Global arsenic dilemma and sustainability.

Arsenic (As) is one of the most prolific natural contaminants in water resources, and hence, it has been recognized as an emerging global problem. Arsenic exposure through food exports and imports, such as As-contaminated rice and cereal-based baby food, is a potential risk worldwide. However, ensuring As-safe drinking water and food for the globe is still not stated explicitly as a right neither in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) nor the global UNESCO priorities. Despite these omissions, addressing As contamination is crucial to ensure and achieve many of the declared human rights, SDGs, and global UNESCO priorities. An international platform for sharing knowledge, experience, and resources through an integrated global network of scientists, professionals, and early career researchers on multidisciplinary aspects of As research can act as an umbrella covering the activities of UN, UNESCO, and other UN organizations. This can deal with the mitigation of As contamination, thus contributing to global economic development and human health. This article provides a perspective on the global As problem for sustainable As mitigation on a global scale by 2030.

Epidemiological and clinical picture of parasitic infections in the group of children and adolescents from north-east region of Poland.

The epidemiological and clinical purview of parasite diseases is constantly evolving, mainly due to the changes in human behavior and our environment. The aim of this study was frequency analysis of certain parasite infections, risk factors and clinical symptoms in children and adolescents of north-eastern Poland. 120 children were tested due to the symptoms resembling parasite infection from December 2008 to May 2009. 90 patients (the tested group) aged from 5 months to 18 years were found to be infected with one or more than one of the following parasites: Ascaris lumbricoides, Giardia lamblia, Toxocara spp., Strongyloides stercoralis or Enterobius vermicularis. 30 children with no infections found were the control group. Parasites were found by means of microscope decantation stool tests, RIDA Quick Giardia stool test and ELISA blood test (Toxocara IgG). The patients' parents filled out the survey concerning the probability factors of infection and the ailments that were the cause of parasitical diagnosis. High percentage of either isolated or co-invasive parasite infections was ascertained in the tested group--75%. The prevalence of ascariasis was 55.83%, toxocariasis--16.67%, giardiasis--12.5%, strongyloidiasis--5.83% and of enterobiasis--3.33%. The statistical significance of higher dirty hands-mouth contact frequency and more frequent presence of domestic animals in the tested group than in the control group was ascertained. A highly important correlation between the infection and the occurrence of symptoms from at least 3 various systems was ascertained. The presence of habits involving dirty hands-mouth contact and having domestic animals are significant risk factors of parasite infections. The presence of symptoms from at least 3 systems should compel to parasite infection diagnosis with proper differential diagnosis.

Analysis of clinical symptoms and selected hematological indices in hospitalized children with Ascaris lumbricoides infection from the northeastern region of Poland.

Ascariasis is the most common soil-transmitted helminth infection in the world. The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical symptoms and selected hematological indices of ascariasis in hospitalized children from the northeastern region of Poland. Patients in the Pediatric Ward hospitalized in the Regional Hospital in Dabrowa Bialostocka in the period of 2005-2007 were included in this retrospective study. The intestinal stage of ascariasis was diagnosed on the basis of positive coprological survey performed using the decantation technique. A total of 938 patients were included in the study, 1801 stool samples were evaluated, and A. lumbricoides-positive tests were obtained from 252 children. Ascaris-positive young children (< or = 3 yrs) accounted for 3.0% of all hospitalized children, Ascaris-positive preschool-aged children (4-7 yrs) accounted for 8.1% and school-aged children (8-18 yrs) for 15.8%. Seasonal patterns were observed in the prevalence of A. lumbricoides (maximum in August-December). There was no relationship between BMI z-score, hemoglobin levels and prevalence of infection with Ascaris lumbricoides. Significant predictors of intestinal stage ascariasis in a multivariate logistic regression model were: abdominal pain as a reason for hospital admission (OR-2.19; 95% CI 1.62-2.95; p < 0.001) and age from 4 to 7 years (OR-2.0; 95% CI 1.41-2.80; p < 0.001). The prevalence rate of ascariasis was not higher in the group of patients with atopic diseases (bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis) and co-existing ascariasis did not affect the eosinophil counts in the peripheral blood. Ascariasis is still a current pediatric clinical problem characterized by non-specific clinical manifestations, which should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of children's diseases.

Assessment of different nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes for simultaneous removal of arsenic and boron from spent geothermal water.

