Aleksandra Ukalska - Jaruga

Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation · Department of Soil Science and Land Protection

The excessive use of synthetic pesticides has not only resulted in increased resistance among weeds and pests, leading to significant economic loss but has also raised serious health and environmental concerns. In line with the European Green Deal 2030, and its Farm to Fork strategy, a 50% reduction of chemical pesticide is aimed by 2030, promoting...

This research aimed to use the cause-and-effect diagram (model) as a method to describe the 15 main factors (for example, awareness, knowledge and motivation of farmers, farmers income, institutional and financial support, condition of the natural environment, healthiness of the population, etc.) leading to soil acidification, their impact on soil...

Zrównoważone gospodarowanie glebami użytkowanymi rolniczo ma kluczowe znaczenie dla poprawy ich zdrowia, zwiększenia bezpieczeństwa żywnościowego, ilości i jakości wód powierzchniowych i gruntowych, gromadzenia węgla organicznego oraz poprawy stanu różnorodności biologicznej. Przyczynia się także do łagodzenia zmian klimatu i przystosowania się rol...

Citation: Futa, B.; Ukalska-Jaruga, A.; Tajchman, K.; Janiszewski, P.; Pecio, M.

Celem pracy jest przedstawienie podziałów mad użytkowanych rolniczo, analiza udziału tych gleb w rolniczej przestrzeni produkcyjnej i funkcji jakie pełnią na użytkach rolnych. Publikacja zawiera także charakterystykę niektórych właściwości fizyczno‒chemicznych tych gleb w podziale na kategorie agronomiczne oraz kategorie użytków gruntowych. W artyk...

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in agricultural soils is a pivotal indicator of soil carbon response to management practices, facilitating substance transport, energy transfer, and information exchange. Despite its importance, there is limited understanding of the global impact of these practices on the magnitude, drivers, and functionality of soil...

This chapter focuses on the history of soil protection in the EU, the state of pollutants in soils and recent visions adopted by the European Commission to decrease contamination level to rich healthy soils. The EU involvement in soil protection has lasted for several decades. Throughout these years many political actions, visions, strategies, dire...

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the specialization of agricultural production on selected parameters of soil health, i.e., soil organic carbon content (SOC), soil acidification, soil nutrient status, i.e., total nitrogen content (NT), available forms of phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium, and microelements content, as well as the...

Humin (HUM) is the most stable fraction of the soil organic matter, whose properties determine the soil health and sustainable development of agroecosystems. The aim of the paper was to determine changes in the properties of the HUM after interaction with selected pesticides, which can be visualized using photoluminescence methods. The HUM was isol...

The purpose of the research was to determine the molecular properties of humin (HUM) determined by elemental composition, as well as spectroscopic 13 C Magic Angle Splitting Cross Polarisation Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13 C MAS CP NMR), Fourier transformed infrared, electron paramagnetic resonance and scanning electron microscope energy-dispersiv...

The purpose of the research was to determine the molecular properties of humin (HUM) determined by elemental composition, as well as spectroscopic 13 C Magic Angle Splitting Cross Polarisation Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13 C MAS CP NMR), Fourier transformed infrared, electron paramagnetic resonance and scanning electron microscope energy-dispersiv...

The aim of the work was to investigate the interactions between selected plant protection products and the humin fraction (HM), which is the most recalcitrant component of soil organic matter. The soil material (n = 5) used for the study was collected from the mollic horizon of two Chernozems differed in physicochemical properties. HM was obtained...

Simple Summary The rapidly growing antlers of farmed fallow deer (Dama dama) reflect the composition of their diet, and furthermore, the risk of toxic substances. The concentration of eight potentially toxic elements, PTE (Cd, Pb, As, Ba, Ni, Sr, La, Ce), was examined in the proximal, middle, and distal positions of the antlers and in the winter fo...

The constant influx of pesticides into soils is a key environmental issue in terms of their potential retention in the soil, thus reducing their negative impact on the environment. Soil organic matter (SOM) is an important factor influencing the environmental fate of these substances. Therefore, the aim of this research was to assess the chemical b...

Recycling of solid biowaste and manure would reduce the dependence of agriculture on synthetic products. Most of the available studies on the effects of exogenous organic matter (EOM) application to soil were focused on nutrients and crop yield, with much less attention to microbiological processes in soil, especially using modern molecular methods...

It has been shown that some species of birds, especially herbivorous and territorial ones, are more sensitive to the effects of toxic substances compared to mammals. This allows for taking integrated actions in the area of environmental protection and monitoring in a holistic sense (at various trophic levels). Therefore, this study aimed to assess...

