An Assessment of Contaminants in UK Road-Verge Biomass and the Implications for Use as Anaerobic Digestion Feedstock

Biomass from harvested road-verge herbage has potential value as a feedstock for anaerobic digestion (AD) energy plants. However, the proximity to road traffic related pollution sources introduces the possibility of contamination by potentially toxic elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Potential sources of pollution from road traffic emissions are identified and the consequent likelihood of certain contaminants being present at elevated levels is assessed. Samples of road verge biomass harvested from selected locations in Lincolnshire UK for use in AD plants were analysed to produce a set of measurements for the presence of the contaminants of interest. The measured levels of these contaminants are compared to reported background levels in UK herbage and soils to assess if there is significant increased concentration in road-verge biomass. Samples of digestate from an AD plant using the road-verge biomass as feedstock were also analysed to determine if there is notable risk of transfer and concentration of contaminants into agricultural land where the digestate may be used for fertilisation. While elevated levels of contaminants were detected, they were not found in concentrations on road verge biomass at high enough levels to cause adverse effects or concerns for its safe use as an AD feedstock

Energy consumption on plant production in the chosen farms

Przedmiotem pracy jest analiza nakładów energetycznych ponoszonych na produkcję roślinną w wybranych gospodarstwach rodzinnych z terenu Lubelszczyzny. Badania przeprowadzono w formie szczegółowej ankiety z otwartymi pytaniami dotyczącymi gospodarstw, za rok 2012. Na podstawie uzyskanych informacji sporządzono karty technologiczne, a następnie obliczono nakłady energetyczne ponoszone na produkcję roślinną. Stwierdzono, że różnice w ponoszonych nakładach energetycznych uzależnione były od areału uprawy, stosowanych zabiegów technologicznych i sposobu wykorzystania maszyn rolniczych do produkcji roślinnej.The object of study is the analysis of energy consumption incurred on plant production in selected family farms in the Lublin area. The study was conducted in the form of a detailed questionnaire with open questions about the farm, for the year 2012. Based on the information technology cards drawn and calculated energy consumption incurred on plant production. It was found that the differences in energy consumption incurred were dependent on the area of cultivation, use of technological procedures and the use of agricultural machinery during production