Browse

To increase the adoption of recycled plastics in the construction industry and to make this material economically viable, it is of outmost importance to develop technological processes that can make contaminated or dirty plastics useful. This study applies an Euler-Lagrange numerical approach to evaluate the suitability of injection moulds for optimized structural elements made from contaminated recycled polyethylene and to check if the mould shapes are compatible with a normal injection technological process. The...

The transition to a sustainable energy system is one of the European Union's key strategic directions, in line with achieving climate neutrality by 2050, as outlined by the European Green Deal. The Black Sea region has considerable potential for renewable energy sources, particularly offshore wind, solar, and biomass. Due to this potential, the area has become a hub for European initiatives focused on increasing the share of renewable sources in the regional energy mix, and consequently, on energy security and red...

Augmented Reality (AR) technology is gaining relevance in spatial applications, offering interactive ways for users to explore and navigate destinations by overlaying digital information onto real-world environments. As this technology advances, AR maps present both new possibilities and unique challenges in cartographic communication. Despite their growing presence, a structured, user-centered framework for evaluating the usability and effectiveness of AR maps remains underdeveloped. This paper proposes a theoret...

By moving towards a circular and low-emission economy, organisations become important actors in the implementation of resource-efficient and sustainable development. This study analyses the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable work policies and internal management practices of organisations based on circular economy principles. The study highlights that a work environment designed to optimise resource use, reduce environmental footprint and promote -green thinking- forms the basis for both the compet...

This paper focuses on analyzing the behavior of a photovoltaic system installed on a selected building, using the PVcase software to evaluate the influence of temperature on energy performance. The study simulates a typical summer day, comparing the operation of photovoltaic panels during two distinct periods: in the morning, when the ambient temperature is lower, and at midday, when the temperature reaches its peak. Through these simulations, variations in voltage, current, and generated power are determined, as ...

Explosive phenomena represent one of the risks present within mining activities. These phenomena can have disastrous consequences on people, structures and the environment surrounding the mining site. In fact, the explosion uses a wave of pressure and heat that affects everything at the time the accident occurs. Different software were studied and developed by many researchers with the aim of simulate explosive effects in order to define the consequences might be on people and the environment, the development time...

The issue of improving the shape of paraboloidal surfaces of transformable reflectors is still considered one of the most challenging problems. In modern transformable reflectors, the paraboloidal shape of the center of deployable reflectors is ensured by placing nodes of a flexible tape grid. It is accepted that the maximum accuracy of the parabolic surface is achieved under conditions of equal loads of the nodes. Changes in the geometry of the paraboloidal surface of the reflectors mainly develop in the peripher...

Traditional production is more sustainable through local efficiency, meat and spices often come from local farms or markets, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transport, respect for resources and cultural diversity, while industrial methods are oriented towards volume, uniformity and profit, often with higher ecological costs. Traditional pork sausages are prized for their unique flavors and textures, making them a staple in the Romanian tradition. The process of preparing traditional pork sausage has ...

The main objective of the theme taken in study is to bring a contribution to the development of an intensive technology for corn, in conditions of good favorability. The area under study is part of the Timis Plain and is characterized by climatic conditions conducive to corn cultivation, being framed in the very favorable cultivation area in our country. In order to highlight the behavior of the corn hybrids taken in the study, determinations were made regarding: grain production, depending on the hybrid (kg ha-1)...

Cultural properties possess unique characteristics that fulfil the essential needs and desires of individuals, thereby enhancing the well-being and quality of life within a community. The enhancement of cultural properties focuses on promoting their recovery to improve physical preservation, protection, and safeguarding; in such operations, it is essential to ensure sustainability from environmental, economic, and social perspectives. To achieve sustainable architecture, it is necessary to implement strategies tha...

