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Search results for: FRESHWATER CONTAMINATION
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Challenges in preparing honey samples for chromatographic determination of contaminants and trace residues
PublicationThe determination of contaminations and residues in honey is of growing concern over past few years, especially that these compounds can not only diminish beneficial properties of honey but more importantly, if present in significant amounts, can pose serious threat to human health. Since honey is characterized by complex composition of the matrix sample, it is often necessary to apply clean-up step, in order to eliminate interfering...
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Assessing groundwater vulnerability to pollution in the Puck region (denudation moraine upland) using vertical seepage method
PublicationDegradation of groundwater quality can cause a serious water supply and environmental problems. The identify of potential groundwater pollution can be determined by assessment of groundwater vulnerability method. The assessment of groundwater vulnerability to pollution was based on estimation of migration time of potential conservative contamination through the vadose zone. Area of investigation is a type of denudation moraine...
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Stardust - Investigation of Microbes in the Stratosphere
PublicationThe stratospheric microbiome has been investigated several times using the methods of classical microbiology. In this experiment, we have combined them with some novel approaches including whole- metagenome amplification, Maldi TOF mass spectrometry and Sanger DNA sequencing. The results of the experiment may provide the scientists with knowledge about the mechanisms of survivability of microorganisms in stratospheric conditions...
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The interaction between bacterial abundance and selected pollutants concentration levels in an arctic catchment (southwest Spitsbergen, Svalbard)
PublicationPersistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been a topic of interest in environmental sciences for > 60 years. POPs in the Arctic have been investigated since the 1970s, when first atmospheric measurements revealed the presence of these pollutants in the polar regions. Major contaminant transport routes to the Arctic include atmospheric and oceanic transport, as well as inflow from rivers and sea ice. The sources of pollutants, such...
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Effects of Addictive Substances During Pregnancy and Infancy and Their Analysis in Biological Materials
PublicationThe use of addictive substances during pregnancy is a serious social problem, not only because of effects on the health of the woman and child, but also because drug or alcohol dependency it detracts from childcare and enhances the prospect of child neglect and family breakdown. Developing additive substance abuse treatment programs for pregnant women is socially important and can help ensure the health of babies, prevent subsequent...
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How Important Is Research on Pollution Levels in Antarctica? Historical Approach, Difficulties and Current Trends
PublicationDespite the fact that Antarctica is a continent notably free from large negative impact of human activities, literature data can be the basis for concluding that this is not an area free from anthropogenic pollutants. Pollutants, which are identified in various elements of the environment of Antarctica, are mostly connected with long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT) and deposition in this area. The study presents: a historical...
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Interference-Free Determination of Trace Copper in Freshly Ripened Honeys by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Following a Preconcentration by Solid-Phase Extraction and a Two-Step Elution Process
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Comparison of Fluoride Ion-Selective Electrode Based Potentiometric Methods of Fluoride Determination in Human Urine
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Environmental fate and global distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls
PublicationArtykuł o charakterze przeglądowym. Działy obejmują globalne rozmieszczenie oraz los środowiskowy analitów z grupy polichlorowanych bifenyli (PCB). Autorzy szczególny nacisk położyli na omówienie kwestii losu środowiskowego polichlorowanych bifenyli, a więc procesów: biodegradacji, transformacji, adsorpcji do materii organicznej, a także bioakumulacji, biokoncentracji i biomagnifikacji.
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Environmental Implications of Oil Spills from Shipping Accidents
PublicationWzrost znaczenia ropy naftowej w XX wieku i w związku z tym, zwiększenie się światowej floty tankowców zwróciły uwagę na negatywne skutki transportu morskiego. Katastrofy z udziałem tankowców pokazały, jak dramatyczne w skutkach mogą być wycieki produktów ropopochodnych z uszkodzonych lub zatopionych jednostek. Skutki wycieku ropy na morzu zależą od wielu czynników, takich jak parametry fizyko-chemiczne paliwa, charakterystyka...
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Exposure Assessment to Glyphosate of Two Species of Annelids
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Stability studies of selected phenoxyacid herbicides in water samples and detrmination of their transformation products
PublicationZbadano procesy przemian fenoksykwasów (takich jak: 2,4-D, MCPA, mekoprop, dichlorprop) w różnych roztworach wodnych. Sprawdzono wpływ parametrów (światło, temperatura oraz czas przechowywania próbki) na stabilność fenoksykwasów. Oznaczeń końcowych dokonano przy użyciu techniki chromatografii cieczowej sprzężonej ze spektrometrem mas.
