Southeast Poland Research Articles

Food Composition of the Little Owl Athene noctua in Farmland Areas of South East Poland

The feeding ecology of the Little Owl (Athene noctua) was studied in farmlands of southeast Poland, which is dominated by monocultural farms. 3065 prey dissected from pellets were collected at 13 pellet stations between 1999 and 2001 through 7 seasons in total. Mammals were found to dominate both in total number (54.3% of caught prey) and total biomass (93.0% of caught prey) while insects comprised 43.0% of the number, but only 1.1% of the prey biomass. However, the proportion of insects reached up to 62% in certain seasons. Coleopteran beetles dominated the insect fraction representing 98.3% of the number and 87.9% of the insect biomass. Our study also illustrated that in some seasons, the prey composition included taxa related to intensive agricultural management. The food composition of the Little Owls from the examined Polish sites is more similar to Eastern and Southern populations than to Northern and Western populations of Little Owls in Europe.

Occurrence of Legionella sp. bacteria in hot water systems in hospitals and nursing homes in the Świętokrzyskie Province of south-eastern Poland.

The occurrence of bacteria of the genus Legionella sp. in hot water supply systems in buildings is a real threat to human health, especially for patients in hospitals and residents of nursing homes. The aim of the study was determination of the degree of colonization of hot water systems in hospitals and nursing homes in the Świętokrzyskie Province in south-east Poland. Between 2014 - 2018, samples were collected from hot water systems in 30 hospitals and 32 nursing homes in order to determine the degree of contamination. 631 samples collected of the bacteria Legionella sp were analyzed. Excessive contamination (≥ 100CFU/100 ml) with the bacteria Legionella sp. was detected in 12.12% (n=71) of samples. Contamination was significantly more frequently detected in samples from hot water systems in nursing homes, compared to hospitals (16.48% vs. 10.37%). Above-standard contamination of hot water systems with Legionella sp. bacteria occurred in 34.43% of the facilities, and was more frequent in hospitals (41.38%) than in the nursing homes (28.13%). In 21.3% of the facilities, contamination was detected many times during the study period. Excessive contamination of hot water systems with Legionella sp. bacteria in the examined facilities was a common phenomenon. The presence of the pathogen in the installations of these facilities may constitute a considerable health hazard for patients and residents.

Biometeorological conditions during cold spells in south-east Poland and west Ukraine.

The aim of this research is to analyze the biometeorological conditions, based on the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) thermal index, during cold spells (CSs) in south-east Poland and west Ukraine during the years 1966-2021. The research shows a high variability of the occurrence of CSs in the study period and a clear increase in the frequency and total duration of CSs in the east of the study area. The number of CSs in the analyzed years varies from 6 cases in the west (in Katowice) to 34 in the east of the study area (in Shepetivka). The total duration of CSs varied from 26 days (in Raciborz and Katowice) to 166 days (in Rivne). At the majority of stations, CSs occurred most frequently in the first two decades (1966/1967-1975/1976, 1976/1977-1985/986) and in the last full decade (2006/2007-2015/2016). The average PET values at 12:00 UTC during CSs decreased eastwards throughout the study domain and were generally lower than -20.0 °C in the west of Ukraine, while in south-east Poland varied between -18.1 and -20.0 °C. At 40% of stations across the study domain, the lowest average PET values were recorded during a cold spell in January 1987, with PET values varying from -28.0 °C in Chernivtsi to -12.7 °C in Yaremche. The longest or one of the longest spells in most stations (in 77% of stations across the study domain) was the cold spell of 2012 and characterized by mean PET values ranging from -25.4 °C in Rivne to -19.5 °C in Zakopane.

The effect of natural organic matter (NOM) on the distribution and resources of mobile phosphorus in the bottom sediments of small retention reservoirs