Hydrogen is considered the energy source which can ensure the global transition to sustainable low-carbon energy systems. Municipalities can become more eco-friendly by adopting and implementing hydrogen-based energy systems. At the beginning of the transition toward carbon neutrality, the municipalities can use the hydrogen mixed with natural gas in the existing natural gas network for food and domestic hot water preparation, and heating and electricity generation, and the hydrogen stored as compressed gas, cryo-...

The study of hydrogen explosions in interconnected spaces is essential for safety in industrial and laboratory settings. Due to its highly flammable nature, understanding hydrogen explosion dynamics is essential for risk mitigation. This paper presents an experimental and computational analysis of a hydrogen explosion in a setup with four interconnected chambers. The experimental stand had transparent walls for direct observation. Ignition was initiated to analyze flame propagation, acceleration, and pressure vari...

Energy remains a key driver of human development and economic growth. The projected increase in the global population to 8.5 billion by 2030 will intensify energy demand and dependence on fossil fuels, the main source of CO2 emissions. This highlights the urgent need for renewable and sustainable energy solutions. Hydrogen is considered a promising clean energy carrier; however, most hydrogen is still produced from natural gas via steam reforming, releasing significant amounts of CO2. Growing attention is therefor...

The stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) and purple dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) are widely distributed plants, known for their medicinal and nutritional properties. Urtica dioica is particularly valued for its significant mineral content, being widely used in traditional medicine and agricultural practices. Similarly, Lamium purpureum presents notable medicinal properties and typically occupies comparable ecological functions. Calcium is critically important for developing cell walls, growth of plant cells as well a...

Albania faces increasing wildfire pressure amid hot, dry summers, where extreme temperatures and prolonged drought intensify fire danger. To assess how meteorological fire-danger signals correspond to real wildfire outcomes, this study examines the coherence of the Fire Weather Index (FWI) with two key indicators fire occurrence and fire extension using daily data for July August 2017 2021. FWI values were derived from EFFIS daily rasters for all twelve qarks. At the same time, fire counts and burned-area data wer...

It is known that environmental problems are numerous, having a global impact. The quality of the environment involves increasing attention from all countries and requires the urgent adoption and implementation of measures to protect it. Sustainable development is justified by making environmental protection expenditures, especially since the state's fiscal policy ensures the achievement of sustainable development objectives. Through this article, the authors emphasize the need for financial resources in the a...

The recent advances in machine learning led to exponential improvement in the field of artificial intelligence and large language models (LLMs). For university study and university students, LLMs can offer opportunities in several areas. But on the other hand, output from LLMs should be handled using critical thinking. In our research, we wanted to investigate the level of awareness of publicly available LLMs among the bachelor and master students (n=22) of Landscape Engineering program at the Slovak University of...

Cloudberry is a perspective berry crop for extracted peat bog recultivation in Latvia. The study aimed to assess the effect of different fertiliser doses on cloudberry variety Nyby vitality. In 2023, cloudberries were propagated and in September planted outside into outdoor flower beds (24 pots in each bed) with milled raw peat. The beds were separated into four treatments with different doses of complex fertiliser 12-8-16 with micronutrients: control C, N12, N24, and N36 (respectively, 0, 12, 24, and 36 kg ha-1 o...

Nowadays the green finance is a very actually topic, which is becoming increasingly important in the agricultural sector. The sustainable agricultural production is more and more important in the European Union. The requirements and regulations are becoming stricter therefore we have to use sustainable technologies in the agricultural production and we need more and more green investments and financial sources to establish sustainable plants. In this study, we examined a case study and calculated the costs and the...

The growth of environmental responsibility among the youth of the Republic of Tatarstan in recent years demonstrates positive changes in relation to hazardous waste management in Russia. This is especially noticeable among schoolchildren and students. As part of the study conducted among the youth of the Republic of Tatarstan, various methods were used, including questionnaires, to gain a deeper understanding of the level of environmental awareness and willingness to participate in environmental initiatives. The q...