Extensive breeding of farmed cervids, similarly to other livestock, affects the vegetation of grasslands in different seasons. For this reason, the impact of the rotational grazing of fallow deer on the chemical and species composition of the pasture sward was assessed, along with the possibility of using these animals for grasslands conservation....

Soil organic matter (SOM) and its heterogeneous nature constitutes the main factor determining the fate and transformation of organic chemicals (OCs). Thus, the aim of thus research was to analyze the influence of the molecular chemodiversity of a stable SOM (S-SOM) on the sorption potential of different groups of OCs (organochloride pesticides—OCP...

The mineral content of the antlers reflects the nutritional status and specific stage of bone growth in cervid males. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the concentration of Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, Li, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se and Mo in three characteristic antler positions selected based on the observation of fights between males. These were com...

Visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (VIS-NIRS) is a fast and simple method increasingly used in soil science. This study aimed to investigate VIS-NIRS applicability to predict soil black carbon (BC) content and the method’s suitability for rapid BC-level screening. Forty-three soil samples were collected in an agricultural area remaining under s...

An adequate supply of essential nutrients is particularly important during the skeletal growth and development of young deer, especially in males, who build new antlers each year. The aim of the research was to analyze the levels of 21 mineral elements (including the bulk elements: Ca, P, Mg, K, Na; trace elements: Li, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo; a...

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) tend to accumulate in the sediment due to their high hydrophobicity. Despite PAHs have been the subject of several reviews, PAH sorption processes in bottom sediments has not been comprehensively discussed. Understanding the dependencies governing PAH sorption processes will allow to predict, monitor, and mit...

The content of organic matter affects the quality and productivity of agricultural soils. Due to the shortage of manure as the basic source of organic matter for agricultural soils, alternative and commonly available exogenous sources of organic matter, such as sewage sludge and bottom sediments, are taken into account. The aim of the study was to...

Realizacja w ramach tematu statutowego 2.41/1.03 IUNG-PIB. „Ocena skutków środowiskowych wykorzystania egzogennych źródeł materii organicznej w rolnictwie

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of soil amendments, characterized by different sorption properties, on the effectiveness of trace elements’ (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr) stabilization and bioavailability to earthworms. The study was conducted as a microcosm experiment using soil derived from a heavily contaminated post-industrial area...

Humic substances (HS) are the most important natural biostimulant of plants. However, the relationship between their structure and biological activity in plants is still not well recognized. The objective of this paper was to assess the influence of molecular fractions of humic acids (HA) (HA < 30 kDa and HA > 30 kDa) on reducing negative effects o...

Humic substances, including humin fraction, play a key role in the fate of organic and inorganic xenobiotics contaminating the environment. Humin is an important fraction of humic substances, which has been the least studied to date. This is due to the difficulties connected with its isolation that pose a number of methodological problems. Methods...

Abstract Background The cells of the entire body, including the skeletal system, especially of young animals, may derive from the bone marrow in which they multiply. Therefore, it is important to assess whether the diet and quality of life of deer have a significant impact on the elemental composition of bone and bone marrow, which can directly aff...

Humic substances, including humin fraction , play a key role in the fate of organic and inorganic xenobiotics contaminating the environment. Humin is an important fraction of humic substances, which has been the least studied to date. This is due to the difficulties connected with its isolation that pose a number of methodological problems. Methods...

The objective of this paper was to investigate the molecular characterization of soil organic matter fractions (humic substances (HS): fulvic acids-FAs, humic acids-HAs, and humins-HNs), which are the most reactive soil components. A wide spectrum of spectroscopic (UV–VIS and VIS–nearIR), as well as electrochemical (zeta potential, particle size di...

Purpose The aims of the study were to investigate the interaction between fractions of organic matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in bottom sediments and to use mussels as passive biomonitors and consensus-based sediment quality guidelines for ecological risk assessment in sediments. Methods Bottom sediment samples were taken from...

The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of toxic elements accumulated in the bone marrow and bones (Cervus elaphus). The studies were carried out on two groups of young stags: farmed (n = 6) and wild (n = 9). Their body weights were measured and bone and bone marrow samples were collected. The concentrations of toxic elements were...

Fungi have increased tolerance to environmental stress (also related to the access of pollutants, e.g., trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs). The aim of the study was to evaluate the mycobiome and functional diversity of fungi in long-term crude-oil contaminated soils as the potential bioremediators of oil contaminated sites. S...

Application of exogenous organic matter (EOM) to soil enriches it with micro-and macro-elements necessary for the proper growth and yield of crops. One of these elements is nitrogen, which is a major nutrient affecting crop production worldwide. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the impact of various EOM treatments (with and without min...

