Browse

In this study, the efficiency of EC/UV/TiO2 and EC/UV/ZnO coupled systems, on the decolorization of C.I. Acid Yellow 23 (AY23) as a model contaminant was compared. It was found that for the efficient decolorization of 40 mg L-1 of AY23 using steel304/Al (anode/cathode) as electrodes, with the distance of 15 mm, I = 120 A m-2, electrolyte concentration was 800 mg L-1 for both systems, but pH and initial concentrations of catalysts were 5.53, 800 mg L-1 for TiO2 and 6.29, 650 mg L-1 for ZnO systems, respectively. Th...

Mineralogical composition of mining wastes deposited in voluminous tailing impoundments around the world is the key factor that controls retention and release of pollutants. Here we report geochemical and mineralogical investigation of one tailing impoundment from Slovakia. Ore deposit RudЕ€any was exploited from the end of 19th century and at 1963 the ore started to be extracted by flotation process (barite, siderite and sulfides). Waste after flotation was deposited into one tailing impoundment, which carries ap...

All materials which are rich in carbon content could be used after activation or adsorption. These materials include coal, lignite, wood, Boone, coconut shells, nut shells, rice husks, and various fruits seeds. Activated carbons obtained from these materials are usually hard and dense. Therefore they could be used in water treatment for long time without deterioration. Activated carbons used in controlling environmental pollution should have high surface area and porosity. Activated carbon is obtained by the proce...

Concentration of Na, K, Ca and Mg in selected vegetable cultures: spinach (Spinacia oleracea), lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and parsley (Pertoselinum crispum) were analyzed. Only edible parts of the above plants were used. Metal content was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Thermo Scientific with Echelle optical design and Charge Injection Device (CID) solid statedetector was used. Determined concentrations were within intervals: 18.44 – 85.04, 16.4 – 25.1, 2.97 – ...

The risk assessment approach for the establishments concerned by the Seveso II Directive requirements can be grounded on the determination and the aggregation of 3 indexes: the gravity index, the propagation flow index and the vulnerability index. Based on the national and EU legal requirements concerning the prevention and control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances, the paper has as main goal to present an expeditious methodology for gravity index determination as a function of the dangerous...

The determination of environmental contamination with natural and artificial actinide isotopes and evaluation of their source requires precise determination of concentration and isotopic ratios of actinides in environmental samples. The most conventional analytical tools used for uranium and plutonium isotope determination are liquid scintillation and alpha spectrometry, and thermal ionization mass spectrometry is still considered as the primary method for determination of plutonium isotope ratios. Inductively cou...

The paper deals with an examination of possible application of biodegradation in the decontamination of soil samples from international airport in Ostrava. The laboratory biodegradation tests were carried out with a pure bacterial culture of Pseudomonas putida, a pure laboratory culture of Rhodococcus sp, their mixture and a mixture prepared combining their media free of bacteria. The results of the paper imply that for biodegradation of airport pollutants is most suitable to apply a mixed bacterial culture of Pse...

In the current context of rapid economic growth of eastern and south-eastern European countries, the pressure exerted on the environment is in certain cases considerable, having repercussions that are not easily assessable and remediable. The Bistroe navigation channel is a Ukrainian investment within the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve; its objectives are reducing navigation expenses for the Ukrainian fleet and lowering the country’s unemployment rate. According to Ukraine officials, the losses caused by the use...

The landscape permeability for wildlife may be negatively affected by number of elements which create linear or surface barriers. The potential barriers are i.e. roads, railways, watercourses, urban zones, fenced areas etc. We evaluate all the existing barriers for migration of large mammals in the CR within the research project “Evaluation of the landscape permeability for large mammals and proposal of protective mitigating measures” leading by the Ministry of the Environment. Firstly, we evaluate the permeab...

