Municipal System Research Articles

Determining the connectivity of tribal communities to wastewater treatment facilities for use in environmental contamination and exposure assessments by wastewater-based surveillance.

Limited information is available on the connectivity of Tribal communities to wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs). This is important for understanding current sanitation infrastructure which drives public health and community construction, knowledge of potential routes of exposure through lack of infrastructure and/or discharging facilities, and opportunities to assess community health through wastewater-based surveillance (WBS). The objective of this work was to assess current wastewater infrastructure for 574 Federally Recognized Indian Tribes (FRITs) in the United States (US) to determine the number and location of facilities on or adjacent to Tribal reservations and Off-Reservation Trust Lands, with the goal of determining the feasibility of employing wastewater-based surveillance within these communities and to identify areas with inadequate sanitation infrastructure. Here, we identified available National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) wastewater discharge permits in the Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Compliance History Online database to assess proximity to and within spatial boundaries of Tribal lands. These data were coupled to race data and tribal spatial boundary information from the US Census Bureau. 94 FRITs have registered NPDES permits within Tribal boundaries including a total of 522 facilities. 210 of these are American Indian (AI)-serving (>50% AI) with the ability to reach 135,000 AI-people through the wastewater network to provide community health assessments via WBS. Of the remaining facilities, 153 predominantly serve non-Tribal populations raising concerns about infrastructure placement and indigenous sovereignty. 523 FRITs were identified as without permitted discharging WWTFs, which may suggest inadequate or alternative infrastructure. Here, multiple data sources including permit information from the Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System and US Census Bureau data were used to determine the number of wastewater treatment facilities on or adjacent to Tribal lands and how many community members were connected to those municipal systems. This information was used to assess which Tribal communities may be a viable option for wastewater public health surveillance techniques and were used to answer supplemental questions related to basic sanitation and environmental justice concerns.

Optimal selection and challenges of municipal waste management system using an integrated approach: a case study

ABSTRACT Efficient waste management is crucial for maintaining a clean and sustainable environment in Indian cities. Patna faces significant waste management challenges due to rapid population growth and urbanization. This has resulted in increased waste generation, straining the current waste management system. The state of Bihar ranks poorly in waste-management-based Environmental Performance, highlighting the need for improvement. Although around 4281.27 TPD of garbage is generated, only 4013.55 TPD is collected. Insufficient information regarding waste processing, landfilling, and technology adoption exposes critical gaps in solid waste management, including limited landfill facilities, inadequate technology implementation, and inadequate monitoring. Effective waste management is crucial for ensuring the sustainability and quality of life in Patna. To address these challenges, the implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in waste management is proposed. This study focuses on evaluating the most suitable smart waste management system for Patna Municipal Corporation. By employing an MCDM model with fuzzy logic-based TFN, the authors identified the optimal MWM alternative based on economic, technical, environmental, and social criteria. Findings unequivocally establish the IoT-based Door-to-Door system (Ʌ1) as the most effective and economical solution for MWM in urban settings like Patna, characterized by a proximity coefficient (PCi) = 0.942809. Furthermore, Social acceptance (ӄ2) emerged as the most influential criterion with a weight of 0.19375. This system not only promises enhanced operational efficiency for municipalities but also offers significant environmental and social benefits, including waste reduction, improved public health, and heightened community engagement. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to validate the robustness of the proposed method. Notably, the IoT-based system demonstrated a higher sensitivity to cost changes, affirming its superiority in adapting to economic considerations. This insight is pivotal for decision-makers prioritizing cost efficiency in waste management solutions.

Patterns of presentation and delivery of care of appendiceal neoplasms in the largest municipal health care delivery system in the United States.

