Strength and permeability properties along with microstructural evolution of hardened slurries composed of fly ash from fluidal bed combustion of brown coal and an addition of OPC/BFSC is assessed in this paper. An increase in the amount of fly ash in slurries influences the development of mechanical strength and a decrease of hydraulic conductivity. SEM, XRD, and porosity analyses confirmed formation of watertight microstructures. The structure of slurries is composed of ettringite, C-S-H phase, AFt, and AFm phases. Ettringite crystallises as relatively short needles forming compact clusters or intermixed with the C-S-H phase. The occurring C-S-H phases are mainly of type I – fibrous and type II – honeycomb

During 2017, the authors conducted an evaluation of so-called “veteran trees” in Warsaw — selected specimens with outstanding historical, landscape and natural values, but not taken under legal protection, situated within public space (streets, squares, public facilities) — as part of a pilot program for the Green Board of Warsaw. The following were examined: the condition of trees, the surrounding ground’s condition, spatial conditions. The presented results include an example of two locations — prestigious streets, on which legible systems of street tree plantings from the beginning of the 20th century have been preserved (Piękna Street, J. Ch. Szucha Avenue). The protection of old trees — living witnesses of history and the maintenance of the original spatial form — classic avenue arrangement in both cases are essential for preservation of the historical pre-war scenery of this part of Warsaw.

This paper attempts to find out whether better quality of investor protection matters for the effect of capital ratio on loan growth of large EU banks in 1996-2011. We focus on several measures of the quality of investor protection with a proven track record in the banking literature, i.e.: anti-self-dealing index, ex-ante-control and ex-post-control of anti-self-dealing indices, and creditor protection rights index. Our results show that better investor protection decreases the procyclical impact of capital on lending. This effect is statistically significant for the ex-post-control index. This is consistent with the view that better shareholders rights reduces bank risk-taking, in particular during economic booms, which results in weakened sensitivity of bank lending to capital ratios in economic downturns. This effect holds for both unconsolidated and consolidated data and is robust to sensitivity checks.

The quality and quantity of crustacea groups the hydrochemistry of water and bottom sediments conditions, in the six selected anthropogenic hollow ponds in the central part of Silesian vojcvodship are presented taking into consideration. On strongly deformed area of the Silesian region one can find water reservoirs acljojning each other but differing the hydrochernical components. The nearness of spoil banks and slag damps affects hydrochemistry of water. In the inspected hollow ponds 20 taksons of Cladocera and 14 taksons of Copepoda were indentified. In the benthos zone these were determined 18 taksons of Cladocera and 14 taksons of Copepoda. In the pelagial zone 19 tak sons of Cladocera and I O tak sons of Copeopda. Were identified the number of taksons in the investigated hollow ponds does not depended on dissolved mineral mailer concentrations.

The cumulative results of investigations of the possibility of using the reclaimed materials after the mechanical, thermal or

mechanical-thermal reclamation for making cores by means of the blowing method in the alkaline CO2 technology, are

presented in the paper. Three kinds of spent sands: with furfuryl resin, bentonite and alkaline phenolic resin, obtained from

the foundry, were subjected to three kinds of reclamation: mechanical, thermal and combined mechanical-thermal, applying

for this aim adequate experimental devices. The obtained reclaims were assessed with regard to the degree of the matrix

liberation from the determined binding material. Reclaims of moulding sands with binders of the form of resin were assessed

with regard to ignition loss values and pH reaction, while reclaims of moulding sands with bentonite with regard to the

residual clay content and pH value. In all cases the results of the performed sieve analyses were estimated and the average

characteristic diameter dl was determined. The reclaimed matrix was applied as a full substitute of the fresh high-silica sand in typical

procedures of preparing core sands used for making shaped samples for bending strength investigations, Rg

u

.

We discuss waste, fuels, and air quality with Prof. Czesława Rosik-Dulewska from the PAS Institute of Environmental Engineering and the Department of Land Protection at the University of Opole.

How do bark-beetle outbreaks begin, how do they spread? What are the key factors that affect their population dynamics? Ongoing research has provided some understanding and knowledge, although many questions still remain to be answered fully.

Any effective response to ecological crisis calls for collaboration of all parties involved.

