Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metal (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Hg, Fe, Co, Cr, Mo) contents were established in soil and plant samples collected in different areas of the railway junction Iława Główna, Poland. Soil and plant samples were collected in four functional parts of the junction, i.e. the loading ramp, main track within platform area, rolling stock cleaning bay and the railway siding. It was found that all the investigated areas were strongly contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PAH contamination of the soil was the highest in the railway siding and in the platform area (59,508 and 49,670 μg kg−1, respectively). In the loading ramp and cleaning bay, the PAH concentration in soil was lower but still relatively very high (17,948 and 15,376 μg kg−1, respectively). The contamination in the railway siding exceeded the average control level up to about 80 times. In the soil of all the investigated areas, four- and five-ring PAHs prevailed. The concentrations of PAHs were determined in four dominating species of plants found at the junction. The highest concentration was found in the aerial parts of Taraxacum officinale (22,492 μg kg−1) growing in the cleaning bay. The comparison of the soil contamination with PAHs in the investigated railway junction showed a very significant increase of the PAHs level since 1995. It was found that the heavy metal contamination was also very high. Pb, Zn, Hg and Cd were established at the highest levels in the railway siding area, whereas Fe concentration was the highest in the platform area. A significant increase in mercury content was observed in the cleaning bay area. The investigations proved very significant increase of contamination with PAHs and similar heavy metals contamination in comparison with the concentration determined in the same areas 13 years ago.

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Abstract. Floristic studies were carried out in NE Poland in [2007][2008] in three types of railway areas: operating tracks, tracks abandoned less than 10 years ago, and tracks abandoned more than 10 years ago. In the 41 sections of railway tracks surveyed, 338 species were recorded, including 22 species that occurred at > 50% frequency, 27 species strongly associated with operating railway areas, and 4 species typical of railway areas in Poland. Comparative analysis of the flora of the 3 types of railway areas investigated showed significant differences in the richness and structure of their floras.

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed in samples of peat and of two plant species (Pinus sylvestris and Ledum palustre) overgrowing peat‐bogs in the north‐east of Poland. Peat samples were collected from different depths according to the stratigraphic profile of the peat bogs. The total concentrations of the 16 anthropogenic PAHs (15 from the US EPA list and benzo[e]pyrene) in all peat samples were between 70 and 439 ng g—1. The concentration for the same compounds in pine needles (Pinus sylvestris) and Dutch Myrthe leaves (Ledum palustre) varied between 194 and 1039 ng g—1. A noticeably high fluorene concentration in Dutch Myrthe leaves was found at some sites. In all peat samples 3‐ring compounds were predominant (55 to 319 ng g—1). There were less 4‐ring PAHs (15 to 110 ng g—1) and the least common PAHs were 5‐ring and 6‐ring compounds (0 to 81 ng g—1 for both groups). In some peat samples, the perylene concentration largely exceeds of the total concentration of all the other PAHs investigated. The high content of perylene in bottom layers could result from the processes of perylene sorption from water during peat‐bog formation or from biogenic formation of perylene.

Our study was carried out on three peat bogs that since the 1960s have been subjected to different degrees of anthropopression. The main objective of the research was assessment of heavy metal accumulation potential in peat bogs and in leaves of species growing on these peat bogs, namely Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), birch (Betula pendula Roth), and wild rosemary (Ledum palustre L.). The concentrations of lead and cadmium in peat of Bagno Bruch (the Upper Silesian Industrial Region) exceeded the permissible levels for soils of protected natural areas. Heavy metal concentrations in plants growing in all analyzed sites show no toxic levels. Among the examined species, birch showed the highest ability to accumulate cadmium and zinc.