The Quaternary, a period spanning the last 2.58 million years, is crucial for understanding the climatic and environmental dynamics that have shaped the modern planet. This article explores how data specific to Morocco fit into the global context of Quaternary studies, drawing parallels between local and global information to reveal significant trends and features. By examining paleoclimatic, geomorphological, archaeological and palaeobotanical data, the analysis highlights similarities and differences between local and global observations. The results show that Moroccan data, although reflecting global trends, present specificities that enrich the understanding of climatic and environmental processes at the regional level. This integration not only makes it possible to complete global models but also to identify the local impacts of climate change, thus offering a more nuanced view of Quaternary dynamics and the challenges posed by current climate change.

This paper presents the concentrations of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and heavy metals in leachates from the autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion (ATAD). The leachates from ATAD installations (Dąbrowa Białostocka, Hajnówka, Pisz, Olecko, Giżycko, Wysokie Mazowieckie) located in Poland were tested. The concentrations of PAHs in samples from Pisz, Giżycko, Wysokie Mazowieckie and Hajnówka were similar to those in industrial wastewater. The cluster analysis confirmed that in sites with a higher polyethylene (p.e.) input from the industrial sector, the leachates were more contaminated with PAH compounds. In samples from Dąbrowa Białostocka, Olecko, Pisz and Hajnówka, the heavy fraction of PAHs compounds prevailed over the light fraction. Concentrations of heavy metals in leachates from ATAD varied. The Ward’s method isolated the wastewater treatment plant in Giżycko. The p.e. from the industrial sector was the highest for this facility. Also, the samples from ATAD had the highest total concentration of heavy metals (5.87 mg/l). The leachates from ATAD are returned to biological systems of municipal sewage treatment plants, where they can be combined into more toxic compounds. Biological wastewater treatment processes do not ensure the removal of PAHs and heavy metals from the wastewater. As a result, harmful compounds can get into the water or ground, polluting the environment.

Carbonate rocks are among the sedimentary systems which preserve information on the formation and diagenetic history expressed in its composition (distribution of its major rock-forming components (RFC). For estimating RFC proportions at the micro-scale, a simple counting of visible RFCs in thin sections using overlaid grids is a long-used, well-established technique. However, computer tomography (CT) analysis provides us with quantitative data in 3D at both the scale of the entire sample and a resolution defined by dimensions of the voxels at the micro-scale. The quantitative data expressed in Hounsfield units (HU) correlates with the density of RFCs. In this work statistical properties of CT-based data for selected freshwater carbonate samples from the Danube-Tisza Interfluve have been assessed using histograms and boxplots. Univariate statistical parameters characterize each sample. The maximum-likelihood method of mixture analysis has been adapted to recover and estimate the parameters of these subpopulations. Subpopulations have been defined in the form of overlapping intervals using statistical parameters gained (mean±2STD). Five major components have been defined: empty and partially or entirely filled pores by calcite, limestone micrite, dolomite micrite matrix and limonite saturated matrix.

This paper presents a new approach to stratigraphy and palaeogeography of NW Ukraine. So far, the glacial landforms near the Rostan area have been interpreted as end moraines derived from the Saalian ice-sheet. Sedimentological and petrographic analyses conducted at the Rostan site shed new light on the dynamics and age of the ice-sheet that formed the examined glaciogenic forms. Sedimentological analysis of glacial deposits documented the sedimentary environment of a glaciofluvial fan deposited by the ice-sheet front characterised by varying dynamics, i.e. advancing, stationary and retreating. Petrographic analysis proved an older age of deposits, i.e. Elsterian, and not Saalian as interpreted so far. These results shed new light on palaeogeography and stratigraphy of this area. The occurrence of the Elsterian deposits on the surface gives evidence of the absence of younger – Saalian – glaciation in this area, which relates to the recently announced new approaches to palaeogeography and stratigraphy of neighbouring areas in eastern Poland.

The research aimed to make an inventory of the vascular flora of 11 parks and gardens of the Pomeranian Cistercian Trail, with particular emphasis on taxa attached to old deciduous forests. A total of 62 species were registered, recognised as indicators of old deciduous forests in Poland. The presence of species of this group was confirmed in all of the analysed objects, but their number varied from 7 to 50. The group of ancient woodland species includes forest species for which the light indicator values are lower than or equal to 4 (plants of shadowy places, with a relative light intensity). The group of indicator species also includes forest geophytes and forest myrmecochores, autochores and barochores, as well as woodland species that can tolerate stress, under the classification of ecological strategy types S, S/CSR, S/SC and S/SR.

Results of the analysis proved that the net primary productivity has a strong connection with the solar insolation. The length of daylight and the level of solar radiation are the driving forces behind changes in growth of primary products, as floral forms are among the first indicators of changes in ecosystems due to global warming. The group of climatic components that have a moderate connection with the bioproductivity of ecosystems of the Polissya are derivatives of bioclimatic indicators related to air temperature, including annual temperature, seasonality, minimum temperature of the coldest month, and the average temperature of the coldest quarter. Seasonality and the annual variation of temperature affect bioproductive processes inversely: the productivity decreases with the increased temperature range between the warmest and the coldest periods of the year and in the middle of quarters.

