Polish Part Research Articles

A new charophyte flora from the Upper Triassic of Skåne (Sweden) and implications on biostratigraphy, taphonomy and the palaeoenvironment

The record of fossil charophytes from Sweden was previously restricted to the Ladinian-earliest Carnian Falsterbo Formation. Here, we present a charophyte assemblage from the Upper Triassic Kågeröd Formation exposed at the Bälteberga Gorge (Skåne, southern Sweden) from the perspectives of taxonomy, taphonomy, palaeoecology and biostratigraphy. The microfossils originate from an interval of reddish sandy mudstone and are represented by rare fossil thalli, calcium carbonate encrustations of thalli and numerous calcified fructifications, called gyrogonites. The assemblage is relatively diverse, comprising six species belonging to four genera of the family Porocharaceae (Auerbachichara cf. rhaetica, Porochara sp., Stellatochara germanica, Stellatochara aff. subsphaerica, Stenochara aff. donetziana, Stenochara aff. kisielevskyi). Both the sedimentological context and the preservation of the charophyte remains point to an autochthonous origin for the charophyte-bearing strata. An autochthonous origin together with the habitat of modern charophytes, infer that the charophyte interval was deposited in shallow ephemeral pond or lake in a terrestrial setting. Their occurrence is also indicative of low amount of nutrients and the numerous thalli encrustations suggest a rather alkaline water composition. Some of the described species (Auerbachichara cf. rhaetica and Stellatochara aff. subsphaerica) are useful for biostratigraphical correlations which attributes the assemblage to the Auerbachichara rhaetica Range zone (sensu Bilan, 1991) in the proposed Germanic Triassic charophyte zonation. This range zone is assigned to a latest Carnian to late Norian age, strengthened by an interlayering with rocks containing a characteristic assemblage of palynomorphs (Corollina meyeriana subzone a and b) in the Upper Triassic of the Polish part of the Germanic Basin. The findings of the first Triassic thalli further strengthen the suggestion that the early Mesozoic fossil record of charophytes is not solely composed of oospores and gyrogonites. A better understanding of vegetative fossil remains (silicified thalli and encrustations) of charophytes may provide important future palaeoecological implications and links between recent and extinct forms. Our findings also provide evidence that charophyte occurrences in the Kågeröd Formation are strictly controlled by palaeoenvironmental factors.

New and noteworthy vascular plant records from the Polish part of the Lithuanian Lakeland

Abstract This paper provides a list of 40 vascular plant species recorded in 2015–2017 in the Polish part of the Lithuanian Lakeland (north-eastern Poland), using the ATPOL cartogram method. Two native taxa Erigeron acris subsp. droebachiensis and Rorippa austriaca, one established alien Atriplex tatarica and one casual alien Aronia × prunifolia are reported as new to the flora of the region.

Impacts of modern mechanised skidding on the natural and cultural heritage of the Polish Carpathian Mountains

Abstract The aim of the research was to determine the scale and forms of logging road impacts on the natural environment and residual cultural heritage of Ruthenian Highlanders that characterise the Polish part of the north-eastern Carpathians. To this end, we used LiDAR-derived DEM to detect and map forest roads and skid trails, and to estimate road density, in 60 forest divisions sampled at random from among the 2639 km2 of forest managed in the above region by the State Forests National Forest Holding. The determined road network was then validated by GPS ground control. Supplementary, detailed LiDAR data were used to detect features of the past cultural landscape, and to determine the interference in that due to contemporary logging roads. Overall skidder traffic was estimated on the basis of a thorough analysis of State Forests documents, including legal acts, guidelines, management plans, detailed databases and maps of planned cuts. LiDAR data proved to be an adequate tool in the mapping of the network of logging roads present under the tree canopy, although it slightly underestimates road density in a densely vegetated, post-landslide topography. Our LiDAR-assessed density of Carpathian logging roads (at 108.5–140.7 m ha−1, including skid trails) is nevertheless among the highest reported in the literature, and one that far exceeds recommended values. Spatial pattern analysis further revealed the unfavourable phenomenon of multiple parallel roads forming contiguous areas of disturbed soil and constituting dispersal paths for invasive plants. Many examples of cultural remains being run over and destroyed by skidders could also be reported. The observed process of log extraction is one of the least sustainable aspects to forest management in the Carpathians, and our results emphasise very clearly the need for rules to support the preservation of cultural heritage in forested areas, as well as improved tools by which skidding practices can be monitored.

