The research was conducted to determine the number and species composition of microorganisms isolated from the soils collected in the vicinity of seven largest transport nodes and roundabouts in Krakow. Moreover, the investigations aimed at verifying the differences in the occurrence and biodiversity of the researched microorganism population between four calendar seasons of the year. The soil samples were collected 4 times during the period from November 2013 to August 2014 and then analysed using serial dilutions method. A great microorganism biodiversity was found in the analysed samples. Microorganisms were the most numerous in the autumn-winter period. The most numerous isolated group were vegetative bacteria and ammonifiers. Filamentous fungi were less numerous, which may have been caused by the neutral or slightly alkaline soil pH. Presence of dormant bacteria forms may result from unfavourable environmental conditions caused by a toxic effect of the substances from road transport. Less numerously isolated were actinomycetes and Azotobacter bacteria, regarded as bioindicators of soil fertility. It was found, that the differences in the numbers of the analysed microorganisms over the year are statistically significant for the vegetative and ammonifying bacteria, phytopathogenic fungi and actinomycetes. No significant differences in the microorganism number were stated ...
One of the most frequently applied methods of mixed municipal solid waste biological treatment in mechanical-biological treatment installations (MBT) is their disposal in aerobic biostabilization process. The process comprises an intensive phase and maturation phase. The intensive phase relies on waste heating in result of organic matter breakdown conducted by microorganisms settling the wastes. Microorganisms living in wastes have optimal conditions for development, i.e. a considerable space volume, optimal material fragmentation and organic matter availability. The aim of the aerobic biostabilization process is stabilizing and hygienization of wastes, so that they become a valuable raw material for other recovery processes (e.g. RDF production) or their disposal is safe for the environment and do not pose any epidemiological hazard for people employed in waste treatment plants.Analyses presented in the paper aimed to determine the number and species composition of vegetative and endospore bacteria, mold fungi, actinomycetes and pathogenic microorganisms, i.e. Staphylococcus spp., E. coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., E. faecalis, C. perfringens, settling municipal wastes prior to and after aerobic stabilization process. The aerobic stabilization process (intensive phase) was conducted in a laboratory BKB 100 bioreactor using the wastes, characterized by low share of biodegradable wastes (<40 %), obtained from MBT ...
The aim of the study was to assess the microbiological air quality in three staircases of multifamily residential buildings. The study examined influence of season and air temperature on the abundance and biodiversity of microorganisms in the bioaerosol of stairwells. All studies were conducted using an impact method with the MAS-100 aerosol sampler (Merck). Concentrations of actinomycetes and staphylococci in both atmospheric air and selected stairwells exceeded norms. Season and air temperature have an impact on microbial concentrations in the air. The age of the building, light availability and ventilation conditions were also identified as potential factors influencing the concentration of specific microbial groups in the bioaerosol. ...
Air analysis was carried out in selected vegetable storage rooms to assess the level of contamination by indicator microorganisms - general bacteria, fungi, staphylococci and actinomycetes. The air quality inside the storage facilities was compared with the external environment (control points near the storage facilities). The analysis also included the physical factor of air pollution, the PM2.5 and PM10 dust fractions. The tests were carried out over eight months: before the start of vegetable storage in the storage facilities, at the beginning, during and at the end of this period. It was planned to verify the existence of a relationship between the concentration of microorganisms and the other variables being determined. Due to the lack of applicable standards, the determined numbers of microorganisms were referred to the reference values from legal acts withdrawn in 2015. The results regarding dust concentration were compared with the applicable Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 24 August 2012 and the air quality index of the Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection. As this study has shown, the environment of vegetable storage facilities is inhabited by potentially dangerous microorganisms, mainly mould fungi, and high dust levels, which raises doubts in the context of the ...
