The presented studies were focused on evaluating the utility of one of sequential extraction methods for evaluating the bioavailability of mercury in soils polluted by this element. Soil samples collected from horizons 0-20 cm and 20-80 cm were subject to analysis of the basic physical and chemical properties of soils. Moreover, the total content of mercury was determined and sequential extraction of mercury was conducted using a modified five-stage Wallschläger method. The analyses show that the studied soils are characterized by a variable mercury content, the highest in the surface soil horizons. Sequential extraction of mercury in the analyzed soils has indicated that the highest percentage content in the total content had mercury linked with sulphides. A high content of mercury linked with organic matter was also noted. The content of bioavailable mercury did not exceed 1.5% of the total content.

The phytoremediation effectiveness of heavy metals contaminated soils in the area of Upper Silesia was assessed on the basis of its real quantity in biomass harvest per 1 ha. The content of each heavy metal was compared with its quantity in the fraction of mobile and total value in horizon till 20 cm depth. The content of Zn uptake in carrot or parsley harvest (leaves and root) did not exceed 2.5% of its quantity in mobile fraction and 0.05% of its total content. The Cd and Pb values amount: 2.41%, 0.1% and 1.47%, 0.01 6%, respectively.

The aim of the study was fractionation of Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb in the bottom sediments of two small reservoirs: at Krempna on the Wisłoka River and at Zcslwicc on the Dlubnia River. The partitioning of metals for various fractions was performed with the use of Tessier's sequential chemical extraction method. All together five metal fractions were distinguished: exchangeable metals (fraction I), metals bound to carbonates (fraction II), metals bound to hydrate Fe-Mn oxides (fraction III), metals bound to organic matter (fraction IV), and metals bound to minerals (fraction V). The largest quantities of metals were bound with fraction V, the smallest occurred in the forms most easily available for living organisms, in faction I. Proportions ofZn, Ni and Pb in the exchangeable fraction were about 1%. The amounts of metals bound with fraction II were also relatively low, except lor Zn in bottom sediment at the Zeslawice Reservoir. In this bottom sediment the share of Zn bound to carbonates was 33%. Medium metal quantities were associated with hydrate Fe-Mn oxides (fraction III) and with organic matter (fraction IV). Relatively high proportion ofmetals in fraction V and trace amounts ofmetals in fraction I as well as alkaline and neutral reaction of the sediments may prove a potentially low hazard of the metal release in the case of chemical changes in the reservoirs.

The total content of lead in soil from the battery plant site was determined and a speciation analysis of this element was carried out using Rudd's method of sequential extraction. It was found out that lead is present in soil samples mostly in a low mobility organically bound form, which under certain conditions can, however, be absorbed by plants, and in a moderately mobile carbonate form. Lead was extracted from soil using sodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and sodium hydroxide solution and tests were also conducted to separate it from leaching solutions electrochemically. Extraction with Na2 -EDTA solution makes it possible to remove 86% of lead from soil, but the solution shows much lower lead extraction power when used for renewed leaching after having been electrochemically freed of lead. Extraction with NaOH solution gives worse results, namely only 70% of lead can be removed from soil, but the solution after having been electrochemically freed of Pb shows higher Pb leaching power when used for renewed leaching than in the case of Na2 - EDTA solution.

The research aim was to determine the long-term impact of the mine waste stored at the coal waste dump Hałda Ruda on the content of heavy metals in the bottom sediments of the Bytomka River. It is a watercourse flowing along this coal waste dump and has been under its influence for over fifty years. The research also attempted to determine the seasonality of changes (2 years) and mobility of selected elements.

The article presents total contents of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb in the bottom sediments collected from the Bytomka River. It also focuses on the distribution of these elements in particular geochemical fractions determined with the Tessier's sequential chemical extraction procedure. Total element contents were determined with an EDPXRF (Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence) technique. The extractants of particular Tessier's fractions were determined quantitatively with an ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) spectrometer. The research results show that the stored waste significantly influences the contents of heavy metals in the Bytomka River bottom sediments. The lowest concentration of heavy metals was observed at the B1 spot (above the dump), while the highest one was measured at the B3 spot (below the dump).

Sequential chemical extraction of the bottom sediments indicates that the Zn content in the ion-exchange and carbonate fractions diminished within a year. Nevertheless, Zn bound to Fe and Mn oxides acted in the opposite way. Mn, Zn and Pb are the most dangerous elements from the viewpoint of environmental hazards, as their total concentrations were high. Moreover, their high contents were observed in the most mobile (ion-exchange and carbonate) fractions. Extremely toxic Cd was bound to the oxide fraction to the largest extent. Cu was mainly bound to the organic fraction while environmentally hazardous Cr was bound to the residual fraction.

The likelihood nr phosphorus release from lake bottom sediments inio bulk water as a result or changes in the physicochcmical conditions in the lake has been analyzed by the method or sequential extraction proposed by Tessier et al. The procedure developed for estimation of the threat to waler ecosystems posed by heavy metals accumulated in the bottom sediments, can be successfully applied in estimation of the release or other substances, including biogenie ones, as the subsequent states of extraction simulate the abioric conditions and processes that can naturally take place in the near-bottom water layer and in the bottom sediment.

The zinc and lead industry generates substantial quantities of waste. Among the many types of wastes, such as dust or liquid, a large proportion are solid waste such as slags. The purpose of the study was the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the short rotary kiln slags and slags deposited in a hazardous waste landfill originating from zinc and lead metallurgy. This assessment represents the primary step in evaluating materials such as slags concerning their potential for substantial applications, such as process for metal separation. Additionally, this evaluation forms the basis for a comprehensive environmental study. The concentrations of the four predominant metals – Fe>Pb>Zn>Cu – and accompanying elements – Na>Ca>K>Ni>Mn>Cr – were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) after aqua regia digestion. A large variation was found in the phase analysis of the studied materials based on SEM, XRD, X-ray microanalysis, and BCR sequential extraction. The BCR analysis revealed the occurrence of major metals in four different fractions: acid-soluble, reducible, oxidizable, and residual. Pb was mainly present in the acid-soluble fraction, while Fe, Cu, and Zn were present in the residual fraction.