Institute of Environmental Protection

Abstract. HTAP3-OPNS is a multi-model exercise designed to support the revision of the Gothenburg Protocol under the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP). Using an ensemble of Chemical Transport Models (CTMs) and Chemistry-Climate Models (CCMs), this study investigates the long-range transport and impacts of ground-level ozone, particulate matter (PM), and nitrogen and sulphur deposition across different global regions. The project aims to assess the contributions of regional versus extra-regional emission sources, evaluate the suitability of current models, and project changes in air pollution under future emission scenarios and climate conditions. A series of perturbation simulations will enable the development of an ensemble emulator to explore and evaluate potential mitigation strategies efficiently. This paper outlines the scientific and policy questions motivating the study, describes the experimental design, including input datasets, model configurations, and required outputs, and discusses methodologies for data handling and analysis. The results will provide crucial insights for policy decisions aiming to improve air quality, protect human health, and protect ecosystems worldwide.

Ammonia (NH₃) is primarily emitted from agricultural sources, including livestock farming and fertilizer application. Animal farms are significant contributors to ammonia emissions, particularly under low rainfall, as rainfall typically leads to nitrogen leaching and ammonia removal from the soil. In addition to agricultural activities, combustion-related NH₃ emissions, primarily from fossil fuel burning and biomass combustion, also contribute to atmospheric ammonia; however, these sources remain poorly understood. Ammonia emissions mainly arise from the volatilization of NH₃ from NH₄⁺-containing substrates, such as fertilized soils, animal waste, and nitrogen-polluted water, as well as from combustion-related processes, including coal combustion, vehicle exhaust, and biomass burning.Ammonia significantly impacts air quality as a precursor to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which has considerable health implications. A study by Vieno et al. (2016) (https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/23/15253/2023/) demonstrated that reducing NH₃ emissions in the United Kingdom could lower PM2.5 levels. Despite this recognized impact, NH₃ monitoring networks are inconsistently implemented across Europe, with only a few countries, such as the Netherlands, the UK, and Belgium, maintaining dedicated NH₃ monitoring systems. Projections indicate that NH₃ emissions are likely to increase due to rising global temperatures and the growing demand for animal products, emphasizing the need for accurate, traceable, and routine NH₃ monitoring to better understand the complexities of ammonia in the atmosphere.This study aims to identify NH₃ hot-spot regions in Europe based on satellite data from METOP IASI for 2019 to 2022 and compare these findings while accounting for surface variability and reported emission sources. Furthermore, we explore NH₃ CAMS profile analysis and NH₃ observations from the EBAS database of atmospheric measurements.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are widespread plant symbionts that enhance nutrient acquisition and influence ecosystem productivity. Previous chromosome-level assemblies of a model species revealed a two-compartment genome architecture (active A and repressed B chromatin compartments), yet its conservation across evolutionarily distant AMF lineages remains unresolved. Here, we present a chromosome-scale and 3D genome assembly of Gigaspora margarita isolate BEG34, the largest and most repeat-rich AMF genome to date, alongside that of its obligate endobacterium, Candidatus Glomerobacter gigasporarum (CaGg), using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing. The G. margarita genome comprises 43 chromosomes (792 Mb) organized into stable A/B compartments and Topologically Associating Domains structures, irrespective of the presence of endobacteria. We uncover 21 divergent rDNA operons distributed across six chromosomes and show that these physically interact, suggesting conserved nucleolar organization. We also reveal that the CaGg genome is tripartite and mobilome-rich, encoding prophages, an orphan CRISPR array, and complete pathways for many novel and essential cofactors, including heme, which may enhance host bioenergetics. We also find that the endobacterium's presence regulates transposable elements in G. margarita. These findings reveal conserved principles of chromatin architecture in AMF symbionts and highlight the tight molecular interplay between fungal hosts and their endosymbionts, offering new insights into genome evolution and symbiotic adaptation.

The wide range of fossil insect sites in Poland is of significant importance in understanding the evolution of the inland European faunas. Poland has been the site of many such discoveries, including the Early Jurassic Odrowąż, where specimens have been found with complete bodies and wings, the Late Jurassic Owadów-Brzezinki, and the Triassic Pałęgi clay-pit, which contains fossilised insects. This paper presents a short review of insect fossil sites in Polish sediments, with location maps. The table provides detailed information about these sites, taking into account the taxonomic affiliation of the specimens and their age.

Butanol is currently produced on an industrial scale, primarily from fossil-based raw materials. An alternative method involves gas fermentation. To improve the efficiency of microbial processes, one promising approach is electrofermentation, which involves the application of an electric current to stimulate microbial growth or modulate metabolic pathways. This study examined the production of biobutanol from gas fermentation supported by electrofermentation, as assessed through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The LCA was conducted for a biobutanol production technology developed within the framework of the BesTECH project, funded in the ERA-NET Bioenergy programme. Two environmental impact assessment methods were applied: ReCiPe 2016 and IPCC 2021 GWP 100 (with CO2 absorption considered). The results of the LCA indicated that the most significant environmental impact is associated with greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion used to generate electricity (based on Austria’s energy mix). An additional environmental burden is related to the production of the fermentation medium. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the environmental performance of the process is strongly influenced by the source of electricity used in biobutanol production.

The Pszczyna commune in southern Poland has long faced poor air quality, especially during the heating season. This study assesses the effectiveness of a local policy to reduce PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations by replacing old solid-fuel boilers with low- or zero-emission systems. Using data on air quality from monitoring stations for the two years 2020 and 2023 as well as meteorological records, and administrative reports on the scale and scope of boiler replacements, the analysis applies statistical comparisons, meteorological normalization, and regression analysis to isolate commune policy effects from weather variability. Results show a significant reduction in PM levels, particularly in winter, with PM10 decreasing by over 30% and PM2.5 by up to about 40%. These findings confirm the effectiveness of targeted residential heating interventions and highlight how local actions, supported by regional and national funding, can yield measurable environmental and health benefits within a short period. Continued monitoring and public engagement are essential to sustaining air quality improvements.

The article analyses the vulnerability of the agricultural sector in the Republic of Moldova to climate change by constructing and applying a composite Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI), based on a triadic assessment: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Covering the period 2012–2021, the study employs 64 indicators distributed across thematic and spatial subcomponents, analysing disparities among the three agroecological zones (North, Center, and South). The results reveal increased vulnerability in the AEZ South, driven by frequent climatic variability and extreme events, while AEZ Center exhibits heightened agricultural sensitivity in crop production. Adaptive capacity has improved in the AEZ Center due to agro-technological development and crop diversification, and in the AEZ North mainly due to subsidies and insurance policies. The decreasing values of the index over the analyzed period reflect a strengthening of agricultural system’s resilience and position the CVI as a strategic tool for guiding adaptation policies, prioritizing investments, and monitoring progress in reducing climate risks and vulnerabilities.