The increasing generation of biodegradable residues from the food service sector highlights the needfor ecotoxicological assessment to support circular waste management. This study evaluated thetoxicity of spent coffee grounds (SCG) using chemical characterisation and bioassays with plants(Sinapis alba, Lepidium sativum, Lactuca sativa), aquatic invertebrates (Daphnia magna) and soilinvertebrates (Eisenia fetida). The absorbance analysis of SCG aqueous extracts showed increasingDOC with concentration, reaching 869 mg C kg- at 15% dilution, and indicated the predominance offulvic compounds. Phytotoxkit assays revealed species-specific responses: S. alba was found to be themost sensitive, demonstrating potent inhibition at higher SCG levels, whereas L. sativum and L. sativaexhibited stimulation at moderate concentrations (maximum GI ≈ 210% at 5% SCG for L. sativum).D. magna displayed acute sensitivity (EC50 ≈ 4.1%), whereas E. fetida results were inconsistent due tohigh control mortality. Overall, the results demonstrate that SCG can act both as a stimulant and aninhibitor depending on concentration and organism, emphasising the importance of multi-speciesbioassays for risk assessment and potential valorisation of SCG in environmental applications.

Accurate prediction of hazardous gas dispersion is crucial for risk assessment. During a chlorinerelease, a toxic cloud forms near the ground surface. The extent of the hazardous zone depends onmeteorological conditions, terrain features and source characteristics. This study presents a numericalmodel of chlorine emissions from a storage tank, accounting for both the type of release (gas-phaseor two-phase outflow) and atmospheric parameters, with the aim of predicting chlorine concentrationsand supporting emergency response planning and mitigation measures. In this work, a simulationwas made of an accidental chlorine release in an open area from a cylindrical storage tank (diameter0.8 m, height 1.2 m, filling level 64%). A two-dimensional (2D) horizontal dispersion model wasdeveloped using the ALOHA software to assess near-ground concentration profiles and cloudspreading. The 2D modelling enabled the evaluation of horizontal chlorine dispersion in differentseasons and under varying meteorological conditions for both two-phase and gas-phase releases.Under identical meteorological conditions, the two-phase release produced zone ranges (forconcentrations > 1000 ppm) up to three times larger than those observed for the gas-phase release.The influence of atmospheric stability and wind speed on the shape of the hazard zone washighlighted. The largest hazardous zone ranges occurred under high atmospheric stability (stabilityclasses F and E). The faster the air mass flow, the smaller the extent and maximum width of thehazardous zone. Wind speed, time of day and season were observed to have a significant impact ondispersion, underscoring their importance in hazard prediction and emergency response planning.

This publication presents the results of a study examining the potential use of a powdered SBR/NBRrubber mixture in rescue operations during uncontrolled releases of hazardous substances. Thesorption properties of the powdered rubber were analysed, along with its impact on fire and explosionhazards during the sorption process and the impact of precipitation on its absorption properties. Therubber demonstrated the highest absorption capacity for the tested benzene derivatives, averaging27% higher than for aliphatic hydrocarbons. A significant decrease in maximum sorption capacitywas observed for polar liquids such as low-molecular-weight alcohols (C1-C4) and organic acids (C1-C2), as well as the effect of chain length on the sorption efficiency of acetic acid esters. The absorptioncapacity of the rubber waste was estimated to be 2-3 times greater than that of popular calcinedsorbents, offering great promise for the effective use of rubber in rescue operations. Studies haveshown a significant reduction in the rate of liquid evaporation following the sorbing process relativeto unabsorbed liquid, even at low wind speeds. Studies of susceptibility of the sorbent to leaching byatmospheric precipitation revealed no leaching of the organic phase by water and no loss of absorbentproperties.

This article examines Nepal as a case study of strategic rivalry between the United States and thePeople’s Republic of China, with particular emphasis on the role of hydropolitics in shaping thiscompetition. The research is guided by the question of how U.S.–China rivalry, especially in the fieldof water resources and hydropower development, affects Nepal’s domestic politics and its broaderstrategic position in South Asia. Methodologically, the study employs a qualitative approachcombining case study research with content analysis of academic literature, institutional reports, andofficial documents, complemented by selected press sources to capture recent developments. Theanalysis integrates perspectives from geopolitics and security studies, highlighting how externalinfluences interact with internal political divisions. The findings indicate that the reduction of U.S.assistance during the Trump administration opened space for Chinese expansion through the Beltand Road Initiative, deepening Nepal’s economic and technological dependence on Beijing. At thesame time, the ratification of the Millennium Challenge Corporation agreement in 2022 demonstratedhow U.S. engagement continues to polarize Nepal’s political landscape. From a hydropoliticalperspective, China’s infrastructural projects in Tibet increase Nepal’s vulnerability to externalpressure, yet the country’s growing hydropower potential and cross-border energy trade with Indiasuggest opportunities for strategic leverage. The article concludes that U.S.–China rivalry in Nepalreinforces domestic polarization while constraining the country’s autonomy in foreign policy. At thesame time, it underscores Nepal’s importance as a hinge state in South Asia, where hydropolitics isincreasingly central to regional security and cooperation.