This paper presents a three-dimensional model of an airbag located outside of a small city car at the front bumper, which is intended to protect the vehicle against the effects of road traffic collisions. Results of numerical simulations of airbag operation in case of collision with two types of obstacles are presented: a flat, vertical wall and a circular pillar with a diameter of 200 mm. The paper presents the physical model, which is the subject of simulation, along with its mathematical description and the numerical calculation scheme used.

Post-industrial areas are economically attractive – property developers are often eager to build stylish lofts there. Unfortunately, however, contamination often persists in the soil of such “brownfield” sites for decades.

Professor Krzysztof Spalik, Chairman of the PAS Committee for Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, tells us why the Białowieża Forest should be allowed to renew itself on its own.

Wherein lies the essence of the two-year dispute over the management and protection of the commercial forest stands in the Białowieża Primeval Forest?

Turning conflict into cooperation.

In Poland, about sixty fungicides are registered for chemical protection of potato crops against late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and some of them are effective against early blight (Alternaria spp.). Time of appearance of pathogens in potato crops depends on climatic conditions. In Bonin climatic conditions in the years 1998-2002, early blight was observed at the earliest date i.e. 41-56 days after potato planting. Trials carried out at the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute Bonin have shown different usefulness of fungicides in control of some pathogens of potato. The tested fungicides varied in their mobility (contact, translaminar, systemic) and activity against pathogens (protectant, curative, eradicative). All tested fungicides were effective in control of late blight in potato crops. They inhibited the rate of late blight development and in most cases the differences of their effectiveness were not significant. Systemic fungicides with slower mobility have the best efficacy in control of late blight infections occurring on potato stems. In laboratory tests, mancozeb, propineb and mixture of metalaxyl and mancozeb were significantly more effective in inhibiting the development of Alternaria. Fungicides, which are effective in the control of different pathogens, are particularly useful in potato protection programs.

Conservation of the Old Town Zamość began to realize almost a hundred years ago. Then the eminent preachers of culture in the early period. 20.year inter-made idea of restoring the prestige of the works of Polish culture. The idea of protecting national cultural heritage grew gradually until such time as the first scientific research, development of standards and principles of care and maintenance. Today Zamość was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. Many things made, much remains to be done.

The author is an employee of the City Spatial Planning Office of Kraków and describes the process of adopting Local Spatial Management Plans of the area in Krakow, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The description begins in 2003 with no Local Spatial Managements Plans in valid, and ends in 2020, when the UNESCO area is completely protected by local spatial plans, however 50% of the buffer zone stays without any spatial law protection. The article focused on the authors of Local Plans, who — on behalf of the Mayor of the City of Krakow — drawn up the spatial documents. The documentation of this aspect is tremendously important, after deregulation of the profession of urban planners.

In the years 1999-2001, efficiency of plant protection products in control of early blight (Altemaria so/ani) was evaluated in two series of field experiment. There were examined four contact fungicides: propineb (Antracol 70 WP), chlorothalonil (Bravo 500 SC), mancozeb (Dithane M-45 80 WP) and zoxamide + mancozeb (Unikat 75 WG), and two with local penetrant mobility proparnocarb- hydrochloride + chlorothalonil (Tatoo C 750 SC) and metalaxyl-M + mancozeb (Ridomil Gold MZ 68 WP). In the series I propineb (Antracol 70 WP) showed the greatest efficacy in early blight control while in the series II mancozeb (Di thane M-45 80 WP) did.

From March to October 1998 carried out hydrochemical and hydrobiological researches on retentional water reservoir Przeczyce on the Czarna Przemsza river were. Surface area of this reservoir is 570 ha. Maximal depth is 10 m, total volume 20 mln m3• In results self-purification processes water in the ecosystem is in I and II quality class. In the saprobity clasassification it is in betamezosaprobic class. Low number of macrobenthos organisms is the result of the Czarna Przemsza river pollution. In the I Part of this paper results of hydrochemical investigation was given.

