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The study set out to determine changes in the soil air-water properties, the water-stable aggregate share and organic carbon content as effects of a five-year application of effective microorganisms (EM-A). The hypothesis that long-term applied EM-A biopreparations have a positive effect on the soil physical condition has not been confirmed. Haplic Luvisols originating from silt were studied in a field experiment after EM-A biopreparation treatment. The soil samples with the natural structure preserved intact were collected three times each year. The properties of the soil determined in the study were: particle density, total organic carbon content, bulk density, total porosity, air capacity, air permeability, soil moisture at sampling, field water capacity, available water content, unavailable water content, and water-stable aggregate content. The ratio of field water capacity and total porosity (FC/TP) was calculated. It was found that EM-A application primarily leads to a decrease in the content of organic carbon and water-stable aggregates. This was an adverse effect. Total organic carbon (TOC) and water-stable aggregates proved to be very sensitive indicators for assessing the soil physical condition. However, changes in soil compaction and air–water properties did not show significant deterioration. Our research addresses the data gaps about EM application to soil.

In the years 2014–2017, a field experiment was carried out, in which two types of waste were applied to soil. One of them was mineral waste – carboniferous rock from a hard coal mine, and the other – organic waste – post-fermentation sludge from agricultural biogas-producing plant. The experiment was an example of an action, in which soil management was associated with their drainage effects on the soil. The waste was applied to the light soil of low utility value, included in the V bonitation class (in polish soil quality classification) and the 6th complex of agricultural suitability (weak rye). According to the WRB classification, it was Haplic Podzol (PZha) developed from the post-glacial sand. The aim of the study was to analyze changes in soil compaction caused by a single introduction of waste. During the four-year study (2014–2017), the durability of these changes was also observed. It was found that the best effects of reducing the soil compaction were obtained as a result of the combined application of two wastes: carboniferous rock and post-fermentation sludge. Introduction of waste into the soil was also permanent, as differences resulting from the soil management continued in the fourth year of the experiment.

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The aim of the present study was the influence of various methods of long-term soil utilisation on the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in selected silty soils. Four soils were selected for the present studies, i.e.: Eutric Fluvisol originating from silty formations, Haplic Phaeozem developed from loess, Haplic Luvisol (non-uniform) developed from silt, Haplic Luvisol developed from loess. Five study sites were chosen, i.e.: apple orchards, hop gardens, fields, grasslands and natural woodland ecosystems. Samples were collected from the depth of 0-10 cm. In the samples the content of 16 PAHs was determined by means of the HPLC-UV method. The total PAHs content was at a low level. Depending on the soil and object type, the total PAHs content ranged from 72.5 to 764.0 μg·kg −1 . The pollutant level determined together with composition of individual PAHs suggested a limited anthropogenic influence relating mainly to pyrolytic processes. The total PAH content as well as the content of individual PAHs depended on agricultural land use and management. It has been shown that PAH level was influenced by environmental conditions specific for a given type of land use. In the soils in which organic carbon content differed only slightly among locations, a higher influence of the soil utilisation method on the content of individual PAHs was observed.