Rising carbon dioxide emissions are driving climate change and there is growing pressure to find alternative energy sources. Co-combustion of waste with fuels is still occurring in some regions of the world, and it is important to know the compounds emitted from such combustion. This study investigated the emissions from the combustion of wood pellets with waste. The wood pellet was combusted with different additions of polyethylene terephthalate plastic and medium-density fiberboard (10 and 50%), in a low-power boiler (18W). Phenols, alkylphenols, phthalates, biomass burning markers, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions were determined. Gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometry detector was used to analyze these compounds after extraction and derivatization in the particulate matter and gas phase. The emissions of biomass burning markers and phthalates were the highest among all the compounds determined for MDF addition. The total emission of these compounds was 685 mg/h and 408 mg/h for 10% addition and 2401 mg/h and 337 mg/h for 50% addition, respectively. For the co-combustion of biomass with PET, PAHs and phenols had the highest emission; the emission was 197 mg/h and 114.5 mg/h for 10% addition and 268 mg/h and 200 mg/h for 50% addition, respectively. In our opinion, the obtained results are insufficient for the identification of source apportionment from household heating. After further study, tested compounds could be treated as markers for the identification of the fuel type combusted in households.

Atrazine (ATR) is a widely used chlorinated herbicide from the s-triazine group. Due to the widespread use of ATR, it leaks into the environment and is detected in drinking water, exceeding the WHO-acceptable concentration of atrazine in drinking water, which is 2 μg/L. The aim of our study was to determine toxicity, protein degradation and genotoxicity of ATR at concentrations of 10; 1; 0.1; 0.01 mg/L on Chlorella vulgaris and with the application of E. coli bioluminescent biosensor strains. We measured the content of chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids in Chlorella vulgaris and the inhibition of this algae culture growth. E. coli RFM443 strains with gene constructs grpE:luxCDABE, lac:luxCDABE, recA:luxCDABE and E. coli strain MM294 trc:luxCDABE were used to determine toxicity, degradation of cellular proteins and genotoxicity. On the base of the obtained results, we concluded that ATR in the tested concentrations shows a toxic effect in relation to Chlorella vulgaris. ATR is toxic and genotoxic in E. coli RFM443 strains with grpE, lac, recA promoters and causes degradation of cellular proteins. Moreover, we have detected ATR toxicity toward the GFP protein in E. coli strain MM294-GFP. Taking into account the toxicity and genotoxicity of ATR documented in our research and in the experiments of other authors, we conclude that the presence of this herbicide in surface waters and drinking water is a serious threat to living organisms.

This data article aimed to evaluate the influencing mechanisms of the nutrients and the level of eutrophication in the Yangtze River estuary. The seasonal characteristics of nutrients (dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), SiO32−–Si, and PO4 3–P) in the seawater of the Yangtze River estuary were analyzed by conducting surveys in spring and summer of 2019. The findings revealed that the concentrations of all nutrient at the surface and bottom layers were lower in spring compared to summer. NO3 −–N was typically the major form of DIN. Runoff was identified as the primary source of DIN and SiO3 2−–Si, while PO4 3−–P originated from a various sources.The SiO32−–Si/PO43−–P and DIN/PO43−–P values in the surface and bottom layers during the spring and summer were higher than the Redfield values, indicating an imbalanced nutrient distribution. Furthermore, discrepancies were observed in the distributions of DIN/PO4 3−–P, SiO3 2−–Si/DIN, and SiO3 2−–Si/PO4 3−–P in the Yangtze River estuary. Through an examination of the ratio of DIN/PO4 3−–P absorbed by phytoplankton, PO4 3−–P was identified as a potential limiting factor for nutrition in the sea area of the Yangtze River estuary during spring and summer. The Eutrophication Index (E) values for both spring and summer were found to be higher than the eutrophication threshold, indicating severe eutrophication in the studied sea area.