14 Background: Appendiceal neoplasms (AN) are rare tumors with a broad spectrum of referral and treatment patterns. NYC Health+Hospital (HHC) is the largest municipal health care system in the United States. Here, we study patterns of presentation and management of AN in this safety-net setting. Methods: We identified 92 patients in HHC with AN between 01/01/2017 to 07/01/2023. Statistical analyses were performed in Python. Results: There were 38 (41.3%) mucinous neoplasms, 24 (26.1%) adenocarcinomas, 23 (25.0%) neuroendocrine, and 7 (7.6%) ex-goblet cell adenocarcinomas. 16 cases of pseudomyxoma peritonei were identified. The median age at diagnosis was 55 (IQR: 45-65). 49% were Hispanic, and African Americans were the largest racial block (28%). 50% of cases presented as appendicitis. Appendectomy and a second surgical intervention were more common in this group (p<0.001 and p=0.044, respectively). Other surgical interventions included colon resections and cytoreduction ± Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Among the patients with mucinous neoplasm or adenocarcinoma, 35 had multidisciplinary tumor board discussion (15 mucinous neoplasm and 20 adenocarcinomas). The median follow-up period was 22.0 months (95% CI: 11.5-30.7 months). Surveillance modalities included CT (75%), CEA (74%), and colonoscopy (35%). 85% remained within HHC during treatment. 16 patients were planned to have chemotherapy, including 9 pseudomyxoma peritonei cases. 5 patients did not follow through, and the other cases had a median of 10 cycles. The following adjuvant chemotherapy regimens were employed: 50% FOLFOX, 20% FOLFIRI, 20% XELODA, and 10% CapeOX and FOLFIRI. There were 2 cancer-related deaths (pseudomyxomas). Excluding pseudomyxomas, none had evidence of disease at the last follow-up. Conclusions: Minorities and immigrants constitute the majority of the population of HHC. 50% of AN presented as appendicitis emphasizing the need for a robust system to identify these cases. Despite challenges encountered in providing long-term oncological care, HHC has treated and provided vigorous follow-up for this underserved population. [Table: see text]

Factors affecting the enrichment of heterotrophic nitrifying aerobic denitrifying bacteria in municipal wastewater treatment systems and analysis of differences in nitrogen metabolism

In this study, a four-stage MPSR process was employed for the treatment of urban wastewater. Three different conditions were established by controlling dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, organic load rate (OLR), and influent pH value to examine pollutant removal effects and the changes of the heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) functional bacteria communities. The factors driving changes in the HN-AD bacterial community and differences in nitrogen metabolism were revealed in the urban wastewater treatment system. The results showed that by forming anoxic/aerobic alternate oxygen environments and increasing influent OLR and pH, various HN-AD bacteria (Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, Flavobacterium) were enriched in the system, leading to improved removal capacity for NH4+-N and TN. Under optimal condition, the removal rates of NH4+-N and TN were 94.0 % and 78.7 % respectively. The dominant species of HN-AD bacteria were influenced by OLR and pH. The HN-AD bacteria exhibited the capacity for heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification within the system. This study provides a technological basis for the application of HN-AD bacteria for wastewater treatment.

An assessment of municipal solid waste management system in Oshogbo, Osun State Nigeria: Challenges and prospects

The study empirically assessed the challenges and prospects of municipal solid waste management system in Oshogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. The study specifically looked into the current - status, the performance of municipal solid waste social control system of the city, and the households solid waste social control practice. Primary data were used and sourced through a well-design survey questionnaire, field observation, reviewing published and unpublished documents, and on spot access. Descriptive statistics was used for the data analysis. The main factors aggravating the present poor state of municipal solid waste social control of Oshogbo were revealed in the study. The results further showed that Osun state waste management agency is not leaving up to its responsibility and delay in collection of wastes, the activity of municipal solid waste social control of the town is majorly executed by micro and macro scale enterprises with very limited contribution of the agency saddled with such responsibilities. Besides this, there is no involvement of non- governmental organization and private sectors as the government of the day portrayed it. Inadequate solid waste social control pattern of the households. The first inadequacy of households is poor handling of short-lived storage material of various houses. That is, trash disposal around the waste container. Likewise, they are uncovering in the rain, light and heat, they do not take cognizance of sustainable solid social control actions for instance, reprocessing, reclaim and composting. Except, for the prohibited solid waste disposal. In addition, they are less motivated to clean their immediate environment. Thus, the study recommends that government waste management agency in conjunction with non-governmental organization should commence training on waste social control practices, with focus on women as agent of change in a community, while the institutions should leave up to their responsibilities.

