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Air pollution in the vicinity of roads is a complex and growing problem. In urbanised areas, there are many sources of dust emissions, but one of the main ones is road traffic. Investigating and assessing the physical and chemical properties of road dust and, more specifically, dust collected from surface courses is one way of providing an opportunity not only to identify the contribution of the emitters concerned to the formation of dust air pollution in the vicinity of roads but above all the environmental risks associated with traffic emissions. The study aimed to analyse the elemental composition of dust with a fraction <0.1 mm, collected from asphalt and concrete roads characterised by the highest technical and service parameters in Poland. The samples were analysed using a Shimadzu EDX 7000 energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, then the results were statistically analysed using the t-Welch test, and the enrichment factors EF were determined. It was shown that road dust with a grain size of less than 0.1 mm collected from asphalt surface course was extremely highly enriched in Cu, Cr, Pb and S, while that from the concrete surface course was enriched in Zn and Zr, indicating a strong anthropogenic origin of these elements; exhaust gases were identified as their source. Irrespective of the type of surface course, very high dust enrichment occurs for Ca, Mn, Ni, S, Ti and Y. These elements may originate from the abrasion process of vehicle tyres. For road dust collected from both road types, the most similar EF values were found for Fe, K, Mn, Si, Sr and Ti. The source of these elements is most likely the roadside soil. It follows that the type of road surface is not the main determinant of the composition of road dust with a fraction <0.1 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of laboratory combustion tests of the microbriquette obtained from useless coal (grain class of < 5 mm) generated in the production of "eco-pea" (eko-groszek) coal. The briquettes of 1.5 and 2.5 cm3 were made in a roller press of crushed coal granulation down to 2 mm, mixed with a binder and/or catalytic additives and sorbents, then dried to final moisture of about 7%. The tests were carried out on a specially designed stand enabling to determine the differential curve of the weight loss of samples heated to the ignition temperature and then burnt with laminar airflow by natural chimney draft. Comparative tests were carried out with ecopea coal from the "ZG Sobieski" mine. The results indicate that composite fuels, in the form of microbriquette, ignite faster, burn at a higher temperature and leave less ash when burned than lump coal. The greater reactivity of the briquette concerning the lump coal allows for minimizing the air rate by about 10%, which also reduces the exhaust gas volume by the same amount and the stack losses. It reduces the velocity of dust lifting, which leads to the reduction of their emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution caused by diesel engines can have harmful effect not only on the environment but also on human health. Research carried out around the world aims at reducing the emission of particles and harmful chemical compounds during the operation of diesel engines, an example of which is the use of fuel nanomodifiers. In the study presented, the effect of two fuel additives available in Poland, containing cerium dioxide and ferrocene nanoparticles was investigated. Additives were added to standard European diesel fuel to evaluate their influence on the emission of particulate matter and selected chemical compounds in exhaust gases from a vehicle equipped with a compression-ignition engine. Measurements were carried out using the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), on a chassis dynamometer, simulating real road traffic conditions. The results showed a reduction of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matter (both in terms of mass and number of particles) in the exhaust gases, but also a 2-4% increase in nitrogen oxide emissions. The use of such nanomodifiers in diesel fuel seems to be a promising solution, especially for older passenger cars commonly used on the roads, which are not regulated by the latest emission standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The aim of this study is to investigate the environmental hazards posed by solid particles resulting from road transport. To achieve this, a methodology used to inventory pollutant emissions was used in accordance with the recommendations of the EMEP/EEA (European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme/European Economic Area). This paper classifies particulates derived from road transport with reference to their properties and sources of origin. The legal status of environmental protection against particulate matter is presented. The emissions of particulate matter with different properties from different road transport sources is examined based on the results of Poland's inventory of pollutant emissions in the year 2018. This study was performed using areas with characteristic traffic conditions: inside and outside cities, as well as on highways and expressways. The effects of vehicles were classified according to Euro emissions standards into the categories relating to the emissions of different particulate matter types. The results obtained showed that technological progress in the automobile sector has largely contributed to a reduction in particulate matter emissions associated with engine exhaust gases, and that this has had slight effect on particulate matter emissions associated with the tribological processes of vehicles. The conclusion formed is that it is advisable to undertake work towards the control and reduction of road transport particulate matter emissions associated with the sources other than engine exhaust gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work is devoted to placement of streets and urban roads greening elements. The statistics of the road traffic fatalities rate as a result of ride on obstruction, in particular a tree in Ukraine, Poland, the USA, Denmark, have been analyzed. An unsatisfactory situation in Ukraine was confirmed, where the accident rate on roads with a fatal outcome is almost 10 times higher than in the safest countries of the world. The main functions of the streets and urban roads greening elements are generalized. There are: environmental protection (noise absorption, air