Inst. of Physics

We present the first results concerning interannual variations in concentrations of glucose and cellobiose, obtained through enzymatic hydrolysis of a-cellulose. The a-cellulose was extracted from late-wood of oak. The tree-ring chronologies, wood components and their physical and chemical properties provide information about the ecosystem in which the tree grew, and thus information regarding climate variability and the impact of human activity in the past. The large molecular size and insolubility make it difficult to determine precisely the chemical and physical properties of the intact cellulose polymer. Enzymatic hydrolysis is the principal method of degradation of cellulose. In this study the feasibility has been examined of characterizing a-cellulose through analysis by mass spectrometry (MS) of the degradation products from hydrolysis. Degradation of acellulose was possible without using alkaline or acid buffers. Analysis by MS provided the opportunity to obtain information on the biodegradation of saccharides. The presence of cellobiose and glucose in the degradation product was evidenced by the mass spectra. We have compared the abundances of these glucose and cellobiose ions with carbon isotope ratios, the efficiency of extraction of a-cellulose from the wood and tree-ring width indices. The challenge is to establish, with respect to climate changes and environmental conditions, the significance of the variations from one year to another in the observed abundances of glucose and cellobiose ions.

We present the first results of the quantitative and qualitative gas chromatographic and isotope ratio mass spectrometric analysis of monosaccharides derived from acid hydrolysis of a-cellulose extracted from annual pine tree-rings. The conifers investigated in this study grew in the Niepolomice Forest in Poland, and the annual rings covered the time span from 1940 to 2000 AD. The main components of the a-cellulose samples were two saccharides: glucose and mannose. The amount of glucose in the annual rings varied between 17 and 44%. The d 13 C of glucose was found to be less negative than that of a-cellulose and the d 18 O values in glucose were less positive than those in a-cellulose. The content of monosaccharides in the a-cellulose samples has an influence on the isotope fractionation factors. The values of the carbon isotope fractionation factor increase with an increase in the monosaccharides concentration in a-cellulose, while the values of the oxygen isotope fractionation factor decrease with an increase in monosaccharides concentration in a-cellulose. The challenge is to establish, with respect to climate changes and environmental conditions, the significance of the interannual variations in the observed monosaccharide concentration.

We present the first analysis of the influence of climate change on carbon and oxygen isotope fractionation factors for two saccharides (glucose and cellulose) of pine wood. The conifers grew in the Niepolomice Forest in Poland and the annual rings covered a time span from 1935 to 2000 AD.

Abstract: Abstract: Abstract: Abstract: The distribution of stable isotopes (18O and 13C) and radiocarbon in organic mate- rials, carbonates and water samples collected from the environment of lacustrine sediments in Gosci¹¿ Lake (Central Poland) and Wigry Lake (NE Poland) were investigated. The oxygen and carbon isotopic analysis of terrestrial semi submerged and submerged plants, shells and water samples were compared

Abstrakt. W artykule przedstawiono wyniki pierwszych analiz składu pierwiastków deponowanych na powierzchni igieł rocznych pędów sosny przy pomocy skaningowego mikroskopu elektronowego wyposażonego w mikro-analizator składu pierwiastkowego próbki. Próbki pobrano w dwóch odległo-ściach od zakładów przemysłowych: 5 km i 10 km w styczniu i we wrześniu 2013 roku. Na powierzchni igieł zaobserwowano występowanie pierwiastków i związków chemicznych o charakterze wyspowym zawierających siarkę, aluminium , glin, krzem, żelazo, magnez, potas, wapń i tytan. Słowa kluczowe: Pinus sylvestris, pędy, SEM, zakłady azotowe Abstract. Reactions of Scots pine stands in the industrial area near chemical factory in Kędzierzyn-Koźle: scanning electron microscopic analysis of the needles surface. In this paper we present the results of the fi rst analysis of the elements deposited on the surface of pine needles using scanning electron microscopy equiped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy detector. Pine shoots were collected at two different distances from industrial plant 5 km and 10 km in January and September 2013. The presence of different elements and chemical compounds on the surface of the needles has insular character containing sulfur, aluminum, silicon, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and titanium.