ІНСТИТУЦІЙНЕ ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ УПРАВЛІННЯ ПОБУТОВИМИ ВІДХОДАМИ

The article examines the main results of the legislative reform in Ukraineʼs municipal waste management sector. It identifies key issues hindering the effective implementation of new legislative norms, such as bureaucratic obstacles, insufficient funding, and the ongoing war. The roles of the national, regional, and local levels of government in the municipal waste management process are analyzed, highlighting the necessity of their interaction. The importance of coordinating actions among all stakeholders to ensure sustainable development and effective municipal waste management is emphasized. Ukraine’s Constitution, adopted in 1996, laid the foundation for a legal state and established fundamental principles of environmental safety, including the right to a safe environment and the state’s duty to maintain ecological balance. However, the previous Waste Management Law, despite being in effect for over 20 years, was ineffective due to a lack of systematic approach, poor coordination, and outdated infrastructure. In response to these challenges, the government initiated a comprehensive legislative reform to align with European standards and improve coordination. The new Waste Management Law, adopted in 2023, aims to address these issues. However, many necessary changes are still in progress, delayed by bureaucratic obstacles and the ongoing war, which has shifted government priorities towards national security. A critical challenge remains the coordination of actions between different levels of government and waste management entities. Effective waste management requires close interaction between national, regional, and local levels, encompassing infrastructure development, waste collection, transportation, and resource allocation. Such coordination is crucial for achieving sustainable development and environmental safety in Ukraine. The article underscores the need for special procedures to accelerate the approval of critically important environmental legislation. While international organizations often push necessary decisions, aligning national strategies with European integration and funding conditions, the active role of national, regional, and local authorities is essential. Improved cooperation and communication among all levels of government and stakeholders can significantly enhance the efficiency of municipal waste management systems in Ukraine.

What are Cash-Balance Pension Plans and How Do They Compare

We offer a comprehensive explanation of cash-balance pension plans in the public sector, including a comparison to defined-benefit and defined-contribution plans. Comparisons are made with respect to design, management, costs, and long-term viability. Three important aspects of pension fund management are discussed: pension benefits and contributions, pension governance and reasons for cash-balance plan adoption, and pension funding. Four unique cases – Nebraska Public Employees Retirement System (NPERS), Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), Kentucky Public Pensions Authority (KPPA), and Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) – help to illustrate these three important points.

Andrioid mobile application aimed at getting personalized recommendations when selecting references

This article presents the results of the development of a mobile recommendation application to help library readers select references. One of the tasks of a librarian is to provide consultative assistance to the reader in selecting books. Working with a librarian can be replaced by the use of electronic library systems or special programs, which will allow you to solve the same task in less time. At the moment, there are websites and digital libraries that help the user to select books for further reading. They implement various algorithms that allow you to create personalized recommendations. Such systems are designed for electronic reading and are not linked to the databases of municipal library systems. Library readers can obtain recommendations when they choose literature for further reading using a mobile application. The paper considers the process of its creation: analysis of program requirements, design, implementation, testing and implementation. The application is developed for the Android operating system in the integrated development environment Android Studio in the Java programming language. The calculation of the technical and economic indicators of the project in its implementation has shown that the use of the application will provide sufficient economic effect. Its use can simplify the process of selecting books and significantly reduce the time to search for them, thus giving the librarian the opportunity to perform other tasks. The program does not require material costs for installation, which is an obvious advantage, and the functionality and system requirements allow its use on all mobile devices with the Android operating system.

Long-term Evaluation of Culturable Fungi in a Natural Aging Biofilm on Galvanised Steel Surface

Fungi commonly found in municipal water can participate in natural biofilm formation on the surface of galvanised steel despite the toxic effect of zinc. Depending on the age of the biofilm, fungal diversity may vary. To examine this hypothesis, natural biofilm formation was allowed on galvanised steel surfaces over six months in a model recirculating water system. Fungal colonies with different morphologies were obtained monthly from biofilm and water samples and then identified by both morphological and molecular approaches. In addition, the biofilm layer was examined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was determined that fungi were included in the naturally aging biofilm formed on galvanised steel surfaces during the experiment. The diversity and the number of fungi in the biofilm and water changed over the experiment. All fungi isolated from the biofilm and water were found to be members of the Ascomycota phylum. F. oxysporum was the first fungus to be involved in the biofilm formation process and was one of the main inhabitants of the biofilm together with Penicillium spp. In addition, EIS data showed that the structure of the biofilm changed as it aged. The results of this study may lead to a better understanding of naturally aging biofilms involving fungi in municipal water systems, as well as the development of new strategies for effective disinfection of fungi based on biofilm age.

Degradation of fluoride in groundwater by electrochemical fixed bed system with bauxite: performance and synergistic catalytic mechanism.