The disadvantage of generating electricity from renewable sources is the need for its simultaneous consumption afterwards or distribution to other consumers over long distances, which is accompanied by significant energy losses in networks with increasing transportation distances. In addition, there is a discrepancy between the seasonal maximum volumes of electricity generation and consumption. Thus, imbalances arise between the demand and supply of electricity on the market. This problem can be solved by converti...

Environmental discourse has moved from -green- to -sustainable- to -circular.- The emerging paradigm is the regenerative economy, which goes beyond minimizing damage to actively improving ecosystems and communities. This perspective draws on long-standing work in ecological economics, systems ecology, and innovation theory without relying on specific frameworks in this abstract. It stresses that natural resources may be finite, yet the possibilities created by knowledge, technology, and institutional evolution are...

Futures Literacy Labs (FLL), as developed by UNESCO, have become a widely replicated and methodologically robust framework for anticipatory governance, now applied across more than 60 countries and multiple domains - from education to innovation policy and sustainability science [1, 2]. Recent studies emphasise their potential for transforming entrenched policy paradigms, surfacing assumptions, and fostering systemic innovation [3, 4]. While the integration of FLL into Green and Sustainable Public Procurement rema...

The European Green Deal (EGD) represents a transformative policy initiative aimed at shifting the EU economy toward climate neutrality and environmental sustainability. While the EGD provides a strategic vision and financial instruments for achieving green goals, its implementation poses substantial challenges for enterprises, including tiny and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This paper examines the perceptions of Latvian entrepreneurs regarding the EGDпїЅs anticipated impact on business performance, the key obs...

As climate change accelerates, governments and businesses around the world are faced with the need to adapt to new environmental and economic realities. Innovative adaptation strategies are becoming key to building economies that are not only resilient but also able to thrive in times of uncertainty. Adapting to climate change means adjusting economic systems to new conditions to mitigate negative impacts and harness potential benefits. This involves rethinking the ways we use resources, as well as developing new ...

Solar thermal energy is a widely established source for Domestic Hot Water (DHW) production. However, standard DHW systems rely on external electrical energy to power auxiliary components such as circulation pumps and automation controls. This paper aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a self-sustaining system capable of simultaneous thermal energy recovery and electrical generation, thereby enhancing overall energy efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint. Experimental investigations were conducted on a cus...

The Alasehir Graben hosts a thick sedimentary sequence of terrestrial clastics deposited from the Early Miocene to the present. Oil shales occur with thin- to medium-bedded sandstones, siltstones, and shales in the upper part of Alasehir Formation. This study evaluates depositional settings and paleoenvironmental conditions via inorganic geochemistry of oil shales. X-Ray Diffractometer results show the presence of quartz, clay, mica, feldspar, calcite, chlorite, pyrite, and ilmenite. Al2O3 shows strong positive co...

The Sredogriv low-grade metamorphic rocks belongs to the Montana unit of the Western Balkan Zone in northwestern Bulgaria. The low-grade rocks mainly consist of metamorphosed greenschist facies clastic-marly-tuffaceous precursors and minor basic to acidic, presumably olistostromic magmatic rock bodies. Here, we present whole-rock geochemistry of metabasic dyke-like bodies in the Sredogriv metamorphic rocks. Field observations revealed that the dyke-like bodies are intruded into the Sredogriv sedimentary succession...

The paper explores the utilization of modern measurement technologies, particularly drones and GPS systems, in the process of mineral resource exploitation. These technologies have revolutionized the way topographic surveys are conducted, providing efficient and precise solutions for land mapping and mineral deposit evaluation. Drones, equipped with RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) modules, enable rapid collection of geospatial data, facilitating the acquisition of high-resolution aerial images and digital terrain models...

Open data and informatics provide new opportunities for cost-effective environmental monitoring in data-scarce regions. This study applies a geospatial informatics approach to assess coastal microbial pollution patterns in Albania during 2023, using openly available datasets from the Albanian Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) and the European Environment Agency (EEA). Microbiological indicators of bathing water quality (intestinal enterococci, IE/100 ml) were combined with municipal solid waste statistics to explor...

