Yearly Archives: 2016

Abstract:
The present paper presents the results of the research started in the frame of the project called „Dig Where You Live” (2005-2007). It has been developed as a partnership between The Social-Cultural Foundation for Democracy „I.U.G.A.”, the Sisesti Guildhall and North University of Baia Mare. The data required by the “Questionnaire Sheet” provided information on the area of land that belongs to the villagers, the land use, the most used fertilizers, the agricultural machineries that are owned by the local farmers, the animals that provide for the farms, the storages and use of households waste, the tenacity of their house and annexes, crafts that they still practice, local farming habits etc. Each year the starting of the plough and the ritual of the tilling of the soil in Surdesti marks the beginning of a new phase in the rural agrarian cycle. Old farmers remember that before collectivization, the hayfields were often fertilized by using the mobile fold technique. Factual material that was discovered in Surdesti village points that the agriculture that is practiced here is not intended primarily to cope with competitive pressure and market force in the European Union. In terms of environmental factors, soil tests, water courses and underground water tests show that Surdesti village is an unpolluted area, suitable for ecological agriculture and eco-tourism. Nowadays, farmers need agricultural practice and good examples of correct and timely information.

Abstract:
In accordance with the legal requirements, all organizations involved in producing, packaging, distribution and sale of food must ensure that the safety of these products was not compromised throughout the food chain. The concept of food security involves ensuring all food’s quality parameters (chemical, physical, microbiological) are met from the stage of raw material to the stage of food reached to consumer. A guarantee to ensure the food safety of products during the production flow of an organization is the implementation and certification of the food safety management system. Food safety management system is actually a quality management system, whose goal is the production of safe products for consumption and is based on hazards analysis of critical control points – HACCP. One of AVIECO PN II project objectives, led by INCD BNA Balotesti, where INCD ECOIND is partner is to design, develop and implement a food safety management system to another partner, SC AUGER PETRUS SRL. For this purpose, in accordance with the requirements of SR EN ISO 22000:2005, in INCD ECOIND was developed a methodology for designing and implementing the food safety management system. The paper describes the methodology for the design and implementation of the system and presents the results: the technological flow charts for each product; the hazards analysis; the critical and the critical control points; the preliminary Programs (PRP); the HACCP plan; the documentation of food safety management system: the food safety management manual, the system procedures and the operational procedures

Abstract:
In the study were developed two methods for quantification of mercury and tin in water samples. The methods were performed with Perkin Elmer 5300 DV Optima ICP-EOS spectrometer by continuous hydride generation using flow injection analysis system. For detection of mercury, a pre-treatment step was applied using an ultrasonic bath and a mixture of acids and oxidants (such as sulphuric acid, nitric acid, potassium permanganate, potassium dichromate). Mercury was detected at 194.168 nm wavelength, using as reducing agent 0.3% of NaBH4 in 0.5% NaOH solution. The detection limit of the method is 0.1 µg/L, precision is 3.2% and uncertainty of measurement is 8.5%. Tin was detected at 189.927 nm wavelength. To generate tin gas, sample solutions in 4% boric acid and 0.5 M HCl were mixed in line with a solution of 1% NaBH4 and 2% NaOH. The detection limit of the method is 0.2 µg/L, sufficient for tin levels commonly found in water samples. Precision of the method is 3.1% and uncertainty of measurement is 9.3%.

Abstract:
The actual mining activity has a varied and complex influence on the environment, materialised by temporary or definitive occupation of a field surface, by affecting, in some cases, the hydrology and the relief surrounding the exploitations, the partial or total degradation of soils and the landscape, changing hydrographical conditions, as well as ulterior change of the environment and the degradation of existence conditions of the inhabitant from the industrial areas. The protection of the environment is accomplished by the reasonable use of the natural resources, by preventing and combating the pollution and the damaging effects of the natural phenomena by means of certain law means. In the present paper it was realised an evaluation of the impact produced on the environment by the activity realised in the Rosia Jiu quarry, being also proposed the necessary measures for the intercession and minimization of the negative effects realised on environment factors.