Studies on packaging made of polylactide (PLA) subjected to long-term influence of soil environment conditions have been presented in this paper. The scientific objective of this study was to determine changes in selected properties of the PLA packaging after long-term incubation in soil. These changes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and gel permeation chromatography. The structure, thermal properties, and disintegration degree of the packaging after their three-year incubation in soil have been discussed. It was found that the PLA packaging did not disintegrate significantly in the soil environment, and slight changes in their structure and lack of significant changes in thermal properties indicate that the efficiency of their degradation in soil conditions after three years is very low. This was mainly due to inadequate temperatures in the soil. It was also found (based on the results of scanning electron microscopy and gel permeation chromatography) that initiation of the biodegradation process took place and that this process is much faster than in the case of conventional non-biodegradable polymers. The results are confirmation that materials obtained of various biodegradable polymers (not only PLA) should be biodegradable only under strictly defined conditions, allocated to a specific type of polymer, i.e. those in which they are easily and quickly biodegradable

Determining the level of solid pollution in beach sands located near artificial inland water bodies in order to maintain high safety standards is a difficult and expensive task. The tests aimed at determining beach pollution caused by solid wastes through analysis of toxic and chemical concentrations, are time-consuming and usually require several days before the results are available. In addition, the maintenance of the beach area involving beach raking or grooming, and the seasonal replenishment of sand makes it difficult to realistically determine the chemical or bacterial contamination of the tested material. Solid pollutants, such as glass, caps, cans, thick foil, metal, and plastic fragments, pose a greater health risk to beachgoers. The above-mentioned pollutants, especially small ones, are hardly visible on the surface or they are buried at shallow depths. Beach garbage poses a serious threat that can lead to infections from cuts and scratches. These injuries can become infected, further jeopardizing the health and lives of beachgoers due to risks like tetanus, staphylococcus, etc. The authors presented a new petrographic method aimed at assessing the quality of sand by examining the content of solid pollutants. The obtained results allowed us to conclude that the mentioned procedure can be used for a quick quantitative estimation of the content of potentially dangerous and undesirable pollutants in beach sands. Consequently, the method implemented to determent the amount of solid pollutants in beach sands has proven to be a valuable tool for recreational facility administrators, helping them in taking necessary measures to ensure the safety of beach users. Petrographic analysis of beach sands revealed the presence of pollutants of plant origin (0.4–1.8%), plastic (0.1–0.4%), paper (0.1–0.6%), charcoal (0.1–0.5%), glass (0.1–0.4%), metals (0.1–0.4%), rust (0.1–0.3%), ash and slag (0.1–0.3%), and fossil coals (0.1–0.2%).

The rapid, high increase in production costs and prices of mineral fertilizers leads to a reduction in their use by farmers, while fertilizer manufacturers consider the use of alternative raw materials and reducing the energy consumption of fertilizer production processes. Given these circumstances, special attention is warranted for suspension fertilizers. The manufacturing of suspension fertilizers is simplified and less energy intensive in comparison with solid fertilizers. This is achieved by omitting certain production stages such as granulation, drying, sifting, which usually contribute to more than half of the production costs. This paper presents the production procedure of suspension fertilizers tailored for cabbage cultivation, utilizing alternative raw materials such as sewage sludge ash and poultry litter ash. The final products are thoroughly characterized. The obtained fertilizers were rich in main nutrients (ranging from 23.38% to 30.60% NPK) as along with secondary nutrients and micronutrients. Moreover, they adhere to the stipulated standards concerning heavy metal content as outlined in the European Fertilizer Regulation. A distribution analysis has showed that suspension fertilizers contain nutrients in both liquid and solid phases. This arrangement facilitates their easy availability for plants and subsequent release upon dissolution in soil conditions. To assess process consistency, the production of the most promising fertilizer was upscaled. A preliminary technological and economic analysis was also conducted. The method of producing suspension fertilizers using alternative raw materials is a simple waste management solution offering nutrient recycling with the principles of circular economy. This approach not only encourages nutrient recycling but also curtails reliance on imported raw materials.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are significant pollutants found in petroleum products. There is ample literature on the biodegradation of PAHs containing less than five rings, but little has been done on those with more than five rings. Coronene (CRN), a seven-ring-containing PAH, has only been shown to be degraded by one bacterial strain. In this study, a bacterial strain 10SCRN4D was isolated through enrichment in the presence of CRN and 10% NaCl (w/v). Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene identified the strain as Halomonas caseinilytica. The strain was able to degrade CRN in media containing 16.5–165 μM CRN with a doubling time of 9–16 hours and grew in a wide range of salinity (0.5–10%, w/v) and temperature (30–50°C) with optimum conditions of pH 7, salinity 0.5%–10% (w/v), and temperature 37°C. Over 20 days, almost 35% of 16.5 μM CRN was degraded, reaching 76% degradation after 80 days as measured by gas chromatography. The strain was also able to degrade smaller molecular weight PAHs such as benzo[a]pyrene, pyrene, and phenanthrene. This is the first report of Halomonas caseinilytica degrading CRN as the sole carbon source in high salinity, and thus highlights the potential of this strain in bioremediation.

