Small-particle-produced goods, such as those used in industry, medicine, cosmetics, paints, abrasives, and plastic pellets or powders, are the main sources of microplastics. It is also possible to mention tire recycling granules here. Larger components break down in the environment to generate secondary microplastics. Microplastics, or particles smaller than 5 mm, and nanoplastics, or particles smaller than 1 μm, are the products of degradation and, in particular, disintegration processes that occur in nature as a result of several physical, chemical, and biological variables. Polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene, polyurethane, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are among the chemicals included in this contamination in decreasing order of quantity. Micro- and nanoplastics have been detected in the air, water, and soil, confirming their ubiquitous presence in natural environments. Their widespread distribution poses significant threats to human health, including oxidative stress, inflammation, cellular damage, and potential carcinogenic effects. The aim of this article is to review the current literature on the occurrence of micro- and nanoplastics in various environmental compartments and to analyze the associated health consequences. The article also discusses existing legal regulations and highlights the urgent need for intensified research into the toxicological mechanisms of microplastics and the development of more effective strategies for their mitigation.

The production of biogas from biodegradable waste generated in all sectors of the economy in Poland is a key issue for the diversification of energy sources and climate neutrality. The biogas balances presented in the literature based on bio-waste often contain overly optimistic data, which in reality only represent the theoretical potential of biogas in Poland. The pragmatic approach presented in this study fills a gap in research by presenting a technical balance of biogas (real potential) that can be realistically achieved. The objective of the work was to perform a biogas balance in the context of electricity and heat generation in cogeneration units. The tests made it possible to estimate the technical potential of biogas, depending on the source of its generation, the possibility of its conversion to biomethane and biohydrogen and the methods of its use. The research results showed a 30% increase in biogas potential on an annual basis compared to the current state, resulting in a 29% increase in electricity production and a 28% increase in heat production. The technical potential of biogas was estimated at 2186.62 million m³, which would allow for the production of 4627.06 GWh of electricity and 1869.64 TG of heat. The technical balance of biogas and the potential energy production can serve as input material for developing plans and strategies for the development of renewable energy sources in Poland. The work is consistent with the issues of balancing the renewable energy resources from biogas and the methods of conversion into other energy carriers using sustainable energy transformations in order to optimise energy production processes.

Combined heat and power generation is the simultaneous conversion of primary energy (in the form of fuel) in a technical system into useful thermal and mechanical energy (as the basis for the generation of electricity). This method of energy conversion offers a high degree of efficiency (i.e., very efficient conversion of fuel to useful energy). In the context of energy system transformation, combined heat and power (CHP) is a fundamental pillar and link between the volatile electricity market and the heat market, which enables better planning. This article presents an advanced model for the production of fuel mixtures based on landfill biogas in the context of energy use in CHP units. The search for optimal technological solutions in energy management requires specialized domain-specific knowledge which, using advanced algorithmic models, has the potential to become an essential element in real-time intelligent ICT systems. Numerical modeling makes it possible to build systems based on the knowledge of complex systems, processes, and equipment in a relatively short time. The focus was on analyzing the applicability of algorithmic models based on artificial intelligence implemented in the supervisory control systems (SCADA-type systems including Virtual SCADA) of technological processes in waste management systems. The novelty of the presented solution is the application of predictive diagnostic tools based on multithreaded polymorphic models, supporting making decisions that control complex technological processes and objects and solving the problem of optimal control for intelligent dynamic objects with a logical representation of knowledge about the process, the control object, and the control, for which the learning process consists of successive validation and updating of knowledge and using the results of this updating to determine control decisions.

Removing impurities that occur in landfill gas, from sulphur and silicon compounds, is crucial for the energetic use of biogas in a cogeneration unit for energy purposes. The aim of this study was to analyse the shaped activated carbon, examining its structure and elemental composition as part of the biogas purification. The qualitative study of the purified landfill gas performed in this study showed a significant overshoot of hydrogen sulphide at 304.1 ppm with respect to the gas engine manufacturer’s requirements, while the calculated hydrogen sulphide reduction efficiency was 24.58%. Examination of the surface of the spent carbon and its pores with a scanning microscope revealed a high level of clotting by sulphur compounds, which prevents proper reduction of this compound and reduces the efficiency of the treatment plant. Replacement of the activated carbon bed with a new one showed a hydrogen sulphide value of 7.5 ppm in the purified gas and a calculated reduction efficiency of 97.9%. The results of the study confirmed that continuous monitoring of the quality of the purified gas is necessary to control the adsorption properties of the activated carbon and can be used for the operation of gas engines in cogeneration units. The landfill gas treatment method described in this paper constitutes an environmentally sustainable project within the meaning of the EU regulation on the establishment of a framework to promote and facilitate this type of investment in terms of its financing and operation. The topic of the work fits into three key areas of broad research and implementation activities. The first, technological, is the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable and resource-efficient closed-loop economy; the second, environmental, pollution prevention and control. The third area is economics and finance in terms of making financial products available designed to reduce climate change and reporting on these activities.

The sewage treatment plant, as a producer of renewable energy, should make every effort to ensure that the biogas used as a fuel meets the quality requirements, including those of the manufacturers of cogeneration units. Such measures necessitate the application of a conditioning process of...