Place Image Formation and Cross‐Border Shopping: German Shoppers in the Polish Bazaar in Słubice

AbstractThis study focuses on differences in place image formation between cross‐border shoppers who visit the bazaar in the Polish part of the border‐crossing town of Frankfurt–Oder/Słubice. By examining the German–Polish border context and the historical and regional particularities of this shopping destination, our qualitative analysis reveals differences in place image formation between two groups of German border crossers: locals from Frankfurt–Oder and visitors from other parts of the borderland. It turns out that the locals regarded the border‐crossing town as part of daily life and had lost interest in the bazaar, while cross‐border shoppers from further afield visited the bazaar regularly, were motivated by leisure, and assessed the bazaar more positively. These differences in place image formation between the two groups resulted from differences in mind‐set and motivation, influencing not only the knowledge and experiences of the border crossers, but also the likelihood of visiting this specific shopping destination again.

Carbonate Minerals with Magnesium in Triassic Terebratula Limestone in the Term of Limestone with Magnesium Application as a Sorbent in Desulfurization of Flue Gases

AbstractThis article presents the results of studies of Triassic (Muschelkalk) carbonate rock samples of the Terebratula Beds taken from the area of the Polish part of the Germanic Basin. It is the area of Opole Silesia. The rocks were studied in the term of possibility of limestone with magnesium application in desulfurization of flue gases executed in power plants. Characteristic features of especially carbonate phases including magnesium-low-Mg calcite, high-Mg calcite, dolomite and huntite were presented in the article. They were studied to show that the presence of carbonate phases with magnesium, especially high-Mg calcite makes the desulfurization process more effective. Selected rock samples were examined using a microscope with polarized, transmitted light, X-ray diffraction, microprobe measurements and FTIR spectroscopy. The results of studies show a domination of low magnesium calcite in the limestones of the Terebratula Beds. In some samples dolomite and lower amounts of high-Mg calcite occurred. Moreover, huntite was identified. The studies were very important, because carbonate phases like high-Mg calcite and huntite which occurred in rocks of the Triassic Terebratula Beds were not investigated in details by other scientists but they presence in limestone sorbent could influence the effectiveness of desulfurization process.

Inventory of standing dead trees in the surroundings of communication routes – The contribution of remote sensing to potential risk assessments

We present a comparison of three approaches to support risk assessment of dead standing trees near communication routes. The three methods consider different possible data available, workflow complexity, results accuracy and practical implementation. The following inventory methods were implemented and evaluated: (1) passive remote sensing (RS), (2) passive remote sensing+GIS (RS+GIS) and (3) active remote sensing (RS+ALS). The study was carried out in the Polish part of Białowieża Forest.The roadside analysis performed throughout Białowieża Forest showed that 1671 sections of routes (72.1% of all those analysed) have standing dead trees in their vicinity. The comparison of the LIDAR based method with the passive remote sensing based methods demonstrated the significant advantage of the former in this kind of research, where precision, accuracy and level of detail of information enable the reliable assessment of risk (even at the single tree). However, this does not preclude the use of the RS methods in this type of analysis; the categorisation of at-risk routes obtained using the latter methods also proved to be satisfactory (with 81% compliance in threat categorisation when compared with the use of the LIDAR based method). Nevertheless, the importance and potentially fatal consequences of RS-based underestimation of potential risk in 16% of cases (episodes) cannot be ignored.At a practical level, our results describe time- and cost-effective methods that bring sufficient information for land managers to handle traffic management in areas with large scale tree mortality.