One of the factors that determine agricultural crops' yield is the quality of water used during irrigation. In this study, we assessed the usability of spent geothermal water for agricultural irrigation after membrane treatment. Preliminary membrane tests were conducted on a laboratory-scale set up followed by mini-pilot scale tests in a geothermal heating center. In part I, three commercially available membranes (XLE BWRO, NF90, and Osmonics CK- NF) were tested using a cross-flow flat-sheet membrane testing unit (Sepa CF II, GE-Osmonics) under constant applied pressure of 20 bar. In part II, different spiral wound membranes (TR-NE90-NF, TR-BE-BW, and BW30) other than the ones used in laboratory tests were employed for the mini-pilot scale studies in a continuous mode. Water recovery and applied pressure were maintained constant at 60% and 12 bar, respectively. Performances of the membranes were assessed in terms of the permeate flux, boron and arsenic removals. In laboratory tests, the permeate fluxes were measured as 94.3, 87.9, and 64.3 L m-2 h-1 for XLE BWRO, CK-NF and NF90 membranes, respectively. The arsenic removals were found as 99.0%, 87.5% and 83.6% while the boron removals were 56.8%, 54.2%, and 26.1% for XLE BWRO, NF90 and CK-NF membranes, respectively. In field tests, permeate fluxes were 49.9, 26.8 and 24.0 L m-2 h-1 for TR-NE90-NF, BW30-RO and TR-BE-BW membranes, respectively. Boron removals were calculated as 49.9%, 44.1% and 40.7% for TR-BE-BW, TR-NE90-NF and BW30-RO membranes, respectively. Removal efficiencies of arsenic in mini-pilot scale membrane tests were all over 90%. Quality of the permeate water produced was suitable for irrigation in terms of the electrical conductivity (EC) and the total dissolved solids (TDS) for all tested membranes with respect to guidelines set by the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation (TMEU). However, XLE BWRO, CK-NF and NF90 membranes failed to meet the required limits for irrigation in terms of boron and arsenic concentrations in the product water. The permeate streams of TR-BE-BW, TR-NE90-NF and BW30-RO membranes complied with the irrigation water standards in terms of EC, TDS and arsenic concentration while boron concentration remained above the allowable limit.

Seven potential sources of arsenic pollution in Latin America and their environmental and health impacts.

This review presents a holistic overview of the occurrence, mobilization, and pathways of arsenic (As) from predominantly geogenic sources into different near-surface environmental compartments, together with the respective reported or potential impacts on human health in Latin America. The main sources and pathways of As pollution in this region include: (i) volcanism and geothermalism: (a) volcanic rocks, fluids (e.g., gases) and ash, including large-scale transport of the latter through different mechanisms, (b) geothermal fluids and their exploitation; (ii) natural lixiviation and accelerated mobilization from (mostly sulfidic) metal ore deposits by mining and related activities; (iii) coal deposits and their exploitation; (iv) hydrocarbon reservoirs and co-produced water during exploitation; (v) solute and sediment transport through rivers to the sea; (vi) atmospheric As (dust and aerosol); and (vii) As exposure through geophagy and involuntary ingestion. The two most important and well-recognized sources and mechanisms for As release into the Latin American population's environments are: (i) volcanism and geothermalism, and (ii) strongly accelerated As release from geogenic sources by mining and related activities. Several new analyses from As-endemic areas of Latin America emphasize that As-related mortality and morbidity continue to rise even after decadal efforts towards lowering As exposure. Several public health regulatory institutions have classified As and its compounds as carcinogenic chemicals, as As uptake can affect several organ systems, viz. dermal, gastrointestinal, peptic, neurological, respiratory, reproductive, following exposure. Accordingly, ingesting large amounts of As can damage the stomach, kidneys, liver, heart, and nervous system; and, in severe cases, may cause death. Moreover, breathing air with high As levels can cause lung damage, shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough. Further, As compounds, being corrosive, can also cause skin lesions or damage eyes, and long-term exposure to As can lead to cancer development in several organs.

Use of low-enthalpy and waste geothermal energy sources to solve arsenic problems in freshwater production in selected regions of Latin America using a process membrane distillation - Research into model solutions.