In previous studies, when conducting a geospatial analysis of 297 degraded territories in Latvia, it was found that 6.7% of them would be suitable for electricity production with renewable energy resources and approximate calculations of the possible electricity production potential were made. The task of the study was to conduct an in-depth study of the degraded territory found in the previous analysis in an area of 11.0 ha, taking into account the location of the territory in relation to the daily movement and a...

The integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into higher education represents a transformative pathway for preparing students to address global environmental challenges. While GIS training traditionally emphasizes spatial data handling and map-making, its potential for capacity building is significantly enhanced when combined with emerging artificial intelligence (AI) tools. This paper presents an interdisciplinary educational model that aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 13 (Climate Action),...

The growing need for a sustainable and climate-resilient future places green energy and digital transformation at the heart of the European Union-s long-term strategic plan. Policies such as the European Green Deal and the Digital Europe Programme envisage a synchronised "twin transition", one that aims to decarbonise the economy and modernise its digital infrastructure simultaneously. While significant attention has been directed towards centralised digital solutions and large-scale grid management systems, less ...

Urban ecology examines the intricate interactions within socio-ecological urban systems, with green infrastructure (GI) emerging as a vital tool for sustainable development by enhancing ecosystem services and promoting human well-being. This study aimed to provide a comparative assessment of moss-based GI, focusing on its capacity to reduce particulate matter (PM10) and absorb rainwater. To evaluate PM10 absorption, laboratory experiments were conducted in a controlled pollution chamber using a vertical barrier de...

With a growing global population and rapid urbanization, cities around the world are facing a multitude of challenges, including climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Green infrastructure, a term that encompasses natural and semi-natural systems integrated into urban spaces, provides solutions that not only address these issues but also contribute to creating sustainable and livable cities. Green infrastructure includes a variety of elements, and they work together to provide ecosystem services, includ...

Green growth is defined as a way in which the economy can continue to grow while ensuring the preservation of natural resources for the future. The concept of a green economy, which focuses on economic growth while preserving the natural capacity for renewal, has become a central element of sustainable development policy. The development of a green economy is not limited to energy and infrastructure, but affects all economic development processes, including business communication and market processes. One of these...

Achieving sustainable development - as defined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - requires not only visionary targets but also effective implementation tools. One such tool is Green Public Procurement (GPP), which enables public authorities to influence production and consumption patterns in favour of climate action, resource efficiency, and social equity [1, 2]. In Latvia, municipalities play a critical role in promoting sustainability through GPP, particularly in sectors such as food an...

This study examines the causes of maritime safety accidents in the fishing industry, focusing on situations where excessive onboard noise acts as a significant factor contributing to human error. Elevated noise levels, primarily generated by vessel engines, impair communication, mask alarms, and reduce attention, thereby increasing the likelihood of accidents. Prolonged exposure also leads to hearing loss and reduced well-being, further affecting safe work performance. Considering the specific working conditions o...

Intensive physical activity develops healthy habits and increases population health. Healthy population has a higher probability to be productive and public health is one of public goods. Walking is one of the physical activities easy to practice in public open spaces. Walking experiences in urban environments support green-blue infrastructure and its quality. Pedestrian habits relate to a set of conditions, shaped by motivation and available opportunities. A sedentary lifestyle has an array of adverse health effe...

This paper emphases the synergistic nature of greenhouses, underlining their role in feeding the population and optimizing energy, water, and gas fuel consumption. Several synergies associated with greenhouses are listed: that of recoverable energies, that of water, that of carbon offset, that of trophics, that of economics and that of politics. The most significant greenhouse configurations are reviewed: the passive greenhouse, oper-ating exclusively with renewable energies, the cogenerating greenhouses, producin...