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Bacterial luminescence test screening of highly polluted areas in the Odra River
PublicationW pracy przedstawiono wyniki badania ekotoksyczności wód i osadów z dorzecza Odry w obrazie testu z zastosowaniem bakterii Vibrio Fischerii. Badania przesiewowe wskazują, że silnie zanieczyszczone są miejsca w okolicy Brzegu Dolnego, ujścia Nysy Kłodzkiej i Małej Panwi.
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Physical, Chemical and Biological Changes in the Gulf of Gdańsk Ecosystem (Southern Baltic Sea).
PublicationPrzedstawiono fizyczne, chemiczne i biologiczne zmiany zachodzące w ekosystemie Zatoki Gdańskiej (Południowy Bałtyk. Opisano klimat (temp. wody, opady poziom morza, zasolenie), fluktuację stężeń związków biogennych (azotany,fosforany, krzemiany), poziom organicznych zanieczyszczeń (POP´s, PcB´, pestycydy, WWA) oraz zmiany w biologicznym życiu morza.
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Mercury in Different Feather Types from Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo L.) Inhabiting the Vistula Lagoon Ecosystem in Poland
PublicationTotal mercury levels in different feather types (down, contour, tail and flight) in Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo L.) were determined using CV-AAS. Feathers from Great Cormorants inhabiting the Vistula Lagoon ecosystem have an average Hg level of 7.14 ± 3.99 (μg/g w.w.). Age-dependent concentrations of Hg were statistically significant (ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.0001). There were also significant differences in Hg levels...
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Hydrochar-nanoparticle integration for arsenic removal from wastewater: Challenges, possible solutions, and future horizon
PublicationArsenic (As) contamination poses a significant threat to human health, ecosystems, and agriculture, with levels ranging from 12 to 75% attributed to mine waste and stream sediments. This naturally element is abundant in Earth's crust and gets released into the environment through mining and rock processing, causing ≈363 million people to depend on As-contaminated groundwater. To combat this issue, introducing a sustainable hydrochar...
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Determination of metals in water samples by atomic absorption spectrometry and flame emission spectrometry
PublicationMetal species in environmental waters are relevant to characterize the metal toxicity, the mobility between different environmental compartments, and for remediation purposes in case of contamination. The concentration of many trace metals in natural water samples are generally at µg/l level. The paper describes determination of metals in water samples based on flame atomic emission and flame atomic absorption spectrometry.
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Forecasting of railway track tamping based on settlement of sleepers using fuzzy logic
PublicationThe sleepers in a railway track transfer vertical, transverse and longitudinal loads to the track ballast and subgrade. The sleepers allow for keeping the distance between the rails constant. The thickness of ballast should be between 16 and 35 cm depending on the design standard of the track, and it should be densified where the ballast supports the sleeper. The exploitation causes contamination of the ballast, crushing the material...
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Chemiresistive gas sensors based on carbon nanotubes - fabrication and application
PublicationMany types of sensors have been invented to identify and quantify chemical contamination in the gas phase. Sensors based on carbon nanotubes are particularly attractive because of their wide range of applicaions and potential use in electronic nose that can be controlled using algorithms of Artificial Intelligence. Sensor functions, fabrication and selected applications are reviewed and discussed with focus on chemiresistors. Drawbacks...
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Low cost electrochemical sensor module for measurement of gas concentration
PublicationThis paper describes a low cost electrochemical sensor module for gas concentration measurement. A module is universal and can be used for many types of electrochemical gas sensors. Device is based on AVR ATmega8 microcontroller. As signal processing circuit a specialized integrated circuit LMP9l000 is used. The proposed equipment will be used as a component of electronic nose system employed for classifying and distinguishing...
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Application of a catalytic combustion sensor (Pellistor) for the monitoring of the explosiveness of a hydrogen-air mixture in the upper explosive limit range
PublicationA new technique is presented for continuous measurements of hydrogen contamination by air in the upper explosive limit range. It is based on the application of a catalytic combustion sensor placed in a cell through which the tested sample passes. The air content is the function of the quantity of formed heat during catalytic combustion of hydrogen inside the sensor. There is the possibility of using the method in industrial installations...