The challenge for many communities in Latin America is to find adequate solutions which are feasible given the local economic and technical conditions and which enable them to source water with arsenic concentrations below the WHO guideline value for drinking water (<10 µg/L) of arsenic (As) pollution, suitable for human consumption and the irrigation of crops. Three regions where geothermal fields are present were selected for study out of the several hundred locations in Latin America where the water environment is contaminated with As and where there is a critical water shortage problem. These are Cerro Prieto in Mexico, Momotombo in Nicaragua and Lake Poopó in Bolivia. The paper presents the results of research on the use of low-enthalpy geothermal energy sources and waste heat from geothermal power plants in membrane distillation (MD) processes, which is the only heat-powered membrane technology, in order to obtain potable water and/or water for crop irrigation. It was concluded that MD could be considered as a solution for obtaining water of good quality with a high retention of toxic solutes such as As as well as other different species found in groundwater. In addition, it is not only geothermal energy, but also the geothermal water itself that can be considered as a source of freshwater produced through the MD process, a process which is most suitable to be used in areas where cheap sources of heat are available.

Effects of binary metal combinations on zinc, copper, cadmium and lead uptake and distribution in Brassica juncea.

The interaction between lead, copper, cadmium and zinc in their binary combinations was investigated in Indian mustard seedlings (Brassica juncea L. var. Malopolska). Fourteen-days-old seedlings were treated with Pb(NO3)2, CuSO4, CdCl2, ZnSO4 at 50µmol of metal ion concentration and at 25µmol of each metal ion in combinations. Metal combinations were generally more inhibiting in terms of biomass production. This inhibiting effect followed an order: Cu+Cd>Cu+Zn, Cd+Pb>Cu+Pb>Zn+Pb, Cu>Cd>Zn>Zn+Cd>Pb. We observed synergistic and antagonistic effects of metal uptake in binary metal treatments, suggesting metal crosstalk at the plant uptake site. Metal content in plant tissues varied among different combinations. The metal concentrations followed an order of Pb>Cu>Zn>Cd in roots, Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd in the stem and Zn>Cu>Cd>Pb in leaves. Presence of metals altered the distribution of micronutrients (Cu, Zn) in plants: Cu concentration was lowered in roots and leaves and increased in stems; Zn content was increased in plants, with stems having up to 4 or 5 times more Zn than in control plants.

Selected problems with boron determination in water treatment processes. Part I: comparison of the reference methods for ICP-MS and ICP-OES determinations.

The aim of the study was to compare the two reference methods for the determination of boron in water samples and further assess the impact of the method of preparation of samples for analysis on the results obtained. Samples were collected during different desalination processes, ultrafiltration and the double reverse osmosis system, connected in series. From each point, samples were prepared in four different ways: the first was filtered (through a membrane filter of 0.45 µm) and acidified (using 1 mL ultrapure nitric acid for each 100 mL of samples) (FA), the second was unfiltered and not acidified (UFNA), the third was filtered but not acidified (FNA), and finally, the fourth was unfiltered but acidified (UFA). All samples were analysed using two analytical methods: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results obtained were compared and correlated, and the differences between them were studied. The results show that there are statistically significant differences between the concentrations obtained using the ICP-MS and ICP-OES techniques regardless of the methods of sampling preparation (sample filtration and preservation). Finally, both the ICP-MS and ICP-OES methods can be used for determination of the boron concentration in water. The differences in the boron concentrations obtained using these two methods can be caused by several high-level concentrations in selected whole-water digestates and some matrix effects. Higher concentrations of iron (from 1 to 20 mg/L) than chromium (0.02-1 mg/L) in the samples analysed can influence boron determination. When iron concentrations are high, we can observe the emission spectrum as a double joined and overlapping peak.

[The effect of cyclosporine A in steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome in children]. / Ocena skutecznosci leczenia cyklosporynq steroidozaleinego zespolu nerczycowego u dzieci.