In the period from March to October 1998 hydrochemical researches on a dam-reservoir Przeczyce were carried out. This resevoir is an effect of the partition of Czarna Przemsza valley, by ground barrier. Surface area of the reservoir is 570 ha, and its total cubic content is 20.75 mln m3 of water. Researches proved that in effect of systematic conveyance of pollutans by the Czarna Przemsza River, water quality in the reservoir is in eutrophy state. Raised concentration of orto-phosphates in output originating from washing out of drainage basin soils (the Schindler coefficient is 64), and from domestic sewage causes, notwithstanding relatively low concentration of nitrates, a threat for the reservoir. Disadvantageous nitrogen-phosphorus proportion, which amounts 56 od a tributary stream, 20 in the reservoir, and 14 in a autflow, is conducive to eutrophication of the reservoir. This proportion indicates that in Przeczyce dam-reservoir phosphorus is the agent limiting use of nitrogen in the process of primary production. Balance of nitrogen and phosphorus, and especially that a load of phosphates leaded to the reservoir counterbalances itself with a load of water diversion. This evidences the loss of the reservoir ability to lay surplus nutrients, especially phosphorus, in bottom sediments, and consequentlyattests to the near moment of starting the process of anrichment from the inside of ecosystem. In the next, last part of this paper, results hydrobiologically (macrobentos) investigations will describe.

There are two methods to produce primary copper: hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical. Copper concentrates, from which copper

matte is melted, constitute the charge at melting primary copper in the pyrometallurgical process. This process consists of a few stages, of

which the basic ones are roasting and smelting. Smelting process may be bath and flash. Slag from copper production, on the end of

process contain less 0,8%. It is treat as a waste or used other field, but only in a few friction. The slag amount for waste management or

storage equaled 11 741 – 16 011 million tons in 2011. This is a serious ecological problem. The following slags were investigated: slag

originated from the primary copper production process in the flash furnace of the Outtokumpuja Company in HM Głogów 2 (Sample S2):

the same slag after the copper removal performed according the up to now technology (Sample S1): slag originated from the primary

copper production process in the flash furnace of the Outtokumpuja Company in HM Głogów 2, after the copper removal performed

according the new technology (Sample S3). In practice, all tested slags satisfy the allowance criteria of storing on the dumping grounds of

wastes other than hazardous and neutral.

Due to the presence of harmful substances in resins those mould sands may be hazardous to the natural environment and workers. The general assessment of harmfulness of sands used for molds and cores encompasses 2 basic points: emission of hazardous substances during processes of preparing sands, pouring mold with liquid metals (high temperatures), cooling and shaking-out; possibility of washing out hazardous substances from used sands to the environment, during storage or economic use outside foundries. We present the results of research on the emission of BTEX compounds from mould sands with phenolic resins during pouring liquid metal of different temperature (cast iron and Al alloy). The research was conducted according to the original method prepared by the authors, which has been used for years in cooperation with various foundries (Poland, abroad).

Due to the presence of harmful substances in resins those mould sands may be hazardous to the natural environment and workers. The general assessment of harmfulness of sands used for molds and cores encompasses 2 basic points: emission of hazardous substances during processes of preparing sands, pouring mold with liquid metals (high temperatures), cooling and shaking-out; possibility of washing out hazardous substances from used sands to the environment, during storage or economic use outside foundries. We present the results of research on the emission of BTEX compounds from mould sands with phenolic resins during pouring liquid metal of different temperature (cast iron and Al alloy). The research was conducted according to the original method prepared by the authors, which has been used for years in cooperation with various foundries (Poland, abroad).

The paper, especially dealt with problems of reclamation of used furan sand, carried out in new, vibratory sand reclamation unit REGMAS

developed by researches from AGH-University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Foundry Engineering in Cracow (Poland).

Functional characteristics of reclamation unit as well as the results of reclamation of used sand with furfuryl resin are discussed in the

paper. The quality of reclaim was tested by means of the LOI and pH value, dust content in the reclaim and at least by the the quality of

the castings produced in moulds prepared with the use of reclaimed matrix.

The problem of harmful casting resins has been present in foundries for many years. Manufacturers are introducing new products that contain in their composition environmentally and eco-friendly ingredients. Unfortunately, not all types of technology can be used, sometimes environmental benefits are disproportionate to the quality of castings and their price. In the foundry industry, the most popular binders are based on organic compounds (often carcinogenic) and other harmful substances. Due to strict legal regulations regarding environmental protection, as well as care for the foundry's workers' comfort - their occurrence should be reduce to a minimum. These compounds often behave also depending on the conditions of use (temperature, atmosphere). The application of various methods of thermal analysis and spectroscopic methods allows to verify the mechanism of resin decomposition process in relation to conditions in the form in both inert and oxidizing atmosphere. For analysis the resins from cold-box technology, were used TG–DTG–DSC, Py-GC/MS methods and specified the course of changes occurring in combination of different atmosphere.