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Spatial and vertical distribution analysis of heavy metals in urban retention tanks sediments: a case study of Strzyza Stream
PublicationConcentrations of seven heavy metals (HMs): Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, and Fe in core samples of bottom sediments from four retention tanks (RTs) located along the Strzyza Stream in northern Poland (Gdansk) were measured to obtain a general view of sediment quality. The recognition of contamination and potential environmental impacts is the main aim of this paper. A total of 96 sediment samples were collected from eight sampling sites...
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The role of analytical chemistry in the study of the Anthropocene
PublicationThe term “Anthropocene” refers to not yet formalized epoch of geologic time during which geologic processes have been dominated by the human impact. This impact takes on many forms. Biological, physical and chemical changes to the Earth System caused by anthropogenic activity are recorded in natural archives either as new fossil assemblages (neobiota), anthropogenic deposits or a wide variety of pollutants emitted to the environment....
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Recent Issues and Challenges in the Study of Inland Waters
PublicationThis paper addresses several important problems and methods related to studies of inland waters based on the existing scientific literature. The use of UAVs in freshwater monitoring is described, including recent contact and non-contact solutions. Due to a decline in biological diversity in many parts of the globe, the main threats are described together with a modern method for algae and cyanobacteria monitoring utilizing chlorophyll...
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Nitrogen pathways during sewage treatment in constructed wetlands in temporary climate
PublicationThe objectives of this paper is to estimate the role and quantity of the unit process responsible for removal or/and retention of nitrogen in different types of constructed wetlands in vegetation season and outside vegetation season. To estimate the role of the plant two objects inhabited one with willow and the other with reed were selected to assessment. Among anthers it was indicated that the concentrations of contamination...
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Homocitrate synthase gene as a new molecular target in diagnostics of Candida spp. infections
PublicationNew potential molecular target which will be investigated during this research (homocitrate synthase gen) is the innovative target other than ribosomal DNA. This gene encodes enzyme present only in fungi and some Archaea what significantly increases specificity. It also reduces risk of contamination or influence of other factors (reaction with other DNA present in sample derived from bacteria or host cells) what excludes false...
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Effect of shielded electrode wet welding conditions on diffusible hydrogen content in deposited metal
PublicationWet welding is the most popular method of joining in water enviroment. During underwater welding, the weldability of steel is limited by the higher cooling rates and hydrogen content in weld metal. Article presents results of preliminary tests on the effects of wet welding conditions on diffusible hydrogen amount. Seven parameters were optimized using a Plackett-Burman plan to get the most relevant variables. These parameters were:...
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The Specific Nature of Chemical Composition of Water from Volcanic Lakes Based on Bali Case Study
PublicationThe research area was localized in the Indonesian Archipelago, at the latitude of eight and nine degrees S on the one of the Lesser Sunda group island provinces, Bali (563,3 km2). Two massive calderas (Mount Batur 1717 m above sea level.; Mount Sangiyang 2093 m above sea level) are one of the most prominent landforms in the chain of volcanic mountain ranges of the Bali Island. Lake Batur (17,18 km2) and Batur Spring (which are...
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Development of potential candidate reference materials for drugs in bottom sediment, cod and herring tissues
PublicationRegular use of a reference material and participation in a proficiency testing program can improve the reliability of analytical data. This paper presents the preparation of candidate reference materials for the drugs metoprolol, propranolol, carbamazepine, naproxen, and acenocoumarol in freshwater bottom sediment and cod and herring tissues. These reference materials are not available commercially. Drugs (between 7 ng/g and 32...
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A Review on Deactivation and Regeneration of Catalysts for Dimethyl Ether Synthesis
Publicationhe deactivation of catalysts and their regeneration are two very important challenges that need to be addressed for many industrial processes. The most quoted reasons for the deterioration of dimethyl ether synthesis (DME) concern the sintering and the hydrothermal leaching of copper particles, their migration to acid sites, the partial formation of copper and zinc hydroxycarbonates, the formation of carbon deposits, and surface...
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Występowanie bakterii siarkowych a jakość wód podziemnych ujęcia Osowa
PublicationAbstrakt. Microorganisms that live in groundwater should be considered not only from the sanitary-hygienic point of view but also in terms of adverse changes in groundwater chemistry in the aquifer layer and its negative influence on the installed devices. For these reasons, it is important to correct approach to the problem of bacterial contamination of groundwater. The paper presents selected results of physicochemical and bacteriological...
