Effects of nickel, zinc, and lead-contaminated soil on burrowing rate and coelomocytes of the earthworm, Allolobophora chlorotica. Folia biologica (Kraków) 59: 91-97.We have shown previously that stubby worms Allolobophora chlorotica are sensitive to environmental stress, including metal-polluted soil. In order to discern the mechanisms of this sensitivity, adult (clitellate) Al. chlorotica were exposed in the laboratory to soil samples soaked with water (control) or Ni (1 and 2 mg/kg), Zn (1.25 and 2.5 g/kg) or Pb (5 and 10 g/kg) chlorides. Worms avoided contact with metal contaminants by prolonging burrowing time in metal-soaked samples, especially in the case of lead. Higher concentrations of the investigated metals were lethal for worms. During a 3 week exposure to lower metal concentrations, nickel and lead readily accumulated in the bodies of worms while zinc was efficiently regulated. However, body weights and numbers of non-invasively retrieved free coelomocytes (consisting of amoebocytes and riboflavin-loaded eleocytes) were significantly lower only in zinc-exposed worms. We assume that zinc regulation in worm bodies is more energy-demanding than nickel or lead bioaccumulation, thus this might be responsible for inhibition of the body gain and diminution of immunocompetent cells in zinc-exposed earthworms. Alternatively, missing free coelomocytes may actually be involved in Zn trafficking and removal through nephridia and/or in the formation of multicellular brown bodies, since metal can unbalance host/bacteria relationships.

Non-agricultural activity is the main economic development factor of socio-economic systems including rural areas. Characteristics, analysis, spatial differentiation of basic resources and non-agricultural activity have been presented. Moreover, an attempt was made to evaluate the economic development level of rural areas of the kujawsko-pomorskie voivodship with the use of 2 methods, among others evaluation of the gross value added. The highest development is characteristic for suburban rural areas situated in the neighbourhood of the biggest cities which are economically strong like Bydgoszcz and Torun.

The economic development of the voivodships was analyzed in this research work. During the research there were defined incurred investment analyses outlays and valued their efficiency. The research included gross value of fixed assets and gross value added. Investment edition on infrastructure are financed with a great share of public means and now a day of union funds. That is way this work included years from 2007 to 2013 as a period of union support. Curried research had shown great differences in concentration and economic efficiency of fixed assets in individual voivodships.