Research projects

Project period: 2019-2022

Principal Investigator: dr hab. Jerzy Jonczak, prof. SGGW

Budget: 470 069 PLN

Funding: NCN, project no. 2018/31/B/NZ9/01994

Project overview:

The project aims to evaluate effects of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) on properties of post-arable soils, chosen links in biogeochemical cycling of elements, associations of key indicative organisms and ability to provide various ecosystem services.

The study covers various aspects of interactions in a plant-soil system and also some more utilitarian aspects related to biogeochemical cycling of elements in a global scale and sustainable management of natural resources. The study cover the following aspects:

• Birch influence on soil physical characteristics,
• Birch influence on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of soil organic matter,
• Birch influence on soil eco-chemical state, including pH, sorptive properties and buffer properties,
• Birch influence on contents and dynamics of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in soils,
• Production and properties of litterfall,
• Litterfall decomposition and nutrients release,
• Activity of soil phosphatase and dehydrogenase
• Earthworms assemblages,
• Springtail assemblages,
• Birch potential to sequestrate carbon in the soil,
• Potential to provide ecosystem services.

The studies are conducted at 10 stands located in Forest Dostricts Skierniewice and Brzeziny. Soil type, age of the stand and land use history were major criteria in selection of the stands. Five stands cover locations on sandy, nutrient-poor soils (Brunic Arenosols) and five on loamy, nutrient-rich soils (Cambisols). Within each soil type the stands differ in terms of age. Each stand covers two plots located in the same soil complex – afforestation and arable field.

The project is justified by increasing interest in afforestation of marginal arable soils over the last decades. According to many authors, that process is one of key challenges of the modern forestry. Results of numerous studies show that afforestation can be used as an effective tool to improve soil quality and enable to join economic and ecological benefits. However, the results of some studies show also that effects of forest vegetation are not always positive. The choice of suitable species is highly important. Species composition of the stand should guarantee a kind of compromise between economic benefits and ecological effects. Scots pine was most commonly used for afforestation of post-arable areas until now. However, that species causes many problems in production. Therefore, recently there has been a growing interest in birch as a species that tolerates a wide spectrum of environmental conditions, is resistant to “post-agricultural” soil characteristics and does not show health problems. Although interactions in the birch-soil system have been the subject of numerous studies, there are still many gaps in the knowledge in this field that should be verified before this species is introduced on a larger scale. These gaps concern in particular the influence of birch on the ecochemical state of soils, the abundance and cycling of nutrients, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of soil organic matter, soil enzymatic activity and living organisms. The implementation of the project will contribute to increasing knowledge in the fields of soil science, landscape biogeochemistry, forest ecology and landscape ecology. This knowledge can practically applied in sustainable management of soil resources.

Project period: 2021-2028

Investigator: dr Lidia Oktaba

Budget of the task: 40 000 PLN

Funding: Polish Forests, project no. EZ.272.3.21.2021

Project overview:

The aim of research is: 1) to establishing permanent research plots in pine and fir-pine stands in the Lasy Janowskie reserve; 2) performing care and protection treatments of late cleanings, selective thinning of various intensities, as well as future, processing and transformation thinning; 3) determining the impact of care and protection treatments on the richness of flora and fauna; 4) indication of examples of forest patches in which no maintenance treatments will be carried out and those in which treatments are necessary to preserve the biotope of selected protected species (nature inventory); 5) development of detailed guidelines for the planning and implementation of care and protection treatments in stands under active protection, on the example of the Janowskie Forests reserve.

The final effects of the project will be: 1) research areas for training, representing various variants of maintenance treatments (type, intensity) ; 2) documented research results describing the impact of selected care and protection treatments, such as late cleaning and thinning, on the stability, preservation and enrichment of species diversity of plants and animals; 3) detailed guidelines for forestry practice concerning the management of stands under active (partial) protection based on zoo- and phytoindication indicators; 4) preparation of general recommendations for the care of forests under active protection.