The purpose of the work detailed here was to determine the impact of the distribution of natural organic matter and grain size on the resources and distribution of mobile phosphorus in the bottom sediments of small reservoirs located in catchments subject to different levels of anthropopressure. The research objects were five small reservoirs located in southeast Poland. In small retention reservoirs, it is the anthropogenic impact of the catchment and its geological structure, and to a lesser extent sediment granulation, that determine the distribution of phosphorus fractions (especially in inorganic compounds) and the share of total P they account for. In general, a higher level of contamination of sediments with organic matter (OSION increase) is shown to be associated with a higher content of the organic fraction of phosphorus and easily decomposable organic matter. Within small retention reservoirs under significant anthropogenic influence from the catchment, sandy sediments compared with silty sediments were significantly less loaded with potentially mobile phosphorus as well as with organic forms of phosphorus and (sometimes) nitrogen. The occurrence of humic-metal-phosphate complexes is determined by there being sufficient organic matter, especially humic fractions. Fractions of inorganic phosphorus compounds and organic matter have the terrigenous source of these pollutants in common. The organic sediment index can serve as an adjunctive indicator with which to assess the potential ability of the sediments in small retention reservoirs to internal supply of the water column in nutrients.

Insights into the chemical characteristics of atmospheric aerosols from urban-industrial and rural sites in south-east of Poland during winter

This study focusses on a short-term characterisation of atmospheric aerosols from three locations in south- east of Poland with different land use characteristics, population density and sources of pollution (Katowice: urban-industrial; Strzyżowice near Lublin: rural; Kielce: urban). Twenty-four hour PM2.5 and PM10 samples were collected on the quartz filter and their chemical compositions were monitored and measured using OCEC thermo-optical analysis and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS). The highest concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were measured at the urban-industrial area in Katowice (29.6 µg ∙ m−3 and 31.0 µg ∙ m−3, respectively), whereas the highest organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) levels were observed at the Kielce urban site (23.3 ± 4.2 µg and 3.6 ± 0.3 µg, respectively). The lowest values were obtained at the rural site for PM2.5 (10.4 ± 2.7 µg ∙ m−3) and PM10 (11.8 ± 2.7 µg ∙ m−3) and for OC (17.8 ± 1.6 µg) and EC (1.0 ± 0.1 µg). SEM-EDS analysis of samples from Kielce allows identification of internal chemical mixtures of carbon, silicon, calcium, chlorine, sodium and aluminium.

Identification and Pathogenicity of Fusarium Isolated from Soybean in Poland.

Fungi belonging to the Fusarium genus are commonly isolated from soybean plants and seeds but not all of them are pathogenic. The aim of this study was to compare the pathogenicity among different Fusarium isolates obtained from soybean plants with disease symptoms originating from an experimental field located in the southeast of Poland. Nineteen fungal isolates were selected for the pathogenicity assay, including eight isolates of F. oxysporum, six isolates of F. graminearum, four isolates of F. culmorum and one isolate of F. redolens. Species identification of these isolates was carried out using microscopic methods and sequencing of two genes: translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) and RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. redolens being isolated from soybean in Europe. The pathogenicity test was set up by fungal inoculation of healthy soybean seeds of three cultivars: Abelina, Atlanta and Mavka. Symptoms were assessed seven days after inoculation. Disease area percentage of Fusarium inoculated seeds was significantly higher compared to uninoculated control. Nineteen isolates differed in their aggressiveness as the median disease area percentage ranged between 5.0 and 88.0% depending on isolate. The obtained isolates of four Fusarium species may be used in the future screening of soybean cultivars for resistance to these pathogens.

Impact of Climate Conditions on Pollutant Concentrations in the Effluent from a One-Stage Constructed Wetland: A Case Study

This paper reports the results of an investigation into the influence of precipitation and air temperature on the efficiency of pollutant removal processes and effluent pollutant concentrations in a one-stage constructed wetland with subsurface vertical flow. We studied an on-site constructed wetland system that used Phragmites australis for the treatment of domestic wastewater. The system was located in central Europe, in the south-east of Poland, in a temperate climate zone with transitional features. Physico-chemical analyses of influent and effluent wastewater, as well as measurements of precipitation and air temperature were carried out in the years 2001–2010. It was shown that the pollutant removal efficiency of the treatment plant was significantly higher in the growing season than outside the growing season (the mean efficiency is usually a few percent higher but generally this parameter is highly varied). This indicated that temperature determined the efficiency of the wastewater treatment. We found that the amount of precipitation affected the concentration of pollutants in the effluent. The more rainfall there was, the lower the content of pollutants in the effluent from the treatment plant, which demonstrated that rainwater diluted the concentrations of pollutants in the treated wastewater—thus improving the efficiency of the wastewater treatment plant.