The decolorization of Acid Yellow 42 (AY42) by Fenton and electro-Fenton processes was compared. The effect of operational parameters was studied and the desired conditions obtained in the initial dye concentration of 120 mg L-1 for H2O2/ Fe2+ ([H2O2]=800 mg L-1, [Fe2+]=0.2 mmol, pH=3) and electrolysis/Fe2+/H2O2 ([H2O2]=1100 mg L-1 , [Fe2+]= 0.5 mmol, pH=3.5 and distance of electrodes 10 mm) systems. The Fenton process proved to be more efficient and occurs at a higher oxidation rate than electro-Fenton process an...

The metal content of a number of white wines was determinated by inductively coupled plasma optical emission: Cu and Fe. The metal content of white wine samples ranged from 13.6-39.4 $\mu$g/L for copper and 1.6-11.7 $\mu$g/L for iron.

The accurate determination of the platinum group elements (PGEs) in environmental samples has become a particularly important in the past few years with the introduction of new legislation regulating the fitting of catalytic converters to petrol vehicles [1]. The emission of PGEs autocatalysts represents a potentially, highly mobile source of environmental contamination. Pt, Pd and Rh from catalyst degradation are deposited along roadways. Although inert in metallic form, platinum salts pose a real health risk. Th...

Three sour cherries cultivars, Marela, Oblacinska and Cigancica, collected from a south Serbia were evaluated and compered for their content of heavy metals. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) is widely recognized as a suitable technique for the determination of heavly metals. The content od Cd and Pb are in intervale 0.066-0.399 and 3.466-7.199 $\mu$g/100g fresh weight of sour cherry.

A kinetic method for the determination of 2,4-D is proposed. The method is based on the inhibiting effect of 2,4-D on the Mn(II) catalysis of the oxidation of malachite green with potassium periodate. The method was applied for the determination of 2,4-D in soil samples.

In last years education and literacy of health becomes important in our country and in the world. The flu of H1N1 which appears in 2009 is known that it is contagius and causes sensations around the world. This brings out different perceptions in the society even in the heralthcare services. Determinate the percieve of H1N1 and the level of health literacy for people in the society is an important fact. This study is for to inform undergraduate students about this disease and also determine their level of health l...

The processes of weathering and dissolution of the impoundment sediments have a significant impact on mobility and availability of trace elements such as arsenic and zinc. They can become dangerous sources of contamination for the surrounding ecosystem. The focus of this study is coal ash impoundment near the village Po\vsa, the drainage water contaminating surface waters and sediments of the Kyjov Brook and Ondava River. Results of chemical analysis show significant contamination by arsenic and zinc. Maximum conc...

With the ever growing urbanisation, crushed stone quarries, which were formerly remote from the cities, have neighboured the cities. On the other hand, the supply of the aggregates that are necessary to be used for the infrastructure of the cities has to be close to the cities. This necessity results with the consideration and evaluation of the crushed stone quarries in terms of their environmental impact. In this paper dust emission measurements of a stone quarry close to the city have been carried out by conside...

The aim of this study is development of design equation for batch-recirculated reactor at photooxidative removal of C.I. Acid Red 17 (AR17) as a model contaminant from textile industry with UV/H2O2 process. Reactor which used is a combination of an annular photoreactor with UV-C lamp emitting at 254 nm from center of photoreactor and a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Design equation developed by combining of the mass balance and rate equation. This equation predicts that pseudo-first-order reaction rate co...

Building industry is the most important market for energy by-products (EBP) - fossil fuel combustion products. The North West Bohemia region has been influenced by open pit coal mining. Fossil fuel combustion products are used in bulk at damaged territory reclamation. Check observation – monitoring – site of building reclamation mixtures on coal combustion product base was assembled according to preparatory documentation as a part of the solution of research task “Research of the physical and chemical proper...

In the context of global environmental crisis being experienced, it has become an obligation to take urgent measures and have environmental awareness for both the nations and the enterprises that are the basic dynamics of the society and indispensable components of the economic life in order to achieve sustainable development. In recent years, it has seen that the comprehension begun with the pollution control in 1970s has been transformed into the comprehension named clean production consisting of the application...