Groundwater represents a vital yet often overlooked source of freshwater, essential for public water supply, agriculture, industry, and maintaining ecosystem functions. In the context of accelerating climate change, overexploitation, and water quality degradation, the sustainable management of groundwater resources is becoming increasingly important. The aim of this study is to analyze current approaches to groundwater governance based on case studies from California, Orange County, the Netherlands, and India, and...

The growth course properties of grey alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moench) on different site types are still insufficiently researched, especially, if to compare the forest and abandoned agricultural lands. Due to the species relatively high prevalence in private forest areas in Latvia, which according to the forestry statistics data, equaled 11% in 2023, it has crucial significance to the economy. The paper analyses 40-year-old grey alder stands on abandoned agricultural land, forest land, and forests along the rivers...

Heavy metals as persistent pollutants of the aquatic ecosystems become a global issue of concern and are consistently increasing due to urbanization and industrialization. The aim of this study was to determine the heavy metals content in the water of the Mati River. Heavy metal levels were monitored during 2024 on four campaigns along the Mati River. Water samples were collected from five stations, covering the whole watershed area. Sample analyses were performed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, (GF-AAS). This ...

Hermaphroditism in the flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus), manifested as intersex conditions, is linked to various environmental factors and anthropogenic pressures. Key contributors include exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), heavy metals, and pollutants that disrupt hormonal regulation, leading to sexual development abnormalities. Research indicates that Mugil cephalus is particularly sensitive to EDCs in coastal and brackish ecosystems. Our findings reveal that 19% of male individuals from the...

This study presents a hexagonal-based geoinformation approach for monitoring forest ecosystems and detecting anomalous changes in Ukraine, where forest resources are under severe anthropogenic and military pressure. Using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, vegetation indices were processed to classify vegetation dynamics and identify areas of significant degradation. A hexagonal spatial partitioning method was applied to improve spatial accuracy, reduce edge effects, and support the quantitative assessment of forest co...

The study focuses on the assessment of geosites in the Doln- Spis region of eastern Slovakia as a foundational framework for the establishment of a potential geopark. This region is characterized by significant geological diversity, notable geomorphological features, and substantial anthropogenic heritage, particularly related to historical mining activities. Based on the inventory of 42 geosites, a typological classification was conducted, dividing the sites into six main types and several subtypes. The evaluatio...

We present herein a thoroughly study concerning synthesis, structure and fluorescent properties of two classes of pyrrolodiazine derivatives: pyrrolopyridazine respectively pyrrolophthalazine cycloadducts. The synthesis is straight and efficient, consisting in a 3+2 dipolar cycloaddition reaction of diazinium ylides to dipolarophiles with triple bound. The structure of compounds was proven by elemental and spectral analysis. The fluorescence studies reveal that the pyrrolodiazine compounds are intense blue emitter...

This study explores the implementation of AI-driven Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) in a mid-sized manufacturing warehouse in the Czech Republic, replacing traditional forklift operations to enhance occupational health and safety (OHS) and optimize internal logistics efficiency. The research integrates advanced indoor geospatial technologies - including LiDAR mapping, real-time positioning (Ultra-Wideband), and spatial data analytics - into warehouse workflows. Although full AMR deployment has not yet been realize...

It is well established that the farther a benchmark is from the datum point in a leveling network, the greater its standard error of adjusted height tends to be. To explore the optimal datum point location for minimizing height uncertainty, we performed 11 separate adjustments of the Second Bulgarian Leveling Network. Each adjustment used a different nodal benchmark as the datum point. While all adjustments yielded identical benchmark elevations and the same mean adjustment error of 2.14 mm/km^0.5, the sum and ave...

The role of a ventilation system is to establish or maintain conditions of temperature, humidity, dust content and gaseous products compatible with a certain degree of comfort [2], in the presence of various external inputs, respecting the noise level and air speed compatible with this comfort. In order to obtain prescribed (previously fixed) temperature, pressure and humidity conditions in ventilated premises, the air must first be subjected to a complex treatment process, a process that may include heating, cool...