Project period: 2007-2011

Principal investigator: dr Lidia Oktaba

Budget: 58 930 PLN

Funding: Ministry of Science and Higher Education, project no. N N310 2243 33

Project overview:

The aim of the research was: 1. analysis of physical and chemical properties of post-agricultural soils in the first years after afforestation; 2. understanding the composition of organic matter in the above-mentioned soils; 3. assessment of the dynamics of transformations and the possibility of carbon binding in post-agricultural soils in the years following afforestation; 4. comparison of the properties of humic compounds in freshly afforested post-agricultural soils and adjacent forest soils; 5. creating a database for future analyzes and creating mathematical models.

It was found that changes of soil organic matter in studied soils were closely associated with hydrologic properties of these soils. Establishment of forest plantation on gley soils greater violated the balance of mineralization and humification processes in mineral−organic soils than in mineral soils. This was reflected in substantial losses of organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (N) in the upper layers mineral−organic soils and minor changes of TOC content and N in the upper horizons of the mineral soils. Fractional composition of humus was more sensitive indicator of changes than the analysis of the total quantity of carbon and nitrogen. Studies have shown that after afforestation labile compounds were mineralized at first. Transformations of other humus fractions depended on soil subtype. In soils with high initial content of TOC (93.7 g/kg) in addition to the loss of organic matter deterioration of humus quality were also recorded. In the soil of the average initial content of TOC (65.1 g/kg) loss of organic matter was found, but a better quality of humic substances with increased proportion of humic acids was recognized. In soils with the lowest initial content of TOC changes in the amount of organic matter were not statistically significant, but a larger share of humic acids in different humic compounds was evidence of the greater stability after afforestation.

Project period: 2022-2024

Principal Investigator: mgr inż. Magdalena Tarnawczyk

Budget: 193 370  PLN

Funding: NCN, project no. 2021/41/N/ST10/03129

Project overview:

The Tatra Mts. are a unique and valuable alpine ecosystem. At present it is a protected area, however, in the past it was an area of intensive mining and metallurgical processing of metals. Mining exploitation and metallurgical activity of Mn, Ag, Cu and Fe ores lasted from the 15th till the end of the 19th century. This activity led to the creation of solid wastes, which were deposited on land surface as heaps. Mining wastes consisted of rocks extracted from deposits, which were not used for further processing, while metallurgical wastes are represented mainly by slag produced as a result of smelting. Natural plant succession on the heaps initiated soil-forming processes, which resulted in creation of technogenic soils (Technosols). Technosols are soils developed from various post-industrial wastes. These soils contain a significant contribution of artefacts i.e. materials made or strongly altered by man or extracted from greater depths. Technosols in the Tatra Mts. have not yet been the subject of thorough research.

The goal of this project is to study the mineralogical, micromorphological and geochemical indicators of genesis and pollution degree of technogenic soils (Technosols) developed on historical mining and metallurgical sites in the Tatra Mountains. The project will be an attempt to answer the following research questions:

1. what is the degree of advancement of soil-forming processes and what are directions of these processes in Technosols developed from mining and metallurgical wastes generated by historical mining and metal ore metallurgy in the Tatra Mts?
2. what mineral transformations take place in the studied technogenic soils and what are the directions of these transformations?
3. what is the chemical composition, total concentrations of trace elements and degree of contamination of Technosols in the Tatra National Park area?

Within the framework of the study, eight research areas were selected (i.e. mining and metallurgical dumps) in the Tatra National Park in the area of Kościeliska Valley, Pyszniańska Valley, Starobociańska Valley, Chochołowska Valley and Kuźnice. The object of the research were soil samples taken from the soil horizons of thirteen profiles. The project will require: (1) analysis of soil mineral composition (total samples) by X-ray diffraction (XRD), (2) analysis of clay fraction from soils by XRD and infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR), (3) analysis of loose fine earth and thin sections from soils by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), (4) extraction of pedogenic forms of Fe, Al, Si, as well as (5) study of total concentrations of trace elements and their forms by sequential extraction.

