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        <title>Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Feed</title>
        <link>https://sciendo.com/journal/OSZN</link>
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            <title>Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Feed</title>
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            <link>https://sciendo.com/journal/OSZN</link>
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        <copyright>All rights reserved 2026, National Research Institute, Institute of Environmental Protection</copyright>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Potential to use out-of-date food waste, including animal waste, to produce substrates for biogas plants — a comprehensive system]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2026-0003</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2026-0003</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

The problem of food waste is one of the most significant global problems that negatively affects many environmental elements. Out-of-date food products, particularly category III animal waste, contribute to this problem. The thermal treatment of these is different from the waste hierarchy. On the other hand, using agricultural products as substrates for biogas plants can reduce biodiversity in farming areas and is problematic due to seasonal fluctuations. This paper presents the practical possibility and potential of using out-of-date food waste, including category III animal waste, to produce an innovative substrate for biogas plants. Research has demonstrated the feasibility of using sterilization methods and available equipment to make a substrate for biogas plants based on expired category III animal waste and plant material. The study aimed to analyze basic physicochemical parameters, perform microbiological tests, conduct a model analysis in terms of biogas yield, and examine the methane potential of animal and plant substrate samples that had been previously subjected to radiation, UV radiation, and pasteurization processes. The results show that after converting 1 m3 of these substrates into electricity, the following values can be obtained: 80,41 kWh for the thermally sterilised sample, 210,24 kWh for the UV-sterilised sample, and 168,61 kWh for the radiation-sterilised sample, with a cogeneration engine efficiency of 40%. Establishing clusters of food producers and supermarkets would enable the construction of a network of such plants that produce substrates for biogas plants available throughout the year, based on the proposed technological line.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Ex situ plant conservation under international and national legislation in Poland]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2026-0002</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2026-0002</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

Plants constitute the foundation of life on Earth, providing oxygen, food, and ecosystem services essential for human well-being. At the same time, they are among the most threatened components of biodiversity, with current extinction rates estimated to be 100–1,000 times higher than natural background levels. Global and national assessments, including the Polish Red List, indicate that nearly 30% of vascular plant species in Poland are at risk of extinction. Crop wild relatives are of particular concern, as they represent a crucial reservoir of genetic diversity for breeding, climate resilience, and food security. Against this background, ex situ conservation has become an indispensable complement to in situ measures and, in many cases, the only viable option for safeguarding critically endangered taxa. It encompasses seed banks, botanical gardens, arboreta, and tissue culture collections, with an emphasis on maintaining genetic integrity, representativeness, and phytosanitary security of stored material. This article reviews the international and national legal frameworks that regulate plant biodiversity conservation and the management of plant genetic resources. It discusses the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Nagoya Protocol, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, as well as EU legislation and the Polish Nature Conservation Act. A distinction is drawn between plant conservation, understood as biodiversity-focused protection, and plant protection, defined primarily in a phytosanitary context. Practical mechanisms of plant material exchange, such as the International Plant Exchange Network and the Index Seminum, are also analyzed. The study concludes that the effective safeguarding of plant biodiversity in Poland requires coherent, multilayered governance that links international commitments with national policies and operational ex situ practices.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Community knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards plastic pollution in Pujada Bay, Philippines: Relevance for UNESCO world heritage site nomination]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2026-0001</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2026-0001</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

Pujada Bay is a marine biodiversity hotspot in the Philippines and has been declared one of the most beautiful bays in the world. It was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an extension of the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary. However, plastic pollution threatens this protected area and endangers marine life and local communities' livelihoods. This study evaluates public knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding microplastics and plastic pollution. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 366 respondents from four coastal barangays. The findings reveal that local communities exhibit a high level of knowledge about the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution and of local solutions. However, public understanding of the nature and sources of microplastics, as well as how they are generated by everyday consumer products, remains moderate. Respondents' attitudes toward plastic pollution showed strong feelings, with residents expressing deep environmental concern, support for policy measures, and a willingness to adopt sustainable practices. A knowledge-behaviour gap is evident, with moderate overall levels of practice in waste management, consumer choices, and lifestyle changes aimed at minimising plastic use. Socio-demographics, particularly education, gender, household size, and duration of residence, were associated with respondents' KAP. To bridge the gap between awareness and action, this study recommends targeted education, stronger community engagement, and improved waste management to protect the bay's cultural and ecological heritage.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Reviewers of the „Environmental Protection and Natural Resources” Vol. 36 No 1(103), 2(104), 3(105), 4(106), 2025]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0024</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0024</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Precipitation characteristics in the open-pit limestone mining area in Celiny near Kielce]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0022</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0022</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

