In this study, the effectiveness of sequentially applying coagulation and adsorption processes in treating soft drink industry wastewater was assessed based on COD removal. In the electrocoagulation method with iron electrodes, the highest COD removal occurred at 42%, achieved with a current of 9A and the natural pH of the wastewater at 5.51. In chemical coagulation, using FeCl3•6H2O as a coagulant, the highest removal rate of 23% was achieved at pH 5 with a coagulant dose of 2.5g/L. Activated carbon adsorption, in doses ranging from 10 to 40g/L, was applied to the effluents of both electrocoagulation and chemical coagulation at various contact times, up to 150 minutes, resulting in COD removal rates of 42% and 36%, respectively. According to the results, the COD removal efficiencies for the electrocoagulation-adsorption and chemical coagulation-adsorption systems were 66% and 51%, respectively. The findings of this study are important because they demonstrate the necessity of research on the use and development of physicochemical methods for the treatment of soft drink industry wastewater.

The cyanobacteria bloom is one of typical manifestations of eutrophication, yet the effects of heavy metals entering water on cyanobacteria bloom remain unclear. In the present study, the effects of copper and zinc ions on the growth of Microcystic aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) and the production of microcystins (MCs) were investigated. The results showed that a Cu2+ concentration of 0.02 mg/L stimulated the growth of M. aeruginosa, while growth inhibition occurred at a Cu2+ concentration of 0.1 mg/L. The maximum value of MC-LR (167.74 μg/L) occurred at a Cu2+ concentration of 0.02 mg/L. In contrast, a Zn2+ concentration of 0.1 mg/L stimulated the growth of M. aeruginosa, whereas growth inhibition was observed at a Zn2+ concentration of 0.5 mg/L. The maximum MC-LR value of 130 μg/L appeared under control conditions. Moreover, the production of MC-LR increased as the growth of M. aeruginosa was inhibited with a Cu2+ concentration of 0.1 mg/L, whereas the production of MC-LR decreased as the growth of M. aeruginosa was stimulated with a Zn2+ concentration of 0.1 mg/L, compared to their respective controls.

This study used PM10 and PM2.5 measurements from the State Environmental Monitoring stations in Warsaw and its suburban areas. Analysis of variability characteristics at the traffic and urban background stations was carried out for 2016-2021. A six-year analysis (2016-2021) of air quality in Warsaw, Poland, focusing highlights the persistent impact of transportation on particulate matter concentrations. Comparing a city centre traffic station with urban background locations reveals consistently higher PM10 concentrations at the traffic station throughout the year, with an annual traffic-related increase of 12.6 μg/m³ (32%). PM2.5 concentrations at the traffic station are also consistently about 1.5 μg/m³ (7%) higher. For monthly averages, the highest PM10 concentrations at the traffic station were noted in March, which may be related to the resuspention of sand and salt left over from winter snow removalp rocesses. In the case of PM2.5, the typical annual cycle with maximum concentrations in winter and minimum concentrations in summer was not observed. Diurnal variability patterns show elevated PM10 concentrations at the traffic station from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., attributed to the resuspension process. PM2.5 patterns exhibit a smaller amplitude at the traffic station, with nighttime accumulation due to inflow. This study emphasizes the lasting impact of transportation on air quality, providing insights into pollution control strategies in urban areas.

Water pollution caused by anthropogenic activity is a huge environmental problem. Huge amounts of consumed medicinal substances cause them to get into the environment. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen, are one of the most popular drugs in the world. This article presents the biodegradation of ibuprofen and isopropyl ester salts of various amino acids. Twelve ibuprofen isopropyl esters of L-amino acids were used in the research. The obtained derivatives may be a safer and more effective alternative to ibuprofen. Biodegradation tests were carried out using activated sludge. Sewage sludge was obtained from the local sewage treatment plant in Szczecin "Pomorzany". Ibuprofen derivatives, ibuprofenates of isopropyl amino acid esters, were used for the tests. It was checked how the type of structural modification of ibuprofen affects the biodegradation of the drug used. In this publication, it was verified how the type of amino acid affects biodegradation. Our evaluation of the biodegradation of ibuprofen derivatives by bacterial cultures revealed that six compounds are attractive carbon and energy sources for the active material utilized. These compounds were readily biodegradable within 28 days. There were no straightforward relationships between the structure, properties, and biodegradability of the obtained derivatives.

Groundwater resources are typically affected by both global climate factors and anthropogenic activities. This influence is most apparent in arid and semi-arid climates of the Saharan desert. With rising temperatures and minimal precipitation, climate variability in these regions has a particularly significant and systemic impact on the chemical composition of shallow aquifer water. In this regard, our study aims to evaluate the climatic effects on groundwater in Saharan environments, using the Ouargla basin as a prime example. Water samples taken from 45 observation piezometers in our selected study area in February and June 2021 were used to assess the overall impact of inter-annual climate variations on salinity within this shallow groundwater basin. The obtained results show that groundwater located in the first three meters of shallow aquifer depth is directly influenced by surface climate. This pattern holds true for both observed seasonal periods. Stratification indices within the saturated zone were found to be positive, indicating an increase in groundwater salinity at lower depths and negative in shallower depths. This suggests a direct climate influence on this groundwater. These findings can be used to enhance sustainable development strategies in such environments, notably by quantifying salt accumulation and efficiently managing salinity exchange between saturated and vadose horizons.

