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This is a study conducted on agricultural soil collected from village of Dudescu, Zăvoaia Commune, Însurăței City, Brăila County. In this case soybeans, sunflowers, corn and wheat have been cultivated prior the soil sampling. The soil was analyzed using an ED-XRF and the results indicated, in general, elements concentrations within normal values, indicating a good soil quality. The exceptions in this study, which have exceeded the normal legal values, were: chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As). To assess the level of soil pollution, different types of indexes were calculated such as the migration index (MI) and the ecological risk potential (RI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the results from measurements of radon concentrations in primary and high school education institutions—including their gymnasiums—from the Chisinau municipality and various rayons from the central and southern part of the Republic of Moldova. In the research carried out during the years of 2013–2014 and 2021, there were 78 (29 + 49) premises included, respectively, and 149 and 23,805 investigations were performed using RTM-1642 (active measurements) and RadonEye+2 devices (passive measurements). The results show an essential variability for the studied radio-stressogenic factor, depending on the geological conditions of the location of the premises and the age of the building. Thus, during 2013–2014, the minimum concentration of radon detected was 26 Bq m−3, and the maximum detected was 607 Bq m−3. In 2021, the results denote an indicator variability in the range of 17.4–657.9 Bq m−3 for early education institutions, with an average value of 127.6 Bq m−3, and denote a range of 231.8–1129.3 Bq m−3, with an average value of 665.4 Bq m−3), for high school education institutions and their gymnasiums. The effective annual dose for the children in a classroom varies between an interval of 0.21–4.88 mSv y−1 (average 1.19 mSv y−1) and 0.14–9.08 mSv y−1 (average 1.29 mSv y−1) for the 2013–2014 and 2021 surveys, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In general, the total content of heavy metals and trace elements in soils is useful, but the speciation (bioavailability) is also in need for agricultural purpose, for example. The present paper studies the efficiency of some soil remediation treatments on soils polluted, especially with copper, by using sequential chemical extraction (SCE). Usually, SCE is fractioned, according to Tessier, in five fractions: exchangeable, carbonate bound, Fe and Mn oxide bound, organic matter bound and residual. Copper (Cu) is one of the contaminants found in many soils around the world. In small concentration, it is an essential microelement for plants and organisms, but in high concentrations, it is harmful for the entire ecosystem. Because the concentrations of Cu are associated with soil texture and several other parameters, many remediation soil treatments are based on organic mixture, by converting the element into a less exchangeable form, and thus less bioavailable. In this study, the efficiency of organic amendments such as organic matter (OM), zero-valent iron with organic matter (OMZ), dolomite (DL) and organic matter with dolomite (OMDL) are investigated. These treatments were applied on soils affected by Cu pollution. The results indicated that OMDL and OMZ treatments had the best efficiency on Cu pollution, by enhancing the stability of the element, decreasing the level of bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aims to highlight one of the highest environmental issues, caused by pollution with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). This form of environmental pollution with a negative impact on human health would not be possible without the use of high voltage industrial electrical equipment with dielectric fluids infested with various PCB isomers. In order to carry out the experimental program, samples of dielectric fluids both from Romania and Indonesia were investigated. The PCBs-containing samples were characterized using GC-ECD technique, employing an Agilent 7890 gas chromatograph equipped with a 15 mCi 63Ni μECD detector. PCBs concentrations were calculated using the standard calibration method based on the internal standard according to the corresponding normative documents. Ongoing work is carried out to adapt the technique for the analysis of PCBs in soils contaminated with oil products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results obtained from the analysis of some filter paper samples using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) technique. Based on the FTIR capabilities, using the infrared light to scan the samples and identify their chemical properties, organic, polymeric and inorganic materials can be characterized. The samples analysed were six filter papers with different mass additions of Ulva Rigida C. Agardh seaweed collected from the Black Sea, in Constanta area, SE Romania. The additions used consisted of 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 4% and 8% seaweed material, grounded to a certain grain size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the problem of soil pollution in the vicinity of a former chemical plant, given that production activity was stopped for more than thirty years ago. The old chemical plant was located in the southern part of Braila town, SE Romania, just a few kilometers from the left bank of the Danube River. Prior to 1990, there was a significant production of industrial chemical goods, such as sulfuric acid, carbon dioxide for synthetic fibers, chlorine gas and hydrochloric acid obtained by electrolysis processes with mercury electrodes and heavy metal catalysts (Cd, Ni, Zn), sodium sulfide and sulphate, etc. For the good development of the experimental program, a number of 10 soil samples were collected from the north, northwest, west, southwest and south of the former chemical plant. The multi-element analysis method used to determine the trace elements in the soil samples was energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF), using a Genius XRF portable spectrometer manufactured by Skyray Instruments Inc., equipped with a large surface Si with a Be window and a 40 kV/100 μA miniature X-ray tube excitation source with Ag target. The spectrometric system has an energy resolution up to 139 eV, and the detection limits of the order of ppm. A total of 21 chemical elements were identified in the target soil samples, such as: K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Hg, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Sn, Sb, Pb. The compositional analyses of contaminated industrial soils were completed by using the AAS and ICP-MS high performance and selectivity techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One way to