This study analyzes the effects of acetaminophen (APAP) as a contaminant on physiological characteristics of lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L.). Experiments were provided in an experimental greenhouse with semi-controlled conditions. The effect of different amounts of contaminant was evaluated by using regression analysis. Plants were grown in five concentrations of APAP: 0 µM, 5 µM, 50 µM, 500 µM, and 5 mM for 14 days in two variants, acute and chronic. The obtained results show that the monitored parameters were demonstrably influenced by the experimental variant. Plants are more sensitive to chronic contamination compared to acute. Significant (p < 0.05) deviation in photosynthesis and fluorescence was observed compared to the control in different variants. The highest doses of APAP reduced the intensity of photosynthesis by a maximum of more than 31% compared to the control. A reduction of 18% was observed for the fluorescence parameters. Pronounced correlation was described between chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and yield mainly under APAP conditions. The amount of chlorophyll was influenced by exposure to APAP.

At present, a serious problem is the loss of soil nutrients in forest ecosystems with acidic atmospheric deposition and heavy metal contamination, which can have negative impact on plant growth. The objective of the research was to verify, whether different distance (1.5 and 18 km) from Al smelter Žiar nad Hronom (Slovak Republic) affects physiology and macronutrient contents (Ca, Mg, K, Na) in plant leaves and Cambisols of the nudal beech forests in Slovenské stredohorie Mts. In the surface of humus horizons significantly lower the amount of Ca tot was found close to the smelter (stress stand); in Aoq soil horizons up to 60-76% less Na tot , Mg tot and Ca tot was accumulated compared to control stand. Available forms of soil macronutrients were higher in the control stand and compared with stress stand, differences were significant for Ca and Mg. In plant leaves somewhat higher macronutrient contents were found in stress stand, with the exception of Ca. In relation to the physiological characteristics environmental impact of Al smelter significantly influenced photosynthesis of beech, chlorophyll fluorescence parameter of both indicator species and calorific values of sedges in the vicinity of 1.5 km from the emission source.

Our research was realized in segments of 80-year-old secondary spruce ecosystems selected in the buffer zone of Slovenský raj NP (western Carpathians). The vertical transect (635-1,110 m a.s.l.) consisted of three localities with six geobiocoenological plots. The Cr contents (mg kg R. idaeus, D. dilatata, S. ovatus, S. virgaurea) rooted in surface horizons of Cambisols were higher than 1, thus pointing at the impact of soil contamination. Cr TC higher than 1 were found for D. dilatata (2.4) and V. myrtillus (1.1.-3.6) rooted in the surface horizons of Podzols, indicating the better bio-accumulation ability of these plants.

The contents of mineral macronutrients (phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium) in forest soil samples, but also in samples of fruit bodies of dominant fungal taxa were analysed. The monitoring took place in three research plots in beech-dominated forests located near the aluminium plant at Žiar nad Hronom (Central Slovakia, Europe). The observed macrofungal taxa have different abilities of accumulating macronutrients. In forest soils, the terrestrial saprotrophic species Clitocybe nebularis accumulated phosphorus, attaining a maximum bioconcentration factor of 160 in the mineral A-horizon and 10.6 in the organic matter soil horizons (O-horizons). The ectomycorrhizal species Xerocomellus chrysenteron was rich in potassium in the A-horizon (181), but also in the O-horizons (18.8). The lignicolous saprotrophic species Polyporus varius accumulated calcium to a small extent in the A-horizon (9.36) and O-horizons (0.64), and magnesium in the A-horizon (14.2) and O-horizons (1.09).