P4389Relation of the heart rate reduction during hospitalization and the outcome of heart failure patients with sinus rhythm: results from the Polish part of the ESC-HF-Pilot and ESC-HF-Long Term Registrie

P4389Relation of the heart rate reduction during hospitalization and the outcome of heart failure patients with sinus rhythm: results from the Polish part of the ESC-HF-Pilot and ESC-HF-Long Term Registrie

Effects of torpedo blasting on rockburst prevention during deep coal seam mining in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin

In the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB), coal seams are exploited under progressively more difficult geological and mining conditions (greater depth, higher horizontal stress, more frequent occurrence of competent rock layers, etc.). Mining depth, dislocations and mining remnants in coal seams are the most important factors responsible for the occurrence of rockburst hazards. Longwall mining next to the mining edges of neighbouring coal seams is particularly disadvantageous. The levels of rockburst hazards are minimised via the use of rockburst prevention methods. One active prevention method is torpedo blasting in roof rocks. Torpedo blastings are performed in order to decrease local stress concentrations in rock masses and to fracture the roof rocks to prevent or minimise the impact of high-energy tremors on excavations. The estimation of the effectiveness of torpedo blasting is particularly important when mining is under difficult geological and mining conditions. Torpedo blasting is the main form of active rockburst prevention in the assigned colliery in the Polish part of the USCB. The effectiveness of blasting can be estimated using the seismic effect method, in which the seismic monitoring data and the mass of explosives are taken into consideration. The seismic effect method was developed in the Czech Republic and is always being used in collieries in the Czech part of the coal basin. Now, this method has been widely adopted for our selected colliery in the Polish part of the coal basin. The effectiveness of torpedo blastings in the faces and galleries of the assigned longwall in coal seam 506 has been estimated. The results show that the effectiveness of torpedo blastings for this longwall was significant in light of the seismic effect method, which corresponds to the in situ observations. The seismic effect method is regularly applied to estimating the blasting effectiveness in the selected colliery.

Epipactis greuteri (Orchidaceae) in Poland

Abstract Between 1997 and 2010, nine localities of Epipactis greuteri H. Baumann & Künkele were found in the Polish part of the Western Carpathians. Eight of them were confirmed in subsequent years. The distribution of the new species in Poland is mapped. A morphological description of E. greuteri based on specimens from Poland and a key for the Polish Epipactis Zinn species are given.

Biological factor controlling methane production in surface sediment in the Polish part of the Vistula Lagoon

Abstract Due to the limited water exchange, lagoons are particularly prone to eutrophication. The consumption of oxygen in this process, coupled with simultaneous enrichment of bottom sediments with organic matter, reinforces the occurrence of anaerobic conditions and methanogenic growth. Methanogenic archaea activities cause depolymerization of organic compounds accumulated in sediments. As a result of such ecosystem transformation, methane might be produced and emitted from this basin. Chemical studies conducted in 2010 were focused on methane content in the surface bottom sediments in the Polish part of the Vistula Lagoon. The results showed that the highest methane concentration occurs in the southwestern part of this basin (6.45 mmol dm-3), while the lowest one in the southeastern part (7.1 × 10-3 mmol dm-3). Molecular studies were focused on specific methanogenic archaea gene identification. The comparison of nucleotide sequences of “mcrA gene” clones obtained from genomic DNA isolated from the Vistula Lagoon sediments indicates a similarity to the yet uncultivated archaea, but also to archaea from the Methanosarcinales and Methanomicrobiales orders.

Euphrasia corcontica(Orobanchaceae) — Is it Really Extinct?

I report the discovery of Euphrasia corcontica (Orobanchaceae) — a plant endemic to Karkonosze — in the Karkonosze National Park (Polish part of the Sudetes). It was first described as a product of Pleistocene hybridization between E. minima and E. micrantha, reported to occur only in the Czech Republic and believed to have gone extinct. Based on the examination of the holotype, differences between E. corcontica and two other high-mountain taxa, E minima and E. micrantha, are elaborated. The new locality for E. corcontica is in ruins of the Prince Henry Shelter, which burned down in 1945, on the main tourist route in the Karkonosze Mts.