Open-cast mining in the Świętokrzyskie region has a long history, and the role of this industry in Poland and worldwide can be seen from economic, social and environmental perspectives. This paper presents an analysis of the impact of the open-cut limestone mine in Celiny, near Kielce. Total atmospheric precipitation was used for the study, along with the chemical composition and microscopic structure of particulate matter deposited on the surface of the precipitation water filters. The study showed a relatively small level of dissolved substances in the precipitation, consisting mainly of calcium compounds and ions SO42−, Cl−, NO3−, and Mg2+. When depicted with a Quanta 250 FEI scanning electron microscope (SEM), the surface of the filters showed varying particle sizes, predominantly in the 20 – 50 μm range. Analysis using the EDAX Genesis analyser (EDS - energy-dispersive spectroscopy) showed mainly silicon and aluminium in their composition. Calcium, magnesium and iron were also present. Dust in the atmospheric air, especially in exceedingly high concentrations, can be dangerous for people and the natural environment. During the study period, no exceedances of the permissible standards for PM10 dust were found, although daily values exceeded the limit of 50 μg/m3 seven times.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Tolerance to sodium chloride in lettuce enhanced by potassium nitrate]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0023</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0023</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

Soil salinization poses a severe threat to modern agriculture and global food security. The salinity issue is exacerbated by warming, water shortage, and drought. Thus, it is critical to find ways to effectively mitigate salt stress. We studied the response of lettuce to salt stress and the application of nitrate as a mitigating agent in a pot experiment. To assess the size of treatment effect on plant health indicators in lettuce leaves, we used malondialdehyde (MDA) as a main stress marker; proline as an osmolyte, an antioxidant, and a protectant of protein-lipid complexes; and pigments. Soil salinization led to a decrease in lettuce leaves' weight by 21.4–34.3%, the Chl a content by 8.3–35.6%, the Chl b content by 32–51%, and the carotenoid content by 7.6–27%. Meanwhile, the MDA decreased to the control level for both 100 mM and 200 mM salinity levels as a result of 40 mM NO3− treatment. The MDA content increased by 40 and 104% compared to the control when plants were exposed to low-salt (100 mM) and double-salt (200 mM) stress, while increases in proline were 776% and 956%, respectively. A gradual increase in proline concentration was found depending on single (water, nitrate, salt) and mixed (salt and nitrate) treatments. Treatment of lettuce with potassium nitrate resulted in the return of chlorophyll a and b content to the control level, the concentration of carotenoids even exceeded the control level. We conclude that amendment of saline soil with potassium nitrate can alleviate NaCl stress via reducing oxidative stress and promoting the accumulation of protective, compatible solutes such as proline.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Models for Calculating Predicted Environmental Concentrations (PEC) of Pesticides in Surface Waters: Review, Selection Criteria, and Recommendations for Regulatory Applications]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0020</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0020</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

Accurate estimation of predicted environmental concentrations in surface waters (PECsw) is central to regulatory environmental risk assessment of plant protection products (PPPs). This review compiles and evaluates computational tools used to derive PECsw, based on the OECD overview of regulatory exposure models and expert appraisal. We synthesise each model’s conceptual design (entry routes via runoff/erosion, drainage, spray drift, atmospheric deposition), hydrological and water-body representations, mandatory inputs, and tiering suitability. Cross-model comparison highlights that parameterisation of sorption and degradation dominates PEC uncertainty; conservative inputs at lower tiers can overpredict exposure, necessitating higher-tier, scenario-realistic simulations. Good practices include documenting parameter sources, using “realistic worst case” scenarios, and reporting both initial and time-weighted PEC metrics. The review provides a clear description of the properties of calculation models and highlights their strengths and weaknesses.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Geospatial indicator analysis as a tool for managing urban blue-green infrastructure in cities]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0017</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0017</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

