Report on

Our NeighbourhoodsZespół Szkół Nr11, Jastrzębie Zdrój, Poland 2009

WATER

• Jastrzębie Zdrój is situated at the watershed of two drainage areas in Poland: the Vistula river and the Oder river. The Vistula originates in the Beskidy Mountains, the Oder/ Odra begins in the Czech Republic. Both rivers empty into the Baltic Sea. Within the Jastrzębie Zdrój city limits eight streams have their sources. The Pszczynka Stream is a tributary of the Vistula, whereas the Szotkówka Stream is a tributary of the Oder. The streams which flow through the town are monitored by (WIOŚ) the Inspectorate of Environment Protection. In controlled points which are placed far beyond the city limits, the water in streams is stated to be class 5, which means bad quality of water.

WATER

Ponds

• Coal mining in the area of Jastrzębie Zdrój has caused land subsidence. Consequently, water reservoirs have been formed. Some of them are used by the mining industry. Other ponds are used for fish farming and recreation.

Water - Sample 1

• The first sample of water was taken from a pond which is situated in the woods, 1 km from the school building. The water had a fishy and floral odour, absence of rotten odour or phenol and other chemical compounds. The water was transparent with a small admixture of pale colour. After pouring the water through the filter, mineral sediment (mainly sand) and the remains of aquatic plants were left. The water was 6,5pH.

Water - Sample 2

• The second sample of water was taken from a spring which comes up to the ground ten metres from the pond. The water was transparent and odourless. After pouring the water through the filter, a few grains of sand were left. The water was almost 7pH.

• Air pollution is one of the most dangerous environmental hazards. Air pollutants arise from a wide variety of sources, although they are mainly a result of the combustion process. Some types of pollutants have natural sources such as volcanoes, forest fires and biological decay. Other types of pollutants come mainly from industries, road transport, power stations and houses. There are particulates and gaseous pollutions. Particulates are produced when fuel is burned. The major polluting gases are: sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, and ozone.

Air

Air Samples

• Jastrzębie Zdrój is an industrial city. The main sources of air pollution are: three coalmines and two power plants using coal as fuel which contains up to 0,7% sulphur and methane.

• Air pollutants cause: acid rain, the greenhouse effect, poisoning, cancer and respiratory disease.

• Three samples were placed in the surveyed area. The sample which was placed on the outskirt of the surveyed area, nearby Cieszynska Street (which is a transit route to the Czech Republic), showed the largest content of particulates. The samples placed in the woods, far from streets and houses, showed the smallest dust content.

Lichen

• The map lichen, Rhizocarpon geographicum, can be seen in the survey area which indicates the area of low air pollution.

Soil

• In the area of Jastrzębie Zdrój two types of soil are predominant: Podzols and Cambisols. They are suitable to grow wheat (39% of the arable land) and rye (16%). In Jastrzębie soil material is a critical component in the mining industry. 5% of the land in the city area is used by the coal mines and their by-products - heaps of coal stones.

Illegal Landfills

• A soil sample was collected in the forest. The O horizon of soil is 10 cm thick .The litter included fallen leaves, a large number of needles, mainly spruce and pine, dead insects, small twigs of trees.

• In the surveyed area three illegal landfills were traced. Each of them extends on the area 3-4 m². They consist mainly of household waste and old tyres.