<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The effects of a dynamic increase in the total length of expressways in Poland include the issue of wastewater generation and disposal at roadside rest areas, which has been gaining importance, especially regarding the safety of local water ecosystems. Currently, the total number of roadside rest areas in Poland is nearly 400, yet in the future it could double, because of road infrastructure expansion and the need to improve road travel comfort. The most common approaches to wastewater disposal are septic tanks or wastewater treatment plants. In view of Poland’s environmental goals, only the second solution can be regarded as a form of final wastewater disposal. The aim of this study was to analyse available solutions for wastewater treatment at roadside rest areas, analysis of the effectiveness of their performance and identification, and diagnosis of existing problems. The tested facilities contained solutions based on biological wastewater treatment, preceded by a mechanical stage with the use of a two-chamber primary settling tank. Two solutions involved a sequencing batch reactor, and the remaining ones used submerged fixed-bed bioreactors. Finally, the obtained results showed unsatisfactory wastewater treatment effectiveness. Parameters such as chemical oxygen demand (COD) were exceeded at five of the six study sites, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) was exceeded at three sites, and total suspended solids was exceeded at two sites, which indicates a disturbance in the operation of the treatment plant. The reason for the poor effluent was primarily inadequate technological supervision of the operation of these facilities.
</abstract>

Evaluation of Effectiveness of On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems Located at Roadside Rest Areas: Recognition and Diagnosis of Existing Problems in the Operation of Selected Facilities

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The aim of our study was to estimate the amount of waste disposed through the public system of waste collection, as well as the amount collected during clean-up activities in public spaces in Poland. This study has been the first of its kind in Poland. We defined terminology for the public system of waste collection and public spaces. Our analyses were for the year 2021 and focused on diverse research areas. The administrative and landscape standard was used as a criterion for the selection of the units tested in field trials, by means of a questionnaire survey. 46 units were purposefully selected, and two series of surveys were carried out with respect to two research areas. During the qualitative assessment of our information sources to assess their suitability for the development of the methodology, it was necessary to apply methodological verifiers relating to mass, persons, area, and statistics. The verifiers took into account all variables influencing the quantities of waste considered in the study. The results obtained showed the lack of separate records in the municipal register for the waste assessed under the study. It was found that nearly 85% of the waste collected in the public systems of waste collection and litter in public spaces were registered as mixed (unsorted) municipal waste (Code 20 03 01) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="j_oszn-2022-0014_ref_019">Regulation... 2020</xref>]. It was noted that 20% of municipal waste generated outside households was left behind as litter in public spaces and posed environmental risks. For this reason, among others, it was necessary to estimate the amount of this type of waste.
</abstract>

Assessment of waste amounts collected through the public system of waste collection and during clean-up activities in public spaces in Poland

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, as a leader, along with the University of Szczecin and Enea Operator LLC, is implementing the R&amp;D project ‘Development of an intelligent and automatic system for stabilising the operation of power distribution networks based on modular installations of a hydrogen energy buffer with the intention of utilising hydrogen’. Its goal is to build the first hydrogen energy buffer in Poland, whose task will be to stabilise the parameters of the power grid. The operating conditions of the power grid, and the impact of the energy buffer system on its stability, have been determined. The nominal parameters of the buffer elements were calculated and the place of its installation and the assumptions for its operation have been indicated. The buffer will be located in the 110 kV / 15 kV substation.
</abstract>

Stabilisation of the power grid with a hydrogen energy buffer

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group consisting of 209 congeners, differing in the number and site of substitution of chlorine atoms to the biphenyl molecule. Due to their physicochemical properties, they have found wide industry use. As a result of many years of large-scale use of PCBs, their toxic properties began to be noticed as they manifested in poisoning among humans. After thorough testing of PCBs, they were classified in the group of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and their production was banned and they were withdrawn from use. Although PCBs are no longer produced in factories, they can still be formed. In this article, will be presented and explained methods of accidental formation of PCBs. Based on data from the literature, we performed an environmental risk assessment for PCB-contaminated soils.
</abstract>

How are polychlorinated biphenyls currently being produced, despite the production ban, and do they pose a risk to the environment?

Reviewers of the „Environmental Protection and Natural Resources” Vol. 33 No 1(91), 2(92), 3(93), 4(94), 2022

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Environmental Protection and Natural Resources

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