The purpose of the studies was to assess environmental contamination alongside railway lines in the suburbs of Warsaw by determining the concentrations of selected heavy metals in surface layer of soil as well as moss (Pleurozium schreberi). The studies were conducted in the southern part of Warsaw (central Poland) in three sampling points: before the railway station, and after the station to the northbound. Soil and moss samples were taken from each of these sites at distances of 1, 10, 20 and 30 m from the railroad. Heavy metals were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The highest Cu, Zn, Ni, and Pb contents in soil were found 1 m from the railroad at each of the analyzed sites. pH was lowest at 30 m (sampling points A and B), and highest at 1 m whilst EC value was highest in sampling point A (near railway station). Maximum contents of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni) in Pleurozium schreberi moss were most often present in the direct proximity of the railroad tracks. ...
The aim of this article was to present the rules governing the waste management system (WMS) and identify the changes emerging as a result of new regulations being introduced by example of Wołomin commune. European, Polish and Czech regulations clearly indicate the value of the hierarchy of waste management (WM). A response to the amended law was the modification of the WMS in communes, including the Wołomin commune. Based on performed analysis and discussions, it can be stated that the municipal waste management system (MWMS) in the commune of Wołomin meets the requirements imposed by the legislator, works efficiently and positively influences the condition of the natural environment. In addition, the information obtained has been generalized and compared with the situation in the Czech Republic (CR). ...
