Barbara Futa

Understanding how different pools of sediment organic carbon (OC) are associated with trace metals is essential for interpreting biogeochemical processes in small freshwater ecosystems. This study examines spatial and interannual patterns of total organic carbon (TOC), water-extractable organic carbon (WEOC), and cadmium (Cd) in sediments collected from streams, natural ponds, and drying ditches across three contrasting regions of Lithuania during 2022–2024. TOC and WEOC exhibited pronounced spatial gradients and a marked increase in 2023, while Cd showed a similar but more moderate temporal response. Correlation analysis, principal component analysis, regression modelling, and structural equation modelling consistently indicated that WEOC is more strongly associated with sediment Cd concentrations than bulk TOC. The results suggest that TOC influences Cd distribution primarily indirectly, through its control on the water-extractable OC pool. Multivariate analyses revealed a dominant organic–metal association gradient shared by TOC, WEOC, and Cd, as well as a secondary axis reflecting partial geochemical independence of Cd. These findings highlight the functional relevance of WEOC as an interface between sediment organic matter and Cd accumulation in small freshwater systems. Incorporating WEOC into sediment monitoring may improve interpretation of trace-metal patterns under conditions of hydrological variability.

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of grazing native sheep breeds on soil condition. Methods: The study was conducted on soils of xerothermic grasslands in eastern Poland, within four Natura 2000 sites: Ostoja Nadbużańska PLH140011, Zachodniowołyńska Dolina Bugu PLH060035, Stawska Góra PLH060018 and Kąty PLH060010. Soil samples were collected over three years, twice annually: before and after grazing. The intensity of biochemical N transformations was determined based on the activity of nitrogen cycle enzymes, i.e. urease (UrA) and proteases (PrA), as well as N resources (total N, ammonium N and nitrate N) in soils under conditions of extensive sheep grazing. Results: In the soils of all studied habitats, a beneficial effect of extensive sheep grazing on the activity of soil enzymes, the content of total N and mineral forms of N was found. A noticeable improvement in the soil’s biochemical condition was observed in the habitat, which had been subjected to continuous sheep grazing since 2008. The soil of the grazed site was characterized by two times higher PrA and four times higher UrA than the soil of wastelands. Still, long-term studies are needed to investigate better enzyme activity changes and N content fluctuations.

Climate-driven hydrological changes are transforming river valleys, particularly floodplain lakes (FLs). Increasingly prolonged droughts and reduced flooding are causing the desiccation of oxbow and floodplain lakes, leading to the conversion of aquatic sediments into soils. This study investigates both the quantity and quality of carbon in these environments by analysing submerged sediments and sediments transformed into soils in small FLs of the Middle Vistula Valley (central Poland). Samples from eight FLs, representing both submerged and desiccated zones, were analysed for total organic carbon (TOC), humic substances (HSs), fulvic acids (FAs), humic acids (HAs), and carbonates (CaCO₃). The TOC content averaged about 40 g kg⁻¹ in both sediments and soils, indicating considerable carbon storage. However, the proportion of FA and HA was low (3–4 g kg⁻¹, or 12–15% of TOC), suggesting a low degree of humification and a predominance of labile, easily degradable organic compounds susceptible to microbial mineralization and CO₂ emission. CaCO₃ content was also low (2 release. These findings confirm that drying FLs represent transitional systems and may shift from carbon sinks to carbon sources under ongoing climatic change. They also emphasize the need for more focused research on these, until now, underestimated ecosystems.

Fallow deer are animals kept on large-scale pastures, which influence soil properties, including the content of nutrients in the soil and the flow of these nutrients in the soil–plant–animal system. Therefore, the aim of this case study was to analyze the variability in the macronutrient content and biochemical properties of soil under rotational grazing conditions of farmed fallow deer. Fallow deer grazed in two summer pens from April to November, and in the winter pen from December to March. The analyses included the determination of several soil parameters to capture sensitive soil changes and assess potential degradation of the soil environment in response to grazing: pH_KCl, TOC, TN, N-NO₃, N-NH₄⁺, total (P, K, Mg, Ca, and Na) and available (Pav, Kav, Mgav) forms of macronutrients, and selected soil enzymes (dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase, and urease). The results showed that the pH_KCl in the plots used by farm fallow deer was lower than in the soil of the control object. Moreover, the TN and TOC content in the soils of all pastures was statistically significantly lower than in the soil without grazing, while for TOC, the same effect was observed in the winter pasture soil. The content of N-NO₃⁻ was several times higher than that of N-NH₄⁺ in the soils of the studied breeding plots. The relationships noted indicate that grazing is important in the transformation of soil organic matter, which is influenced by the relationship between carbon and nitrogen. In addition, the grazing of farmed fallow deer had a negative effect on the content of P in the soils of all pastures and a positive impact on the accumulation of K. Winter grazing had a positive effect on the amount of Pav and Kav in the soil, but a negative effect on the content of Mgav, compared to grazing in the summer quarters. In the plots used for pastures, the activity of soil enzymes was higher than in the control soil. It has been shown that the influence of fallow deer farming on the soil environment of pastures is not unequivocal. Therefore, long-term monitoring of changes in the properties of these soils is necessary.

