Assessment of the "Oława" Smelter (Oława, Southwest Poland) on the Environment with Ecotoxicological Tests

The aim of the research was to study the impact of "Oława" smelter on surroundings. For this purpose, water, soil and sediments were collected in the vicinity of smelter and subjected to selected ecotoxicological tests. The authors used Spirodela polyrhiza duckweed and Brachinious calyciflorus rotifer for the assessment of the water from Odra River, and Heterocypris inconqruens ostracod for the sediment studies. Triticum sativum and Avena sativa monocotyledons as well as Sinapis alba and Lepidium sativum dicotyledonous plants were used to perform the soil toxicity tests. The obtained results proved slight sediment toxicity, but no toxicity of water was observed. The inhibition of root growth of tested plants was observed suggesting the impact of toxicity on soil. The studies proved that only the area in the nearest vicinity of the "Oława" smelter is still contaminated with heavy metals and may pose a serious threat to the environment.