UNLABELLED: The aim of study was the analysis of cyclosporine A (CyA) treatment efficacy in children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (NS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The examined group consisted of 21 children (F--8, M--16) at the mean age 12.1 +/- 4.6 years with the relapses NS in the course of minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCSN) in 9 (43%) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 12 (57%) cases. All children were administrated CyA (Sandimun Neoral f. Novartis Pharma AG), together with prednisone (Encorton f. Polfa Pabianice) (0.2 - 0.5 mg/kg b.w./24 h) and ACE inhibitor (Enap f. Krka). The concentration of cyclospornine A in serum was measured by monoclonal antibody fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Serum concentration of creatinine, uric acid, albumin, cholesterol and creatinine clearance (Schwartz method) and proteinuria was analysed: A - before treatment, B--in 3rd day, C--in 3rd month, D--in 6th month, E--in 12th month of CyA treatment and F--after 3-6 months after finishing treatment. Blood pressure was measured by ABPM in examination A, D, E, and F. RESULTS: During administration of CyA the urinary protein excretion decreased successively and in 12th month of treatment was 4.5 +/- 3.9 mg/kg bw/24 h. The serum creatinine concentration increased by 33.9%, and uric acid by 52.8% in comparison to the initial level. Mean systolic blood pressure (RRs) in ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) during 24 hours was 120.5 +/- 9.2 mmHg before treatment and increased by about 6% after 12 months of treatment. Respectively diastolic blood pressure (RRr) was 66.7 +/- 4.3 mmHg and increased to 71.0 +/- 2.5 mmHg at the end of 12 h month. The nocturnal fall of RRs before treatment was 14.2 +/- 2.8%, and RRr 14.9 +/- 2.1%. During treatment nocturnal fall of both RRs and RRr decreased to 9.2 +/- 2.7% for RRs and 9.8 +/- 2.7% for RRr after 6 months of treatment. After 12 months of treatment and in remission the nocturnal fall of blood pressure was still below 10%. CONCLUSIONS: CyA is an effective drug in children with relapses of steroid-dependent in the course of MCSN and FSGS. Side effects after CyA treatment, under the control of its concentration in serum and parameters of renal function are occasional and transient. Cyclosporine A disturbs the 24 hours rhythm of arterial blood pressure.

Enhancing phytoremediative ability of Pisum sativum by EDTA application.

The aim of our research was to demonstrate how the presence of EDTA affects resistance of pea plants to Pb and Pb-EDTA presence, and to show the effectivity of lead ions accumulation and translocation. It was determined that EDTA not only increased the amount of Pb taken up by plants but also Pb ion transport through the xylem and metal translocation from roots to stems and leaves. It can be seen in the presented research results that addition of the chelator with Pb limited metal phytotoxicity. We also demonstrated a significant effect of EDTA not only on Pb accumulation and metal transport to the aboveground parts but also on the profile and amount of thiol compounds: glutathione (GSH), homoglutathione (hGSH) or phytochelatins (PCs), synthesized by the plants. We observed a significant effect of the synthetic chelator on increasing the level of Pb accumulation in roots of plants treated with Pb including EDTA (0.5 and 1 mM). Pisum sativum plants treated only with 1 mM Pb(NO3)2 accumulated over 50 mg Pb x g(-1) dry wt during 4 days of cultivation. Whereas in roots of pea plants exposed to Pb+0.5 mM EDTA 35% more Pb was observed. When 1 mM EDTA was applied roots of pea accumulated over 67% more metal. The presence of EDTA also increased metal uptake and transport to the aboveground parts. In pea plants treated only with 1 mM lead nitrate less than 3 mg Pb x g(-1) dry wt was transported, whereas in P. sativum treated with Pb-EDTA doubled amount of Pb was observed in stems and leaves.

Accumulation and detoxification of lead ions in legumes.

This study focuses on lead accumulation in roots, stems and leaves of three plant species of the Fabacea family: Vicia faba, Pisum sativum and Phaseolus vulgaris grown hydroponically in a medium supplemented with 1 mM concentration of lead. The largest amount of lead, up to 75 mg Pb/g dry weight, was accumulated in roots of P. vulgaris. The highest rate of Pb ions uptake from the medium took place during the first 10 h of incubation with lead and after 96 h of incubation lead content in the medium decreased by half. Thus, it was suggested that P. vulgaris could be used in rhizofiltration--the use of plant roots to absorb pollutants from water contaminated with lead. At the same time we studied the influence of lead on acid soluble thiol, glutathione, homoglutathione contents and the synthesis of phyto- and homophytochelatins in roots of V. faba, P. sativum and P. vulgaris grown hydroponically. Activation of the detoxicative-phytochelatin system was observed in the cytosol of root cells of the tested plants. This system was composed of phytochelatins (PCs) in roots of V. faba, homophytochelatins (hPCs) in P. vulgaris roots and both PCs and hPCs in P. sativum roots. The total content of PCs and hPCs in roots of P. sativum was very high and reached around 4800 (expressed in nmol SH x g(-1)FW) and induction of their synthesis occurred after only 2 h of treatment with 1 mM Pb.