The objective of this paper is to examine the foundations of green marketing in the existence of a market for organic products. We examined the environmentalist consumption behavior because without consumers interested in organic goods we can not talk about environmental marketing. Because of public awareness regarding the environment, companies have adapted, introducing in their vocabulary terms like "green markets", "green consumers", "green products" and practicing green marketing and environmental marketing. T...

Partial decomposition of an organic compound can lead to the formation of products, which are more toxic than the parent compound. Organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) are transformed into metabolites of lesser molecular weight in ozone application Toxicity assessments of both organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) and their ozonation byproducts (OPPs-oxons) are necessary for safety consideration of ozonation treatment. The widespread use of OPPs, such as chlorpyrifos and diazinon for pest control in urban and rural env...

The presentation work contains the analyse knowledge, which were obtained from analysis the results, which were attained on the laboratory sintering pan. On this laboratory sintering pan are sufficiently simulating conditions, which are present in the sinter band. On the basis of the theoretical analyse, analysis measuring data, computing of the balance, production, qualitative and quantitative parameters of the sintering process we can conclude, that in the case of changing underpressure sucking air are influence...

The production of the agglomerate is always related to the consumption of energy, occurrence of solid polluting substances and emissions, which are the main source of air pollution. The submitted work contains the analysis of knowledge obtained from the literature, but mainly analysis of the results gained from the laboratory sintering pan. This laboratory sintering pan sufficiently simulates conditions present on the sinter belt in relation to the production of CO, CO2, NOx, SOx and solid polluting substances in ...

SME is the most numerous and important business, performing multiple economic technical and social functions. After Romania joins the European Union came into force many acts and a large part of their obligation regulate business (in competition, consumer protection, labor relations, health and safety at work, environmental protection, etc.). It is therefore very important to know the level of information of the Romanian SMEs in relation to regulations introduced after 1 January 2007.

Remote sensing techniques were used to detect the heat islands over the Romanian region, based on multi-temporal Meteosat Second Generation, Land Surface Analysis Satellite Applications Facility/ Land Surface Temperature products (MSG LSASAF/LST). A method was proposed for the rapid and accurate mapping of heat island areas based on the combinational use of normalized land surface temperatures. In order to do it, the IDL routines developed locally have been used. It was studied 2976 LSA-SAF/LST images acquired dur...

Castings production cover different technologies of mouls and cores production, different technologies of metal melting (depended on casting material) and technologies of pouring. All these technologies have got some advantages, disadvantages and generate some kinds of by products.There are described in the contribution the basic technologies of moulds production (sand casting, shell moulding, investment casting, lost foam casting, shaw process, vacuum process), pouring technologies (gravity casting, die casting,s...

Drought is the most important and one of the leading natural disasters in the world. The fossil fuel burn, forests annihilation, industrial activities and the other human activities not only take together to rise carbon dioxide, methane, ozone and dinitrogen monoxide that called “greenhouse gasses” but also these factors cause greenhouse and finally the world warming. All these events that called as “Global Warming” occasion to climate changes, inside Turkey and especially the region of South Europe. Those...

The analytical results for the concentration of about 50 elements in magnetic fractions, obtained by wet low intensity magnetic separation of fly ashes from six coal burning power plants in Bulgaria, have been compared to the data previously reported [1] for the initial fly ashes. It has been found that the total content of heavy and toxic elements in magnetic fractions is lower than that in the source materials. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, and, in some ashes, of V and Cu are almost proportional to the c...

This study was conducted to analyze concentrations of heavy metals in plants and soils of barley fields which were growing around of Konya city (Central Anatolia, Turkey). The samples of plants and soils were collected from different areas of two directions (North and South) and two distances (0 and 50 km) of the city. The samples of plants were analyzed for heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni) measured by ICP-OES. The samples of soils were also analyzed for basic chemical properties (pH, humus and carbonate contents...