Technogenic soils on the areas of former mining and metallurgy in the Tatra Mountains are very poorly known. The research planned within the framework of this project will be one of the first attempts to recognize the mineralogy, micromorphology and geochemistry of these soils. Studies on mineralogical and micromorphological aspects of Technosol genesis as well as the scenarios of evolution of technogenic soils (Technosols) developed on historical mining and metallurgical sites especially in the high mountains are still rare. The results will also shed a new light on the degree of soil contamination in areas of former mining and smelting. The research will contribute to the development of knowledge on the functioning of technogenic soil formations in high mountain conditions.

Project period: 2021

Principal Investigator: dr inż. Artur Pędziwiatr

Budget: 23 200 PLN

Funding: NCN, MINIATURA, project no. 2019/03/X/ST10/00012

Project overview:

South-western Poland is characterized by the presence of serpentinites – rocks which are naturally enriched on Ni, Cr and Co. Serpentinite-derived soils are named as ultramafic soils. Ultramafic soils are characterized by: (a) relatively high content of Ni, Cr, and Co; (b) low content of Ca and high content of Mg, and (c) low content of K and P. Therefore, ultramafic soils cannot be used for crop and food production. However, field studies revealed that ultramafic soils are occupied by rape (Brassica napus), corn (Zea mays), and wheat (Triticum aestivum). Fertilization is a common process in agriculture that is responsible for an increase in yield. Fertilizers can also change the mobility of Ni, Cr, and Co in ultramafic soils and afterwards the uptake of these elements by plants. The aim of the project was to assess the effect of soil additives (fertilizers) on the mobility of metallic elements in ultramafic soils and the bioavailability of these elements for Brassica napus. The project included a pot experiment. The pots were filled with ultramafic soil to which fertilizers were added (manure, humic acids, potassium nitrate, lime, ammonium sulphate, superphosphate), and Brassica napus seeds were sown. The mobility of the metallic elements was determined by means of chemical extractions. The bioavailability of the metallic elements was determined by direct analysis of the chemical composition of Brassica napus.

Project implementation period: 2022-2025

Principal Investigator:  Jerzy Weber (UP Wrocław); Łukasz Uzarowicz – investigator

Budget: 935 907 PLN

Funding: EJP SOIL 1st external Call “Towards Healthy, Resilient and Sustainable Agricultural Soils”; European Union, Horizon 2020

Project overview

The objectives of the SOMPACS proposal are to disclose management practices enriching soils with the organic matter pools which are most resistant to microbial decomposition, and to specify these practices for various soil and climate conditions through Europe. Every soil, even intensively and organically fertilized for a long time, finally reaches an equilibrium state of SOM, level, in which the soil carbon content gains plateau. This equilibrium, however, depends on the SOM quality and may be raised by the pools most resistant to decomposition. The planned research will also aim on soil organic C balance, which is to optimize with the agrotechnical methods, as well as to identify the SOM stability depending on management and climatic conditions. For this purpose, soil samples from eight long-term field experiments with different soil management and cultivation systems (conventional tillage vs. no-tillage; mineral vs. organic fertilization; management with and without catch crop; arable land vs. grassland; and cultivated vs. noncultivated soils) will be investigated. Field experiments will include trials of increasing duration:20-year (Lithuania); 26-year (Italy); 30-year (Poland, Ireland); 46-year (Poland); 54-year (Lithuania); 100-year (Poland) and 178-year Broadbalk experiment (UK). Experiments will be also conducted on production fields, where, apart from most innovative cultivation methods, additives stimulating the root growth and at the same time providing very stable C will be applied (commercial humic products, biochar and biogas digestate),. The effects of these additives on the SOM content and properties will be investigated in plots of the long-term field experiments, as well as incubation studies on microbial decomposition of SOM and these additives. Parallel to soil sampling, plant productivity will be measured in all field experiments. Basic soil properties (texture; pH; TOC; TC; TN; TP; CEC; acidity; plant-available P,K, Mg)will be supplemented by the following investigations based on the state-of-the-art approaches: composition and stability of SOM by Py-GC-MS; aggregate size classes and C pools of increasing physico-chemical protection; microbiological properties (community level physiological profiling, selected functional genes involved in C and N cycles, microbiome and mycobiome analyses via next generation sequencing, genetic diversity using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism); analysis of δ13C and δ15N of the separated SOM pools; enzymatic activity; soil water retention and soil water repellence; mineral composition of clay fraction; soil structure stability. The most resistant SOM pools (humin) will be isolated by different methods (extraction vs. separation in stable state) and examined for chemical composition and structure, using spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques (mass spectrometry, NMR, FTIR, EPR, UV-Vis NIR, fluorescence). The C stocks in soil will be evaluated and cold water extractable C will be determined to assess the potential C leaching and microbial availability. CO2 emissions from soil will be measured directly under field conditions. The conducted research will allow to broaden the knowledge towards a better understanding of SOM transformation processes, with particular emphasis on the formation of pools most resistant microbial decomposition. A closer understanding of the SOC persistence in topsoil and subsoil, as well as identifying site and climate specific management practices contribute to minimizing greenhouse gas emissions will show the possibilities to increase the stable SOM pools, thus improving potential of C sequestration. The results obtained will be considered to link the humanistic/legal/socio-economic dimension of bringing natural sciences knowledge into the policy.