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing in 16 sites in three industrial regions in Poland was analysed to delineate dendroclimatologically uniform areas. A dendrochronological and mass spectrometric analysis revealed the following: a dry and sunny previous September, low winter temperature , and moisture supply in July limit the radial growth of the pines in all the regions. The weather conditions of the current growing season have been the most strongly reflected in the isotopic ratio. Positive relationships were noted between δ 13 C and temperature and δ 13 C and sunshine. A negative relationship was observed between δ 13 C and precipitation and δ 13 C and humidity. At the same time, a positive relationship was noted between δ 18 O and sunshine and δ 18 O and temperature, but negative between δ 18 O and humidity. The climate signal recorded in the stable isotope composition was temporally unstable and only for a few of the climatic parameters did we find temporally stable climate signals. However, variability in the strength and direction of the relationships between variables has been observed. In general, the weather in July and August is important for determining the δ 13 C and δ 18 O signals. Instability can reflect the physiological adaptation of the plants to changes in the ecosystem.

This study reports the variation of tree-ring widths and annual variation of concentration of metals (Na, Mg, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb) in pine growing nearby chemical factories. The conifers (Pinus silvestris L.) investigated in this study covered the time span from 1920s to 2010 AD. Tree-ring widths were measured, dated and rechecked using the COFECHA. Radial trace-element profiles were determined by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. The combined usage of tree ring width and chemical composition of wood provides historic records of anthropogenic impact on the environment and allows identifying the behavior adaptation of trees to the pollution. Data of pine tree cores collected from the sites nearby chemical factories show increasing levels of pollution linked to the increasing of industrial activities in Poland and subsequent dust fallout around the site. This study evidences that tree rings can be used as archives of past environmental contamination.

The main aims of these studies were dendrochronological and mass spectrometric analysis of the impact of climate on tree rings width and stable isotopes composition in pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The conifers were growing in the vicinity of chemical and nitrogen factories in Kędzierzyn-Koźle (Poland) in the period of time from 1920s to 2012 AD. The combined usage of tree ring width and isotopic composition data provides historic records of the environment changes. These data allows identifying the behavior adaptation of pine growing under pollution stress to climate changes. The in-cremental rhythm of the studied pine populations was not identical, probably due to their different sensitivities to some climatic factors. This study evidences that the isotopic records in tree-rings α-cellulose may be sensitive bio-indicators of the way that the components of air and water may be changed by the trees in response to the climate changes and anthropogenic effects. The water use efficiency may be strongly correlated with variability of the surface temperature that may be due to increase of CO 2 emission.

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing in 16 sites in three industrial regions in Poland was analysed to delineate dendroclimatologically uniform areas. A dendrochronological and mass spectrometric analysis revealed the following: a dry and sunny previous September, low winter temperature , and moisture supply in July limit the radial growth of the pines in all the regions. The weather conditions of the current growing season have been the most strongly reflected in the isotopic ratio. Positive relationships were noted between δ 13 C and temperature and δ 13 C and sunshine. A negative relationship was observed between δ 13 C and precipitation and δ 13 C and humidity. At the same time, a positive relationship was noted between δ 18 O and sunshine and δ 18 O and temperature, but negative between δ 18 O and humidity. The climate signal recorded in the stable isotope composition was temporally unstable and only for a few of the climatic parameters did we find temporally stable climate signals. However, variability in the strength and direction of the relationships between variables has been observed. In general, the weather in July and August is important for determining the δ 13 C and δ 18 O signals. Instability can reflect the physiological adaptation of the plants to changes in the ecosystem.

In this paper we present data from the measurements of carbon isotopes (Δ14C and δ13C) from α-cellulose extracted from pine tree-rings. The samples were collected in four forests located in the most industrialized part of Poland, where coal mining and coal-based energy are an important branch of industry. The investigated period of time (1975–2012) covers the period of development in coal mining and other industry sectors. Stable isotope composition has been determined with using IRMS and radiocarbon concentration was determinate by AMS.