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Urban dew formation efficiency and chemistry in Poland
PublicationThe measurements of dew formation efficiency and chemistry were performed in Poland in September 2009, as a part of a longer, two-year sampling campaign. Pairs of sites, representing centers of major Polish cities and rural conditions in three different regions, were compared. With the aim to get more detailed landuse-oriented characteristics of dew, two additional sites were set close to Wroclaw. Collection of dew at each site...
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Monitoring strategy for industrially contaminated rivers - A study of all year round behaviour of Klodnica river catchment, upper Silesia, Poland
PublicationThe study was undertaken to thoroughly characterise the contamination of water in industrially influenced river Klodnica, in order to explore monitoring strategies in case of limited analytical capacity. Statistical analysis undertaken after a short study was found to be helpful in reducing monitoring efforts in the future.Klodnica river is located within area of dominating coal mining, metallurgy, and additionally being influenced...
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A geophysical, geochemical and microbiological study of a newly discovered pockmark with active gas seepage and submarine groundwater discharge (MET1-BH, central Gulf of Gdańsk, southern Baltic Sea)
PublicationHigh-resolution bathymetric data were collected with a multi-beam echosounder in the southern part of the Baltic Sea (region MET1, Gulf of Gdańsk) revealing the presence of a 10 m deep and 50 m in diameter pockmark (MET1-BH) on the sea bottom (78.7 m). To date, no such structures have been observed to reach this size in the Baltic Sea. The salinity of the near-bottom water in the pockmark was about 2 PSU (about 31.22 mmol/l...
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LOW COST MEASUREMENT MODULE FOR MATRIX OF AMPEROMETRIC GAS SENSOR
PublicationThis paper describes an amperometric sensor module for gas concentration measurement. A module can be used for many types of electrochemical gas sensors without major hardware changes. Device is based on AVR ATmega8 microcontroller. As signal processing circuit a specialized integrated circuit LMP9l000 configurable via I2C interface is used. The concept of a measuring system composed of several modules dedicated for a gas sensors...
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Is the microfiltration process suitable as a method of removing suspended solids from rainwater?
PublicationDue to climate change and anthropogenic pressure, freshwater availability is declining in areas where it has not been noticeable so far. As a result, the demands for alternative sources of safe drinking water and effective methods of purification are growing. A solution worth considering is the treatment of rainwater by microfiltration. This study presents the results of selected analyses of rainwater runoff, collected from the...
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Gas sampling system for matrix of semiconductor gas sensors
PublicationSemiconductor gas sensors are popular commercial sensors applied in numerous gas detection systems. They are reliable, small, rugged and inexpensive. However, there are a few problem limiting the wider use of such sensors. Semiconductor gas sensor usually exhibits a low selectivity, low repeatability, drift of response, strong temperature and moisture influence on sensor properties. Sample flow rate is one of the parameters that...
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Extremophile Deinococcus geothermalis as potential source of proteolytic enzymes
PublicationAmong many extremozymes, thermophilic enzymes have attracted most attention during the past four decades. Such enzymes are of considerable industrial and biotechnological interest due to the fact that the enzymes are better suited for harsh industrial processes. There are many advantages of conducting industrial processes at high temperature, such as the increased solubility of many polymeric substrates, resulting in decreased...
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Use of Brassica plants in the phytoremediation and biofumigation processes
PublicationIn recent decades, serious contamination of soils by heavy metals has been reported. It is therefore a matter of urgency to develop a new and efficient technology for removing contaminants from soil. Another aspect to this problem is that environmental pollution decreases the biological quality of soil, which is why pesticides and fertilizers are being used in ever-larger quantities. The environmentally friendly solutions to these...
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Trace elements content of surface peat deposits in the Solovetsky Islands (White Sea)
PublicationPeatlands form environmental archives of trace element deposition. In this regard they are particularly valuable for areas such as the Arctic, where regular pollution monitoring is either impossible or extremely costly. The aim of this study was to assess pollution in the Solovetsky Islands (65° 05' N, 35° 53' E) by examining the spatial variability in trace element content of the uppermost layer of peat, immediately below the...