Variability of morphological, physical and chemical properties of soils derived from carbonate-rich parent material in the Pieniny Mountains (south Poland)

Abstract Carbonate-rich soils are characterized by great diversity in content of carbonate and non-carbonate mineral substances in soil substrate which largely influences soil properties. The study presents the analysis results of four soil profiles located at the area of Pieniny National Park. The aim of this study was to characterize and classify the soils developed from the mixture of carbonate and carbonate-rich rock material, formerly classified as pararendzinas. It was achieved by determination of morphological, physical, and chemical properties, as well as mineralogical composition of selected carbonate-rich soils occurring in the Polish part of the Pieniny Mts. Soils were classified as typical chernozemic rendzina (P1), typical eutrophic brown soils (P2, P4), as well as typical pararendzina (P3) according to Polish Soil Classification (2011). The parent material of studied soils P1, P2 and P4 were slope covers, with a dominant share of sandstone and minor share of limestone, whereas soil P3 was formed from variegated shale cut with multiple calcite veins. Soils were characterized by stable aggregate structure: crumby, angular blocky and subangular blocky. They were medium or strong skeletal, mostly with loam texture with great share of silt fraction. CaCO3 content in genetic horizons ranged from 0.0 to 703.0 g·kg-1. The reaction of studied soils was from weakly acidic to alkaline. Analysed soils were characterized by very high base saturation. Among determined exchangeable cations, Ca2+ ions had the biggest share in all analysed profile. High base saturation, as well as high content of calcium carbonate was accompanied by content of organic matter and percentage content of clay fraction. Taking into consideration determined chemical and physical properties, it can be found that investigated soils were influenced by not only the in-situ weathering material but also by rock material which have been transported and deposited as a result of slope processes. Furthermore, the lack or lower content of CaCO3 in surface and middle part of analysed soil profiles was most likely a result of the impoverishment of rock material during the transport on the slope.

Population differences in morphological and anatomical traits of Pinus mugo Turra needles from the Polish part of the Tatra Mountains

Abstract The main aim of this study was to describe the variation between the populations of the dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo Turra based on the morphological and anatomical traits of their needles, and to investigate the relationship between the observed variation and environmental conditions (altitude and substrate). Two-year-old needles were collected from 180 individuals of six populations of P. mugo growing in the Tatra Mts. Two populations were classified as dense, located at 1360–1450 m altitude, and the remaining four formed loose clusters and were situated at 1500–1650 m altitude. Four of the populations are growing on granite and two on a limestone substrate. The natural variation of 10 morpho-anatomical and 3 synthetic needle traits was measured. In addition to descriptive statistics, the analyses of variance (ANOVA) with a Tukey test and principal component analysis were computed. We also estimated Pearson correlation coefficients for the examined needle traits and altitude as well as substrate. Our results indicate that the P. mugo populations differ significantly with regard to the investigated traits for which the Trzydniowiański Wierch population was the most distinct. The observed pattern of variability is largely caused by differences in stomatal traits and these features are positive correlated with altitude. Additionally, populations growing on granite have larger values for most of the examined traits compared to populations growing on limestone.

Floristic composition of vegetation in habitats suitable for Erigeron × huelsenii (Asteraceae)

Abstract The paper provides data on the floristic composition of vegetation in anthropogenic habitats suitable for Erigeron × huelsenii, a spontaneous hybrid between the alien E. canadensis and native E. acris s. str. The study is based on 21 phytosociological relevés (vegetation plots) of 5×5 m size made in 2013-2014 in the Polish part of the Lithuanian Lakeland (north-eastern Poland) using the Braun-Blanquet method. The plots were taken on a roadside verge, a roadside slope, in abandoned sand and gravel pits, and on arable fields with grass-legume mixtures. There are 91 species of vascular plants, four species of bryophytes, three species of lichens, and one species of cyanobacteria. Vegetation is represented by populations of species typical of plant communities from the classes Stellarietea mediae, Artemisietea vulgaris, Koelerio-Corynephoretea, Festuco- Brometea and Molinio-Arrhenatheretea. Two floristic groups recognized from hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis correspond with ruderal and segetal habitats. The study reveals that arable fields with grass-legume mixtures on sandy soils can be very suitable for E. × huelsenii.