Fluoride pollution in water has garnered significant attention worldwide. The issue of fluoride removal remains challenging in areas not covered by municipal water systems. The industrial aluminum electrode and natural bauxite coordinated defluorination system (IE-BA) have been employed for fluoride removal. The experiment investigated the effects of pH, current density, and inter-electrode mineral layer thickness on the defluorination process of IE-BA. Additionally, the study examined the treatment efficiency of IE-BA for simulated water with varying F- concentrations and assessed its long-term performance. The results demonstrate that the defluorination efficiency can reach 98.4% after optimization. Moreover, irrespective of different fluoride concentrations, the defluorination rate exceeds 95.2%. After 72 hours of continuous operation, the defluorination rate reached 91.9%. The effluent exhibited weak alkalinity with a pH of around 8.0, and the voltage increased by 2.0 V compared to the initial moment. By analyzing the characterization properties of minerals and flocs, this study puts forward the possible defluorination mechanism of the IE-BA system. The efficacy of the IE-BA system in fluoride removal from water was ultimately confirmed, demonstrating its advantages in terms of defluorination ability under different initial conditions and resistance to complex interference. This study demonstrates that the IE-BA technology is a promising approach for defluorination.

Evaluating the implementation of a hypertension program based on mHealth and community pharmacies integration to primary care centers at a municipality level in Argentina during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While pharmacists-led interventions in hypertension have proven effective in high-income countries, their implementation and impact in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) remain limited. This study assessed the implementation and outcomes of the hypertension program FarmaTeCuida (FTC), which integrated community pharmacies into the public primary care level using information and communication technologies. The study took place during the pandemic in General Pueyrredón, Buenos Aires, Argentina, so modifications to the implementation strategy and expected outcomes were also analyzed. A mixed-methods study was conducted using the non-adoption, abandonment, scaling-up, dissemination, and sustainability (NASSS) conceptual model. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with key stakeholders using snowball sampling until thematic saturation was achieved. The quantitative approach employed a quasi-experimental, prospective, longitudinal design in a cohort of hypertensive patients enrolled in the FTC program since October 2020 to March 2022. Adoption, access, adherence to follow-up, and blood pressure levels were assessed. Clinical outcomes were compared to a cohort of hypertensive patients attending primary health care centers (PHCCs) in 2021 but not enrolled in the FTC program. Routine data from this cohort was obtained from the municipal health information system (HIS). Out of 33 PHCCs, 23 adopted the FTC program, but only four collaborated with community pharmacies. A total of 440 patients were recruited, with 399 (91%) enrolled at PHCCs. Hypertension was detected in 63% (279/440) of cases at the first visit (113 were possible hypertensive patients; 26 new hypertensive patients and 140 already diagnosed). During follow-up, FTC identified 52 new hypertensive patients (12% out of 440). Reduction of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was observed in patients enrolled in both the FTC program and the comparison group over 60 days. In the multivariate analysis that included all hypertensive patient (FTC and HIS) we found strong evidence that for each month of follow up, SBP was reduced by 1.12 mmHg; however, we did not find any significant effect of the FTC program on SBP trend (interaction FTC*months has a p-value = 0.23). The pandemic was identified as the main reason for the program's underperformance; in addition we identified barriers related to technology, patient suitability, implementation team characteristics, and organizational factors. Our study, grounded in the NASSS model, highlights the profound complexity of introducing innovative strategies in low- and middle-income settings. Despite substantial challenges posed by the pandemic, these obstacles provided valuable insights, identified areas for improvement, and informed strategies essential for reshaping the care paradigm for conditions like hypertension in resource-constrained environments.

Integrated MSW management system in the Russian Federation: problems of interpretation and formation

The object of the study is the formation of an integrated MSW management system within the framework of the national project "Ecology" and the federal project "Integrated Solid Municipal Waste management System". The subject of the study is organizational, methodological, legal, financial, economic, industrial and technological problems that make it difficult at the federal and regional levels to achieve the annual and final planned indicators of these projects in 2024. The purpose of the work is a general description of the integrated MSW management system being created, as well as to identify the main problems of its formation in the new financial and economic environment reality. The author considers the planned target indicators of the federal project and their correlation with the indicators achieved in 2019-2022. Special attention is paid to the three-fold decrease in the initial planned indicator for recycling, which occurred due to insufficient development of the MSW recycling infrastructure, and the threat of non-fulfillment of the utilization indicator in 2024, which persists even after that. The methodological basis of research is an integrated approach that allowed the use of methods of systematic, comparative, factorial and economic-statistical analysis, content analysis, and also synthesis. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the disclosure of an integrated system as a set of methods for handling MSW, located among themselves in a certain hierarchy of applications, the last of which is waste disposal, and the smaller its scale and the damage caused to the environment, the greater the level of consistency the system demonstrates. Neutralization and energy utilization do not fully solve the problem, since they leave a lot of harmful combustion products. Recycling is much more environmentally friendly, the degree of development of which should be considered as the second important criterion for the development of an integrated waste management system. The reduction by the curators of the MSW management reform of the initially stated recycling targets for 2024 by three times is actually an official recognition of the global underdevelopment of the domestic recycling and processing industry and the lack of real state participation in its formation and development.