Project implementation period: 2012-2016

Principal Investigator: Łukasz Uzarowicz

Budget: 149 640 PLN

Funding: NCN, SONATA 2, project no. 2011/03/D/ST10/04599

Project overview

Technogenic soils (Technosols) develop from diverse industrial wastes. They form, among others, on surfaces of fly ash and slag landfills, which are deposited as a result of coal combustion in power plants and electro-heat power plants. The development of such soils takes place, in particular, on the surfaces of landfills, which were reclaimed or were covered by plants due to natural succession. These soils, despite their technogenic origin, undergo natural soil-forming and weathering processes. This, in turn, induce to carry out basic research concerning the functioning of these soils in the environment.

The main goal of the project was to carry out basic research in order to examine natural functioning of technogenic soils (Technosols) developed from wastes (e.g. fly ash and slag) generated by coal power plants in the process of hard coal and lignite combustion. The studies focused on determination of the rate of soil development, the direction of weathering and soil-forming processes, the dynamics of chemical alterations and mineral transformations in soils, as well as the assessment of degree of contamination by trace elements and their mobility.

In order to attain the goals determined, several study areas were selected in Poland. The landfills of coal combustion wastes differing in age and representing wastes generated both by hard coal and lignite combustion were examined in the vicinity of Polish power plants (e.g. Pątnów–Adamów –Konin power plant, Bełchatów power plant, Kozienice power plant, Łaziska power plant, and the selected municipal electro-heat power stations). The investigations planned included “fresh” wastes (fly ash and slag) taken immediately after the coal combustion, young soils developed on landfills, as well as soils which overgrown several dozen of years ago. The approach allowed to determine the dynamics of weathering of concerning coal combustion wastes and soils developed from these wastes.

The proposed project required the combination of methods used in soil sciences and mineralogy, which will allow to obtain of interesting results. Basic properties, which constituteed a background for further investigation, were analyzed based on both “fresh” waste and soil samples taken from soil profiles. The investigation focused on determination of mineral transformations occurring in soils along with development of soil profiles. Mineral transformations are one of the most important aspects of functioning of initial soils developed on industrial wastes. Alterations of well crystallized and poorly crystalline mineral phases occurring in clay fraction of soils were studied. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) method, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS) method, analyses in scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were applied in mineralogical study. Chemical alterations occurring in the soils were also examined, as well as micromorphological study of soils were performed.

The studies proposed allowed to answer the following questions:

• how does the degree of development of soil profiles developed on coal combustion waste landfills covered with plants advanced change?
• how does physical and chemical properties of soils change along with increasing degree of development of soil-forming processes and which are directions of that change?
• which mineral transformations occur in the soils on coal combustion waste landfills and which are the mechanisms and directions of transformations?
• what is the degree of contamination of soils by trace elements (e.g. Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, and U) and how do the forms of occurrence of trace elements change along with the increasing degree of advancement of soil-forming processes?

The proposed project may extend the knowledge about the dynamics of soil-forming and weathering processes occurring in soils developed on coal combustion waste landfills. The proposed project is in good accordance with a research stream aiming at elaboration of scientific basis for the action strategy in the areas degraded by human industrial activity.