Climate change records in coversand deposits from the eastern margin of the Tarnów Plateau (southeast Poland)

AbstractCoversands (CSs) are one of the most distinctive sediments within the European Sand Belt. Their extraordinary thickness, exceeding 6 m, was recorded at the Góra Motyczna site located at the edge of the Wisłoka River valley in the Tarnów Plateau (southeast Poland). The sedimentary record of the studied CSs sets their arrangement into one of two sedimentary cycles. Each consists of sandy (A1 and A2) and silty (B1 and B2) lithofacies, forming an A1 ⇒ B1 ⇒ A2 ⇒ B2 sequence that is considered to be a record of climate change during the Weichselian Late Pleniglacial. Sandy lithofacies accumulation occurred under dry and snow‐free climatic conditions, whereas silty lithofacies accumulation marks an increase in humidity as a result of the presence of snow‐cover. Sediment optical dating indicated that the studied CSs were deposited in a period from ~18–17 to ~16–15 ka. The period of accumulation was therefore short, which is confirmed by the analysis of quartz‐grain shape and surface type. Due to this brevity of aeolian processes during this period, the only change expressed is in grain‐surface microrelief; thus, the quartz grains had already inherited their shape and degree of rounding from their source environments and earlier processes. The source sediments could have been artefacts of Miocene and Quaternary deflationary sediments associated with blowouts.

Audit-Based Energy Performance Analysis of Multifamily Buildings in South-East Poland

Multifamily buildings account for about half of all residential buildings in Poland and about 70% of the urban population live in them. Most of them require thermal refurbishment. Evaluation of a building’s energy performance with the use of correlation models has been very rarely used in relation to buildings in Poland. This method is simple, fast and can improve the decision process on thermal modernisation. It is especially important at the pre-design stage of planned investments. This paper presents an attempt to develop correlations that could be used in the energy assessment of multifamily buildings. For this purpose a dataset containing of 29 audits of multifamily buildings was used. The statistical analysis was performed for buildings before and after planned refurbishment. Obtained relationships showed strong correlation between thermal demand for space heating or domestic hot water and ventilation airflow and thermal transmittance of windows (R2 > 0.6). After designed modernisation the number of strong correlations decreased. Energy for domestic hot water was correlated with the number of inhabitants (R2 = 0.6). Energy for space heating was correlated with the number of users and heated volume of a building.

Urinary Tract Infections in Patients Hospitalized in a Gastroenterology Department—Study from a Tertiary Regional Hospital in South-East Poland

A retrospective analysis of urine culture results was conducted for adult patients treated between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021 at the Department of Gastroenterology in Rzeszow (southern Poland). A total of 102 patients were sampled for microbiological tests during the analyzed period, with microbial growth found in 30 samples. The purpose of our study was to determine the predominant bacterial species present in the urine of patients hospitalized in the Department of Gastroenterology, as well as their drug susceptibility. The data obtained from medical records included, for example, urine culture results and the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated microorganisms. The material for the study was collected according to the current procedures. During the analyzed period, urine was collected from a total of 102 patients, and 30 positive samples were found. The predominant pathogen was Escherichia coli (n = 10 (33.33% of all positive results), p < 0.001); the second most common microorganism was Enterococcus faecalis (n = 5 (16.67% of all positive results), p < 0.001). In vitro susceptibility testing showed E. coli, ESBL (ESBL strain with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase) (n = 2 (6.67% of all positive results), p = 0.055) and Klebsiella pneumoniae, ESBL (n = 3 (10% of all positive results), p = 0.005). Urinary tract infection (UTI) was an extremely common problem.

Comorbidities and concentration of trace elements in livers of European bison from Bieszczady Mountains (Poland)

European bison is a species for which health monitoring is essential in conservation activities. So far, little research has been carried out on the concentration of elements in this species. Most previous studies did not associate the concentration of elements with susceptibility to diseases. In this study we investigate the relationship between comorbidities in European bison and concentrations of a wide spectrum of elements in the liver. Samples were collected during the monitoring of the European bison population in Bieszczady (southeast Poland) over the 2020–2022 period. Each individual was also visually inspected by a veterinarian in the field for the presence of lesions as a part of a post-mortem examination. The animals were divided into 3 groups: group A—one type of clinical sign; group B—two types of clinical signs; group C—three or more types of clinical signs. The ICP-OES method was applied to assess the concentration of 40 elements in livers. Discriminant analysis showed clear differences between the mineral status of individuals in the groups with one, two, and at least three types of clinical signs. Detailed analysis of selected elements showed that, in the case of eight elements, there was a relationship with age, sex, or comorbidities. Cu, Se, and Zn showed significant differences in relation to comorbidities, but only Cu concentration was lower when the frequency of lesions was higher. We concluded that in research on the mineral status of the population, apart from the availability of trace elements in the environment, the health condition of the studied individuals should also be considered. However, inferring the mineral status of the population on the basis of randomly obtained samples from dead individuals may give an incomplete view of the population, especially in the case of species susceptible to diseases, such as European bison.

