The obtained results showed the occurrence of phenol, guaiacol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), tetrachlorophenol (TeCP), and pentachlorophenol in drinking water of both cities. Occasionally, in the waters studied, the appearance of chloroguaiacols, 3-chlorosyringol, and some chlorocatechols were noted. It was also observed that the content of dissolved organic matter in river waters may have contributed to the formation of some phenols, e.g., phenol, guaiacol, 2,4,6-TCP, and TeCP in drinking water. Finally, it was found that there were no annual (seasonal) fluctuations in phenolic compounds contents in drinking waters examined.

In recent years, the amount of produced petrochemical plastic waste has been growing at an alarming rate. According to the Plastics Europe Market Research Group (PEMRG)/Conversio Market & Strategy GmbH, in 2018 the global production of plastics amounts to 359 million tons, and in Europe—61.8 million tons. More than 80% of all marine litter is plastic, which accumulates in the environment due to its durability. Due to the growing problem, biodegradable polymer products are introduced to the market. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on degradation products in order to estimate the risk arising from their presence in the environment. This paper discusses research on compounds that may potentially remain in the soil after the degradation of the double green PLA polymer. The aim of the research was to prove whether products made of PLA, e.g., packaging, films and other waste can release substances harmful to the environment. Therefore, soil was selected as a medium to characterize the substances potentially released from the polymer under conditions simulating the degradation process in the environment. The soil was always used from the same producer. Before the polymer biodegradation process, it was additionally checked for pH, C and N content, number of microorganisms, etc. PLA degradation in soil was carried out in a laboratory accredited by the Polish Accreditation Center (PCA). During the research, soil samples at various stages of the degradation process under laboratory conditions were subjected to both extraction in an aqueous environment and organic solvent extraction The studies used the gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), as well as pyrolysis gas chromatography (Py-GC/MS). In addition, the study used the gel permeation chromatography (GPC/SEC) allowing to determine the distribution of molar masses, average molar masses and polydispersity, and the infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

This article presents the results of tests which were carried out on a starch-protein biomaterial produced from wheat. The research was performed in order to assess optimal conditions for performing the chemical modification (acetylation and oxidation reactions) and its influence on the physico-chemical properties of the new biomaterial. Modifying agents were acetic acid anhydride with the presence of NaOH and K 2 CO 3 activators as well as hydrogen peroxide, whose effects were catalysed with Cu 2+ ions. Modified polymers with a degrees of substitution from 0.38 to 2.45 and oxidation from 1.0 to 35% were obtained in the process. The polymers obtained were characterized with various levels of starch degradation, minimal when the acetylation reaction activated with the K 2 CO 3 method was used, moderate to high when the acetylation reaction was activated by NaOH, and maximal starch degradation was observed when oxidation was catalysed with Cu 2+ ions. The modified polymers showed minor thermal granulation abilities and did not achieve thermoplastic abilities. Evaluation of the modification effects was carried out with absorption spectroscopy in infra-red radiation with the Fourier transformation (FTIR) technique, DSC, scanning electron microscopy and determining the boundary viscosity value.