Celem badań jest określenie zawartości rtęci w węglach kamiennych, losowo pobranych z GZW oraz w produktach ubocznych wydobycia węgla (odpady wydobywcze świeże), czyli kruszywach i mułach węgla kamiennego, a także odpadach górniczych ze zwałowiska Siersza (odpady zwietrzałe). Do analizy przeznaczono 34 próbki. Określono zawartość całkowitą rtęci oraz wielkość wymywania rtęci z próbek stałych. Obliczono ponadto udział formy wymywalnej w całkowitej zawartości pierwiastka, czyli poziom uwalniania rtęci z materiału (poziom wymycia). Badania wielkości wymywania rtęci określono metodą statyczną z zastosowaniem testu wymywalności 1:10. Najwyższą możliwością wymywania rtęci charakteryzują się odpady zwietrzałe ze zwałowiska Siersza i nieco niższą analizowane węgle kamienne z Górnośląskiego Z agłębia Węglowego (GZW). Dla próbek węgla kamiennego zawartość rtęci całkowitej kształtuje się w granicach 0,0275–0,1236 mg/kg. Natomiast wielkość wymywania rtęci z próbek węgli kształtuje się na poziomie 0,0008−0,0077 mg/kg. Odpady świeże typu kruszywa charakteryzują się wyższą zawartością rtęci całkowitej we frakcji najdrobniejszej 0-6 mm w granicach 0,1377−0,6107 mg/kg i zdecydowanie niższą we frakcji 80–120 mm w granicach 0,0508−0,1274 mg/kg. Wielkość wymywania jest porównywalna w obydwu frakcjach i kształtuje się na poziomie 0,0008−0,0057 mg/kg. Muły węglowe charakteryzują się zawartością rtęci całkowitej na poziomie 0,0937−0,2047 mg/kg. Obserwuje się także niskie wartości wymywania na poziomie 0,0014−0,0074 mg/kg. Odpady górnicze zwietrzałe charakteryzują się zawartością całkowitą rtęci w granicach 0,0622−0,2987 mg/kg. Obserwuje się jednak zdecydowanie wyższe wartości wymywania z odpadów zwietrzałych niż z odpadów wydobywczych świeżych. Wielkość ta kształtuje się na poziomie 0,0058−0,0165 mg/kg. W węglach kamiennych pobranych z GZW poziom wymycia kształtuje się na średnim poziomie 4,7%. Odpady wydobywcze charakteryzują się dużą zmiennością udziału formy wymywalnej rtęci a różnice wynikają z czasu sezonowania próbek. Odpady czy materiały uboczne produkcji węgla kamiennego typu kruszywa oraz muły węglowe wykazują udział formy wymywalnej rtęci na średnim poziomie 1,7%. W odpadach zwietrzałych udział formy wymywalnej zdecydowanie wzrasta do 7,3%. Charakterystyka wymywania jest zróżnicowana dla różnych grup badanego materiału. Podstawowe znaczenie a wykazane w pracy, mają czynniki takie jak rodzaj i pochodzenie próbek, ich skład granulometryczny oraz czas sezonowania materiału.

W procesie wydobycia i wzbogacania urobku węglowego powstają znaczne ilości materiałów odpadowych, głównie skała płonna oraz muły węglowe, uznawane za odpad lub surowiec. Podstawowe kierunki zagospodarowania skały płonnej oraz odpadów wydobywczych to produkcja kruszyw, produkcja pełnowartościowych produktów energetycznych oraz roboty likwidacyjne w kopalniach węgla kamiennego i podsadzanie wyrobisk. W pracy przedstawiono propozycję poszerzenia tych działań dla lepszego wykorzystania materiałów odpadowych. Rozpoznano możliwość wykorzystania kruszyw lub odpadów do wypełniania wyrobisk odkrywkowych, również na obszarach będących w zasięgu zbiorników wód podziemnych, możliwość budowy warstw izolujących z materiału odpadowego (muły węglowe) oraz wytwarzanie mieszanek mułów węglowych z osadami ściekowymi celem produkcji materiałów o dobrych właściwościach energetycznych. Analizę przeprowadzono na podstawie badań własnych i danych literaturowych, dotyczących szeregu wybranych parametrów materiałów odpadowych. Wykonano i przedstawiono wstępne badania wielkości ciepła spalania oraz wartości opałowej mułów węglowych w połączeniu z innym materiałem odpadowym, jakim są osady ściekowe. Zaproponowane sposoby i działania wpisują się w dotychczasowe kierunki zagospodarowania, jednak pozwalają na rozszerzenie zakresu stosowania zarówno odpadów wydobywczych, jak i produktów wytwarzanych na bazie skały płonnej czy mułów węglowych. Jednak ze względu na częsty brak stabilnego składu tych materiałów, każdorazowo przed próbą ich zastosowania należy dokonać oceny ich aktualnych właściwości. Wnioskuje się, że istotne jest kontynuowanie badań celem promowania wykorzystania gospodarczego już istniejących metod oraz poszukiwania nowych rozwiązań dla zagospodarowania odpadów wydobywczych.