The environmental impacts of modern armed conflict pose a growing challenge to global securitygovernance. While the human and economic costs of war are well-documented, its ecological effects,including deforestation, water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss are lessexamined in mainstream security studies. Given the rising instability of the climate and the strategicuse of environmental disruption in warfare, there is an urgent need to include environmentalaccountability in the operational and legal frameworks of security policy.This article aims to clarify how digital evidence on conflict-related ecological harm can be translatedinto actionable accountability. Specifically, it: (1) identifies and systematises the main pathwaysthrough which armed conflict generates environmental damage and why existing accountabilitymechanisms rarely activate; (2) assesses the added value and constraints of Earth observation (EO)and AI-based analytics for detecting, quantifying, and attributing harm across four conflict settings(Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen); and (3) derives design principles for a multi-level framework ofdigital environmental accountability that connects monitoring outputs to legal, institutional, andoperational responses. The main research question is: How can Earth observation and artificialintelligence be effectively integrated into legal, institutional, and operational frameworks to enhanceenvironmental accountability during armed conflict?Methodologically, the study uses a qualitative, interdisciplinary approach that combines doctrinalanalysis of international humanitarian law and the Rome Statute, empirical case studies (Ukraine,Syria, Iraq, Yemen), and technical evaluation of satellite and AI-driven surveillance systems.The findings show that while EO and AI greatly enhance the visibility of ecological damage in conflictzones, their transformative potential relies on institutional integration and normative reform. The articleadvocates for a multi-level accountability framework connecting digital monitoring to legal mechanisms,military standards, and participatory transparency platforms. In doing so, it reconceives environmentalsecurity as a vital part of strategic stability and just warfare in the context of planetary crisis.

Methane (CH₄) is a gas formed alongside coal through the decomposition of organic matter underanaerobic conditions. The gas molecules accumulate in micropores or submicropores located in thecoal matrix through the process of adsorption. During deposit exploitation, a decrease in pressurewithin the rock mass initiates desorption, leading to the release of methane into the mine workings.The impact of this gas on the environment and human activity is twofold. On the one hand, methanehas always posed a real threat to mining safety. In concentrations exceeding 4% by volume, it formsan explosive mixture with oxygen in the presence of an ignition source. On the other hand, methane,as one of the greenhouse gases, contributes to global warming and climate change. From anotherperspective, methane is seen as a resource of the future, potentially forming the basis of the energyeconomy for coming generations. Effective capture and recovery of methane from mine ventilationair and coal seam boreholes create opportunities for its utilisation as an energy carrier, whilesimultaneously enhancing mining safety and mitigating its negative environmental impact.In order to limit emissions of this gas into the atmosphere, legal regulations have been introduced,and namely the so-called Methane Directive. The article was developed in response to the increasingrelevance of methane recovery from hard coal mines and the need to implement effective,environmentally friendly, and economically viable solutions. It presents two approaches to methanerecovery: Direct Methane Extraction (DME), considered a short-term solution, and MethaneExtraction with Drainage (MEWD), a long-term approach involving methane removal together withmine water and its subsequent treatment. The work introduces an original classification of methanerecovery methods, dividing them into separation and utilisation techniques, with consideration oftheir application potential and possibilities for integration into hybrid systems, such as combiningCarbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) or Silicoaluminophosphate-34 (SAPO-34) with Pressure SwingAdsorption (PSA) or cryogenic distillation. Particular attention is devoted to ventilation air methane(VAM), the emissions of which account for approximately 50% of total methane emissions frommines. It is highlighted that ongoing research aimed at optimising methods such as PSA, HydrateGas Bearing Systems (HGBS), cryogenic distillation, and membrane separation will soon allow theiradaptation for VAM recovery. The study also discusses the importance of techniques supporting themethane recovery process, the application of which should account for geological conditions. It isunderlined that in many cases, combining separation methods with supportive techniques isnecessary to improve the overall efficiency of the process. The objective of the article is to provide a synthetic overview and an analysis of available methanerecovery methods, to identify current technological trends, and to outline future directions for theirapplication. The work draws attention to the applicable legal regulations concerning greenhouse gasemission reduction, as well as activities undertaken within ongoing research projects, confirming thecontinuing process of energy transition. Although the effective recovery and utilisation of methanefrom ventilation air (VAM) is still in the stage of technological refinement, current experienceindicates high application potential and possibilities for wider implementation.The article offers a comprehensive perspective on the issue of methane recovery in a global context,with particular emphasis on deployments carried out in Poland. The study aims to provide practicalinsights for optimising methane extraction and utilisation technologies while supporting dualobjectives: environmental protection and efficient management of natural resources. The conductedreview demonstrates significant technological progress in the improvement of methane recoverymethods, including the use of previously implemented solutions such as Regenerative ThermalOxidizers (RTO) and Thermal Flow Reversal Reactors. Enhancing the efficiency of these technologiesand their potential for wider use in Poland and worldwide is highlighted. The article emphasises thediversity of available solutions and the necessity to select them based on applicability and localconditions. It provides practical insights into optimising development directions, illustrating theongoing technological transformation driven by industrial deployments and research projects, whilesimultaneously supporting the goals of environmental protection and rational resource management.

