There is a need for quality control of wastewater introduced into drainage systems. Physical and chemical analyses of wastewater inform only about the situation existing at the moment of sampling. The analysis based on bioindication methods allows to evaluate the existing state before sampling and so to recognize a drop of excessive loads or harmful substances for activated sludge. This refers to the moment preceding the sample taking at least by the generation time of the species with the lowest reproduction rate. For these reasons, the possibility of using microfauna representatives (feeding on organic pollutions) for bioindication was evaluated. The estimation was made of the usefulness of indicator species from the Kolkwitz-Marssori system, the Shannon-Wiener index based on species abundance and the latter based on abundances of morphological-functional organism groups. The study results showed that the ShannonWiener index calculated for morphological-functional groups (easiest to determine) was accurate enough for bioindication.

Sewage sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants is currently a serious environmental problem, given its diversity due to the variability of time and heavy metal content. Current research on the monitoring of heavy metals is based on the determination of Pb, Cd, Hg, Ni, Zn, Cu and Cr. This makes any thallium content data difficult to access. The study estimated the degree of contamination of sewage sludge with thallium. The sludge samples came from a sewage treatment plant located in Poland. The results are presented for the total concentration of thallium and its mobile forms. These samples were analyzed by differential pulse voltammetry. The results showed that the average thallium content was 0.203 μg/g and its mobile form was 0.025 μg/g. The conducted research shows that almost 13% of thallium from sewage sludge can be gradually released into the environment.

The aim of the study was to estimate the effect otthe composting process in the container technology Kneer on E. coli inactivation. The bacteria placed in the special carriers were introduced into the composted material. The elimination rate of E. coli differed depending on both the carriers· location in the biomass and the thermal conditions. The most effective hygienization, nr the material was noticed in summer - after 48 h in the middle layer, 6 days in the top layer and 10 days in the bottom layer. In spring and autumn, the bacteria survived the longest in the bottom layer - 85 and 45 days, respectively. Apart from the high temperature, the research points out the action of other factors such as competition, antagonism and antibiosis.

Przedmiotem dwuletnich badań było poznanie dynamiki rozwoju wybranych grup drobnoustrojów (mikroorganizmy oligotroficzne, kopiotroficznc, proteolityczne, celulolityczne, rozpuszczające fosforany) w glebie nawożonej komunalnymi osadami ściekowymi. Celem przeprowadzonego doświadczenia było wyjaśnienie możliwości zachwiania równowagi biologicznej gleby, przejawiającej się wzmożonym i długotrwałym rozwojem analizowanych grup drobnoustrojów w glebie, po wprowadzeniu do niej materii organicznej w formic osadów ściekowych, w różnych dawkach. W doświadczeniu zastosowano cztery obiekty badawcze: kontrola-gleba + NPK, 2 Mg s.m. osaduha+rok' + NPK, 4 Mg s.m. osadu-hal-rok' + NPK oraz 8 Mg s.m. osaduhatrok' + NPK). Fosfor i potas stosowano przedsiewnie pod orkę, natomiast azot: część przedsiewnie i drugą część pogłównie. Osady ściekowe stosowano przedsiewnie. Poletka glebowe, na których przeprowadzono badania obsiano żytem odmiany Wibro (2003 r.) oraz obsadzono ziemniakami odmiany Bila (2004 r.). Wykazano, że zastosowane dawki osadów ściekowych nic wpływały istotnie statystycznie na namnażanie się mikroorganizmów glebowych. Na podstawie przeprowadzonych analiz mikrobiologicznych stwierdzono, że w badanym okresie (2003-2004) liczebność oznaczonych grup drobnoustrojów ulegała wahaniom, zależnym od terminu pobierania próbek glebowych. Próbki glebowe, niezbędne do przeprowadzenie analiz, pobierane były w lenninach związanych z kolejnymi fazami rozwojowymi roślin. Kolejnym czynnikiem wpływającym na dynamikę rozwoju mikroorganizmów glebowych był gatunek rośliny użytej w doświadczeniu. Żyto uprawiane w 2003 r. stymulowało rozwój większości grup drobnoustrojów (mikroorganizmów oligotroficznych, kopiotroficznych, proteolitycznych, rozpuszczających fosforany). Z kolei ziemniaki w okresie rozwoju generatywnego ( 16.07- 28.08.2004) spowodowały silniejszy rozwój mikroorganizmów celulolitycznych.