Стратегия социально-экономического развития муниципалитета как фактор финансовой устойчивости местного бюджета (на примере Тунгокоченского муниципального округа)

The article is devoted to the study of the influence of socio-economic development strategies of municipalities of the Transbaikal Territory on the financial sustainability of local budgets. The legislative and practical foundations of strategic planning at the municipal level currently in force in Russia have revealed a sufficient number of problems, both in theory and in planning practice. The application of these principles in practice indicates that the development of strategic planning documents often does not lead to the achievement of the strategic goals laid down in them. Due to the fact that at various levels of government, considerable attention is paid to the development of strategies for the socio-economic development of both the country as a whole and each individual municipality, the issue of supplementing the strategic planning system at the municipal level is relevant. The object of the study is the strategy of socio-economic development of municipalities. The subject of the study is the influence of the socio-economic development strategy of the municipality on its budgetary sustainability. The purpose of the study is to analyze the indicators of municipal budget sustainability and substantiate the need for their compliance with the socio-economic development strategies developed in municipalities. The main objectives of the study are to identify the correspondence between the strategy of socio-economic development and the budget policy of the municipality, and to develop a model of the influence of the socio-economic strategy on the indicators of financial sustainability of the municipal budget. The study of the strategic municipal planning system revealed a lack of relationship between the socio-economic strategy and the municipal budget. The conclusions are substantiated that the strategies for the socio-economic development of municipalities developed by local governments should have as their goal not only improving the quality and standard of living of its population, increasing the attractiveness of the territory, etc., but also the financial sustainability of the local budget, which is one from sources of financing activities included in the development strategy.

Stormwater Runoff Control and Water Resource Utilization Technology of Central China Normal University Based on Stormwater Flood Management Modeling

In recent years, more and more prominent urban flooding problems on campus drainage system planning and design put forward higher requirements. Sudden rainfall can have multiple negative impacts on campuses, but it is also an excellent opportunity to utilize rainwater resources. At present, the peak flow rate of urban drainage system in China is still mainly calculated by the inference formula method, and the design return period of municipal drainage system is also low, which may lead to campus flooding in case of large rainstorms. In this paper, using the Stormwater Flood Management Model (SWMM) as a platform, the Central China Normal University (CCNU) was selected to simulate the summer stormwater runoff process, and three different combinations of low-impact development (LID) facilities were applied to the campus stormwater runoff control, and the control effects of the different combinations on the flood peak flow abatement were compared. The results show that the selected LID deployment scheme is better than the single facility control effect. Finally, based on the results of the study, a technical solution for rainwater collection and reuse based on sponge campus was proposed to renovate and design the campus landscape of Central China Normal University. The economic, social and environmental benefits are significant and can provide a reference for rainwater collection on other campuses.

Validity and reliability of the Brazilian version of the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised for Dental.

This study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the Brazilian version of the "Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised for Dental" (IPQ-RD) in parents/guardians of children aged six to 14 years. The sample consisted of 63 parents/guardians of schoolchildren from the municipal school system of Teófilo Otoni, MG. Remote and virtual data collection consisted of self-completion of personal data, socioeconomic questionnaire and the Brazilian short versions of the "Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire" (16-P-CPQ) and the "Family Impact Scale" (4-FIS). The IPQ-RD was applied by telephone interview. Almost half of the sample belonged to socioeconomic classes C1 and C2. Approximately 1/3 classified their child's oral health as "regular" or "poor", while 11.1% reported "strong" or "very strong" impact on their child's well-being. The items most frequently cited as having an impact on the four domains of the 16-P-CPQ were: "bad breath" (23.8%), "mouth breathing" (20.7%), "feeling anxious or afraid" (20.7%), and "paying attention at school" (10%). In the 4-FIS, 11.1% "had little time for themselves or the family". There were higher IPQ-RD scores in the "disease coherence" domain for women and lower values of "emotional dimensions" for parents/guardians with incomplete education. The mean IPQ-RD score was 126.4 (±15.1), and domain scores were positively correlated. The internal consistency was "almost perfect" for the IPQ-RD total score, ranging from "moderate" to "almost perfect" for the "child-control" and "child-consequences" domains. The intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.04 (poor) to 0.68 (substantial). The Brazilian Portuguese version of the IPQ-RD proved to be valid and reliable for assessing the cognitive and emotional perception of parents/guardians about childhood dental caries.