The new legislative provisions, regulating the solid fuel trade in Poland, and the resolutions of

provincial assemblies assume, inter alia, a ban on the household use of lignite fuels and solid fuels

produced with its use; this also applies to coal sludge, coal flotation concentrates, and mixtures

produced with their use. These changes will force the producers of these materials to find new

ways and methods of their development, including their modification (mixing with other products

or waste) in order to increase their attractiveness for the commercial power industry. The presented

paper focuses on the analysis of coal sludge, classified as waste (codes 01 04 12 and 01 04 81)

or as a by-product in the production of coals of different types. A preliminary analysis aimed at

presenting changes in quality parameters and based on the mixtures of hard coal sludge (PG SILESIA)

with coal dusts from lignite (pulverized lignite) (LEAG) has been carried out. The analysis

of quality parameters of the discussed mixtures included the determination of the calorific value,

ash content, volatile matter content, moisture content, heavy metal content (Cd, Tl, Hg, Sb, As, Pb,

Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, and W), and sulfur content. The preliminary analysis has shown that mixing

coal sludge with coal dust from lignite and their granulation allows a product with the desired quality

and physical parameters to be obtained, which is attractive to the commercial power industry.

Compared to coal sludge, granulates made of coal sludge and coal dust from lignite with or without

ground dolomite have a higher sulfur content (in the range of 1–1.4%). However, this is still an

acceptable content for solid fuels in the commercial power industry. Compared to the basic coal

sludge sample, the observed increase in the content of individual toxic components in the mixture

samples is small and it therefore can be concluded that the addition of coal dust from lignite or carbonates

has no significant effect on the total content of the individual elements. The calorific value

is a key parameter determining the usefulness in the power industry. The size of this parameter for

coal sludge in an as received basis is in the range of 9.4–10.6 MJ/kg. In the case of the examined

mixtures of coal sludge with coal dust from lignite, the calorific value significantly increases to

the range of 14.0–14.5 MJ/kg (as received). The obtained values increase the usefulness in the

commercial power industry while, at the same time, the requirements for the combustion of solid

fuels are met to a greater extent. A slight decrease in the calorific value is observed in the case of

granulation with the addition of CaO or carbonates. Taking the analyzed parameters into account,

it can be concluded that the prepared mixtures can be used in the combustion in units with flue gas

desulfurization plants and a nominal thermal power not less than 1 MW. At this stage of work no

cost analysis was carried out.

The trials conducted with selected chemical and biological insecticides in 1998-2000 showed the highest effectiveness of Karate Zeon 100 CS (lambda-cyhalotrine) in European corn borer (ECB) larvae control in sweet corn. The efficacy of biological insecticides containing Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki: Biobit 3.2 WP and Lepinox WDG was very variable between the years. Reasons for insufficient efficacy of these products are discussed. The most appropriate time for the application of a chemical insecticide against ECB larvae are plant developmental stages since the beginning of pollen shedding to full blooming (63–67 BBCH scale). The efficacy of treatment was the highest at that time.

In the climatic conditions of Lower Silesia, Poland the European corn borer lays eggs on sweet corn during 3-5 week period between the 3rd decade of June and the 2nd decade ofAugust. The eggs are laid on leaves L1 to LS ofmain and lateral stems of the plants. Caterpillars start to hatch at the beginning ofJuly, but in 1998-2000 a massive hatching was observed only in the 2nd and in the 3rd decade ofJuly, whereas in 2001 - in the 3rd decade of this month and in the l st decade of August. Larvae are capable of migrating between plant rows on the soil surface, which was observed in 1998-2000 from the end ofJuly till the end of October. Most caterpillars migrated in the 2nd and in the 3rd decade of August and in the first days of September. The cob damage by caterpillars ranged between 31 and 46%. Delayed harvest caused a substantial increase in damage.