Abstract:
The paper presents a new analytical method for identifying of chromium, copper and lead from drinking water. Its novelty consists in introducing a selected methyl orange –dye for identification and dozing of three metals. The method is applicable both for drinking and mineral water in which the degree of interaction with other compounds or impurities is relatively low. The three metals are usually qualitatively and quantitatively analysed by standard classical methods: colorimetry or atomic absorption spectrophotometry. But these methods require some reagents, also are energy consuming and have high cost. The new method is cheaper, faster and the colloidal dye can be applied in situ. The method for determination of: chromium, copper and lead from drinkable waters consists in introducing a fixed amount of dye and measuring absorption of the formed metal-dye associates. Most organic dyes are basic or acids compounds and present colloidal association. Their tendency to associate in colloidal micelles was first studied by conductivity. Due to the flat shape their molecules form layered lamellar micelles, resembling like a “package of cards”. Methyl orange is recognized as a colloidal type dye. The intensity of characteristic bands is proportional to the amount of colloid indicator (methyl orange- dye) and number of metal-dye associates present in the system. Thus the concentration of metals in water can be determined. Due its capacity to determine qualitatively and quantitatively the three selected metals in drinking water, the paper presents ecological importance

Abstract:
Natural gamma-emitting radionuclides (40K, 226Ra and 232Th) and Chernobyl-derived radionuclide 137Cs were determined in soil profiles representing typical soil types of Belgrade (Serbia). The influence of soil properties and content of stable elements on radionuclide distribution down the soil profiles (at 5 cm-intervals up to 50 cm depth) was analyzed. The relationships between soil properties and radionuclides suggested the association of 40K, 226Ra and 137Cs with fine-grained soil fractions. The activity concentration of 137Cs correlated significantly with organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, saturated hydraulic conductivity and specific electrical conductivity. The strong positive correlations between 226Ra and 232Th activity concentrations and Fe and Mn indicate their association with oxides of these elements in soil. The correlations observed between 40K and Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn and also between 137Cs and Cd, Cr, Pb and Zn could be contributed to their common affinity for clay minerals. The results of this study provide insight into the the main factors that affect radionuclide migration in the soil, which contribute to the understanding of radionuclide behaviour in the environment and factors governing their mobility within terrestrial ecosystems.

Abstract:
The development of the nuclear techniques in Romania and the commissioning of the WWR-S research reactor belonging to the Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering -(NIPNE) demand to deal with the storage and disposal of radioactive waste. The institute decided to store the radioactive waste inside a building that belonged to the Defense of Capital City System named “Fort” which is located on the Magurele site. About 5000 packages were produced and transferred to the storage facility of radioactive waste treatment plant after decommissioning of Fort building. In the mean time a repository was commissioned and the most part of the waste has been disposed. There still were remained about 800 packages which, in time, became corroded. A huge effort was put in place in order to repack the waste for disposal. At the end of 2008, the whole amount of legacy waste have been treated, and disposed or stored. The paper describes the management of legacy radioactive waste from the storage facility of Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant.

Abstract:
In Maramures county a area of the 250 milion of square meters was estimated as historical polluted. The repossession as owners of land led to the situation in which agriculture is practiced today in the various locations. One of these locations is located near the ponds and waste dumps located in the west part of Baia Mare city. Although these ponds and waste dumps are in conservation, the specific mining activities (which have meanwhile become history) and their performances, is felt even today.The maize crop is commonly practiced in the areas near these deposits. From the desire to use the land efficiently, between corn are grown various vegetables as: cabbage, zucchini, beans or kohlrabi. These vegetables are intended for human or animal consumption, in own their households.This study highlights the presence of metals in soil (in total and mobile forms) and in vegetables (the cabbage and the zucchini) taken from the culture of corn. Samples of soil and vegetables were taken in late September 2010 and their analysis was conducted in the period between September and October 2010.

Abstract:
Impact assessment methodology of industrial waste, implies not only the research of the geological environment, but also the determination of the most accurate dynamics and complex processes of pollution. In most of the cases, the primary data which describe the geological environment show a discontinuous image of the real investigated (natural) system. Often, increase in date volume, from in situ determinations or from laboratory, means a proportional and substantial increase of expenditures. Generally, the costs of direct geological investigation are high. The numerical model is the tool used by the environmental protection or environmental geology specialist, to replace this inconvenient. The numerical modeling is the main stage of the interpretation of the primary data and represents the base of the decisions making process. Also, processing of primary data and interpretation, using the water flow and transport models of pollutants, represent an important component of the investigation methodology for contaminated sites.