Noise is currently one of the most serious problems facing society. It significantly reduces the standard and quality of life and primarily affects residents of urban areas. This work presents the acoustic conditions of selected green spaces in the Warsaw metropolitan area, which serve as recreation and relaxation areas for city residents. These include Kabacki Forest, Moczydełko Park, and Służewiecka Valley in the southern part of the city, and Żerański Park and Bielański Forest in the northern parts. The studies were carried out on the outskirts of these places, in areas directly affected by noise, primarily traffic, and within them, where the only sound source is recreationists themselves. Analysis of the acoustic climate in the study areas shows the sound level intensity depends on the type of noise sources within the area and its close proximity, and whether it occurs on a weekday or weekend. The equivalent sound level (LAeq) does not exceed the critical value of 55 dB, considered an unpleasant, which allows us to conclude that the analyzed urban green areas meet requirements as areas of good recreational value in terms of a favorable acoustic climate.

Artificial intelligence has transformed the way contemporary individuals function across numerousspheres of life. The most pronounced changes have occurred in professional activity where technologyhas begun to gradually replace human input. In many professions, this shift has disrupted the senseof security, prompting a growing need to implement adjustments that would enable people to usemodern technologies constructively to improve the efficiency of their work.AI technology has also altered the way learning outcomes are assessed. Both students and lecturersincreasingly rely on AI-based applications in their everyday educational practices, yet only a solidunderstanding of these tools’ specific features enables responsible and measured use. In the light ofthese dynamics, the aim of this article is to describe and analyse students’ sense of security in relationto their engagement with artificial intelligence in daily academic contexts. To achieve this aim, theAuthor has employed the diagnostic survey method alongside document analyses. The findingsallowed formulating a proposal of modifications intended to support learners (particularly universitystudents) in using artificial intelligence in their everyday lives in a manner that helps them effectivelypursue both personal and educational goals.

The implementation of sustainable development principles following Poland’s accession to theEuropean Union requires reducing socio-economic disparities while preserving the natural capital.Therefore, it is important to identify areas that are in crisis and to propose for them a localdevelopment strategy strengthening the identity of ‘their environment’. Czerwińsk nad Wisłą is anexample of a town that has a medieval origin and was once an important economic and culturalcentre. At present, numerous pressing socio-economic issues are observed in the area, predominantlythe demographic crisis, increasing unemployment, lack of initiatives to dynamise the town’sdevelopment. The aim of this study was to identify elements of the capital of the Czerwińsk nad Wisłącommune that could contribute to the development of a local development strategy. The studyincludes field analyses conducted within the commune boundaries to identify its natural, landscape,and urban planning assets. Supra-material values and Genius loci will also be analysed, as well as theexpectations of various social groups on the basis of the area profile and surveys. The research willallow valorisation of the studied landscape, identifying places where values are concentrated as wellas areas in crisis and in need of intervention. Research has shown that it is possible to developscenarios for the growth of Czerwińsk nad Wisłą based on the capitalisation of its natural and culturalresources, as the condition of human capital remains a weak link. As a starting point for improvingthe security of preserving natural and cultural resources as well as public safety, It is proposed toundertake promotional activities intended to increasing the sales of local products by positioningthem as a brand associated with the area’s natural and cultural heritage.

The complexity of modern security systems requires comprehensive (holistic) research methods thatnot only reduce complexity but also maintain high diagnostic power. The author addresses theproblem area of security system structures, which can be classified as the scientific discipline ofsecurity engineering. A pre-research theory strategy and a deformation method and abstractiontechnique were applied, based on the existing meaning of specific primary concepts and axioms ofaction system theory. It was assumed that every security system, which is an example of an actionsystem, is composed of layers. Based on his conclusions, the author distinguished the human,organisational and technical layers. The main research problem is of a praxeological nature and isexpressed in the following question: what types of security system configurations can be distinguishedon the basis of action system theory? The result is a description of four basic types of security systemarchitecture: unification, coordination, replication, and diversification.