Time and spatial variability in concentrations of selected metals and their species in water and bottom sediments of Dzierzno Duze (Poland).

Poland is an industrialized country in which industries (especially the heavy ones) have had a tremendous influence on the environment. It is particularly visible in the Upper Silesia region, where the observed air, soil and water pollution levels are the most highest. The aim of this study was to determine the time and spatial variability in: concentrations of selected metals (Co, Ni, Zn, Cr, Mn, Pb, Cd), and, to a limited extent, of Cu, V, Al and Sr; concentrations of inorganic ions (Cl-, SO42-, Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) and values of pH, conductivity and redox potential. The enlisted parameters were determined for the water and bottom sediments of Dzierzno Duze, a water reservoir located in Poland (Upper Silesia region). Additionally, fractions of a few characteristic metals were determined in the bottom sediments of the discussed reservoir with the BCR method. The investigation was carried out in 2017. It showed that the reservoir surface water was not polluted with the determined metal contents. However, it was highly polluted with the inorganic ions. The metal contents determined in the bottom sediments were high. If the conditions for releasing them from the bottom sediments had been favorable, this situation could have posed a potentially considerable environmental threat.

Time and spatial variability in the concentrations of selected metals in water and bottom sediments of Plawniowice and Dzierzno Male reservoirs (Poland).

The migration of metals and metalloids between bottom sediments and water and the other way round is a complex process. Understanding those mechanisms is essential for recognizing transformations taking place in water reservoir ecosystems. The objective behind the following study was to define time and spatial correlations in the changes in total concentrations of selected elements (Cr, Zn, Co, Mn, Cu, Ni, Pb, As, Ba, Sb, Sr and V) in waters and bottom sediments from two water reservoirs located in Upper Silesia (Poland), i.e., Plawniowice and Dzierzno Male. The research was carried out to demonstrate whether the bottom sediments deposited in the discussed reservoirs could pose an environmental threat due to the possible release of toxic metals and metalloids into the pelagic zone. The obtained results constitute material helping to describe the bioavailability of particular elements. They also expose the existing environmental threats for such water reservoirs and their users.

Impact of the Pb and Zn ore mining industry on the pollution of the Biala Przemsza River, Poland.

The development of mining and metallurgic industries of Pb and Zn ores in the Biala Przemsza catchment area has had a strong influence on the condition of the surface water and bottom sediments. In the following study, total contents of metals and metalloids were researched in the water and bottom sediment samples from the Biala Przemsza River. The samples were collected monthly in 2014 at five sampling points along the river. The research helped to determine correlations between the parameters and components of the water environment (metals/metalloids, cations/anions, pH, Eh, conductivity, carbon (TOC, IC, TC), and suspension). The contents of metals and metalloids were determined with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), whereas anions and cations were investigated with ion chromatography (IC). The simplified Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) three-step sequential chemical extraction was performed on Biala Przemsza River bottom sediments collected in April, July, and October. At its lower course, the Biala Przemsza River water did not meet the Polish surface water quality standards. The Biala Przemsza River water is mainly loaded with metals. Toxic concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn were observed at sampling points in Okradzionów and Slawków. The toxic Tl concentration was exceeded (2-6 µg/L) at three sampling points. The Biala Przemsza River bottom sediments were composed mostly of medium and fine sand. The BCR extraction of the bottom sediments demonstrated that Cd and Zn were bound to cations/anions and carbonates loosely adsorbed on the bottom sediments in spring and summer. Such a situation was observed at all the sampling points, except for BP3 in Okradzionów. The organic carbon concentration increased along the river course.

[Detection of selected mutations in the CFTR gene in single cells for the use in preimplantation genetic diagnosis of cystic fibrosis]. / Wykrywanie wybranych mutacji w genie CFTR w pojedynczych komórkach celem zastosowania w diagnostyce preimplantacyjnej mukowiscydozy.

UNLABELLED: Cysitic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common autosomal recessive diseases. The median life expectancy is currently about 30 years. Because of a considerable social meaning of CF, it is very important to create more specific and efficient methods diagnosing defects in the gene CFTR that are responsible for CF. The use of these methods in preimplantation diagnosis could prevent the disease and also the carrier state. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to construct a diagnostic test for five CFTR gene mutations, the most frequent in Polish population, which can be used to analyze single cells while preimplantation genetic diagnosis. MATERIAL: The material used in research were 60 single cells--blastomers. The positive controls of the CFTR gene mutations: delF508, R117H, G542X, R553X, dele2,3 were obtained from blood of patients with CF. At first Nested Multiplex PCR reaction was performed. Its products were used as DNA template for the next reaction--ASA (allele-specific amplification) PCR. SSCP method (Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism) was used as a verification method. RESULTS: The diagnostic test for the presence of the mutations: delF508, R117H, G542X, R553X and dele2,3 (when homozygosity) was constructed. Mutations: delF508 (3 cells--5%), G542X (2 cells--3.33%) and R553X (1 cell-- 1,.7%) were detected as a result of performing ASA PCR analysis for the presence of the CFTR gene mutations in 60 blastomers. The SSCP analysis for the mutations delF508, R 17H, G542X, R553X confirmed the results of ASA PCR analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The constructed diagnostic test for the mutations delF508, G542X, R553X, R 17H and dele2,3 can be used to analyze single cells during preimplantation genetic diagnosis.