In order to reduce a negative impact of studded tyres on the environment (i.e. emissions of fine (PM 2.5) and coarse (PM 10) particulate matter and noise) various scientific investigations are carried out to decide if the use of studded tyres shall be allowed or prohibited. This is especially topical for the countries belonging to the northern latitudes of the Earth's hemisphere where in winter months the air temperature drops below 0 °C, i.e. Scandinavia
Development of industry is not always accompanied with the implementation of clean technologies, thus the problem of air and water purification remains. For the moment, pollution with different paint components is widely spread and hard to be solved. A biofilter was developed at the Department Environmental Protection of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU), and its chemical and physical purification principles and properties are analysed in works [1–3]. Besides the efficiency of pollutant cleaning, the characteristics of filter aerodynamic resistance are also essential, therefore, the aerodynamic properties of the biofilter are analysed in this work. For anticipation and theoretical evaluation of aerodynamic processes going on in a biological air‐purification device, the processes occurring in the object being investigated ‐ a biofilter ‐ were modelled with the help of Phoenics, Versions 3.2 and 3.5. Aerodynamic processes ‐ in‐coming flow velocity and aerodynamic charge resistance ‐ were analysed with the help of the software package Phoenics, Versions 3.2 and 3.5. Modelling was based on mathematical equations that describe physical laws.
Recently, concern for a rapid increase in heavy metal pollutants released by railway transport
has been expressed. Most of pollutant emissions from combustion processes are related to fuel consumption in the internal
combustion engines of traction rolling stock. The main pollutants released into the environment cover particulate matter,
volatile non-methane organic compounds, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. In this way, it is likely that the biggest
polluters of the environment are traction units with internal combustion engines. However, other types of pollution are
possible, where polluters can be not only traction rolling stock with the internal combustion engines, but also electric
locomotive. For example, when due to friction of metals and deterioration of rolling stock wheels, heavy metals such as
aerosols are released into the atmosphere, soil, surface and ground water, etc. and severely pollute the railway
environment. Along with an increase in the electrification of railways, local environmental pollution is likely to be
increased in the future. High pollution by heavy metals can also occur near the track storing creosote-impregnated
wooden railway sleepers. Having analysed railway transport intensity and in order to assess pollution level, the stations
of three major cities of Lithuania (Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda) were selected to investigate heavy metal pollutants
(lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn)) acting as the most toxic and widespread elements. The highest concentrations of Pb
(up to 50 mg/kg) were found at a distance of 5.0 m from railway sleepers in the upper (up to 10 cm) soil layer at
Vilnius Railway Station. A comparison of the results of the investigated soil across the tested stations showed that
Klaipėda Railway Station was the area most polluted with Cd. The highest concentrations of Cd (up to 1.5…1.8 mg/kg)
were established at a varying distance of 5…10 m from the sleepers in the upper (up to 10 cm) soil layer of light loam.
Among the investigated stations, the lowest pollution by heavy metals, including Zn, was found at Kaunas Railway
Station where sandy loam dominated. A comparison of heavy metal pollutants deposited on the intact used and rotten
wooden railway sleepers disclosed that the latter were more heavily contaminated with heavy metals and made from
8 to 13 mg/kg for Pb, from 0.3 to 1.2 mg/kg for Cd, from 13.8 to 66 mg/kg for Zn.
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