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A purpose of the research was to develop a method for the preparation of novel organo-mineral fertilizers with the use of brown coal and biochars as organic additives. Brown coal was blended simultaneously together with inorganic materials used for the process of urea superphosphate production in a laboratory scale using a pan granulator and in larger scale using a rapid mixer granulator. Biochars were used for the coating purposes of the urea superphosphate granules on a laboratory scale using a pan granulator. Moreover, the aim was to measure and evaluate the physico-chemical properties of organic materials and the obtained organo-mineral fertilizer products and to study the effects of these products on the selected yield components of spring wheat such as grain yield per plant, spike number per plant, and plant height, in pot trials. Results showed that brown coal and biochars can be used as raw materials for production of fertilizer products. Brown coal contained about 50% of total humic acids while biochar contained nearly 6% of total humic-like substances. Brown coal based compound fertilizer granules produced in the large scale were characterized by particle hardness from 15.80 to 23.3 N while those produced in the laboratory scale were classified as "soft" (particle hardness below 2.3 N). The application of brown coal based fertilizers and two studied biochar coated fertilizers had a positive impact on the grain yield per plant of spring wheat.

The purpose of this research was to determine and evaluate the chemical properties of drilling waste from five well sites in Central and Eastern Poland. It was found that spent drilling fluids can contain high values of nickel and mercury (270 and 8.77 mg kg respectively) and can exceed the maximum permissible limits recommended by the EC regulations for safety of soils (75 mg kg for nickel and 1.5 mg kg for mercury). The heavy metal concentrations in the studied drill cuttings did not exceed the maximum permissible limits recommended by the EC regulation. Drilling wastes contain macroelements (e.g., calcium, magnesium, and potassium) as well as trace elements (e.g., copper, iron, zinc, and manganese) that are essential for the plant growth. It was stated that water extracts of drilling fluids and drill cuttings, according to anions presence, had not any specific constituents of concern based on FAO irrigation guidelines, the USEPA WQC, and toxicity values. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to understand the structure and texture of waste drilling fluid solids and drill cuttings. Analysis of the mineralogical character of drilling fluid solids revealed that they contained calcite, quartz, muscovite, sylvite, barite, dolomite, and orthoclase. Drill cuttings contained calcite quartz, muscovite, barite, dolomite, and barium chloride.

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a b s t r a c tThe ability of biomass ash to remove fluoride from aqueous solutions has been described. Seven samples of biomass ash from Polish power stations and combined heat and power plants using only biomass were tested as adsorbents for fluoride removal. After preliminary research, two of ash samples were chosen for further examination. Selected ash samples were examined in terms of the specific surface area and the pore size distribution. Their pH values of the point of zero charge were also determined. The examination of changes in the crystallographic phases of the sorbent before and after the sorption process was done using the XRD technique. Changes in ash samples before and after contact with the fluoride solution using the FTIR method were also analyzed. The effect of initial concentration of fluoride solutions, ash dose, contact time, temperature, pH, agitation rate and particle size of ash samples on fluoride removal efficiency has been examined. The percentage removal of the fluoride described as removal efficiency and the amounts of fluoride adsorbed per mass unit of ash vs. time and after reaching equilibrium was calculated. It was found that only in the case of one of the ash samples, CaF 2 was identified, and that probably has been precipitated as the result of that ash dissolution in water with the content of fluorides. The presence of fluorides in the residual solid phase bounded with compounds containing potassium, calcium sulphates and phosphates indicates that precipitation of CaF 2 is not the major mechanism responsible for fluoride removal. Therefore, an attempt was undertaken to describe the mechanism of the adsorption phenomenon. The kinetic profile of fluoride uptake was determined and the fitting to adsorption isotherm models was examined. The exact fitting to the pseudo-second-order model pattern of this model was confirmed for both of ash samples. It was found out that the fluoride adsorption process is well-described by Temkin isotherm plot.

a b s t r a c tWastes from a few plants were used as the components for manufacturing an agent to enrich soil fertility. These included spent drilling fluids, sewage sludge, biomass, and ash. The physico-chemical properties of the wastes were evaluated to calculate their propensity for fertility as well as to fulfil EU legal requirements for environmental protection. The developed technology involves a few steps. Unit operations used in the proposed technology were adjusted to actual conditions in order to obtain economic and ecological advantages. The filtration process allows to obtain sludge stream water containing less than 35% w/w. The clear filtrate may be used to prepare sealing-fluid used in drilling (for water circulation). The resulting product of the projected composition meets the requirements of measures for improving soil properties. Wastes are recovered as valuable streams and can be used in soil remediation techniques. The results of the leaching tests indicate that the tested waste streams are not dangerous to the environment in terms of susceptibility to leaching ingredients like heavy metals and inorganic ions, the levels of which are regulated by law. Therefore, they can be discharged into the soil-water environment.