Mateusz Malinowski

Life cycle assessment of refuse-derived fuel production from mixed municipal waste

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to identify and assess the potential environmental impacts caused by refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production from mixed municipal waste, in a mechanical–biological waste treatment plant in Krakow, Poland. The study is based on life cycle assessment methodology, employing EASETECH model. The system boundaries include only those operations which lead to the production of RDF. The adopted functional unit is 1 Mg of mixed municipal waste generated in Krakow, which enters the mechanical–biological waste treatment plant.

Effect of broccoli sprouts on thyroid function, haematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters in rats with thyroid imbalance

Broccoli sprouts may exert a negative influence on thyroid function as they are a rich source of glucosinolates, in particular glucoraphanin. Under the study in a long-term experiment broccoli sprouts were tested as an element of rats diet, combined with deficient iodine, or sulfadimethoxine ingestion - two models of hypothyroidism. Evaluations were performed for serum TSH and thyroid hormones completed with analyzes of selected haematological, biochemical and immunological (IL-6, IL-10) parameters, as well as cytosolic glutathione peroxidase (GPX1), thioredoxin reductase (TR) in the thyroid, and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPX3). A thermographic analysis was conducted to provide auxiliary indicators for determining a potential thyroid dysfunction under the specific experimental conditions. The levels of TSH, fT3 and fT4 remained unchanged following broccoli sprouts ingestion, which was even found to have a protective effect against sulfadimethoxine induced thyroid damage. Moreover, TR activity significantly increased in response to sprouts ingestion. In animals with hypothyroidism, broccoli sprouts were found to exert a beneficial influence on the antioxidant balance of the thyroid gland. In comparison to the rats with iodine deficiency, broccoli sprouts addition to the diet was observed to decrease IL-6 level. No significant differences in IL-10 concentration were determined. Neither addition of broccoli sprouts to the diet, nor sulfadimethoxine and iodine deficiency, caused negative changes in red blood cell parameters, glucose and uric acid concentrations, or kidney function. However, such a dietary intervention resulted in reduced WBC and PLT levels, and it may adversely interfere with liver function in rats, most likely due to a higher dietary intake of glucosinolates.

Microbiological air contamination in university premises and the evaluation of drug resistance of staphylococci occurring in the form of a bioaerosol

The aim of this research was to evaluate exposure to microbiological aerosol of persons staying in selected office and teaching areas of the university premises. The number and biodiversity of microorganisms constituting the bioaerosol, in particular the Staphylococcus spp., and their drug resistance profile, were determined. Moreover, the influence of temperature, level of airborne particle concentration and the type of ventilation on the number of microorganisms was analysed. The monitoring was carried out using the MAS-100 impactor. The level of airborne particle concentration was measured using the DustTrak II dust meter. The analysis of drug resistance level of staphylococci was carried out using the disk-diffusion method. On the basis of research conducted, the highest microbiological air contamination was found in the biomass lab, due to the research carried out there. On the other hand, no unequivocal link between the concentration of microorganisms present in the air and the type of ventilation used was found. Airborne particles concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 exceeded the standard limit values – therefore the air was classified as contaminated. In the sampled air, multi-resistant staphylococci were found, which may pose an epidemiological threat to persons staying in the analysed premises.

Microbiological and Energetic Assessment of the Effects of the Biodrying of Fuel Produced from Waste

Abstract Biological drying (biodrying) is one of the methods of biological processing of waste, used mainly as part of the mechanical biological treatment of mixed municipal waste. Biological drying uses the heat released during the decomposition of organic matter to reduce the amount of water in dried waste. The aim of the analyses was to provide a microbiological and energetic (fuel) assessment of the process of biodrying of alternative fuel (RDF) obtained by mechanical sorting of mixed municipal waste. The resulting alternative fuel (obtained with just sorting) is characterised by varied moisture content and the presence of diverse groups of microorganisms. The analyses were intended to assess 3 alternative methods of biodrying of alternative fuel in order to produce a stable end product for utility power generation and the cement industry. The analyses were performed using special bioreactors equipped with custom (innovative) fluidised bed, aeration system (air flow rate 500 m3 · h−1), effluents drain systems, post-process air offtake and 4 temperature sensors. The assessment of the impact of the employed bed aeration methods on the quality of the alternative fuel was performed in 3 repetitions with the same external parameters. The obtained results show that after 8 days of biodrying, in the most favourable option, the moisture content in the fuel was reduced to the level of 18.7%, i.e. by 39%, the resulting fuel was microbiologically stable and the calorific value of the fuel was increased on average by 3.2 MJ · kg−1.