purification from exhaust gases and pollination); decorating (creation of space for satisfaction of esthetic requirements of a person); accentuating; barrier etc. The greening elements of Ukraine streets and urban roads are classified and compared with the classifications of Queensland (Australia) and Poland. Current placement of greening elements in Poltava (Ukraine) streets was analyzed and the main disadvantages of placing greening elements were revealed. The normative requirements for the street and urban road greening elements placement in Ukraine, Queensland (Australia), Poland, Sweden, Denmark have been analyzed. Existing placement of the street and urban road greening elements in countries with high level of traffic safety were researched and the ways of improvement of existing street greening in Ukraine was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health style of the population has deteriorated in the last 10 years, given the possibilities offered by an increasingly advanced civilization. The paper attempts to find the answer to the question whether the development of motorization has an effect on civilization diseases. To this end, the paper began with an analysis of the registered number of means of transport in Poland and an analysis of the number of cases of malignant and respiratory tract cancers. Then, the focus was on the analysis of exhaust toxicity, discussing its definition and determining the limit values for exhaust toxicity occurring in the means of transport. In the next section, the paper was carried out on the toxicity of exhaust gases of lorries and passenger cars affecting human health. Finally, the paper ends by summarizing the results and drawing the appropriate conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-heating occurring was studied in the Bytom coal-waste dump using petrographic, mineralogical, and organic geochemical to assess the changes induced by heating on organic material and quantify—qualify the emitted gases. The distribution of geochemical markers such as n-alkanes, alkylbenzenes, alkylcyclohexanes, phenols, sulfurous compounds, and emitted gases in the waste dump is outlined. Heating of organic material there is indicated by high vitrinite random reflectance (Rr)% values that typically characterize samples with short-chain n-alkanes, alkylbenzenes, and alkylmethylbenzenes. Contents of minerals showing minor alterations are high with ~ 90% in burned-out samples. Inside the dump where temperatures can reach up to 700–1300 °C and oxygen contents are significantly reduced, conditions favor coking. This situation is confirmed by the formation of enormous quantities of phenols and alkylbenzenes or by elevated amounts of H2 formed under low-oxygen conditions (pyrolysis). Aromatization, pyrolysis (thermal cracking), and oxidation are associated with the heating in the dump. Gases such as methane, ethane, propane, and ethylene formed during self-heating can serve as fuel for the fire inside the dump, in the process generating huge amounts of CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To meet the growing energy demand and thereby increase power-generating capacity, the dependency on coal for power generation, are required a more environmentally friendly methods of fly ash utilization. Therefore, the priority is to characterize domestic fly ash in detail in order to ascertain its potential uses as raw material in the production of high-value products. The high silica content of fly ash makes it a potential useful source for the synthesis of nanoporous materials, such as zeolites and mesoporous molecular sieves. The physicochemical properties of fly ash coming from seven coal-fired power plants and three heat and power plants in Poland are presented in this work. The fly ash was sampled from power plants that use combustion of lignite and hard coal in pulverized-fuel boilers (PC) and circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers. The fly ash was examined for its morphology, chemical and mineral composition, grain size, structure and thermal stability by using advanced instrumental techniques (XRF, XRD, SEM, BET, TGA). According to mineralogical and chemical composition of fly ash, three fly ash samples are potentially useful as a raw material for making zeolite A, two samples for zeolite X and fly ash No. 8 for zeolite Y. The samples with the highest content of SiO2 and Al2O3 (Nos. 2-6 and 9) can be used to synthesize mesoporous molecular sieves such as MCM-41 and SBA-15. Received zeolites and mesoporous sieves from these fly ash samples will be used for removing NO2 from exhaust gas, and these studies can be implemented in power plants with CO2 capture, in the process of exhaust gas purification to removal of NO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rail transport is considered a serious risk to the environment; however, its environmental impact has been addressed insufficiently with many resulting uncertainties. A busy railway corridor was used to determine if the side of a railway track could distort the assessment of soil contamination with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and if soil phytotoxicity changes up to 50 m away from the track. The studied soils showed a moderate to heavy level of contamination with Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Cu, Ni and Zn content decreased significantly with the distance from the track while Pb content increased slightly, probably because the Pb came predominantly from exhaust gases, while the source of the remaining elements was the abrasion of railway infrastructure components. The side of the railway track proved to be a significant factor that influenced Ni and Pb content in particular. The phytotoxicity test predominantly showed a slight inhibition of plant growth with a maximum value reaching 70.4% but with an absence of significant differences in phytotoxicity between the distances. The ecological risk assessment did not reveal a serious threat to the environment from the PTEs in the soil. Based on the results, it is appropriate to define a heavily polluted zone at a minimum distance of 50 m from the track, and both sides of the railway track should be assessed so that the actual level of contamination is not underestimated. Further research is needed on this issue urgently due to the severe and hitherto overlooked environmental risks associated with rail transport. [Display omitted] • The soils were moderately to heavily contaminated with Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. • Side effect of railway-related contamination was proved. • Cu, Ni and Zn distribution was significantly decreased up to 25 m from the track. • Plant growth was predominantly slightly inhibited without the effect of distance. • Heavily polluted zone should be defined at a minimum distance of 50 m from the track. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Industrial sectors responsible for large part of CO2 emissions in Poland are characterized from the point of view of possibilities of sequestration of this gas by underground storage. On the basis of official statistics and data obtained from local administration and individual plants, attempt was made to evaluate the magnitude of emissions from selected categories, sub-categories and sectors of the industry (in accordance with methodology of IPCC), concentration of CO2 in combustion gases and those emitted by industry, and to identify major point sources of emission of this gas in Poland. A special attention was paid to those sectors of industry that may be the first to act as a source of carbon dioxide for sequestration by underground storage in the nearest future. To cite this article: R. Tarkowski, C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this work was to analyse the origin of the exhaust gases containing large amount of carbon dioxide (CO 2) and methane (CH 4) from self-heating coal waste dump and its potential health and environmental impact. Air samples were collected from the coal waste dump and its vicinity in Nowa Ruda − Słupiec (NR-S), Southwestern Poland, during ground survey campaigns in spring (March 30, 2019) and winter (December 1, 2019). In order to detect the origin of the exhaust plume emission, stable carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) of CH 4 and CO 2 was measured using a cavity ring-down spectrometer (CRDS). We investigated the gases collected from the hotspots at the surface of the coal-mine dump, from the air above the dump and finally from surroundings of the dump. This allowed to estimate the stage and magnitude of CH 4 oxidation inside the coal dump. Many gas seeps from the places, where the dump is actively burning were identified during the ground surveys. CH 4 mole fraction in those seeps (hot-spots) reached up to 10,000 ppm. Methane found in the most of the air samples collected from the dump was strongly enriched in 13C, with an average of −27.4 ± 5.8‰, which is heavier than methane coming out from formerly excavated coal seams what indicate coal pyrolysis as the predominant source of methane seeps. The covarying with methane, CO 2 mole fraction from active burn dump sites reached up to 73,000 ppm with an average δ 13 C value of −27.3 ± 8.4‰. Therefore, CO 2 resembles isotopically it's predominant precursor, the pyrolytic methane, via incomplete combustion in the shallow oxygenated parts of the hot spots. Substantial amounts of methane escape from the self-ignited spots on the NR-S coal waste dump, however, the mobile surveys did not reveal the enhanced methane mole fraction at the ground level in distance between 1 and 3 km from the dump. Even at distances of 150 m from the hot spots impact was limited, implying convective transport of these localized hot pollutant plumes. The results highlight changes in the fire intensity, prevailing winds, dump architecture, and surface roughness in the surrounding regions are the most important factors of air pollutant emission from complex coal mine dump system. • The noticeable increase of number of thermally active spots on coal waste dump was observed • High temporal and spatial heterogeneity of GHGs was caused by intensifying self-heating • Enriched δ13C clearly indicated generating thermogenic CH 4 inside the intensely self-heating coal waste dump • Carbon dioxide predominantly originated from methane oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three semi-technical scale biofilters were applied to treat waste gases at different industrial sites in Poland: a mechanical–biological treatment plant of municipal solid waste, a wastewater treatment plant and a food industry plant. Two types of materials were used as beds in the biofilters: stumpwood chips and pine bark, and stumpwood chips, pine bark and compost from green waste. Both bed materials supported the microbial growth and high numbers (106–108 cfu/g dry mass (DM)) of culturable bacteria, and fungi in beds were observed. There was no correlation between the number of microorganisms (cfu/g DM) and the respiratory activity in the biofilter beds. However, microbial respiration activity corresponded with microbial abundance expressed as microbial equivalents (ME), which was calculated based on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) determination. The biofilters either reduced or increased bioaerosol emissions from industrial plants, depending on the microbial content in the waste gases. A high microbial content in the waste gases made the effect of microbial emission from the biofilter bed negligible. The type of biofilter bed and number of microorganisms in the bed also influenced the final bioaerosol emission, but these factors were relevant for biofilters that treated waste gases with low microbial concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of global warming and the related climate change requires solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in particular CO2. As a result, newly manufactured cars consume less fuel and emit lower amounts of CO2. In terms of exhaust emissions and fuel consumption, old cars are significantly inferior to the more recent models. In Poland, for instance, the average age of passenger cars is approximately 13 years. Therefore, apart from developing new solutions in the cars produced today, it is important to focus on measures that enable the reduction in CO2 emissions in older vehicles. These methods include the adaptation of used cars to run on gaseous fuels. Natural gas is a hydrocarbon fuel that is particularly preferred in terms of CO2 emissions. The article presents the results of research of carbon oxides emission (CO, CO2) in the exhaust gas of a passenger car fueled by petrol and natural gas. The emissions were measured under the conditions of the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) test and in real road tests. The test results confirm that compared to petrol, a CNG vehicle allows for a significant reduction in CO2 and CO emissions in a car that is several years old, especially in urban traffic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]