Filtration through biologically active carbon (BAC) filters is an effective method of organic matter removal during drinking water treatment. In this study, the microbial community in the initial period of filters’ operation, as well as its role in the organic matter removal were investigated. Research was carried out in a pilot scale on two BAC filters (Filter 1 and Filter 2) which were distinguished by the type of inflowing water. It was observed that the number of heterotrophic plate count bacteria and total microbial activity were significantly higher in water samples collected from Filter 2, which received an additional load of organic matter and microorganisms. Despite the differences in the values of chemical and microbiological parameters of inflowing water, the composition of the microbiome in both filters was similar. The predominant taxon was a bacterium related to Spongiibacter sp. (Gammaproteobacteria) (>50% of relative abundance). In both filters, the efficiency of organic matter removal was at the same level, and the composition and relative frequency of predicted functional pathways related to metabolism determined using PICRUSt (Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States Software) at level 3 of KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) Orthology – were also similar. The study demonstrated that a 40-day period of filter operation after filling with virgin granular activated carbon, was sufficient to initiate biofilm development. It was proved, that during the initial stage of filter operation, microorganisms capable of biodegradation of various organic compounds, including xenobiotics like nitrotoluene, colonized the filters

In the context of China’s new infrastructure construction developing rapidly, this paper explores the sustainable new infrastructure green development pattern. We establish qualitative and quantitative indicators for green technology innovation (GTI) at both the societal macro level and enterprise micro level, capturing the multidimensional nature of China’s green innovation dynamic. Additionally, we create an indicator system for China’s new infrastructure investment intensity (NTI) across three areas: information infrastructure, integration infrastructure, and innovation infra-structure. Using provincial panel data from 2010 to 2020, we construct a coupling coordination degree model (CCDM) to examine the level of coordination between NTI and GTI. Our findings reveal that: the degree of coordination between NTI and GTI follows a U-shaped curve, with both subsystems remaining far from highly coordinated during rapid development; the coupling level of NTI and GTI in China is currently at a near dissonance level overall; the degree of coupling and coordination between NTI and GTI is mainly influenced by policies, and the coupling level is higher on the enterprise side than on the societal side; the two parameters (α-NTI and β-GTI) widely used in prior studies have less of an effect on the coordinated coupling system than other factors considered herein.

The zinc and lead industry generates substantial quantities of waste. Among the many types of wastes, such as dust or liquid, a large proportion are solid waste such as slags. The purpose of the study was the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the short rotary kiln slags and slags deposited in a hazardous waste landfill originating from zinc and lead metallurgy. This assessment represents the primary step in evaluating materials such as slags concerning their potential for substantial applications, such as process for metal separation. Additionally, this evaluation forms the basis for a comprehensive environmental study. The concentrations of the four predominant metals – Fe>Pb>Zn>Cu – and accompanying elements – Na>Ca>K>Ni>Mn>Cr – were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) after aqua regia digestion. A large variation was found in the phase analysis of the studied materials based on SEM, XRD, X-ray microanalysis, and BCR sequential extraction. The BCR analysis revealed the occurrence of major metals in four different fractions: acid-soluble, reducible, oxidizable, and residual. Pb was mainly present in the acid-soluble fraction, while Fe, Cu, and Zn were present in the residual fraction.