[Reference values of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure in healthy children by height]. / Wartosci referencyjne cisnienia tetniczego krwi monitorowanego w ciagu 24-godzin u zdrowych dzieci w zaleznosci od wzrostu.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the work was to prepare the percentile curves for blood pressure measured by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in children by height. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ABPM was performed in 852 healthy children aged 7-17 years (433 girls, 419 boys). Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure was measured for 24 h, including the period of activity and rest, using BR-102 Schiller Poland LTD monitor and Quiet Tycos ABPM, USA. The mean number of readings over the 24-hour period was 58.4+/-4. RESULTS: The mean SBP in the group of girls with height 120-172 cm increased from 102.2+/-5.5 to 121.0+-7.8 mmHg, and in the group of boys with height 120-180 cm and over from 103.7+/-5.7 to 123.7+/-6.2 mmHg. A strong positive correlation between the height and SBP and weak with DBP was noted. The percentile charts for blood pressure in children aged 7-17 by height were prepared. CONCLUSIONS: The mean systolic blood pressure decreased at night more than diastolic blood pressure, independently of height. Systolic blood pressure was stronger correlated with the height than with the age.

[Reference values of arterial pressure depending on age, assessed by 24-hour ambulatory monitoring]. / Wartosci referencyjne cisnienia tetniczego w zaleznosci od wieku oceniane metoda calodobowego ambulatoryjnego monitorowania.

UNLABELLED: 24-hour blood pressure monitoring has been ever more widely used in children. However, percentile ranks for healthy children have not been prepared yet. The aim of the study was to define percentile ranks of blood pressure measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in healthy children aged 7-17 years depending on sex in children from the Province of Podlasie. The examinations were carried out in a group of 540 children: group I-girls--265, group II boys--275, who were divided into subgroups according to age. Blood pressure was measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitors: BR-102 f. Schiller, Poland LTD and Quiet Tycos, USA according to the principles in force. The results showed that mean systolic blood pressure (RRs) increased with age from 103.2 to 117.7 mm Hg in girls and from 98.8 to 125.6 mm Hg in boys. The differences were statistically significant (p > 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure (RRr) increased less (p > 0.05). Mean systolic blood pressure at night was 9-10% and diastolic pressure 10-11% lower, irrespective of sex. The range of normal blood pressure values (5-95 centile) was established. In group I in the youngest girls the range of RRs was 89-110 mmHg, that of RRr was from 51 to 75 mm Hg while in group II in the youngest boys RRs range was from 95 to 108 mm Hg and RRr--from 52 to 73 mm Hg. In group I and II in the oldest girls and boys the values were higher. The percentile ranks (5-95) were prepared for systolic and diastolic blood pressure based on blood pressure monitoring during 24-hours and separately during activity (day) and resting time (night). CONCLUSIONS: 1. Systolic blood pressure in children aged 7-17 years increases with age more than diastolic blood pressure. 2. Percentile ranks for healthy children aged 7-17 years depending on age, sex and daily time period were established.

[Assessment of fructose-1,6-biphosphatase in urine of children with acute pyelonephritis]. / Ocena aktywnosci fruktozo-1,6 dwufosfatazy w moczu dzieci chorych na ostre odmiedniczkowe zapalenie nerek.

UNLABELLED: We assessed the excretion of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) in 52 children (aged 4.1 +/- 2.3): group I--26 children with acute pyelonephritis (APN), in whom the examination were carried out twice: A--before treatment, B--after 14-21 days of antibacterial treatment, group II--21 healthy children. Activity of FBP in urine was found in 80% children from group I and II, and activity of NAG was found in all children from both groups. In examination A mean excretion of FBP and NAG was higher than in healthy children (p < 0.05). After antibacterial treatment excretion of both enzymes decreased to values, which did not differ from control group (p > 0.05). High correlation between FBP and NAG (r = 0.9355; p = 0.00001) was shown only in 14 children, in whom the course of acute pyelonephritis was serious (CRP > 20 mg%, leucocytosis > 10 x 10(9), and renal swelling in ultrasonography). CONCLUSION: Increased excretion of FBP in urine is found mainly in children with severe course of acute pyelonephritis, in whom the correlation between NAG and FBP is observed.

[Vasculitis of cerebral vessels, probable cause of neurological complications in a child with Schonlein-Henoch purpura]. / Zapalenie naczyn mózgu prawdopodobna przyczyna powiklan neurologicznych u dziecka z choroba Schönleina-Henocha.

We report 6-years old boy with Schönlein-Henoch purpura who presented neurologic manifestations: depressed state generalised convulsions, and cortical blindness. Sequential magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral cerebral ischemic lesions in the cortex and white matter of parieto-occipital lobes caused by vasculitis.

