Wojciech Balcerzak

The article presents the issue of adsorptive removal of hydrogen sulphide from biogas using zeolite. Based on literature data, comparing performance of the biogas desulphurisation process for various mineral adsorbents, eg. activated carbon, zeolites and metal oxides, was carried out. The efficiency of biogas desulphurisation by adsorption on zeolites is significantly lower than for the activated carbons. Therefore, this article presents opportunities for improving efficiency desulphurization by modifying the structure of adsorbents.

This paper is part of a series of publications discussing the prevalence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment and the effectiveness of their removal and degradation during wastewater and water treatment processes. It presents the most commonly used b-blockers and their parameters related to their metabolism and excretion from a body. In the paper, the authors review the literature data on the presence of b-blockers in wastewater and surface waters and present new solutions which have been developed to increase the efficiency of removal of these compounds from wastewater and potable water.

This paper is part of a series of publications discussing the prevalence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment and the effectiveness of their removal and degradation during wastewater treatment processes. The paper discusses the problem of the presence of carbamazepine and other anti-epileptic drugs. The authors reviewed the basic characteristic parameters of these compounds, and based on the analysed literature data, the problem of anti-epileptic drugs, mainly carbamazepine, in the aquatic environment. Carbamazepine appears to be exceptionally persistent at municipal wastewater treatment plants as has been confirmed by current studies on its elimination and degradation, as well as reports on its presence in surface water, groundwater and even drinking water. The latest studies demonstrated highly effective removal of carbamazepine during oxidation processes. The application of these methods in real life situations should enable the effective protection of the aquatic environment.

This paper presents the variability of the quantity and specific composition of the sludge produced at two different surface water treatment plants ‒ the Raba water treatment plant (WTP), collecting water from an artificial reservoir; and the Rudawa WTP, collecting running surface water. The authors analyzed the differences in the amount and characteristics of sludge and tried to relate them to specific technological systems in use at the treatment plants. The paper mainly focuses on heavy metals removed from the water and then trapped in the sludge. The aim of the work was to describe changes that involved both the quantity of sludge and its characteristics, especially with respect to its further disposal (e.g. heavy metals, etc.). Additionally, some aspects of an activated carbon dosing regime and its impact on a heavy metal content in sludge were discussed.

High chemical stability, resistance to changes in the pH, pressure and temperature meant that zirconium oxide is widely used in many fields. It is used in water treatment and waste water treatment processes, as
well as air purification. In this paper, selected methods  of nano-zirconia synthesis in liquid phase were characterized.  These methods  include,  among  others, the microemulsion  method.  Based on literature data,  the advantages and difficulties associated with the use of each method  are presented, in order to answer the question of which method of nanometric zirconium oxide synthesis in the liquid phase is the most  advantageous.  The authors  also  pointed  out some  directions of development  for the discussed methods, which relate to, among others, solvent change and the use of additives in the form of polymers.

The article discusses the occurrence of selected cytostatic drugs in the aquatic environment. The authors start with a preliminary introduction to the characteristics of the most commonly used cytostatic drugs. Then, based on the review of the literature they show that such drugs occur in small amounts in an aqueous medium and that there is no reliable research data on the long-term exposure of aquatic organisms to cytostatics. Until now, the studies on the stability of some cytostatics showed that these compounds were extremely stable, not only in natural waters, but also at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In spite of the advanced treatment technologies used at wastewater treatment plants, cytostatics pass relatively easily through the treatment line and end up in surface waters, thus posing a threat to water quality.

Antibiotics are the most commonly used group of pharmaceuticals used in human and animal treatment. The main sources are hospital and household sewage and waste from animal production. The paper is a review of the literature confirming the prevalence of antibiotics in wastewater influents and effluents, natural waters, sludge and sediments. Studies conducted around the world confirm that there is a risk of antibiotic accumulation in soil and their infiltration to drinking water despite advanced methods of water purification. The concentrations of several substances found in surface water samples exceed the levels considered as safe for the studied aquatic organisms several hundred times, which indicates a real threat to their lives.

The article’s subject is the presence of antidepressants in the wastewater and aquatic environment. The basic characteristics of selected antidepressants were presented. A review of the literature on the occurrence of these compounds in sewage influents and effluents, surface waters and sludge was made. As a general rule, drinking water should be free of any organic, especially pharmaceutical, contaminants. But according to data, the presence of antidepressants in source water for water purification plants poses a threat to their penetration to the water supply system and, eventually, to consumers of water intended for human consumption.

The article is part of a series of publications discussing prevalence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment. The aim of this study is to describe the problem of the presence of hormonal tablets ingredient 17α-ethinylestradiol and its three natural analogues in wastewater and the environment. Basic information on the substances in question and the concentrations in which these compounds can negatively affect aquatic organisms are provided. In the paper, the authors review the literature data on the presence of estrogenic hormones in wastewater, surface water and groundwater. Penetration through aquifers can lead to accumulation of these compounds in the sediments, which is reflected in the literature.

The paper is part of a series of publications discussing the prevalence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment. The paper presents two groups of hypolipidemic drugs (lipid regulators) and their basic parameters. A review of the literature on the occurrence of these compounds in wastewater, surface water and groundwater was made. According to the literature, the presence of various lipid regulators in raw water entering water treatment plants poses a real threat of their penetration into the water supply system, and consequently, to public water intended for human consumption.

The paper discusses the discharge of highly concentrated alkaline wastewater from an industrial reservoir and its effect on surface waters. The discharge source is the Górka industrial reservoir, located in Trzebinia. The wastewater constitutes a threat to groundwater, which serves as a source of drinking water for surrounding villages. A detailed analysis of pH confirmed a high alkalinity of the tank content; the pH values were in the range of 12.5 to 13.5. Other water quality parameters (COD, sulfates, chlorides, TSS) were also very high. Initially, wastewater was discharged to the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Chrzanów. Then, since the plant had refused further treatment due to operational disturbances, wastewater had to be discharged directly to the Chechło and Ropa creeks and finally to the Vistula river. A simultaneous monitoring of the water quality in these streams was provided. Wastewater discharged from the Górka reservoir was gradually diluted on its way to the Vistula river and therefore its impact on the Vistula river has been insignificant. The method turned out to be both effective and safe for the aquatic environment.