This paper discusses the state of advancement in the development of spectroscopic methods based on the use of mid (proper) infrared radiation in the context of applications in various fields of science and technology. The authors drew attention to the most important solutions specific to both spectroscopy itself (ATR technique) and chemometric data processing tools (PCA and PLS models). The objective of the current paper is to collect and consistently present information on various aspects of FT-IR spectroscopy, which is not only a well-known and well-established method but is also continuously developing. The innovative aspect of the current review is to show FT-IR’s great versatility that allows its applications to solve and explain issues from both the scientific domain (e.g., hydrogen bonds) and practical ones (e.g., technological processes, medicine, environmental protection, and food analysis). Particular attention was paid to the issue of hydrogen bonds as key non-covalent interactions, conditioning the existence of living matter and determining the number of physicochemical properties of various materials. Since the role of FT-IR spectroscopy in the field of hydrogen bond research has great significance, a historical outline of the most important qualitative and quantitative hydrogen bond theories is provided. In addition, research on selected unconventional spectral effects resulting from the substitution of protons with deuterons in hydrogen bridges is presented. The state-of-the-art and originality of the current review are that it presents a combination of uses of FT-IR spectroscopy to explain the way molecules vibrate and the effects of those vibrations on macroscopic properties, hence practical applications of given substances.

Biohydrogen production is a promising alternative to replace fossil fuels in an environmentally friendly way. In addition to the many available renewable energy sources, the production of “colored” hydrogen and biohydrogen occupies an irreplaceable position due to the undeniable availability of biomass and the need to manage food waste (FW). This article presents the current state of biohydrogen production technology—examples on continents (America, Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania) and in Europe in terms of the efficiency of dark methane fermentation (CH₄). Biophotolysis processes leading to the production of biohydrogen are indicated: directly and indirectly. The mechanism of the fermentation process of obtaining hydrogen and two-stage hydrogen fermentation are presented. The novelty of this article is the development of innovative trends in the development of the biohydrogen industry in Europe. Various models of the biohydrogen process are presented for different raw materials and proportions of substrates used in co-fermenters. Researchers from China are the undisputed pioneers in the use of renewable energy sources. However, improved energy self-sufficiency and environmental impacts are reflected in the growing number of pilot installations operating in European countries. This also gives hope for rapid progress towards full animal and FW management also in Poland.

The aim of the study was to recognise the accumulation of organic carbon (SOC) in the soils of Polish grasslands (GL) and to consider the possibility of increasing its sequestration in these soils. The Tiurin method (mineral soils) and the mass loss method (soil of organic origin) were used. It was found that: (i) the average SOC content of mineral soils is 2.44% and of organic soils – 10.42%; (ii) according to the Polish criteria, approximately 84% of GL mineral soils are classified as classes with high and very high SOC content, and over 15% and 1% – in classes with medium and low SOC content, respectively; more than 99% of organic soils belong to two classes with the highest SOC content and less than 1% to the class with an average content; (iii) according to the European Soil Bureau, the share of GL mineral soils with a high SOC content is slightly over 4%, medium – slightly over 47%, and low and very low – around 50%; for organic soils they are 67, 29, and 4%, respectively; (iv) the reserves of organic carbon in the 0–30 cm layer on the entire surface of GL soils amount to 412.7 Tg of SOC. There is considerable scope for increasing the SOC stock in meadow-pasture soils.

This paper describes examples of energy crops that are profitable to burn, and whose cultivation is not complicated or expensive. Rapid growth of biomass, especially the green mass of energy crops, is indicated, which means that, in relation to fossil fuels, energy crops are considered renewable raw materials. An assessment of Polish non-food energy agriculture was conducted in the context of the prospects of a renewable energy source, namely, biomass. Recommendations for crop cultivation, the size of possible yields and the most important parameters of the obtained biomass, which have the greatest impact on the suitability of energy use, are presented. Materials of biological origin for combustion are divided into three groups: wood waste, by-products and plant products for the energy industry. It is indicated that 2 tons (Mg) of dry wood or straw is energetically equivalent to 1 Mg of coal, and 1 m³ of biogas is energetically equivalent to 1 kg of Polish coal. A novelty of this article is the interpretation of obtaining primary energy, including energy from renewable sources, in the European Union and Poland, taking into account the production of wood waste, straw, cereals and energy crops. The mechanism of the impact of the production parameters of energy crops was revealed during the prepared analysis of the prospects of Polish energy agriculture. Additionally, we conducted an analysis of the potential of biomass as a source of energy in the context of: obtaining primary energy, including energy from renewable sources, in the European Union and Poland; the number of biogas plants in Poland; and the area of agricultural land that is potentially useful for the cultivation of energy crops.