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Light pollution from illuminated bridges as a potential barrier for migrating fish–Linking measurements with a proposal for a conceptual model
PublicationIlluminated bridges have become important assets to navigable aquatic systems. However, if artificial light at night (ALAN) from illuminated bridges reaches aquatic habitats, such as rivers, it can threaten the river's natural heterogeneity and alter the behavioural responses of migratory fish. Here, via a pilot study, we quantified levels of ALAN at illuminated bridges that cross a river and, propose a conceptual model to estimate...
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Occurrences, sources, and transport of organochlorine pesticides in the aquatic environment of Antarctica
PublicationWe review information on the concentration levels of organochlorine pesticides in the abiotic aquatic environment (in seawater, sea ice, surface freshwater, snow, firn, and glacial ice) and the organisms inhabiting those, in Antarctica. Particular attention is given to the environmental fate of these pollutants, which modifies their impact on the organisms living in the Antarctic. OCPs have been delivered to the Antarctic environment...
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The Use of Vegetables in the Biomonitoring of Cadmium and Lead Pollution in the Environment
PublicationLead and cadmium emitted from various anthropogenic sources have the ability to accumulate in tissues of living organisms. The phenomenon of accumulation of metals in the body is harmful and undesirable. On the other hand, the ability of plants to accumulate heavy metals from the individual elements of the environment has been used in biomonitoring of pollution. Leaf and root of vegetables have particular predisposition for accumulating...
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Birds' feathers – Suitable samples for determination of environmental pollutants
PublicationThe intensive development of industry and human population results in large amounts of different xenobiotic emitted into individual ecosystem components. As a consequence, monitoring of the level of pollution of particular elements of the environment by exotoxins has become a common interest. The determination of environmental changes by different types of biological indicators is called bioindication, which is used as one of the...
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Main complications connected with detection, identification and determination of trace organic constituents in complex matrix samples
PublicationIt is well known that some problems with the determination of organic analytes at trace level can occur. This issue is connected with contamination during each stage of the analytical procedure from sampling to sample preparation up to chromatographic analysis, which often leads to false-positive or overestimated results. Another problem associated with determination of analytes occurs at trace- and ultra-trace level is a background...
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Low frequency of itraconazole resistance found among avian Aspergillus fumigatus isolates
PublicationAspergillus fumigatus is the most frequent etiological factor of invasive aspergillosis in human as well as animals, including birds. Aspergillosis caused by drug-resistant strains poses a significant therapeutic issue, especially if resistance pattern includes insensitivity to triazoles, i.e. drugs recommended for the primary therapy purposes. Majority of resistant isolates hold the TR34/L98H...
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Factors affecting the quality of bottled water
PublicationThe ever-increasing popularity of bottled water means that it is important to analyze not only its mineral content but also, above all,its content of possible contaminants, especially the organic ones. In this respect, bottled waters are a special case, because apartfrom organic chemical contaminants derived from the well from which they were acquired, their secondary contamination is alwayspossible, during treatment or storage...
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Activated Carbon Produced by Pyrolysis of Waste Wood and Straw for PotentialWastewater Adsorption
PublicationPyrolysis of straw pellets and wood strips was performed in a fixed bed reactor. The chars, solid products of thermal degradation, were used as potential materials for activated carbon production. Chemical and physical activation processes were used to compare properties of the products. The chemical activation agent KOH was chosen and the physical activation was conducted with steam and carbon dioxide as oxidising gases. The eect...
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Preliminary estimation of groundwater recharge on Brda river outwash plain
PublicationEstimation of groundwater recharge is one of the most challenging subjects in hydrogeology. It is a critical factor influencing the pollution migration, assessment of aquifer vulnerability to contamination, small-scale groundwater budget calculation, modeling of nutrient cycling and detailed flow path calculations. In Poland an infiltration rate method is widely used, which depends on a system of rate coefficients referring to...
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Unlocking the Secrets of River Pollution: Analyzing Organic Pollutants in Sediments—Experimental Study
PublicationUntreated wastewater released into rivers can result in water pollution, the spread of waterborne diseases, harm to ecosystems, contamination of soil and groundwater, as well as air pollution and respiratory problems for nearby humans and animals due to the release of greenhouse gases. The current study aims to investigate the recent input of anthropogenic loads into the rivers using linear alkylbenzene (LAB), which is one of the...