Abstract:
The paper presents the results of determination the self – purification capacity of the soils polluted with heavy metals (Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb) in laboratory conditions. Heavy metal pollution has led to soil acidification and increase the chemical forms of trace elements. The moderate and high pollution of soils did not affect the moisture, humus and exchangeable bases content. Indexes of self – purification capacity showed that clayey and loamy-clayey soils have a high property of cleaning than sandy-loamy soil and sand

Abstract:
There is increasing interest in isolation, identification and quantification of polyaromatic sulfur heterocycles (PASH) in view of their importance in environmental forensics, toxicology, geochemistry, etc. Although EU regulations are still in process for this class of compounds, the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of some PASH compounds determined a major analytical development, all efforts being conducted to a higher level of interest of monitoring water resources and possible soil contamination. Over the past decade, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was a powerful tool for characterization of PASH compounds in environmental samples. To be able to identify possible water and soil contamination with PASH compounds, a new method was necessary to be developed, to have the opportunity to take action and promote a new step in Romanian environmental protection. For this purpose, we developed a GCMS method using a low resolution mass spectrometer for identification and quantification of some PASH compounds including phenanothro[3,4b]thiophene with mutagenic effect J.Heterocycl.Chem.17(1980)1259).

Abstract:
PRINCE (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured project management method for effective project management. This method was established by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) which was an United Kingdom government agency and initially used for information system projects. PRINCE was originally based on PROMPT (a project management method created by Simpact Systems Ltd. in 1975) and in 1989 effectively substituted PROMPT within Government projects. The Office of Government Commerce (the former CCTA) continued to develop the method, and in 1996 PRINCE2 was launched. PRINCE2 is extensively used by the United Kingdom government, and now is a de facto standard widely recognised for all projects not just for information system projects. For any research and development project is possible to apply a product-oriented methodology as PRINCE2 and guide the project by its principles.The originality of the paper consists in adapting and adjusting PRINCE2 to a pre-established project methodology of an authority which finances projects (such as National Authority for Scientific Research- ANCS). PRINCE2 was tailored to suit that methodology and designed the adapted process model diagram. The aim of the paper is not substitution of PRINCE2 processes and products with those of a default methodology but only according them. Applying PRINCE2 methodology for any research and development project is a guarantee that the project could be kept under control in terms of time, cost and quality.

Abstract:
Mercury is a metal that exists naturally in the Earth’s Crust. It can be released by rock weathering and transported by stream waters and may go through a series of chemical transformation according to the bio-physical-chemical conditions. Thus, in reaction with inorganic ligands or organic matter, different forms of mercury can bioaccumulate in the high organisms through the sediments and the food chain. A fraction of this trace element can be trapped into the soils by close relationship with organic matter, iron and aluminium oxides or sorbed onto the mineral particles. Some natural processes (water, soil and vegetation degassing, volcanic emissions) allow it to degas and to flow back into the atmosphere, creating an atmospheric dispersion and a diffuse deposition on the terrestrial ecosystems. Mercury has become one of the most important environmental pollutants. Due to industrial, domestic and medical activities, the amount of total mercury in the environment and mainly in the atmosphere has been increasing since the 20th century. Approximately 5000 tons of mercury is introduced in the Earth’s atmosphere every year. The main objective of this study is to quantify the real impact of the mercury emissions downstream the chemical plants and to determine the mercury pollution in such an area. This study is not only there to demonstrate the significance of the ecosystems soil, water/sediment pathway in the mercury pollution downstream the human activities, but also to show the major role of the mercury in the persistent contamination of the Olt catchment.