Mezyn National Natural Park is in the north part of the Korop District of the Chernihiv Region, 310 km2 in area, is characteristic for its strongly dismembered landscape that stipulates presence of varied localities, among them there are exterminated glaciofluvial plains, slopes and super streamside terraces. Aim of research included an expose of the value of the Mezyn NNP in maintenance of forest diversity of vascular plants and forest communities. In the Mezyn NNP there are 772 species of spontaneous flora, 194 species of the cultivated flora and 18 rarity species. The rarest species are concentrated in the centre and the east, prats of the park richer in vegetation cover. In the forest group of the Mezyn NNP 10 species of vascular plants are recordered in the Red book of the Ukraine. The wooden territory of the Mezyn NNP presents 38% and provides the variety of ecotopic terms after they provides a wide spectrum of representation and protection of forest species of vascular plants and corresponding phytocommunites.

The article presents application of the new geophysical amplitude data comparison method (ADCM), resulting from integrated geophysical survey using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetometry. The ADCM was applied to recognize the horizontal and vertical stratigraphy of a Roman senatorial villa located in Santa Marina (western part of Croatian Istria). The measurements were carried out in 2017−2019 at this site, accompanied by a use of GPR and gradientometer. These two methods significantly differ from each other, but on the other hand, they are complementary to some extent. This is due to the fact that the methods register different types of underground materials. The GPR records electromagnetic waves reflected from real buried remains or boundaries between geological or archaeological layers that differ significantly in electrical properties. The magnetic method, in turn, records the anomalies of the magnetic field intensity resulting from the underground concentration of ferromagnetic minerals, hence it is ideal for searching structures filled with organic matter or burning material. However, a separate usage of these methods does not guarantee a full picture of archaeological structures that are preserved underground. Only the application of the ADCM allowed for a comparison of GPR and magnetic amplitude data reading, following which a spatial image (2D and 3D) of the preserved archaeological structures and the geological stratigraphy of the Santa Maria site were obtained.

Luminescence dating is based mainly on the dosimetric properties of quartz and feldspar. These minerals are among the most popular found on Earth, resulting in the possibility of using luminescence methods in practically any environment. Currently, quartz remains the best recognized mineral in terms of dosimetric properties, particularly with regards to results obtained for quartz grains, which are regarded as being the most reliable in luminescence dating. Supporters of luminescence methods are constantly growing, however, these groups do not always have sufficient knowledge to avoid even the most basic of issues that may be encountered overall – from the process of sampling through to the awareness of what a single luminescence result represents. The present paper provides an overview of several practical aspects of luminescence dating such as correct sampling procedures and all necessary information regarding the calculation of the dose rate and equivalent dose with particular reference to potential problems that occur when the age of the sample is being determined. All these aspects are crucial for obtaining a reliable dating result, on the other hand, they remain a potential source of uncertainty.

Results of a geomorphologic study as well as radiocarbon and pollen analyses of sediments in small basins of the Jasło-Sanok Depression (Western Carpathians) are summarised. Floors of these basins, carved in soft shale-sandstone Krosno Beds, are covered with channel fluvial deposits and oxbow-lake sediments with lake chalk and peat accumulated in the Late Vistulian and Holocene. Since the early Atlantic Phase (ca 8,400–7,900 BP) the apparent acceleration of overbank (flood) deposition intermitting the peat accumulation is observed. The plant succession includes the Late Glacial (pre-Allerød, Allerød and Younger Dryas) with coniferous park forests, through mixed deciduous forests of the Holocene with elm, hazel, oak and lime as well as spruce-elm forests with alder in wetlands, up to present-day hornbeam forests (Tilio-Carpinetum of various types) and extra-zonal Carpathian beech forests (Dentario-Glandulosae- Fagetum). Abies alba (fir) is frequent in both these association types. First evidences of synanthropic plants that prove presence of prehistoric man appeared in the Subboreal Phase. The oldest radiocarbon date 13,550±100 BP (Gd-7355) [16,710–16,085 b2k], from a bottom part of the Humniska section is probably overestimated. This is indicated by palynological data, which suggest attribution of this section to the older Allerød. Small thickness of gravel blanket from the Plenivistulian termination and the beginning of the Late Vistulian, as well as large areas devoid of weathering and solifluction covers indicate that during the Plenivistulian weathering processes and removal of silt-clay material predominated in the basins. In that time the deflation was among important processes, which is proved by deflation troughs, faceted cobbles and thick covers of the Carpathian type of loess. The Besko Basin has pre-Vistulian tectonic foundation, while landforms of its floor are of erosion-degradation origin and formed during the last Scandinavian glaciation. In the Holocene the basin floors were overbuilt with fluvial deposits up to 8 m thick.