Sustainable urban management in the context of climate change requires effective tools to identify areas with reduced environmental resilience and implement blue-green infrastructure (BGI). This study focuses on developing an indicator-based spatial analysis method that enables precise identification of areas requiring adaptive measures and the selection of optimal nature-based solutions. The method relies on the use of indicators related to land sealing, urban heat island occurrence, accessibility to green spaces, biologically active areas, and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index to classify risks and determine intervention priorities necessary for effective blue-green infrastructure management in cities.
The research was conducted using Olsztyn, a Polish city, as a case study. The analysis results indicate significant spatial differences in vulnerability to the negative effects of climate change, highlighting the need to tailor BGI strategies to local conditions. The developed method not only supports adaptive management but also facilitates effective spatial planning that accounts for both ecosystem and social needs.
The application of indicators in BGI management enables more informed decision making regarding urban development, increasing cities' resilience to climate change while improving residents' quality of life. The study results emphasize the necessity of further developing analytical tools and integrating social participation in the planning process, which can contribute to the more effective implementation of adaptation strategies and the management of blue-green infrastructure in cities.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Improving Deterministic Air Quality Forecasts Using Supervised Machine Learning: A Feasibility Study]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0018</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0018</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential, methods, and benefits of applying supervised machine-learning techniques to enhance deterministic air quality forecasts. These forecasts are produced at the Institute of Environmental Protection–National Research Institute using a numerical grid-based model that solves a system of conservation equations describing atmospheric dynamics as well as pollutant transport and transformation. Four alternative machine-learning models were tested, yielding similar results. The outcomes indicate the possibility of achieving a near-perfect forecast at the locations of measurement stations. It also turns out that if the pollutant concentration values predicted by the deterministic model are not used as features in the machine-learning model, the quality of the final forecast drops drastically.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Implementation of climate change adaptation policy in the local spatial development plans in Warsaw: A case study]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0019</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0019</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

The purpose of this paper is to present how a city’s strategy to strengthen its resilience to climate change threats, as formulated in the Urban Adaptation Plan (UAP), is implemented in Local Spatial Development Plans (LSDPs), using Warsaw as a case study. The results of this exploratory study conducted in Warsaw show that the potential of local spatial planning for climate change adaptation is well utilised, and that LSDPs effectively implement the city’s strategy to strengthen its resilience to climate change threats, as formulated in the UAP for Warsaw. As the study is limited to the capital city, it would be interesting to examine how the situation looks in other major cities in Poland, using the current study’s results as a reference point. Considering that the policy-making process, including adaptation to climate change, may encounter cognitive, social, organisational/institutional, technological and financial barriers or constraints in nature, future research could include other research methods, such as monitoring the implementation of LSDPs provisions in urban space and interviews with spatial planners, municipal authorities, city residents and investors.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Erratum]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0021</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0021</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Evaluation of chemical composition and radioactivity of slags in terms of their potential for reuse for fertilizer purposes — a literature review]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0011</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0011</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

This article discusses the growing importance of using industrial waste, including furnace slag, in the production of agricultural fertilizer, recycling raw material for sustainable development and a closed-loop economy. Furnace slag, which is generated in coal combustion processes in industrial furnaces, is a valuable waste material, the yield of which depends on a number of factors, such as the type of fuel used, dust removal efficiency, and furnace type. In addition to furnace slag, other types of slag have been distinguished, such as metallurgical slags and those generated after burning municipal waste. Currently, the possibility of recovering metals from slags, especially steelmaking slags, and their use in processes such as cementing or geopolymerization is gaining importance. The potential use of these wastes as a fertilizer ingredient is also an important direction of management. Nonetheless, further research is needed concerning the safety of using these materials in agriculture, due to their high identified content of heavy metals and hazardous substances. Of great importance in terms of slag reuse is the monitoring of radioactivity parameters, especially in the context of slag’s potential use in fertilizers.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Evaluation of fly ash in terms of its suitability for fertilizer purposes by type of combustion and feedstock - literature review]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0012</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0012</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