In many areas, organic crop production systems have been shown to contribute to maintaining good soil condition. The organic production system has been recommended as an alternative to conventional agriculture. However, in order to recommend this practice in new regions, it is necessary to obtain information about its effects and consequences in lo...

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exhibit persistence in soils, and most of them are potentially mutagenic/carcinogenic and teratogenic for human beings but also influence the growth and development of soil organisms. The PAHs emitted into the atmosphere are ultimately deposited (by dry or wet deposition processes) onto the soil surface where...

The aim of this study was to identify and examine the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soil collected from the surroundings of historical pesticide storage facilities on former agricultural aerodromes, warehouses, and pesticide distribution sites located in...

The aim of this study was to identify and examine the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soil collected from the surroundings of historical pesticide storage facilities on former agricultural aerodromes, warehouses, and pesticide distribution sites located in...

Purpose The aim of the research was to assess the effect of biochar addition on aging, degradation, and sorption processes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to soil organic matter. The study was carried out as a sorption experiment in strictly controlled water and air conditions, which allowed for the accurate observation and prediction of...

Pesticides belong to a group of xenobiotics harmful to humans and wildlife, whose fate and activity depends on their susceptibility to degradation. Therefore, the monitoring of their residue level in agricultural soils is very important because it provides very valuable information on the actual level of soil contamination and environmental risk re...

Different individual soil parameters or simple indices are widely used in soil quality evaluation, but this approach has many limitations. The aim of the study was to determine an integrated soil quality index in agricultural soils as affected by different levels of anthropopressure. The soil quality index was calculated through: the selection of t...

The objective of this study was to investigate differences in organic matter fractions, such as dissolved organic carbon and humic substances, in soils under different land uses. Soil samples were collected from the upper layer of arable lands and grasslands. Humic substances (HS) were chemically fractionated into fulvic acids (FA), humic acids (HA...

Purpose The objective of this study was to evaluate the mutual relations between the soil organic matter (SOM) fractions: fulvic acids (FA), humic acids (HA), humins (HN), black carbon (BC) and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) accumulation level in agricultural soils influenced by historical and actual anthropopressure. The research allow...

Due to the indisputable significance of humus in many biochemical processes as well as its increasing deficit particularly in light soils, alternative sources of substrates for the reproduction of this constituent should be sought. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of wheat straw and wheat straw biochar (in four rates...

Soil contamination with petroleum, especially in the area of oil wells, is a serious environmental problem. Restoring soil subjected to long-term pollution to its original state is very difficult. Under such conditions, unique bacterial communities develop in the soil that are adapted to the contaminated conditions. Analysis of the structure and fu...

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the mutual relations between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) originated from atmospheric emissions and enzymatic activity and humic substances in soils at differently urbanized area, on an example of the Lublin city, east Poland. Materials and methods The chosen areas represented three differe...

Purpose Structural studies on fulvic acids (FAs) are of significant importance since FAs are involved in many environmentally important processes, such as adsorption and transportation of nutrients, trace elements, and organic pollutants. Interactions between suspended and dissolved soil components are controlled by a variety of attractive and repu...

Changes in the content of (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) PAHs and transformation of humic substances during composting of maize straw with sewage sludge and biochar amendment were investigated. Biochar was applied as an agent for improving physical and chemical properties of the composting mix. The composting process has lasted 140 d and was ca...

The aim of the study was to evaluate functional and structural diversity of bacteria in soils long term contaminated with crude oil and also to identify the main groups of bacteria that could be indicators of changes in the soil under the influence of pollution. The significant differences of bacterial community structure between soils were obtaine...

Ocena profilu metabolicznego gleby (community level physiological profiles – CLPP) jest jedną z metod wykorzystywanych w badaniach różnorodności funkcjonalnej zespołów mikroorganizmów pod wpływem różnych czynników biotycznych i abiotycznych. Ocenę tę przeprowadzono przy użyciu systemu Biolog (EcoPlate). Płytki Biolog EcoPlates to 96- dołkowe mikrop...

The level of 16PAH accumulation was determined in 75 soil samples collected from two agricultural regions of Poland corresponding to the smallest Polish administrative unit at the LAU 2 level. Both regions are characterised by similar territory and soil cover but different history of pollution and different pressure of anthropogenic factors. Overal...

Abstrakt: Materia organiczna (MO) stanowi główny składnik gleb, który wpływa na procesy związane z przemianami trwałych zanieczyszczeń organicznych (TZO). Przebieg tych procesów zależy od czynników glebowych i klimatycznych oraz właściwości związków. Podział zanieczyszczeń pomiędzy fazę stałą i ciekłą gleb, sorpcja/desorpcja, sekwestracja, starzeni...