Chair of Land Protection

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The scientific research of the Chair of Land Protection is conducted in the following areas:

1. Changes of the properties of the humus system depending on habitat and anthropogenic factors.

Humic substances are heterogenic mixtures, formed from various organic substances, which have been subject to humification with microorganisms in the presence of various physicochemical and chemical factors. The result of humification depends on the composition of organic substances, the quantity and quality of microorganisms, humidity, and temperature and the pH of the soil environment.

Humic substances formed in different environmental conditions are important factors that determine the circulation of their components, as well as soil profiles. They are characterized by different mobility and reactivity which correlate with their structure.

The chemical properties of soils formed under the influence of different factors may determine the formation of various humus complexes with mineral substances (humates, fulvates, humic complex and adsorption organic-mineral compounds). 

These processes also play an important role in protecting the soil environment, because soils rich in organic matter are more resistant to industrial pollution and the effects of irrational chemicalization of agriculture.

The aim of the research is to study the impact of soil chemical and physicochemical indicators on the properties of compounds formed in them and various forms of organic-mineral complexes characterized by different soil stability, including the study of their structures using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (ESR) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

2. Research on the possibility of using organic waste as a source of external organic matter, macro- and micronutrients and its potential biological activity in plant production.

External organic matter plays a special role in the balance of soil organic matter, which is defined as all organic material, put into the soil in order to improve its quality or preserve its future production potential. Therefore, external organic matter includes a broad range of bio-waste, including sewage sludge. Its use can bring a lot of benefits to the soil environment. However, the agricultural use of these materials must take into account the control and possible reduction of contaminants and toxic components that may be introduced into the environment. Soils are characterized by high capacity for adsorption of external organic matter and its transformation leading to the synthesis of humic substances. The presence of inorganic and organic toxic components in external organic matter may be a barrier in its agricultural use. In the group of inorganic pollutants, the content of heavy metals, whose excessive presence in soil poses a potential threat to the environment, is of particular concern.

The aim of the research is to calculate the balance of the soil organic carbon, flow of the humification process, physicochemical, chemical and biological properties of soil and the impact of external organic matter on the quantity and quality of crop yields.

 3. Plant abiotic stress

Plants in the natural environment are exposed to various stress factors, the most dangerous of which are considered to be related to human activity, such as heavy metals or municipal and industrial waste. Excessive accumulation of these compounds in the soil environment disrupts the physiological and biochemical processes in plants.

Stress factors (abiotic and biotic) lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are very dangerous for cells. In order to reduce the damage caused by ROS, plants developed an antioxidant defence system. According to scientific research, humic substances are not only components of the soil, but also elements of various biologically active substances and factors inducing the course of biochemical processes in cells. Humic acids can have a direct and indirect impact on the growth and development of plants, including the formation of ROS. The indirect impact is associated with the improvement of soil properties such as aggregation, aeration, permeability, water storage, transport and biological availability of nutrients. The direct impact is related to the access of humic substances to plant tissues and the induction of various biochemical effects.

The structure of humic acids extracted from various materials is modified by the quality of the environment in which they arise. Humic acids may contain large amounts of free radical scavengers, the influence of which on the biosphere will contribute to the increase of resistance caused by biotic and abiotic stress.

The aim of the research is to assess the influence of foliar- and soil-applied humic acids on the metabolic activity of plants under conditions of abiotic stress (drought, high and low temperature, presence of heavy metals, etc.)

4. Sustainable development in crop production

The selection of varieties is an important element in determining the yields. It includes agricultural properties, such as: fertility, weight of 1,000 seeds, chemical composition of seeds, germination ability and disease resistance.  Cultivation of new varieties of plants can have a positive economic effect if the climatic conditions of a given region are taken into consideration. Poland’s climate and geographical conditions limit possible new varieties of plants originated in the EU to those already grown or tested in Poland.

The aim of the research is to assess the impact of a viable macro- and microelements fertilization system in new varieties plants cultivation on quantity and quality of the yield, as well as economic aspects as important elements of sustainable farming, and to select new varieties cultivators yielding well in Polish climatic conditions.

5.The impact of waste on the natural environment

Waste is an inseparable element of human and agricultural activity. The waste that is stored in landfills affects the natural environment elements: air, soil, water, plants and animals. In order to limit its negative impact on the environment, it is necessary to properly manage it. The main and most desirable direction of waste management is its composting and, as a result, environmental management. The natural management of compost made of waste is a method that allows to use its fertilizing properties. It is characterized by low costs, but its use is associated with limitations resulting from the chemical composition of waste. The aim of the research is to study of the possibility of using compost produced from municipal waste and seeds of trees and aquatic plants as cheap sorbents for petroleum pollutants and the production of organic fertilizers from biodegradable waste. The area of ​​research interest also includes the analysis of the content, migration rate and transformation of organic compounds (mainly aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons and PAHs) occurring in various components of the environment, as well as the quality of soils and bottom sediments, and the possibility of using weed biomass as a cheap source of renewable energy.

Study programmes

Landscape Architecture

The aim of the programme is to study and shape the structure of the landscape and prepare students for steering their own and social development. The programme shows the structure and functioning of natural environment (including characteristic features, functions and the shaping of the landscape) in both natural and anthropogenic ecosystems. It gives students knowledge and skills needed for the designing and shaping of landscape, in particular green areas. Students take part in numerous field classes, which makes studying more interesting and broadens students’ practical competence.

Engineer’s degree documents graduate’s competence and skills in natural sciences, technology, agriculture, art and socioeconomics allowing them to shape the areas and objects of landscape architecture according to the functional, biological and aesthetic human needs.

Students can further develop their knowledge and skills in the Student Research Group of Landscape Architecture.

Environmental protection

Students of Environmental Protection acquire knowledge and skills in mathematical and natural sciences, chemistry, biology, technology, land science, technological issues relevant to environmental protection and processes occurring in the environment while studying such subjects as: technology in environmental protection, techniques of environmental restoration, or bioenergy technologies. Interdisciplinary character of the study programme, opportunity of receiving an engineer’s degree and numerous field classes make this programme very attractive for future environmental experts.

Students can further develop their knowledge and skills in student research groups: Ecology Research Group or Hydrology Research Group.

Future Careers:

Landscape Architecture:
  Graduates can work:

  • independently – starting their own  designing studios
  • in designing agencies and landscape architecture firms as managers
  • in local government and state units
  • at school (after completing a teacher’s training speciality)
  • in research units studying the natural environment and landscape
  • in firms designing, building and maintaining landscape architecture structures
  • in firms preparing landscape development plans, including heritage sites

Environmental Protection:
Graduates can work in:

  • inspectorates for environmental protection, sanitary inspectorates;
  • units supervising national parks, landscape parks, etc.;
  • scientific-research units and implementation agencies connected directly or indirectly with environmental protection, e.g. biological, microbiological, biotechnological, or waste laboratories
  • primary and secondary schools (after completing a teacher training course)
  • expert groups promoting environmental protection
  • water, waste and sewage management units 
  • undertake work in local government units (departments of environmental protection) regional directorates for environmental protection


More information about programmes: http://wpt.uni.opole.pl/poznaj-kierunki/

Contact:

Chair of Land Protection
University of Opole
ul. Oleska 22 
45-052 Opole, Poland
Phone: +48 77 401 6020,
E-mail: kopz@uni.opole.pl

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