This paper deals with the possibility of using different types of waste glass powder in high-performance concrete (HPC) mixtures as a fine fraction replacement. Subsequently, both fractions are used in this research in concrete as a substitute for fine sand and silica flour. To use waste glass in a basic building material such as concrete, it is necessary to verify the basic chemical properties of the selected waste materials. Apart from the basic chemical properties, its environmental impact also appears to be an essential property of waste materials in general. Therefore, the research is mainly focused on the leaching and ecotoxicity experiments on high-performance concrete. HPC mixtures are designed based on the results of the analyzed chemical properties and previous research performed by our research team. Ecotoxicity of these concretes is then verified using Czech standards to evaluate. The results showed a positive impact on the ecotoxic properties of waste glass when used in concrete. A new ecotoxicity classification of waste materials and concrete mixes containing waste materials is proposed as a result of this research and summarized in the conclusion of this paper.

Studies concerning environmental impact of construction materials are very rarely based on experiments performed with real mixed samples and test organisms (ecotoxicological bioassays). In our study, ecotoxicity of two concrete samples from different producers and one concrete-based construction waste in leachate form were assessed. Leachates were treated by various designs, i.e. i) without any treatment, ii) original pH + nutrients addition, iii) pH adjustment to 7.0, and iv) pH adjustment to 7.0 + addition of inorganic nutrients. Ecotoxicological bioassays with freshwater algae Desmodesmus subspicatus, freshwater plant Lemna minor and freshwater invertebrate Daphnia magna were performed. The metal content was determined both in solid samples and leachates. Results showed differences in toxicity level among the concrete sources when original leachates without any treatment were tested. On the contrary, the test design recommended by Czech legislation, i.e. lowering of the pH and addition of nutrients usually significantly decreased the sample toxicity and the potential differences among concrete samples. We suggest that the toxicity of concrete leachates may result not only from the highly alkaline pH but also from the potential persistence of high pH values both within dilution process and time. The higher toxicity was in accordance with higher level of leachate conductivity. Therefore, for the purposes of aquatic ecotoxicity assessment, we recommend either making no pH adjustment or performing the bioassays both with treated and untreated leachates.

Open Access Agricultural Journals published by Institute of Agricultural Economics and Information

Nano- and microplastics (NMPs) are a group of contaminants that cause concern due to their abundance in the environment, high persistence, and interaction with other contaminants. This review aims to understand the role of NMP in the bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants. For that, a comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify publications that compared the uptake of contaminants in the presence and absence of NMP. In this part I, twenty-eight publications of the terrestrial compartment were analyzed. Two main taxonomic groups were studied, namely, earthworms and terrestrial plants. In earthworms, most studies observed an increase in the bioaccumulation of the contaminants, while in plants, most studies observed a decrease in the bioaccumulation. Changes in bioavailable fractions of contaminants due to NMP presence was the main reason pointed out by the authors for their outcomes. Moreover, biological aspects were also found to be important in defining how NMPs affect bioaccumulation. Dermal damage and changes in contaminant-degrading bacteria in the gut of earthworms caused an increase in bioaccumulation, and root pore blockage was a common reason for the decrease in the bioaccumulation of contaminants in plants. Nevertheless, such effects were mainly observed at high, unrealistic NMP concentrations. Finally, knowledge gaps were identified, and the limitations of this systematic review were presented.