Does the Level of Air Pollution Affect the Incidence of Lung Adenocarcinoma in South-Eastern Poland?

The aim of this study was to assess the association of long-term exposure to particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter, PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and SO2 as well as CO, with lung adenocarcinoma (AD) in south-east Poland for the years from 2004 to 2014. The study group consisted of 4296 patients with lung adenocarcinoma and the level of selected pollutants. To analyse the data, a standard statistics for cohort data, that is a risk ratio (RR), was used. The dependencies occurring in the distribution of pollutants and cancer incidence were examined using Moran's I correlation coefficient. The current study suggests that PM10, NO2 and SO2 exposure as an air pollutant may increase female lung adenocarcinoma incidence. In men, the increased risk of adenocarcinoma lung cancer is affected by SO2 and PM10. A high morbidity rate in urban areas and suburbs may be connected with commuting from moderately polluted living areas to highly polluted working areas.

Intraventricular hemorrhage: morbidity and risk factors in 3rd level centers in South-East Poland

Intraventricular hemorrhage: morbidity and risk factors in 3rd level centers in South-East Poland

Flint sickles from graves of the Strzyżów culture in the light of use-wear analysis

The presented article aims to interpret the function of the selected flint sickles from the Early Bronze Age. For this purpose, we made a use-wear analysis of 13 sickles coming from the cemeteries of the Strzyżów culture in south-east Poland: Rogalin site 15, Hrubieszów-Podgórze site 1, Hrebenne sites 10 and 31, and Świerszczów site 5 (Hrubieszów district, Lublin province). All analyzed sickles were made of Volhynian flint and represent the sub-triangular type. As a result, we can conclude thatanalyzed tools were used mostly for harvesting cereals or other siliceous plants. They were placed in hafts made of hard organic materials, and hide or plants. Conducted studies also revealed that these objects, suitably altered (sickle tips were destroyed right before being deposited in a grave) became important grave goods.

Culinary trails in popularizing ethnic cuisines

The aim of the article is to advance knowledge regarding the significant role played by culinary trail projects in promoting foods from ethnic groups residing in Podkarpackie, Poland’s southeastern region. Podkarpackie’s culinary heritage, cultural identities, and the specificity of its cuisine that contribute to the region’s touristic potential are presented. Traditional and regional dishes of Podkarpackie are characterized by their originality and rich flavors, variety, and simplicity of preparation. They contribute to the region’s tourist attractions. Many restaurants in Southeast Poland offer regional dishes, such as kwaśnica, fuczki, and pierogi with various fillings or stuffed cabbage rolls. Culinary trails can be a critical factor in promoting not only the region’s ethnic food but its related culture and art as well.

Diet of the grey wolf Canis lupus in Roztocze and Solska Forest, south-east Poland

The diet composition and prey selection of grey wolves (Canis lupus) inhabiting the Roztocze and Solska Forest (south-east Poland) was studied based on an analysis of scats collected in 2001-2002 (n = 84) and 2017-2020 (n = 302). In both periods, wolves preyed mainly on wild ungulates (96.5-96.7% of consumed biomass). Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) was the most critical wolf prey accounting for 57.8% of consumed biomass in 2001-2002 and 49.2% and 2017-2020, but wolves positively select only wild boar (Jacob's selectivity index D = 0.213 in 2001-2002 and 0.710 in 2017-2020) and fallow deer (D = 0.588 only in 2017-2020). The largest species – moose Alces alces and red deer Cervus elaphus – were consumed less than expected from their share in the ungulate community. Predation on medium-sized wild mammals and domestic animals was low, 0.8-2.2% and 1.1-2.7% of the biomass consumed, respectively. The breadth of the wolf diet was very narrow and identical in both study periods (B = 1.07), while the similarity of diet composition was high (α = 0.999). This study indicated the stability of the wolf diet over two decades and the importance of wild boar as a food source for this carnivore.