Abstract:
Aspects of environmental actions taken by economic agents are presented in order to comply with Water Directive regulatory bases and the Romanian corresponding laws for meeting the 2015’ and 2027’ targets of preserving the good and very good water quality for the majority of water bodies in Europe. In this respect a program for progressive reduction and elimination of priority/priority dangerous substances in municipal sewage system should be implemented. Pollution pressures put by hazardous substances should be analyzed. The analysis is required by Governmental Order 31/2006 and Governmental Decisions 351/2005 updated with 1038/2010 and is view as a technical document that identifies and evaluates the potential hazards for sewage system and water bodies receiving the wastewaters from sewage system. The presence of pollutants is analytically determined at the final point of discharge before the sewage system and it is assessed in relation to the site activities/products and services to assist the appropriate environmental actions to be taken. It is a link between site investigation activities and response actions carried out to address hazards posed by the presence of dangerous substances/priority dangerous substances to the sewage system. During over forty performed screenings in different Bucharest sewage system areas, where economical agents discharge their urban waste waters, we founded interesting practical aspects for regulatory authorities, for industry and for the organization that has in administration the Bucharest sewage system. Those aspects have been recorded, analyzed and their results are discussed considering the risk for human consumption as final target to be assessed. Conclusions are finally presented in relation with the general consensus that should be reached in order to fulfill the sustainable development principles and to meet the set targets.

Abstract:
Plants that grow on heavy metals polluted sites, resulting from human activities, as well as in the surrounding areas contain large amounts of these metals. Given the fact that laying a vegetal layer over the fly ash disposal site would attract birds and wild animals, this study aims to establish an in situ revegetation strategy and assess the level of heavy metal accumulation within the aerial part of the vegetal layer. The addition of a mixture consisting of modified volcanic tuff and biosolids lowers the heavy metal content within the aerial part of Lolium perenne by 20-26% and for Onobrychis viciifolia the decrease is three times higher. Despite this finding, the amounts of accumulated heavy metals within plants are remarkable. By using this kind of treatment, the heavy metal (chromium, copper, nickel and lead) accumulation within Onobrychis viciifolia is up to 14.6 – 20.4 mg/kg dried matter. This result requires the continuation of the studies in order to identify other materials that are able to abate the metal accumulation within plants or to remove the bioaccumulation species.

Abstract:
This contribution relates to application of nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) for the subsurface remediation. Results of experiments focused on objective comparison of both migration properties of various types of the NZVI in porous media and reactivity of NZVI with various contaminants are presented. Obtained results indicate that it might be a problem to keep good migration properties of NZVI in porous media together with its high reactivity. Reactivity of NZVI up to two orders of magnitude higher than reactivity iron particles of normal size (chips, shavings) has been proven. Original design of mixing apparatus for NZVI aqueous suspension preparation and injection into the subsurface was developed and successfully tested. Furthermore, results of NZVI in-situ application on chlorinated hydrocarbons contaminated site are presented. Chlorinated hydrocarbons concentrations were substantially lowered in groundwater after NZVI injection, however, rebound effect was observed. NZVI application can be recommended as an efficient method for in-situ remediation mainly at less-contaminated sites where source of contamination

Abstract:
Groundwater extraction provides an important source of water supply. However, human development has been causing major pressures over the aquifers, requiring the identification and monitoring of both water quantity and quality, in order to define management strategies directed to protect water resources. The paper presents a general overview of groundwater monitoring techniques and a summary of sampling procedures.

Abstract:
There are presented the results obtained on the degree of transformation of organic and inorganic substances in water units have been performed on laboratory modeling of natural surface waters, particularly small rivers, which often serve as receptors of wastewater discharged. Decomposition of dissolved substances in water under normal conditions takes place under the action of complex processes in chemical and biochemical data. Particular importance is assigned biochemical processes related to the vital activity of microorganisms that can take place both in the presence of oxygen (aerobic conditions) and in his absence (anaerobic). Flowing water, loaded (polluted) with so many residues cannot be treated in a natural way, and optimal conditions for microorganisms in river water based on the principle filtration and oxygenation were created in laboratory conditions. For enrichment of the samples with oxygen was done on artificial aeration by bubbling air at additional time intervals (3 hours). The results show that supplementary oxygen enrichment increases the biochemical oxidation of organic matter and ammonium ions contained in the water, settling organic matter content decrease by approx. 74% after an aeration period of 6 hours and ammonia approx. 86%.