Agriculture has always resulted from available technology and the necessity to secure humanity’s food needs. In recent decades, a third factor has been recognized in this system—the environment. For centuries, a side effect of agricultural development has been environmental pollution and the uncontrolled use of natural resources. New legislation is being introduced worldwide to protect the environment and move towards a sustainable economy. An example is the EU Green Deal, aimed at making Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent. An integral part of this strategy is sustainable agriculture, based on a balanced use of resources, recycling, ecological practices and the latest technological solutions. It is also important to change the perception of soil and recognize its pivotal role in agricultural development and ensuring food security. Soil is a non-renewable natural resource; without healthy soil, no sustainable agriculture can exist. For this reason, this paper summarizes recent trends in the development of sustainable agriculture from the perspective of soil management and conservation. It includes a summary of nanomaterial use, organic farming, soil health, precision agriculture, and threats and challenges to soil sustainability posed by climate change. We conclude that despite the rapid and extensive development of agricultural solutions striving to protect the environment and increase soil productivity, measures are still lacking that will allow agriculture to maintain adequate efficiency while fully protecting the environment, especially in developing countries.

One way to manage sewage sludge, which is consistent with the assumptions of the European Green Deal, is to use it in agriculture. The study focused on the possibility of using soil enzyme activity and the GMea index (the geometric mean of enzyme activities) in connection with the total organic carbon (TOC) and the total nitrogen (TN) content to assess the quality of fallow light soil after exogenous organic matter (EOM) fertilization. Exogenous organic matter in the form of stabilized municipal sewage sludge was introduced into the soil. The experiment included five variants: one control site and four sites with 30, 75, 150, and 300 Mg ha⁻¹ of sewage sludge added to the soil. The contents of TOC, TN and heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) in the soil material were assayed. In addition, the activity of soil enzymes, i.e., neutral phosphatase, urease, protease and dehydrogenase, was examined, and the geometric mean of the enzyme activities (GMea index) was calculated. Fertilization of light soil with sewage sludge resulted in an increase in TOC and TN proportionally to the EOM dose. The addition of sewage sludge increased the content of tested heavy metals in the soil and did not exceed the levels considered acceptable. The introduction of sewage sludge contributed to the stimulation of biological life in the soil. This was evidenced by an intensification of soil enzyme activity. However, individual enzymes showed a different response to EOM fertilization, while GMea showed a significant increase in the quality of the fallowed soils as the EOM rate increased to 150 Mg ha⁻¹.

This study investigates the role and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in the electric power industry through a thematic analysis of corporate communications. As AI technologies proliferate, industries—such as the electric power industry—are undergoing significant transformations. The research problem addressed in this study involves understanding how electric power companies perceive, adopt, and implement AI, as well as the implications of these developments. By employing a qualitative thematic analysis approach, we examined a corpus of corporate communications from innovation leaders, including annual reports and sustainability reports, in the electric power sector. The data spanned 2020 to 2023, capturing a crucial period of AI integration in the industry. Our analysis reveals several key findings. Firstly, there is a clear trend toward increased utilization of AI in various facets of the electric power sector, including grid management, predictive maintenance, and customer service. Companies actively invest in AI technologies to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service quality. Secondly, the corporate discourse has shifted significantly, with companies emphasizing AI’s role in sustainability efforts. Moreover, our analysis identified challenges and concerns associated with AI adoption in the electric power industry. In conclusion, the thematic analysis of corporate communications provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of AI in the electric power industry. The findings underscore the transformative potential of AI technologies, highlighting opportunities for enhanced efficiency and sustainability. However, they also emphasize addressing challenges to ensure responsible and beneficial AI integration. This study contributes to the growing literature on AI in industries, offering practical implications for electric power companies, policymakers, and stakeholders navigating the AI-driven future of the sector.

Most studies of?agroforestry system biodiversity focus on?assessing visible, aboveground biodiversity, largely ignoring soil biodiversity. To?fill this gap, a?preliminary assessment of?soil biodiversity in?an agroforestry system was undertaken...

This work attempts to find the reasons for the rather limited range of occurrence of Cheilotoma musciformis in Poland, based on soil properties, which affects both the plant cover and the entomofauna. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of soil enzyme activity on the occurrence of Ch. musciformis in xerothermic grasslands in Southern Poland. The sites inhabited by the beetle were most often extensively grazed by farm animals or had recently been cleared of bushes. The control plots were in wasteland. The soils of most sites with Ch. musciformis were characterized by significantly higher activity of the tested enzymes and higher content of total organic carbon and total nitrogen, as well as lower pHKCl compared to the control sites. The higher enzymatic activity of soils in sites with the beetle than in the control sites may indicate the dependence of the occurrence of this beetle on the presence of patches of extensively grazed xerothermic grasslands. Grazing influences the behavior of preferred host plant species. Therefore, when planning active protection of xerothermic grasslands inhabited by Ch. musciformis, changes in the biochemical properties of the soil and vegetation structure should be taken into account.

Organic farming is system with a growing interest worldwide. The objective of this paper was an assessment of the after-effects of perennial cultivation of spring barley, oats, and red clover in both conventional and organic systems on the chemical properties, enzymatic activity, and potential...