Fly ash, as waste generated from the combustion of coal and other solid fuels, is an important topic in the context of a circular economy in any industry. There are many variables that affect the amount of waste generated, including the type and quality of fuel and the efficiency of dust collection systems. Statistics on the consumption of coal and lignite in Poland, as well as other sources of waste (such as municipal and sewage sludge) indicate a significant amount of fly ash produced.
According to the waste hierarchy, fly ash can be recycled or subjected to other recovery methods with the objective of using it as a sealing material, an ingredient in mortars and adhesives, and in geotechnics. For hazardous waste, the preferred recovery methods are cementation, geopolymerization and vitrification. The trace-element content of ash varies depending on the source and type of material burned. This is a key issue for determining the feasibility of further ash management.
Due to the content of macro- and micronutrients beneficial for plants and soil, fly ash can be used for fertilization purposes following the examination of its chemical properties, with particular attention to the concentration of heavy metals and other contaminants.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Renewables and Energy Efficiency: A Survey of Progress in Polish Towns]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0016</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0016</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

Climate change is an issue that demands action and cooperation from a range of stakeholders. Among the most significant solutions are RES (Renewable Energy Sources) and energy efficiency, including thermal insulation of buildings. Local governments are instrumental in this regard, as they oversee pivotal services that cater to the populace and further bolster favourable initiatives by business entities and individuals. The available literature on the subject is inconclusive, but there is a paucity of research on the role of small- and medium-sized towns (i.e. settlements with a population of up to 100,000 inhabitants) in climate change mitigation. The objective of this research is to evaluate the mitigation efforts of Polish towns in response to climate change and to identify the factors influencing these activities. This study utilised surveys administered to local government representatives (n = 101) to ascertain the correlation between various factors and the establishment of more ambitious targets for renewable energy (RES) development and improving energy efficiency. These include assistance from higher (regional or national) authorities (Pearson's r=0.2950) and participation of the town representatives in seminars and workshops (r=0.3055). The correlation between action for energy efficiency and the approach of higher authorities regarding energy efficiency is significant (r=0.5239). It is hypothesised that an increase in governance standards and financial support from higher levels of government may serve as a catalyst for enhanced climate action, leading to more successful outcomes.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Prediction of slagging potential of sewage sludge ash using Fu and AFI indices]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0014</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0014</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

The co-combustion of sewage sludge with coal offers environmental and operational benefits, but also presents significant challenges related to the slagging and fouling of heat exchanger surfaces. This study presents a comprehensive physicochemical characterisation of sewage sludge ash, focusing on chemical composition and ash fusion behaviour under oxidizing and semi-reducing conditions. Two empirical indices — the Fouling Index (Fu) and the Ash Fusibility Index (AFI) — were applied to assess slagging and fouling risks. The results indicate that Fu may underestimate slagging tendencies due to its omission of phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), which plays a critical role in lowering ash fusion temperatures. In contrast, AFI, based on direct measurement of ash behaviour, provides a more helpful assessment of operational risks. The study highlights the necessity of using fusion-based indices for accurate evaluation of alternative fuels like sewage sludge.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Research into the possibility of reusing fire-extinguishing powders and reducing laboratory waste during quality control]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0015</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0015</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