Sixteen samples were designed for analysis (hard coal, aggregate – barren rock, hard coal sludge). The total mercury content and the amount of mercury leaching were determined. The percentage of leachable form in the total content was calculated. The studies were carried out under various pH medium. The leachability under conditions close to neutral was determined in accordance with the PN EN 12457/1-4 standard. The leachability under acidic medium (pH of the solution – approx. 3) was determined in accordance with principles of the TCLP method. The mercury content was determined by means of the AAS method. For hard coal the total mercury content was 0.0384–0.1049 mg/kg. The level of leaching on mean was 2.6%. At the acidic medium the amount of leaching increases to an mean 4.1%. The extractive waste of aggregate type features a higher total mercury content in the finest fraction < 6 mm (up to 0.4564 mg/kg) and a lower content in the fraction 80–120 mm (up to 0.1006 mg/kg). The aggregate shows the percentage of the leachable form on mean from 1.4 to 2.2%. With pH decreasing to approx. 3, the amount of leaching grows up to mean values of 1.7–3.2%. Coal sludge features the total mercury content of 0.1368–0.2178 mg/kg. The percentage of mercury leachable form is approx. 1.8%. With pH decreasing the value increases to mean value of 3.0%. In general, the leachability of mercury from hard coals and extractive waste is low, and the leachability in an acidic medium grows approx. twice. Such factors as the type and origin of samples, their grain composition, and the pH conditions, have basic importance for the process. The time of waste seasoning and its weathering processes have the greatest impact on increasing the leaching of mercury from the extractive waste.

The leachability of pollutants from asbestos-containing waste, previously used for roofing was investigated. Laboratory tests were performed under static conditions (tests 1–20) in accordance with the TCLP methodology (with the use of acetic acid as the leaching medium, initial pH = 3.15). The maintaining of constant leaching conditions proved to be impossible at the experimental stage. Following the stabilization of conditions, the pH range for the obtained solutions increased to an average value of 8.3. Aluminum, boron, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, nickel, lead, strontium, zinc, and mercury were identified in the eluate. The low leachability of individual metals under the planned conditions was observed. In general, no leaching of such metals as cadmium, nickel, and lead was observed. The mercury content in the eluates is below the quantification limit, but the obtained values fall to around the limit of detection for the element. As compared with leaching with the use of distilled water (Klojzy-Karczmarczyk et al. 2021), zinc and boron additionally appear in eluates. The determined value of leachability for the individual analyzed elements increases from double to a few times with the use of the TCLP method. The value of leaching for barium is on average 5.56 mg/kg, for chromium it is 1.10 mg/kg, for copper 0.26 mg/kg, and for iron 0.80 mg/kg. In addition, the leaching of boron of around 3.00 mg/kg and of zinc 1.84 mg/kg was found. Higher leachability values were found only for strontium and aluminum. The leaching of strontium is on average around 62 mg/kg. While the leaching of aluminum is lower than values identified in the previous tests with the use of distilled water and is around 2.76 mg/kg. Products of leaching contain mainly pollutants characteristic of cement (aluminum, strontium, and iron).

Hard coal sludge is classified as group 01 waste or it is a by-product in the production of a hard coal with variable energy importance. Pulverized lignite is not waste but a final product of drying and the very fine pulverization of lignite with a high calorific value. The study comprised the basic material before granulation such as coal sludge (PG SILESIA) and pulverized lignite (LEAG) as well as their prepared blends after the granulation on a pipe vibration granulator designed at AGH. The pulverized lignite of the LEAG company shows a low sulfur contents. In the analyzed samples its average content (Stot d) is 0.61%. An average value of this parameter in the analyzed coal sludge samples is 0.55%. The addition of pulverized lignite does not have a significant impact on the total content of sulfur and of analyzed toxic elements (Hg, As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Tl, and W) in the samples. The calorific value of coal sludge falls within the range of 11.0−12.4 MJ/kg (on a dry basis). For the coal sludge and pulverized lignite blends the calorific value clearly increases to values of 14.8−17.7 MJ/kg (on dry basis). The calorific value slightly decreases in the

Asbestos cement sheets on building roofs and façades as well as asbestos cement water and sewerage pipes are the most frequently existing elements that contain asbestos in Poland. During removal from a specific building such a material automatically becomes hazardous waste. The presented paper covers studies carried out on leachability of pollutants from asbestos-containing waste, previously used for roofing. Laboratory tests under static conditions were carried out (1:10 test, pursuant to rules of the PN-EN 12457/1-4 standard) using distilled water as the leaching medium. Aluminium, boron, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, nickel, lead, strontium, zinc, and mercury were determined in the eluate. Low leachability of individual metals under the planned conditions was observed. In general, such metals as cadmium, nickel, lead, zinc, boron and mercury were not observed in solutions. The other analysed metals were observed in eluates, but their concentrations were usually low. The low leachability was found for barium (0.019 to 0.419 mg/dm3), chromium (0.019 to 0.095 mg/dm3), copper (0.006 to 0.019 mg/dm3), and iron (<0.01 to 0.017 mg/dm3). Increased leachability values were found only for strontium, between 0.267 and 4.530 mg/dm3, and aluminium, ranging from 0.603 to 3.270 mg/dm3. The analysed asbestos and cement materials feature a low percentage content of asbestos in flat and corrugated asbestos cement sheets (10–15%). Because of that it is possible to presume that pollutants characteristic of cement will be mainly present in products of leaching.