This work presents results of the release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from granules composed of fly ashes, which are the product of hard and coal combustion and sewage sludge. 3 types of granulates by a weight ratio of ash to sludge 3:7 and 1: 1 were used. The research of PAH leaching was conducted within a simulated period of 24 months, with the examination of PAH washing out every three months. The highest amounts of PAH (297 - 330 μg/kg dw.) were obtained_from granulates containing 7 parts by weights of sewage sludge (3 times higher in comparison with the granulate containing ash and sludge in ratio of I: 1 ). The maximum PAH release from all the examined granulates took place in the 9th month of the research. Benzo(k)fluoranthene revealed the highest fraction (67.4-76.0%) of all examined compounds.

The main objective of presented research work was the assessment of the impact of reduced straw content, as organic carbon source, on the course of sewage sludge composting process. During the research work performed in industrial conditions, the composting process going in periodically overturned windrows differing in proportion of dehydrated sludge, straw and structural material being 4:1:1 and 8:1:2 respectively, was observed. The consequence of increase of sludge concentration with relation to straw was decrease of C:N ratio in the input material from 11.5 to 8.5. The following parameters were analyzed as indicators for the assessment of the composting process: contents of fulvic acids (FA), humic acids (HA), lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose as well as absorbance in UV/VIS (λ=280, 465 and 665 nm) range. The results obtained have indicated that the increase of sludge content extends the elevated temperature (T>50°C) period from 42 days to approximately 65 days. Our tests did not confirm that limitation of straw content added to sewage sludge had any adverse effect on the course of composting. PI index (HA/FA), which qualifies the compost as mature in the first case – No 1, exceeds limit value of 3.6 on the 83rd day whereas, in the second case No 2, on the 48th day.

The paper contains a micobiological characteristic of sewage sludge composted in controlled conditions together with bio-wastes (straw, sawdust, bark). An experiment was carried out in which the composted material was mixed up in adequate weight proportion and placed in biorcactor chambers with a constant air flow. The composting process aimed at defining the development dynamics and the survival of pathogenic microorganisms in the sewage sludge composted with different additions in a cybernetic bioreactor. Samples of compost necessary for microbiological analyses were taken at the same time, in reference to the actual temperature value. Bacteriological studies were carried out on selected substrates by plate method determining the number of pathogenic bacteria from the species: Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, as well as from Enterobacteriaccac family. In the experiments, the presence of living eggs or intestinal ATT pathogens was determined by floatation method, as well. Il was found that the sewage sludge used in composting process did not contain any Salmonella spp. bacteria or any living eggs of intestinal ATT pathogens. Composting process completely eliminated the number or bacteria from Enterobactcriaccae family, bul it did not contribute lo the elimination of Clostridium perfringens bacteria. On the basis of the obtained results, it was found that the elimination of the studied groups of microorganisms, in all studied composts took place with the increase of temperature. In the case or Enterobacteriaceae, it was found that their complete removal from the composted material took place in chamber K3, while in the remaining chambers, it followed 48 hours later. Elimination ofthe vegetative forms ofC!oslridium perfringens bacteria followed after 96 hours of composting, in all composts at the same time. The obtained composts met the sanitary norms according lo the regulations of the EC Commission No. I 85/2007 of February 20, 2007 which changed the regulation of WE No. 809/2003 and WE No. 810/2003 referring to the extension of the validity period of transitional means for composting plants and biogas producing plants according to the instruction orWE No. 1774/2002 of European Parliament and Council and according to the instruction of the Minister for Agriculture and Country Development (2004).

Anaerobic digested sludge supernatant is rich in phosphates and ammonia nitrogen. Phosphates can be almost completely removed in the process of struvite precipitation. Simultaneously, if only magnesium is supplied, usually only a minor part of ammonia equivalent to phosphates will be removed. Increase in pH to about 8.5 or above leads to the presence of free ammonia which affects the struvite crystals form. The possibility of additional ammonia removal with an external or internal source of phosphates was also accounted for. The final product (precipitate) could be considered as a "biofertilizer" or "biosoil" in connection to the technology applied.