Genetic variation of silver fir progeny from Tisovik Reserve population determined via microsatellite and isozyme markers

Abstract Progeny from 19 family lines of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) from a small, native and isolated population from the Tisovik Reserve (Belarusian part of Białowieża Primeval Forest) growing in an experimental plot near Hajnówka (Polish part of Białowieża Primeval Forest) were analysed in terms of 4 nuclear microsatellite DNA loci and 9 isozyme systems with 14 loci. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic variation within and between progeny lines. Analysis of isozyme loci showed that all progeny lines, except the progeny lines T6 and T16, were characterised by an excess of heterozygotes and 20% of the detected variation occurred between progeny. Progeny formed two groups. Microsatellite loci showed that 6 progeny lines demonstrated an excess of heterozygotes and 12 an excess of homozygotes. On an average, the population was in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 14% of the detected variation occurred between offspring and the remaining 86% within progeny lines. The most distinct progeny line was Tl, where the highest number of alleles per locus was detected. Generally, progeny of Tisovik is characterised by high level of differentiation as the offspring of isolated population that have limited number of individuals to crossing (only 20). In some progeny line, the private alleles that are detected may be the result of pollination from Polish part of Białowieża Forest where in 1920s and 1930s of XX century had planted the seedling of silver fir of unknown origin. The substructuring of population is observed, and the detected deficiency of heterozygotes may be ostensible as a result of the Wahlund effect. Such pattern of genetic structure could also be an effect of harsh environmental conditions exerting selection pressure and modifying the genetic composition of this population.

Analysis of reworked sediments as a basis of the Palaeogene-Neogene palaeogeography reinterpretation: Case study of the Roztocze region (SE Poland)

Radiometric K/Ar dating of glauconite and nanno- and micropaleontologic analyses of calcareous nannoplankton, foraminifers and dinoflagellates isolated from the Miocene rocks in the Polish part of the Roztocze region, a northeastern part of the fore-bulge of the Carpathian Foreland Basin System - CFBS), SE Poland, reveal that these strata contain numerous microfossils and glauconite grains of the Upper Eocene and Lower Oligocene age. Such occurrences clearly indicate that these materials were redeposited from the Upper Eocene and Lower Oligocene marine rocks that must have originally covered most of the Roztocze and the surrounding area. It is therefore proposed herein that the geographical extent of the boreal, epi-continental basin during the Eocene–Oligocene was much greater than previously considered. Moreover, it appears that this basin was connected with the back-bulge zone of the warm Carpathian Basin (originally a northern part of the Tethys Basin which since Eocene/Oligocene boundary remained isolated as the Paratethys Basin). Hence, it is unlikely that the Roztocze region was uplifted during the Palaeogene as part of the Meta-Carpathian Swell, as it was earlied hypothesized. Instead, the Roztocze Swell formed during the Sarmatian, in the last stage of the development of the fore-bulge structure in the foreland of the up-thrust Carpathian orogenic belt. Multiple redeposition of sediments is the reason that the absolute dating (K/Ar) of glauconite, as well as incomprehensive palaeontological analysis could result in erroneous stratigraphic and palaeogeographic interpretations.

On the Need of a Comprehensive Risk Assessment of the Implementation for Major Infrastructure Projects in Kaliningrad (Vistula) Lagoon

Kaliningrad/Vistula lagoon is divided by state border into two approximately equal parts that belong to the Republic of Poland and the Russian Federation. In the context of cross-border nature of the gulf, the implementation of large-scale projects – projects for the construction of a deepwater port in the Russian part of the gulf or the navigable channel on the Polish part of the spit – acquire the level of international cross-border projects that require coordination and approval at the international level, as the effects (primarily geo-ecological) from the implementation of such projects affect both sides of the unified nature system of the bay. As part of this work, the authors analyze the complex and in many ways contradictory situation around the Polish project to build a navigable channel through the Polish part of the Baltic/Vistula spit. The main conclusion that the authors make – projects of this magnitude require the joint interstate approval, including the consent of all the inhabitants of the coastal areas of the Kaliningrad / Vistula bay.

Application of Seismic Parameters for Estimation of Destress Blasting Effectiveness