This study was conducted to analyze concentrations of heavy metals in plants and soils of barley fields standing along main roads of Konya city (Central Anatolia, Turkey). The samples of plants and soils were collected from different areas of two distances (0 and 1 km) of main roads and analyzed for heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni) measured by ICP-OES. The samples of soils were also analyzed for basic chemical properties (pH, humus and carbonate contents). The results revealed a large variability within the nearn...

In connection with high basicity requirements for current agglomerates it is necessary to keep their iron content. This requirement can be met by increasing the content of concentrates in sinter mixtures. It is important to clarify the limit of the concentrate addition or volume in current sinter charges. For this purpose in view laboratory sintering tests were performed to investigate the effect of sintering ores and concentrates on the agglomeration process and its products. The main charge components were mixed...

When infrastructural routes pass through sites with a long-term natural balance, landslide processes may be instigated. The reason is the human intervention. The scale of this intervention is usually sufficient to break the balance border between the admissible human intervention and nature. Crossing this frontier is followed by increased expenditures and termination of construction activities. The subject of this paper covers not only the measures for the ecological balance to be efficiently restored. Attention i...

Landscape fragmentation, a process where biotopes are separated into different parts by a creation of a barrier, is a key issue of landscape ecology nowadays. Separated landscape patches gradually lose their potential to fulfil their original function. There is general effort to develop universal model or set of indicators for fragmentation measurement. In the CR we carried out research project “Integration of landscape fragmentation issue into the decision-making processes” leading by the Ministry of by the M...

An analysis of the factors that affect implementation of investment plans for a construction of engineering structures in coastal area is presented. The report attempted to clarify the legislative and administrative problems in the design and implementation of quality investment projects. There are a number of generally valid requirements and prerequisites for projects that directly affect their level of efficiency and effectiveness. There is need a profound analysis of the influence of real political, economic, s...

Alternative toxicological tests (microbiotests) are those that reduce the number of animals in a toxicity test, refine procedures to make them less painful or stressful, replace animals with non-animal systems, or replace one animal species with another that is lower on the phylogenetic scale. A number of useful alternative methods have been developed and accepted for the evaluation of the potential toxic effects of chemicals products and environment samples. The literature analysis concerning the use of microbiot...

Specific statistical methods can be used when monitor the degree of water pollution in a target zone. The purpose of usage of time series properties is to understand the driving forces and structures that produce the observed data and to fit the data into a model and proceeds them to forecasting, monitoring or even feed back and feed forward control. The essential difference between modelling data via time series methods and using the process monitoring methods is that in time series analysis the data points taken...

Chlorine disinfection is a generally used process for eradication pathogenic microorganisms from drinking water to prevent water-born diseases. It has been demonstrated that natural organic matter (NOM) in raw water may react with chlorine to form disinfection by-products (DBPs) which are carcinogenic or mutagenic. The occurrence of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water has been an issue of major concem during the last years due to their adverse health effects. The development and optimization of analy...

Phosphorus (P) waste output, notably in the dissolved form (DWP), is a major concern for many fish culture operations. Fish are believed to excrete DWP via the urine but this aspect has never been examined in detail. A better understanding of P utilization and renal P handling of fish could aid development of nutritional strategies for the management and reduction P waste. Rainbow trout were fed high corn gluten meal diets, supplemented with dibasic calcium phosphate, containing increasing P levels (0, 75; 1, 15; ...

The present theme approaches a very characteristic theme, analyzing the impact of wastes generated by tabular and calcified alumina industry on our environment. The industrial unit that is the object of this present study S.C. “Alor” S.A. is located in the Oradea municipality. Oradea municipality is located in the north-western part of Romania and is crossed over by the River Crişul Repede. S.C. “Alor” S.A. has as main activity profile tabular and calcified alumina production in various production section...