The objective of this research was to evaluate trends and relationships of energy and toxic elements accumulation in A-horizon (the depth of 0–5 cm) of soils and in selected plants of the hemioligotrophic (Dystric Cambisols) and oligotrophic (Skeletic-Rustic Podzols) spruce ecosystems situated along transect (750–1110 m a.s.l.) in the NP Slovenský raj (Eastern Slovakia). The results showed that EU limit values of risk elements in agricultural soils were exceeded for Cu and Cd at the altitude of 750–760 m a.s.l., and in case of Cd also above 1000 m a.s.l. Relationship between energy and toxic elements in soils revealed that with an increasing amount of energy, contents of Zn and Cu significantly declined with altitude (r &gt; –0.5 or r &gt; –0.9). The background value of Cu was exceeded in all plants, that of Zn for Dryopteris filix-mas and Rubus idaeus. Furthermore, excessive accumulation of Cd was revealed by all plants. Cu contents in soils were dominant in determining Cu uptake for Vaccinium myrtillus (r &gt; 0.5); Zn and Cd for V. myrtillus (r &gt; 0.6), D. filix-mas (r &gt; 0.5 or r &gt; 0.8) and Fagus sylvatica (r &gt; –0.8 or r &gt; –0.5); Zn also for R. idaeus species (r &gt; 0.4). The soil-plant transfer coefficients higher than 1 hinted R. idaeus on the plots at the altitude of 960 m a.s.l. (Cd 1.1, Cu 1.2, Zn 3.1), which appears as an excellent native indicator of forest ecosystem contamination.

In this work, the calorific value content in the dry matter of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees was evaluated. This dry matter was obtained only from the above-ground fractions of its biomass. Our experimental material was taken from five Scots pine trees situated in Slovakia. Wood and bark samples were obtained from the discs which were cut off from three locations, namely from the stem, branches of tree crowns and needles. Then, calorific value capacity (J g−1) in the dry matter of each sample was determined. The impact of statistically significant factors on the calorific value capacity was determined by means of analysis of variance. The average values are, according to the fractions, approximately in the range of 20,000–22,200 J g−1. The smallest capacity of the calorific value, approximately 20,000 J g−1, has the dry matter from bark obtained from the middle and crown parts of the stem. Then, the dry matter from stem wood and branches follows with a value of approximately 20,700 J g−1. Then follows dry matter of the coarse bark occurring on the stem butt and twigs that are covered with needles with a value of about 21,900 J g−1; and finally pine needles with the highest values of about 22,200 J g−1. The calorific value variability is relatively low with coefficients of variations of 0.9–2.8%.

This study analyses the effects of expressways on physiology and risk elements content in plants (Quercus cerris L., Prunus spinosa L., Melica uniflora Retz.) and soils. Study forest stands are located at a distance of 30 m to 8100 m from the expressway ‘R1 Nitra – Tekovské Nemce’ (southwest Slovakia). The effect of distance from the road on the content of cadmium (Cd) in soils indicated an increase of the element in mineral layers in the 30 m variant; excessive Cd values were recorded in O-horizons and in the background zone. Also copper (Cu) showed a marked enrichment of surface horizons caused by car traffic. The results of redundancy discriminant analysis showed that the most important environmental variables related to physiological parameters of plants were the content of Cd and Cu in plants (P &lt; 0.05) and the content of Cu in soils (P &lt; 0.05). However, M. uniflora species responded most sensitively to a decrease of average chlorophyl content as a consequence of excessive accumulation of Cd in leaf tissues. The obtained results indicate risk of exposure to risk elements in soils and plants of forest stands under conditions of polluted air, but also under specific environmental conditions.

The objective of research was to evaluate physiological reaction of dominant plants (Fagus sylvatica, Dryopteris filix-mas, Rubus idaeus) taking advantage of the altitudinal variations in the area of the Slovenský raj National park (Western Carpathians). Secondary spruce stands are the current edificators of phytocoenoses between the ages of 10-15 and 80-100 years, in undergrowths with a mix of naturally regenerated beech and fir. Nutrient contents in top soils followed the change of conditions, such as climate and soil type. The concentrations of available Ca and Mg were relatively fluctuated (CV 44-55%) and decreased with increased altitude. On the other hand, K and P concentrations (CV 38-41%) improved with increased altitude. Results of physiological characteristics of plants showed variations between species in rate of photosynthesis (P n ), rate of transpiration (E) and maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (F v /F m ). Effect of altitude appears inconclusive in species monitored and their measured parameters, with the exception of P n in R. idaeus a D. filix-mas. Influence of better light conditions in younger stands was proved in the values of F v /F m for F. sylvatica.