the profile located within a meadow, on the southern slope of the Połonina Wetlińska. The variability in soil moisture was lowest during the winter months in the highest elevated profile close to the ridge, whereas the highest variability was observed during the summer on the southern slope. furthermore, in the warm half-year, evapotranspira- tion was an important factor resulting in a greater variability of soil moisture at shallower depths of the studied profiles. The higher soil retention capacity in the upper part of the Bieszczady Mountains ranges may affect a more effective recharge of groundwater reservoirs, which feed springs located in the upper part of the slopes

The paper presents a study on the diversity of different fractions of phosphorus in former agricultural (grassland) soils around a stockpile of mineral fertilizers in Tarnawa Wyzna (Bieszczady National Park). The main properties taken into consideration include basic soil analyses and extractions of phosphorus forms (Porg, Plab, P-Al, P-Fe, P-Ca). The total phosphorus content is calculated as the sum of organic and mineral phosphorus. The main aim of the study is to present the content of different forms of phosphorus in the profiles of typical grassland soils in Tarnawa Wyzna as well as to the spatial diversity of these forms in the uppermost soil horizons in relation to the basic properties of the soil. The results indicate that the analyzed soils are characterized by a distribution of phosphorus and its various fractions typical of slightly acidic Cambisols and grassland soils used for agricultural purposes.

The paper presents a study on the diversity of different fractions of phosphorus in former agricultural (grassland) soils around a stockpile of mineral fertilizers in Tarnawa Wyżna (Bieszczady National Park). The main properties taken into consideration include basic soil analyses and extractions of phosphorus forms (Porg, Plab, P-Al, P-Fe, P-Ca). The total phosphorus content is calculated as the sum of organic and mineral phosphorus. The main aim of the study is to present the content of different forms of phosphorus in the profiles of typical grassland soils in Tarnawa Wyżna as well as to the spatial diversity of these forms in the uppermost soil horizons in relation to the basic properties of the soil. The results indicate that the analyzed soils are characterized by a distribution of phosphorus and its various fractions typical of slightly acidic Cambisols and grassland soils used for agricultural purposes.