In this paper we present data from the measurements of carbon isotopes (Δ14C and δ13C) from α-cellulose extracted from pine tree-rings. The samples were collected in four forests located in the most industrialized part of Poland, where coal mining and coal-based energy are an important branch of industry. The investigated period of time (1975–2012) covers the period of development in coal mining and other industry sectors. Stable isotope composition has been determined with using IRMS and radiocarbon concentration was determinate by AMS.

ABSTRACTIn this paper, a record of the 14C and 13C isotope content of atmospheric CO2 for Gliwice is presented for samples collected on a weekly basis in the years 2011–2013. In addition, measurements were performed on the early and late wood from the annual rings of pine trees from five sites located 3–6 km from the atmospheric CO2 sampling point. The concentration of 14C in CO2 samples from the air was much lower relative to the concentration of this isotope in “clean air,” indicating a pronounce Suess effect, with a mean Δ14C lower by ca. 60‰ than Jungfraujoch data when the 15% of the highest differences are excluded, which leads to the FFCO2 estimate of 5.8%. In winter, the main source of fossil CO2 was fuel combustion, as confirmed by significant correlations with air pollutants. In the vegetation seasons, the Δ14C was highly variable due to biogenic influence and more variable winds. The isotopic results were also affected by an additional significant CO2 source for the Gliwic...

In this paper we present data from the measurements of carbon isotopes (Δ14C and δ13C) from α-cellulose extracted from pine tree-rings. The samples were collected in four forests located in the most industrialized part of Poland, where coal mining and coal-based energy are an important branch of industry. The investigated period of time (1975–2012) covers the period of development in coal mining and other industry sectors. Stable isotope composition has been determined with using IRMS and radiocarbon concentration was determinate by AMS.

ABSTRACTWe determined the chemical composition of pine needles to monitor environmental contamination in an urban forest environment in the most industrialized part of southern Poland. The concentrations of radiocarbon (14C), trace elements (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Ba, Ce, Pb) and the Pb isotope composition were measured in needles from Pinus sylvestris L. growing in nine urban forests near five factories. The investigated young pine needles were collected in January 2013 and September 2013, respectively. 14C concentration was determined by liquid scintillation counter, trace elemental concentration and Pb isotope ratio were determined by ICP-MS and MC-ICP-MS, respectively. Analysis of trace metal pollution is based on the assumption that element concentrations in tree foliage represent element availability in the environment. Different space-time patterns of element accumulation in pine needles were observed. The variation in isotopic composition reflects a mix between differen...

Southern Poland is home to numerous large mining and energy industry facilities, which consume relatively great amounts of fossil fuels. Temporal and spatial distribution of CO 2 emissions to the atmosphere were estimated on the basis of 13 C and 14 C isotope measurements in atmospheric CO 2 and in -cellulose from pine tree rings. The Suess effect was evaluated in the atmospheric CO 2 from the High Tatra Mountains (Kasprowy Wierch) and the urban area (Kraków), as well as in tree rings from Niepo≥omice Forest near Kraków. Two different models were used to estimate the emission component recorded in tree ring  13 C on the background of climatic changes.

New records of δ13C and Δ14C values in annual rings of pine and oak from different sites around the world were obtained with a time resolution of 1 yr. The results obtained for Europe (Poland), east Asia (Japan), and South America (Peru) are presented in this paper. The δ13C and radiocarbon concentration of α-cellulose from annual tree rings of pine and of the latewood of oak were measured by both accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and liquid scintillation spectrometry (LSC). The values of 14S, which represent decreasing 14C concentrations caused by the emission of CO2 from fossil fuel use (Suess effect; Suess 1955), were calculated for each site. Low average 14S (about −0.4 to 0.8%) values for clean areas and high values (about 3.4–3.6%) for industrial and/or urbanized areas were noted. Records of the δ13C values obtained for pine and oak from Poland were used to reconstruct climate changes during the last 400 yr. The results clearly indicate the climate cooling during the periods...