Coal seams in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin are currently extracted under more and more disadvantageous geological and mining conditions. Mining depth, geological dislocations and mining remnants are factors which affect the rockburst hazard during underground mining to the greatest extent. This hazard can be minimized by employment of active rockburst prevention, where long-hole destress blasts in roof rocks (torpedo blasts) have an important role. The main goal of these blastings is to either destress local stress concentrations in rock mass and to fracture the thick layers of strong roof rocks to prevent or minimize the impact of high energy tremors on the excavations. Sometimes, these blastings are performed to make the roof rocks caving behind the longwall face easier. The efficiency of blasting is typically evaluated from the seismic effect, which is calculated based on seismic monitoring data (seismic energy) and the weight of the charged explosive. This method, as used previously in the Czech Republic, was adopted in a selected Polish hard coal mine in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. This method enables rapid and easy estimation of destress blasting effectiveness, adjusted to conditions occurring in the designed colliery. Destress blasts effectiveness may be evaluated via the seismic source parameters analysis as well, as was carried out in the selected colliery in the Polish part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. These parameters provide information, for example, on its size, state of stress and occurrence of slip mechanism in the source of provoked tremors. Long-hole destress blasting effectiveness in selected colliery has been evaluated using the seismic effect method and seismic source parameters analysis. The results were compared with each other and conditions were observed in situ.

Typy źródeł i ich rozmieszczenie na Babiej Górze (Zachodnie Karpaty) = Types of springs and their locations on Mount Babia Góra (Western Carpathians)

Hydrographical mapping carried out by the Author provided for a quantitative evaluation of the distribution of different types of springs located on the homoclinal ridge of Mount Babia Gora – at 1725 m a.s.l., the highest mountain in the Western Carpathians (Fig. 1), built of flysch sediment. Circulation of groundwater on ridge slopes modelled in different ways by landslides was analysed, with particular attention paid to the circulation of water in the deeply-fissured Magura Sandstone that forms the upper part of the massif, as well s the thick cover of colluvia (Figs. 2 and 3). The depth and distance of water circulation on different parts of the slopes were evaluated in relation to altitude, slope exposure, type of flysch rock and landslide topography. Six types of water-bearing sediment were distinguished, and their limits of occurrence identified. Magura Sandstone appeared to be the most water-retaining sediment, proving permeable down to depths of 100 m locally. Three classifications of springs were carried out, in line with geomorphological location (direction of groundwater inflow and means of circulation), type of water-bearing sediment, and local-scale distribution(in connection with landslide forms). Among the 873 springs located in the Polish part of Mt. Babia Gora, over 80% are slope located and can be regarded as descending springs. These include: rock springs (a), rock-debris springs (b), debris springs (c), and rock-mantle springs (d). Other springs occur on valley floors (e) and are also mostly of the descending type, though a few are ascending (mineral and thermal). Most springs are alimented by water flowing out from thick covers of colluvia. Within this group it proved possible to distinguish three subtypes of spring (b2, b3, b4 ) located in different segments of landslides (Fig. 4). Other divisions of springs were into single springs, lines of springs and series of springs (Fig. 5). The number of springs on the slopes of Mt. Babia Gora is similar to the number located at the foot of the mountain comprising lateral ridges and valley floors. Along a profile of altitude, the largest numbers of springs can be seen to be located at the heads of valleys, where the density on the northern slope exceeds 30 per. km-2 (Fig. 6). The density of springs on the southern slope in valleys located at high altitude is even greater. The determined distribution of springs down the altitudinal profile of Mt. Babia Gora allowed for delimitation of three hydrographical belts - of water alimentation, transit and accumulation, which are different from the hydrographical belts noted in the Western Beskidy and Tatra Mountains. The distribution of springs on Mount Babia Gora and their unusually high density are determined first and foremost by the landslide morphology of slopes.

The analysis of mercury content in coals and ashes

It is well known that mercury that enters the atmosphere is a serious threat to the natural environment. From the available literature, it can be stated that fossil fuels are among the main carriers of this fuel. The question arises whether it is the right approach. While the enrichment of bituminous coal produces limited amounts of mercury, they are being released into the atmosphere as a result of the combustion of coal. The situation is similar in the case of biomass, which releases large amounts of mercury into the atmosphere when subjected to the combustion process. While bituminous coal is the carrier of mercury, the application of currently known technology, rational production and the use of fossil fuels make it possible to maximally minimize mercury emissions into the atmosphere. This study evaluated the mercury content in the ashes resulting from the combustion of bituminous coal subjected to the enrichment process. The samples were collected from ten mines located in the Polish part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB). In total, thirty coal samples and thirty products of the combustion process were examined. All sixty samples were subjected to physicochemical analysis, including: moisture content, ash content, sulfur content, carbon content, and Gross Calorific Value.