Abstract:
Composting is an old and inexpensive method to converts organic waste into useful material (compost) that can be used as soil conditioner and organic fertilizer. Composting is a self-heating, aerobic, solid-phase biological accelerated natural process of biodegradation and mineralization of organic matter. Industrial composting is a controlled process. The main objectives of this process are to maximize the hygienization and biodegradation/mineralization. The C/N ratio is an important quality parameter when using compost as a soil amendment, because materials with a high C/N ratio can immobilize soil nitrogen by the on going decomposition of the carbonaceous substances once the compost has been applied to soil. The ratio decreases as composting progresses because of the conversion of organic C to CO2. At the same time, part of the nitrogen can be lost in form of NH3. C/N ratio can either be measured in the compost or in an aqueous extract. Normally, a C/N ratio of less than 20 in mature compost is thought to be desirable. However, C/N values measured in sufficiently stabilized composts varied between 5 and 20, depending on the type of raw material. In this paper was studied the influence of vegetal waste/pig slurry weight ration on the quality of compost. Moisture, temperature, pH values, volatile organic carbon, total organic carbon, Kjeldahl nitrogen and ash content were monitored for 63 days.

Abstract:
A strange environmental accident happened on the 4th of October, 2010, in Hungary. Hungary has declared a state of emergency in three counties following 600 – 700 m3 toxic red mud spill when a reservoir burst at an alumina plant in Ajka, 160 kilometers south-west of the capital, Budapest [1]. The red mud (bauxite residue) is a hazardous material, rank II, because of its pH = 1. 2 – 13. In Romania a similar factory functioned between 1965-2006 in Oradea, which annually produced 240.000 tons of alumina for ALRO Slatina. (This factory was then sold to the Russian Concern Ruski Alumini) [2]. When producing 1 tonne of alumina, 1.5-2 tones of red mud is resulted. During the more four decades of functioning at Oradea, an immense quantity of red mud resulted, which still exists in a storage and is still unused. Appears that the water of rain diluted the concentration of the alkalis, but a pH of 9.5 was determined. In this form the red mud can be tested as adjuvant in acid composts. For its usage in ceramic mixtures, destined to building materials, its neutralization is necessary with acid wastes for ex. in the vinegar or milk industry.

Abstract:
In Suplacu de Barcau area the pollution with oil have very serious effects upon environment and the human population. The implementation of this technological method could provide a useful and profitable solution to solve the problems caused by the pollution. During the process of thermal desorption volatile products could be removed very efficiently, the base of this process is the physical separation of the components, being a remediation technology which use heat in order to increase the volatility of the components so these components could be removed by the solid matrix (inorganic soil components). Beside treating the wastes contaminated by oil products, this technology offer the possibility of oil recovery.

Abstract:
Mine water from closed sites throughout the main Romanian mining areas represents a significant vector for water pollution. Those mine water, especially from non-ferrous mines have a high variability of chemical-physical characteristics (pH, conductivity, ORP, heavy metals, alkaline and alkaline earth ions, sulphate and chloride). There are significant challenges for the treatment of these types of water, including the removal of sulphate and alkaline-earth metals ions. For the sulphate removal, the biological reduction is one of the possible technical alternatives. This paper presents some results for a lab-scale trial for the evaluation of the potential of passive system for the biological sulphate reduction from mine waters.

Abstract:
The natural water usually contents a series of the metallic ions, such as: Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Na+ that confer the test and quality of water, and also some heavy metals in trace like Ni2+, Al3+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Cu2+ etc that determine the toxicity of water. For obtaining potable water with quality according to European legislation is necessary to apply adequate methods to remove the heavy metals. Water pollution by toxic metals remains an important environmental issue having a major impact on the public health and the economy. This paper present a comparative study of Ca2+ and Ni2+ ions sorption from aqueous solutions on S 930 ion exchange resin. The ion exchange capacity toward Ca2+ and Ni2+ ions depends on the pH values of the aqueous solution, increasing with the increase of pH value in the range of 2 – 6.5 pH unities. Simultaneous sorption on S 930 E of Ca2+ and Ni2+ ions from their binary mixed solutions was studied, the weight ratios between the two metals in the binary systems being 1:2, 1:1; 2:1 and 5:1, by the means of batch experiments performed at 20.0 0.1o C, at different pH values. Among the studied systems, Ni seems to have the strongest affinity for S930 ion exchange resin.