[Assessment of transforming growth factor-beta1 in serum of children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome depending on the way of treatment]. / Stezenie transformujacego czynnika wzrostowego beta 1 w surowicy u dzieci z idiopatycznym zespolem nerczycowym w zaleznosci od sposobu leczenia.

UNLABELLED: The concentration of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) in serum was performed by immunoenzymatic method in serum of children with nephrotic syndrome in following groups: group I--9 children (5-15 years) with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSG), before Cyclosporine A treatment (CyA) (examination A) and after 3-6 months of Cyclosporine A treatment during remission (examination B), group II--13 children (5-14 years) with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) during relapse (examination A) and after 7-20 days of prednisone (Encorton) treatment in dose 60 mg/m2, without the proteinuria (examination B), group III--15 healthy children (5-15 years). The aim of the work was to demonstrate any differences in concentration of TGF-beta 1 in serum of examined children and to show the influence of prednisone and Cyclosporine A on the concentration of TGF-beta 1. The results showed that before treatment increased concentration of TGF-beta 1 was shown only in children with MCSN (p < 0.05) and it was reverse proportional to albuminemia. However in children without proteinuria (B), the concentration of cytokines decreased in children with MCSN and increased in children with FSG treated with Cyclosporine A. CONCLUSION: The concentration of TGF-beta 1 in serum increases in children with nephrotic syndrome during gross proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia and after Cyclosporine A treatment.

Possibilities for the efficient utilisation of spent geothermal waters.

Waters located at greater depths usually exhibit high mineral content, which necessitates the use of closed systems, i.e. re-injecting them into the formation after recovering the heat. This significantly reduces investment efficiency owing to the need to drill absorption wells and to perform anti-corrosion and anti-clogging procedures. In this paper, possibilities for the efficient utilisation of cooled geothermal waters are considered, particularly with respect to open or mixed geothermal water installations. Where cooled water desalination technologies are used, this allows the water to be demineralised and used to meet local needs (as drinking water and for leisure purposes). The retentate left as a by-product of the process contains valuable ingredients that can be used for balneological and/or leisure purposes. Thus, the technology for desalinating spent geothermal waters with high mineral content allows improved water management on a local scale and makes it possible to minimise the environmental threat resulting from the need to dump these waters into waterways or surface water bodies and/or inject them into the formation. The paper is concerned with Polish geothermal system and provides information about the parameters of Polish geothermal waters.

Response of the pea roots defense systems to the two-element combinations of metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb).

The presence of the single metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn) induces ROS (reactive oxygen species) production and causes oxidative stress in plants. While applied in two-element combinations, trace metals impact organisms in a more complex way. To assess the resultant effect we treated the pea grown hydroponically with the trace metals in variants: CuPb, CuCd, CuZn, PbCd, ZnPb, ZnCd in concentrations of 25 µM for each metal ion. Abiotic stress inhibited root elongation growth, decreased biomass production, induced changes in root colour and morphology. It changed rate of ROS production, malondialdehyde content, increased activity and altered gene expression of defence enzymes (superoxide dysmutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase).

Rhizoremediation of diesel-contaminated soil with two rapeseed varieties and petroleum degraders reveals different responses of the plant defense mechanisms.

Plant-assisted bioremediation (rhizoremediation) stands out as a potential tool to inactivate or completely remove xenobiotics from the polluted environment. Therefore, it is of key importance to find an adequate combination of plant species and microorganisms that together enhance the clean-up process. To understand the response of plants upon bioaugmentation, the antioxidative and detoxification system was analyzed in high and low erucic acid rapeseed varieties (HEAR and LEAR, respectively), after 8 weeks of their treatment with petroleum degraders and 6000 mg diesel oil/kg dry soil. The oxidative stress was enhanced in LEAR being exposed to sole diesel oil, in comparison with HEAR. However, when LEAR plants were additionally inoculated with bacteria, suppression of total catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity were observed. Interestingly, glutathione transferase (GST) activity was found in these plants at a much higher level than in HEAR, which correlated with a more efficient diesel removal performed by LEAR in the polluted soil and upon bioaugmentation. A distinct profile of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) was detected in leaves of these plants. Neither LEAR nor HEAR experienced any changes in the photosynthetic capacity upon diesel pollution and presence of petroleum degraders, which supports the usefulness of rhizoremediation with rapeseed.