Byzantine or Western European inspirations? Monumental architecture on the borderlands: the case study of medieval Chełm (south-east Poland)

Abstract Chełm – located today on the Polish-Ukrainian border –for over a century has attracted the attention of numerous scholars. The town had been rebuilt by Daniel Romanovich, the Halych-Volhynian prince who was crowned in 1253 by Pope Innocent IV and recognized as the king of Ruthenia – which was an unusual event in medieval Europe. For here we have a ruler who belonged to the Orthodox Church accepting a papal crown and the Catholic faith. In such circumstances, some time before the middle of the 13th century, Daniel decided move his seat from Halych to Chełm, situated on the western periphery of his domain. The new city became not only a main seat, but also the real capital of the Halych-Volhynian Princedom. Here, on Cathedral Hill, excavations revealed the remains of the medieval basilica and a multi-element residence. At the same time, new discoveries were made in the city outskirts – namely, two masonry towers and an enigmatic column. The interdisciplinary archaeological research carried out by the author show an architectural complex and many archaeological finds unique in this part of Europe, ones inspired by the traditions of ancient Rome, the Byzantine East, and patterns known at that time in the Latin West.

The Fortress: The Siege of Przemyśl and the Making of Europe's Bloodlands

The Fortress: The Siege of Przemyśl and the Making of Europe's Bloodlands

Structural and Physical Factors As Predictors of the Species Distribution And Diversity of Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) in an Upland Storage Reservoir

The negative impact of storage reservoirs on the environment has been well documented, but it appears that under certain circumstances these reservoirs can also help to protect biodiversity. The distribution of adult dragonflies and damselflies was studied in relation to eight environmental variables, in an upland storage reservoir and its feeder rivers located in South-East Poland (East-Central Europe). A total of 25 species were recorded, including 22 in the reservoir. Submerged and floating plants, width of the shallow littoral zone and the water movement/current were found to be the key drivers of the species distribution (pCCA, NMDS). Five species (Ischnura elegans, Sympetrum sanguineum, Platycnemis pennipes, Calopteryx splendens and Erythromma viridulum) were responsible for over 70% of the dissimilarities between the riverine and reservoir sites (SIMPER). In addition, Ischnura elegans, Orthetrum albistylum and Calopteryx virgo were distinguished as the indicator species (IndVal analysis) for the upland river-reservoir hydrological system. Our results highlight some design features of reservoirs that may help to maintain the diversity of odonates, as well as many other groups of aquatic organisms, as the former are well-known indicators of general biodiversity.

Medium-term transformation of Chernozems under broadleaf forests in the temperate climate of south-east Poland

Water erosion, accelerated in sloped landscapes by intense cultivation (ploughing), can rapidly degrade humus-rich topsoil horizons of chernozemic soils, leading to an irreversible loss of the most valuable soil resources, in particular in areas with relict Chernozems/Phaeozems. An afforestation can effectively control erosion rates, but dense canopy forests are commonly listed among factors that support the transformation of Chernozems into Luvisols/Retisols. A comparison of the morphology and physico-chemical properties of adjacent arable and forest soils was carried out in four catenas located in the patches of relict chernozemic soils in the loess belt of south-east Poland. An analysis has evidenced that mixed broadleaf forests have generated during the 200–300-year-long period (an approximate time since afforestation of the sites under study) topsoil acidification (by approximately 1–1.5 grade compared to adjacent arable soils), base cations leaching (below 10 cmol(+) kg−1), decrease of soil organic carbon pools (by 15–35% in the soil column of 0–50 cm) and clay depletion (by ca. 4%). The subsurface Bt (argic) horizons have developed in all afforested and some of arable soil profiles. However, all studied forest soils preserved the mollic or chernic horizons and in most cases retained the same reference soil group as adjacent arable soils (Chernozem or Phaeozem). It means that even in temperate humid climate as in south-east Poland, mixed broadleaf forests, consisting of tree species known with little acidifying impact on soil, may not rapidly degrade Chernozems. The observed evidence of physicochemical and morphological transformation is apparently weaker than the reported soil destruction caused by water erosion and justifies the controlled afforestation of the relict Chernozems and Phaeozems as a means of their preservation against rapid loss.