The goal of the study was to determine the risk posed to soil, groundwater and plants by the application of sewage sludge from a mechanical-biological wastewater treatment plant of nominal capacity of 46 000 m3/d. as fertilizer. Soil samples were collected from an agricultural and vegetable production farm. The leaching experiment was carried out in PCV lizymeters (with percolation water outlet). With respect to the chemistry and biology, the analyzed sludge meets the standards set up for sludge used for agricultural purposes. After 8, 16 and 24 weeks of simulated leaching with atmospheric precipitation, the lecheate from lizymeters showed changes in pH (increasing tendency), electrolytic conductivity (decreasing tendency) as well as slightly lowering content of heavy metals. Heavy metal speciation in sewage sludge showed that they occur in forms of compounds sparingly releasable to the soil solution (fractions III, IV, V). The analysis of sequential chemical extraction carried out in soil with applied sewage sludge, after 24 weeks treatment with simulated atmospheric precipitation doses showed similar heavy metal occurrence tendency as in the case of pure sludge. The total heavy metal content in fractions I-III amounted from 18,6% for Cr to 44,8% for Zn. The remaining content of heavy metals was basically bound with fraction V, which is completely unavailable for plants.

Badania nad poziomym rozmieszczeniem makrozoobentosu piaszczystego dna w okolicach Jastarni i Juraty prowadzone były jednorazowo latem 2004 roku. Wyznaczono 15 stanowisk w okolicach Juraty dzieląc stanowiska na cztery promienie oddalone od siebie o 100 m oraz 4 stanowiska w pobliżu portu w Jastarni. Bezkręgowce denne na tym obszarze reprezentowane były przez 18 gatunków i 3 grupy ponadgatunkowe, które w pobliżu Juraty osiągały zagęszczenie X = 1840 osobn. · nr' i masę mokrą X = 121,8 g,,,,;m·', a w okolicach Jastarni x = 638 osobn.im? i x = 376,6 g,,,,,,·m·'. Najczęściej spotykanymi gatunkami były Hediste diversicolor, Cerastoderma g!aucum i Hydrobia u/vae. Większą bioróżnorodnością wyznaczoną wskaźnikiem ShannonaWienera charakteryzowały się stanowiska najbardziej oddalone od brzegu w Juracie. Skład gatunkowy oraz struktura jakościowo-ilościowa fauny dennej w tej części Zatoki Puckiej świadczy o niezadowalającym stanie środowiska oraz niskiej wartości tych obszarów jako miejsca żerowania ryb.

Agricultural utilization of appropriately stabilized sewage sludge appears to be the most rational method of its utilization, even though there is no agreement among scientists as to the impact that these wastes can exert on the maintenance of the soil biological balance. That is why the objective of the performed field-laboratory experiments was to determine the developmental dynamics of selected groups of microorganisms in a grey-brown podzolic soil fertilized with acceptable and unacceptable doses of sewage sludge and farmyard manure. Numbers of six groups of microorganisms were determined at various dates associated with the development of spring barley (total bacterial number, number of actinomycetes, fungi, bacteria from the Azotobacter genus and Pseudomonas j/uorescens) as well as pathogenic bacteria from the Sa/111011ella genus. The selected groups of microorganisms were determined on selective media by the plate method. The obtained research results showed that, in the majority of cases, the applied levels of organic fertilization did not have a significant impact on the numbers of microorganisms in the soil. Therefore, it can be said that the application of both acceptable and unacceptable doses of sewage sludge in the form of fertilizers failed to disturb the biological balance of the examined soil. In addition, the results of the performed experiments indicated that the agricultural utilization of sewage sludge should be forestalled by a sanitation process (e.g. composting) in order to get rid of' pathogenic bacteria, especially bacteria from the Salmonella genus.

The paper presents microbiological characteristics of sewage sludge derived from the mechanicalbiological sewage treatment plant and farmyard manure as well as composts manufactured from them. In the performed experiment, four types of composts were analyzed. The first of them comprised the sewage sludge alone, the second one - was made up only of farmyard manure, while the remaining composts were prepared by mixing the above-mentioned bio-wastcs in the following proportions: 75% sewage sludge+ 25% farmyard manure and 50% sewage sludge + 50% farmyard manure. The next stage of experiments involved analyses of the composts incubated with soil. The following assays were carried out in the experimental composts and mixtures of soil and composts: counts of Salmonella sp., E. coli, Clostridium perfringens, total counts of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes on selective media employing the plate method. The performed investigations revealed that the composting process resulted in complete riddance of the Salmonella sp. and reduction in the numbers of the remaining groups of microorganisms. Therefore, it can be said that the composted sewage sludge was suitable for the utilization for agricultural purposes in accordance with the Directive of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of October 2004. Moreover, it was found that, as early as 60 days after the introduction of composts into the soil, counts of the majority of the analyzed groups of microorganisms (with the exception of actinornycctcs and E. coli), including pathogenic bacteria from the C. perfringens genus, were found reduced. The obtained research results proved that the introduction of bi o-wastes into the soil may decrease survivability in the natural environment of certain pathogens; hence it is a good method of utilization of this organic material.