The study addresses the reutilization of fire-extinguishing powder in the context of circular economy principles. The aim of this study was to optimize the method for determining phosphate ions in order to minimize the amount of laboratory waste generated during the analysis of ammonium monophosphate (MAP) content according to ISO 7202. Comparative analysis was performed between the reference acid-base titration method and a spectrophotometric method. Optimization of the titration procedure encompassed refinement of sample preparation, adjustment of operational parameters and validation of measurement repeatability. Experimental results demonstrated that regenerated extinguishing powders, irrespective of raw material origin or applied regeneration process, conformed to all technical specifications of the PN-EN 615 standard. Implementation of this optimized methodology enables a measurable reduction in post-analysis waste. The proposed changes to the ISO 7202 standard are important for improving the organization's corporate standards in the fields of sustainability and ESG reporting.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Urban Noise Pollution and Local Mitigation Strategies: A Case Study of Lodz, Poland]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0013</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0013</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

The main objective of this article is to assess the impact of urban noise in central Lodz on residents' quality of life, and to identify grassroots solutions aimed at preventing and mitigating the effects of this noise pollution. In the empirical component, in addition to a review of scientific literature and strategic planning documents of the City of Lodz, a workshop-based study was conducted. The primary aim of this workshop was to develop proposals for counteracting the negative effects of urban noise. The workshop incorporated elements of the Design Thinking methodology and was divided into segments, allowing participants to better understand the issue of urban noise; systematize their knowledge on the topic; and engage in in-depth discussion. The study yielded worthwhile insights into the perceptions and experiences of residents and users of urban space in Lodz, and their engagement with the process of identifying problem areas represents a significant step toward building public awareness and support for initiatives to improve the acoustic quality of the environment. Future efforts to mitigate unwanted noise should focus on the development of effective grassroots noise reduction strategies (i.e., initiatives and measures developed by local communities) and on promoting public awareness about the importance of protecting the acoustic environment.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Reviewers of the „Environmental Protection and Natural Resources” Vol. 35 No 1(99), 2(100), 3(101), 4(102), 2024]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0010</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0010</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Antioxidant response of Lepidium sativum L. to oxidative stress induced by exposure to chosen heavy metals]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0003</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0003</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 23 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

Soil contamination with heavy metals is a significant concern, resulting in adverse effects on soil properties and limitations on both its productivity and its environmental capabilities. The aim of this study was to determine the response of Lepidium sativum L. to oxidative stress induced by the addition of zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) separately to the soil in which the plants were cultivated. The range of metal ion concentrations was determined in accordance with the soil quality standards set by the Ministry of Environmental Regulation (Dz.U.02.165.1359) on September 9, 2002. The quantity and activity of selected antioxidants belonging to enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems were then evaluated.
This study compared the antioxidant responses of the plant to different heavy metals. Based on the obtained results, it can be seen that heavy metal ions induced oxidative stress, which caused an activation of the antioxidant response system through the enhanced production of secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, and glutathione, as well as an increase in the activity of particular enzymes: catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), and glutathione transferase (GSTs). It can thus be concluded that in response to oxidative stress caused by Zn, Ni and Cu, L. sativum plants have evolved efficient enzymatic and non-enzymatic defence mechanisms to counteract the excessive production of reactive oxygen species. These responses allow plants to survive in adverse environmental conditions and help us evaluate whether the imposed standards influenced L. sativum’s metabolic changes.
]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Characteristics of the Cloud Liquid Water Content Profiles over Mosul, Iraq]]></title>
            <link>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0009</link>
            <guid>https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/oszn-2025-0009</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 23 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[

Cloud liquid water content (CLWC) is an economically and environmentally important topic related to precipitation and weather improvement. This research aims to investigate the characteristics of the vertical distribution of CLWC within the clouds over the city of Mosul, northern Iraq, the classification of clouds according to the CLWC, and the relationship of the CLWC to air temperature and relative humidity and amount of rain. The relationship between CLWC and temperature was nonlinear, where the liquid water content increases with decreasing temperatures. The relationship between CLWC and the relative humidity is a direct one, as the liquid water content increases with the relative humidity. Likewise, in the precipitation relationship with the CLWC, precipitation does not occur after the cloud produces a CLWC with more than 4 g.m−3.
]]></description>
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