The galvanic sludges contain a number of toxic heavy metals, potentially mobilized as chemically active ions under environmental conditions as. This study explores the application of fly ash-based geopolymers for the removal of Zn ions from galvanizing sludge. In this study, geopolymers, synthesized via the geopolymerization method, were used to remove Zn from post-galvanized sewage sludge. Two types of geopolymers were used, derived from ash from coal combustion and biomass combustion. Structural, morphological, and surface properties were characterized using FTIR and SEM, respectively. In addition, BET and Langmuir isotherms, along with analyses such as t-Plot and BJH method for porous solids were conducted. The results indicate that the geopolymer derived from coal combustion ash is a more effective sorbent for Zn(II) ions, exhibiting a removal efficiency of 99.9%, compared to 40.7% for the geopolymer derived from biomass combustion ash. The FTIR spectra analysis reveals the presence of bonds between the -OH and/or Si-OH groups on the geopolymers’ surface and the Zn(II) ions. The environmentally and economically advantageous process maximizes the recovery of a valuable component at minimal cost, yielding relatively clean monometallic waste suitable for reuse.

The research was intended to develop a biocomposite as an alternative biodegradable material, for the production of, e.g., disposable utensils. The author's tested thermoplastic maize starch, both without additives and with the addition of crumbled fl ax fi ber in the share of 10, 20 and 30 wt%. The plasticizer added was technical glycerin and the samples were produced by a single-screw extruder. The mechanical strength tests were performed, including the impact tensile test and three-point bending fl exural test. Afterwards, the samples were tested for biodegradability under anaerobic conditions. The methane fermentation process was carried in a laboratory bioreactor under thermophilic conditions with constant mixing of the batch. All samples proved to be highly susceptible to biodegradation during the experiment, regardless of the fl ax fi ber share. The biogas potential was about 600 ml•g -1 , and the methane concentration in biogas ranged from 66.8 to 69.6%. It was found, that the biocomposites can be almost completely utilized in bioreactors during the biodegradation process. The energy recovery in the decomposition process with the generation of signifi cant amount of methane constitutes an additional benefi t.

The study focused on environmental evaluation of the disposed wooden railway sleeper gasifi cation system used for electrical energy production.The aforementioned base technology was referred to the system producing electricity from disposed wooden railway sleepers through combustion.The evaluation was carried out using the LCA technique.The results show that in scope of impact on human health and ecosystems, the technology based on sleeper gasifi cation is friendlier to the environment than the alternative technology.The technology of reference produces a lower environmental burden in scope of depletion of non-renewable natural resources.In comparison of the base technology (gasifi cation) and the alternative technology (combustion), the end environmental effect shows that in scope of the analysis the base technology, i.e. the technology involving gasifi cation of disposed railway sleepers, is more friendly to the environment.

In the present study, the novel quaternary ammonium salt (QAS + ), 1-methyl-di-octyl-1 phenyl ammonium iodide (QAS 1 ), was synthesized by complete alkylation reaction.Sodium montmorillonite (Mt) was modifi ed via an ion-exchange reaction with QAS 1 + .The modifi ed material and quarternary ammonium salt (Mt 1 and QAS 1 ) were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Removal capacity of hydrophobic organic pollutants such as 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) from solution media of synthesized organoclay was evaluated.The optimum conditions and batch kinetics of adsorption of 4-nitrophenol and 2,4-dinitrophenol from aqueous solutions are reported.It was shown that the adsorption capacity decreased in the order 4-NP> 2,4-DNP.The total mass loss during the drying process was 66% and 78%, respectively.Thermodynamic parameters enthalpy (∆H 0 ) and entropy (∆S 0 ) and the mean free energy (E) for the adsorption of nitrophenol compounds (NCP) were determined.

The possibility of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Sn(II) removal from model solutions and real wastewater from the production of PCBs using Na 2 CS 3 for precipitation was presented in this paper. The testing was carried out on a laboratory scale using model and real industrial wastewater containing additives in the form of complexing compounds used in the production of PCBs (Na 2 EDTA, NH 3(aq) , thiourea) and recommended by the USEPA (Na 3 MGDA, Na 4 GLDA). Application of Na 2 CS 3 in optimal conditions of conducting precipitation process was connected with obtaining wastewater containing low concentrations of metals (Cu 0.02 mg/L, Sn <0.01 mg/L, Ni <0.005 mg/L at pH 9.39 and Cu 0.07 mg/L, Sn <0.01 mg/L, Ni 0.006 mg/L at pH 7.79). Controlled application of Na 2 CS 3 by the use of a platinum redox electrode was also connected with obtaining treated wastewater containing low concentrations of metals (Cu 0.019 mg/L, Sn <0.05 mg/L, Ni <0.0098 mg/L at pH 9-9.5 and E= -142 mV in the laboratory scale and Cu 0.058 mg/L, Sn <0.005 mg/L, Ni 0.011 mg/L at pH 9.14 and E= +10 mV in the industrial scale). Changing the value of redox potential of treated wastewater by dosing Na 2 CS 3 made it possible to control the precipitation process on laboratory and industrial scale by the use of a platinum redox electrode. Controlled application of Na 2 CS 3 can be used to remove Cu(II), Ni(II) and Sn(II) from industrial effl uent containing chelating compounds like Na 2 EDTA, NH 3(aq) , thiourea, Na 3 MGDA and Na 4 GLDA.