Deposits used as fertilizer bring to soil both biogens necessary for plant growth and other ingredients such as metals. including heavy metals. Knowledge of quantities and rate in which heavy metals are to be released to soil from granulates is important because of their toxic influence on plants (in the case of high metals concentration). This paper presents results of investigation of elution of Cu. Zn, Ni, Cd, Pb. and Cr from granulates prepared from municipal sewage sludge, hard coal ash and brown coal ash. Elution to water solution was carried out in static conditions with single-stage and tree-stage extraction. Heavy metal a component of sludge-ash granulates eluted in various quantities, i.e. from trace for cadmium to 9.26-9.53 mg/kg of d.m. for zinc. Among the soluble forms of metals the most mobile are (in decreasing sequence): Cu > Pb> Zn> Ni in granulates containing brown coal ash and Cu> Pb> Ni> Zn in granulates contain hard coal ash.

The present work focuses on problems connected with the location and sampling method for pecton (biofilm) in sewage treatment plants. We also discuss the amount and quantity of pecton necessary to compose a representative sample. Comparisons of other selected contamination indicators in place of pecton sampling, are also presented. Research carried out at the WWTP "Hajdow" demonstrated that everything (starting from grid chambers), coming into contact with sewage surfaces is covered with biofilm This biological formation does not cause any significant changes in sewage quality due to its relatively small surface compared to the sewage flux. As presented in the following analysis, pecton can be used for bioindication of sewage quality. This is possible because the organisms forming these communities use substances contained in flowing sewage as nutritional substrates. In such cases the wastewater purification level in biological sewage treatment plants can, in a way similar to rivers, be determined based on bioindication methods using existing similarities between the prevailing processes and organisms.

In the present paper changes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) content were evaluated during composting of sewage sludge stabilized with coal fly ash. The content of PAHs in sewage sludge used for composting was I 0385 μg/kg (±830). In fly ash only three PAHs were determined (phenanthrene - 0.9 μg/kg, anthraccnc - 1.9 μg/kg and chrysenc - 2.7 μg/kg). Addition of fly ash to composted sewagesludge had various - dependent on its share - effect on PAHs mineralization. Relatively best degradation (66.3%) was noted when sewage sludge was mixed with fly ash in amount 20% (w/w). In composted sewage sludge and sludge with 30% addition of fly ash a decrease of PAH content was also observed (38 and 32.4% respectively). Relatively "best" mineralization was noted for 3-ring PAHs. Estimated half-lives of all investigated compounds depended on individual PAHs properties and ranged from 59 to 1164 days.

In Poland, in recent years, there has been a rapid accumulation of sewage sludge – a by-product in the treatment of urban wastewater. This has come about as a result of infrastructure renewal, specifically, the construction of modern sewage treatment plants. The more stringent regulations and strategic goals adopted for modern sewage management have necessitated the application of modern engineering methodology for the disposal of sewage sludge. One approach is incineration. As a consequence, the amount of fly ash resulting from the thermal treatment of municipal sewage sludge has grown significantly. Hence, intensive work is in progress for environmentally safe management of this type of waste. The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the possibility of using the fly ash that results from municipal sewage sludge thermal treatment (SSTT) as an additive to hardening slurries. The article presents the technological and functional parameters of hardening slurries with an addition of fly ash obtained by SSTT. Moreover, the usefulness of these slurries is analyzed on the basis of their basic properties, i.e., density, contractual viscosity, water separation, structural strength, volumetric density, hydraulic conductivity, compressive and tensile strength. The research on technological and functional properties was carried out, the aim of which was to determine the practical usefulness of the hardening slurries used in the experiment. Subsequently, leaching tests were performed for heavy metals in the components, the structure of the hardening slurries. An experiment showed leaching of hazardous compounds at a level allowing their practical application. The article presents the potential uses of fly ash from SSTT in hardening slurry technology.

The objective of this work was investigation of the growth dynamics of proteolytic bacteria and the enzymatic activity in soil for the cultivation of maize (Zea mays L.), as well as the maize yield under application of some selected organic fertilizers. Intensity and the direction of the developed changes in the soil depended on the type of applied organic fertilizer, the size of its dose introduced into the soil and on the developmental phase of the grown plant (maize). On the basis of obtained results it was found that all tested organic substances stimulated the activity of proteases. Yields ofmaize as raw material for silages obtained from soil fertilized with sewage sludge were similar to those obtained after the application of pig slurry and they exceeded maize yields harvested from other ferti I ization objects.