The aim of this paper is to analyze the protection of Representative Landscape Ecosystem of Slovakia (RLES) on national, European, and global level. RLES (landscape types) are classified as homogeneous units considering landscape character, functions and current land-use. Each landscape type represents unique combination of land-use in different abiotic conditions and provides the unique environment for nature development. Therefore protection of the landscape is understood as maintenance of each landscape type. N...

The presence of heavy metals in environmental factors remains among the most important concerns at national and international levels, while at the same time novel biomaterials usually derived from agricultural wastes are designed and tested for their removal below admitted limits. In this respect efficiency of biosorption of Hg2+ and Pb2+ on corn cobs have been studied for different working parameters: initial solution concentrations of heavy metals, particle size of biomass and temperature. The kinetic model for ...

Today, many scientists are conducting studies on influences of natural and arranged environment on the human health and recovery. With regards this issue, they examined garden designs on healthcare institutions, such as hospitals treating particularly different groups of patients, hospice for elderly and rehabilitation centers where mentally and physically disabled people are treated. In this study, efforts were made to determine positive effects of healing gardens on psychological and physical health as well as s...

Biotechnological solubilization of insoluble inorganic phosphate-bearing materials is now accepted as one of the most viable alternative to the traditional chemical methods. Many microorganisms are capable of solubilizing phosphates although this feature is mainly attributed to metabolites such organic acids. During the recent years, we have developed various biotechnological schemes of P-solubilization based on citric acid (Aspergillus niger, Yarrowia lipolytica), gluconic acid (Penicillium variabile), and oxalic...

The study has been aimed at development of cheap sorbents of toxic heavy metals and radionuclides based on low rank, low energetic coals in combination with chitosan for use in treatment of both waste and drinking water and construction of active geochemical barriers. Sorbents based on lignite and naturally oxidized lignite (oxihumolite, leonardite) were prepared, both raw and impregnated with chitosan from its solution in oxalic acid. The sorbents were characterized by chemical and structural analyses. Their sorp...

The present study deals with the decolorization of C.I. Acid Red 88 (AR88) as a model contaminant from textile industry using sawdust as an adsorbent. The effects of initial AR88 concentration, adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time and stirring rate were studied in a batch mode. The variation of pH from 3 to 10 showed no considerable change in decolorization rate. The desired conditions for decolorization of 84.46\% were obtained to be 20 min of contact time, stirring rate of 400 rpm with 30 g L-1 of adsorbent. Freun...

The mineral springs are deep but they cause spills near to the ground surface. In ancient times, buildings have been erected at the level of the spills, and water has been used for heating. Nowadays, the ground surface is some 12 m over the mineral water spills. The structures of the new metropolitan railway are 15-20 m under the ground surface which means that they have to pass through Pliocene clays soften by the mineral water. These specific geological conditions require a specific approach of underground const...

Magnesium doped TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel method. The crystallite size of nanoparticles was obtained by X-Ray diffraction (XRD). The photocatalytic activity of magnesium doped TiO2 was tested by photocatalytic degradation of C.I. Acid Red 27 from mono azo textile dyes. Results show that magnesium doped TiO2 under visible light has high photocatalytical activity than undoped TiO2 nanoparticles.

ZnO-SnO2 coupled catalyst was prepared by coprecipitation method. Then Ag was loaded on the coupled catalyst by impregnation method. The photocatalytic performance of silver doped ZnO-SnO2 was tested by photocatalytic degradation of C.I. Acid Red 27 (AR27) as a model contaminant from mono azo textile dyes. The crystallite size of nanoparticles was obtained by X-Ray diffraction (XRD). Results demonstrate that silver doped ZnO-SnO2 have shown high photocatalytic efficiency than undoped ZnO-SnO2 at photocatalytic deg...

The paper presents a study case concerning the application of the Quality Management in the Danube Environmental Center from the Romanian University of Science and Arts ‘’Gh. Cristea ‘‘, from Bucharest. This center is founded as a target from the Danube Rector Conference to move the attention of the Universities and the Community for the new concept of the Europe versus the sustainable development, the environment education and the geopolitical strategy of the Danube River.