The article deals with the state of utilization and protection of the water· resources in the Mokaśnica river basin (MRB) within the larger Mostarsko Biało catchment area (MRB). The authors present data on the Mostarsko Blato basin, provided through the analyses of the results of earlier research projects dealing with surface and groundwater flows, particularly related to the research carried out in the MR fl. The previous water engineering works in the MRB have been analyzed for effects on the natural environment and the influence of such works on the regime of surface flow and groundwater aquifer geometry. In order to protect the area of the MRB from further devastation, the authors suggest some protective measures and due improvements. A special environmental protection study is necessary lor heller management otthe MRB waters and the natural environrncnt, including the analysis ofthe possibility of losing said water resources due to the implemented engineering interventions.

Phenol degradation efficiency or Pscndontonas putida PCM2 l 53 free cel ls was experimentally studied. Bacterial cells were acclimatized to phenol what relied on gradually increasing the phenol concentration in the medium. The highest phenol degradation rate was calculated as approximately 15.2 mgdmŁh'. Investigated strain degraded the phenol at the concentration or 400 111g-d111·-' in 24 h. The result or toxicity analysis showed that acclimatized cells orP putida PCM2 l 53 arc able to survive even al as high concentration or phenol as 3000 rng.dm'. The obtained result suggests that the analyzed strain can be used lor cflcciivc treating of high strength phenolic wastewater. Due to resistance of the strain to high phenol concentration it may be applied in biorcmcdiation of exceedingly contaminated sites, especially where dilution or pollutants cannot be implemented.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAI-ls) are persistent organic pollutants, ubiquitous in the whole environment. They are relatively well known and are still of interest due to their well documented carcinogenic and mutagenie properties. In ambient air of urban regions they mostly occur as adsorbed to particles of suspended dust. The richest in these compounds and therefore most hazardous to humans, fraction of dust is the fraction of the finest particles. The paper presents results of investigations of dust sampled with use of an impactor Dekati PM10 in Zabrze, a site typical of Upper Silesian conditions. While sampling, the impactor segregates sampled particles into four fractions by their aerodynamic diameters. Sixteen PAHs were determined in each fraction chromatographically. PAH content in the fraction of the finest particles, i.e. in PM1, was of particular interest.