Previous studies indicated that particle size distribution affects the composition of keratinolytic and keratinophilic fungi in sewage sludge. The present study was to determine the composition of these fungi in sludge particle size fractions (> I, 1-0.5, 0.5--0.25, 0.25--0.125, 0.125-0.063, O 063--0.032 and < 0.032 mm) in a model experiment. I n the original sludge sample and its fractions, the composition of keratinolytic and kcratinophilic fungi was determined by using the hair baiting method. The composition of actidioneresistant fungi was also determined by using the dilution method and the Wiegand medium supplemented with chloramphenicol ( I 00 mg/dm') and actidione (500 mg/dm3). The number of keratinolytic and keratinophilic fungi isolated by the hair baiting method was lower in fractions than in the original sludge sample. In contrast, fungal quantities obtained by the dilution method were higher in fractions than in the original sludge sample. Qualitative differences were also observed. The conclusion was that nutrient factors associated with sludge particle size fractions, chietly total sulfur content and C:S ratio, affected the composition of keratinolytic and keratinophilic fungi in the sludge more than the fungal propagule quantities (inocula).

The aim of the investigation was to determine the impact of the presence of Zn in concentrations of sludges applied in agriculture (exceeding concentrations determined in sludges drained from the treatment plant) 011 the disappearance of PAHs in sewage sludge stored under aerobic conditions. The studies were carried out using dewatered and biochemically stabilized sludges. The changes in the concentration of PAHs were studied in four series: in sludge samples taken after filter press, in sludge with the addition of a standard PAH mixture. in sludge with Zn added, in sludge with the addition of both the standard PAH mixture and Zn. The standard PAH mixture used in the studies contained 16 compounds in benzene - dichloromethane (I: ł) solution with a concentration of 32000 ug/cm' of 16 PAHs. Zn was added to the sludge samples as a solution of chloride zrnc. the final amount was below 2500 mg Zn/kg d.m. (taking into consideration the initial concentrations) The sludge samples were incubated for 90 days at 20°C with limitless access of oxygen. The determination of PAHs in sludge samples was done in duplicates at the beginning of the experiment (the initial concentration) and then six times at I 5-day intervals (after 15. 30. 45. 60. 75 and 90 days). A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to qualify and quantify the PAHs. I 6 PAI-ls listed by EPA were identified

The research covered two lakes: Karczemne and Domowe Małe, which served as receivers for rainwater and municipal or industrial sewage. The sediment cores were obtained using a Kajak tube sampler. Analyses of HM, PAH and PCB were done by the AAS, ICP-AES and GC MS methods. OM, SiO2, TH, Ca, Mg, CO2, Fe, Al, Mn, TN and TP were measured. The research showed that the sediments of Lake Karczemne, into which the untreated municipal sewage was discharged, are characterized by a high content of P. It was found that the sediments accumulate toxins, OM and pollutants characteristic for various industries. Karczemne Lake which collected municipal and industrial wastewater, contained a high content of Pb, Cu and PAH in the sediments, and Domowe Małe Lake, receiving stormwater, contained high concentrations of PAH. Research has shown that one of the most important tools for selecting an appropriate method of lake restoration is the analysis of the spatial distribution of pollutants in the bottom sediments. Thanks to such an analysis of the composition of the bottom sediments and the correlation between the components of the sediments and their sorption properties, the restoration of the Karczemne Lake using the Ripl method was planned and the possibility of restoration of the Domowe Małe Lake in this way was eliminated.

To test the potential harmfulness of soils fertilized with sludge-based products to plant organisms, a biotest method using the physiological/biochemical reaction of the organisms to assess their toxicity was chosen. This paper presents the results of a preliminary ecotoxicological study of different products: a sludge-based fertilizer, a plant growth promoter, and a reclamation blend. The study was conducted using Sinapis alba L., a plant used in agriculture for intercropping and recommended for toxicological testing. Toxicity tests were performed in a gradient of concentrations of the indicated products (2.5%, 5%, and 10%). For comparison purposes, a trial containing a commercial fertilizer was used alongside the control soil (without additives). The fertilizer and the crop support agent were of low toxicity, but data analysis indicated toxicity of the so-called reclamation blend, which contained heavy metals among other things. The test products showed an increase in toxicity with the increasing dose used. This research represents an important step in assessing the usefulness of products created from sewage sludge and may help overcome the „psychological barrier” that prevents potential investors from investing capital that would allow production to spread.