Support networks for special education students in Espírito Santo’s municipal education system

Support networks for special education students in Espírito Santo’s municipal education system

Bioburden Analysis and Microbiological Stability of Municipal Distribution System through Examination of Transformed Total Microbial Count Dataset

Bioburden Analysis and Microbiological Stability of Municipal Distribution System through Examination of Transformed Total Microbial Count Dataset

Assesinng Sustainable Development Goal 11 in South African Context

South Africa underwent apartheid, a system of racial segregation, during which the country's governance agendas did not offer too much emphasis on environmental issues. The policies implemented during that time were lacking the environment-inclusiveness, and thus regrettably remained unsuccessful in promoting sustainable development. This article aims to review the current state of SDG 11, which focuses on sustainable cities and communities, in South African context. This research is a qualitative analysis of secondary data obtained through reviewing literature. The data was analyzed using conceptual analysis. The literature review shows that the democratic governance in a post-apartheid era implemented some policies that now regulate various aspects of SDG 11 in the country-specific context. Some of the significant ones are the Housing Act (No. 107 of 1997); Water Services Act (No. 108 of 1997); National Environmental Management: Waste Act (No. 59 of 2008); Municipal Systems Act (No. 32 of 2000); Breaking New Ground, 2004; and the National Housing Code, 2009. However, despite these legislative frameworks, there are challenges that still hamper the effective achievement of SDG 11. The findings therefore explore these challenges that include insufficient skills, inadequate funding, and inadequate training to develop technical competence, among others. The study provides recommendations for addressing these issues and improving the situation.

Microplastics transfer from a malfunctioning municipal wastewater oxidation pond into a marine protected area in the Colombian Caribbean

Wastewater is an important source of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic ecosystems, threatening their biodiversity and environmental services. This study examines the contribution of MPs from the effluents of a municipal wastewater treatment pond system (WTS) to a stream that flows into the Cispata marine protected area (MPA) in the Colombian Caribbean. Samples of influent and effluent wastewater and sludge in the WTS were analyzed to determine the abundance and types of MPs. Additionally, the wastewater flow rate was measured using a volumetric method, and its MP load calculated. The abundance of MPs in the influent and effluent of the WTS was 15 and 5 items L–1 of wastewater, and 11 and 4 items Kg–1 dw of sludge, respectively. Fibers (67–75%) prevailed in the wastewater, while fragments (56–67%) were predominant in the sludge. Whereas the removal of MPs entering the WTS was 67%, the wastewater effluents still contribute approximately 1.3 million items day–1 to the stream flowing into the MPA. Our study highlights that a poorly functioning WTS causes substantial MP discharges into sensitive aquatic coastal ecosystems. These WTS require ongoing maintenance and improvements to ensure their long-term optimal operation and function of reducing pollutant loads and environmental risks in recipient aquatic ecosystems.

Impact of Implementing Circular Waste Management System and Energy Recovery in a City with 100,000 Inhabitants on Nitrogen Emissions by 2035

Recent years have observed a reconstruction of the waste management system from a linear resource flow economy to a circular economy. This approach is reflected in the provisions of the Waste Framework Directive (2018), which introduces, among others, new recycling targets for municipal waste which require, by 2025, 55% of the municipal waste to be recycled, in 2030—60%, and in 2035—65%. The ambitious targets adopted for preparing for the reuse and recycling of municipal waste will not be achieved without a high level of the recycling of bio-waste. This paper studies the quantification of municipal waste and nitrogen in a circular municipal waste management system (MWM) implemented for a city of 100,000. It was assumed that MWM would meet the requirements in terms of EU and Polish circular waste management goal legislation for the years 2025, 2030 and 2035. The research results showed that the development of a separate waste collection will reduce the waste delivered to MBT. The required MBT capacity will decrease by almost 2.4 times. Moreover, it has been shown that the introduction of a closed-loop MWM will result in an almost two-fold reduction in the amount of nitrogen going to the landfill and an increase in the mass of nitrogen that can be used to fertilize the soil (by approximately 22%). Furthermore, it has been shown that the most favorable option for an organic waste treatment is the anaerobic–aerobic process. This solution provides the highest biogas production and the lowest nitrogen gas emissions to air.