reduce the heat loss of the steam boiler is to reduce the blowdown rate and recover the heat from the purged water. Purging the boiler, although necessary, represents a loss of treated water and a loss of heat because the purged water is water brought to saturation. Blowdown recovery must be done according to the available users/consumers. The paper analyses the recovery of blowdown of a steam boiler of 420 t/h capacity by using a flash separator and a makeup water preheater. The flash steam is used for the feed water deaeration. The heat recovered from the blowdown can reach 97%, and the recovered water can reach 43%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slag analysis is very important in maintaining the quality standards of metallurgical processes. The chemical structure and the physical features of slag play a very important role in the management of blast furnace (BF) processes, favouring the development of the decreasing reactions and acting as a thermoregulator of the furnace by the adjustment of heat transmission through the metallic bath. In this paper, the following ranges of oxides concentrations were obtained in BF slags by X-ray fluorescence with wavelength dispersion (WXRF): 32.29-35.56% SiO2; 42.41-44.1 % CaO; 12.20-15.63% Al2O3; 0.40-0.85% MnO; 5.38-6.17% MgO; 0.45-0.69% FeO. The calculated basicity index of slags varied between 1.031 and 1.103, denoting the acidic character of slags. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, it will be presented the results obtained from research conducted in order to reduce the concentrations of metals in industrial wastewater resulted from heavy metal polluting industries, especially the metallurgical industry. Most of the world's water sources are profoundly negatively affected by human activities, and the population faces critical water supply and drinking water quality problems. Millions of people develop various diseases from drinking water from unsafe or poor quality sources, creating a global public health problem. Due to massive industrialisation, current water treatment methods are outdated, which is why water treatment and purification laws, regulations, and controls need to be updated to minimise and stop contamination of the food chain. It is the responsibility of the researchers to make the public aware of the dangers to which they are exposed due to their own negligence and to offer possible solutions to these problems. New, reliable, viable, cheap, and sustainable technologies must be developed to improve drinking water quality. One such technology that can be developed and implemented is using the biological method of biosorption. Stranded seaweed on the Romanian Black Sea coast is currently treated as waste, but it could be exploited as biomass in the biosorption process. The research aimed to investigate the possibility of valorification of macrophyte seaweed species in this direction. Five different species of stranded macrophyte seaweed were collected and used to remove selected metallic ions (Cr, Fe, Zn, Cu) from a source of wastewater resulted from the metallurgical industry processes. The wastewater samples were analyzed before and after the application of the biosorption technique using the spectrophotometric method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights an experimental model proposed for the management of nuclear materials containing natural uranium and thorium salts, based on technical and legislative methods. The investigated nuclear materials originate from laboratory chemicals with expired validity, having as manufacturers companies specialized in the manufacture of laboratory substances such as: Merck, Chemapol, Sigma Aldrich, Bucharest Reagent. The experimental program refers to several issues of great importance in the waste and environmental management, such as: a) the processing of radioactive substances containing nuclear materials and radioactive waste represented by solid objects contaminated with radionuclides from the radioactive series of U-238 and Th-232; b) gamma dose rate measurement during handling and processing of open sources of ionized radiation; c) measurement of suspicious contamination of the operating personnel which handles the equipment, including the materials used in the processing of open sources of ionizing radiation; and d) the inventory of nuclear materials according to the chemical formula, the mass of chemical substance, the mass of the nuclear element in each container and type of packaging. For the good development of processing these open sources of ionizing radiation containing nuclear materials, the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) was applied, which is fundamental to the principles of radiation protection. All the measurements for determining the gamma dose rate and suspicious contamination were performed with the aid of a CoMo 170 radiometric device produced by Nuvia Instruments Gmbh Germany, equipped with a 170x100 mm2 PL detector with zinc sulfide calibrated with the aid of C-14, Co-60, Cs-137, U-238 and Am-241 radioactive isotopes and an external probe containing a scintillating crystal with sodium iodide enriched with thallium calibrated with Cs-137. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper refers to the application of XRF method for the simultaneous determination of arsenic and selected metals from waste samples resulted from the dismanlting of distilleries in the perimeter of Azomures S.A., Mures County, Romania. The dismantling operation was carried out by a specialized Romanian company, and from this operation resulted several refractory construction wastes, such as sands with a very high content of arsenic and its chemical compounds. In order to determine the arsenic and other metals concentration, the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectrometric technique was employed. Application of the ED-XRF method was performed in an accredited laboratory for the determination of toxic substances from various samples, using a Genius portable XRF (p-XRF) spectrometer manufactured by Skyray Instruments Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microbiological contamination of the water with faecal bacteria resulting from anthropogenic activity is an important issue for population health and the assessment of the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the water is a major concern for the protection of humans and animals. Coliform bacteria are indicators for the assessment of faecal pollution and a potential presence of pathogens, which is caused mainly by untreated wastewater. In this paper, a comparative study was carried out in 32 sampling sites of MONITOX network in two periods, June 2019 and June-July 2020, before and after COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, regarding the rate of the water microbiological contamination in Lower Danube (Calarasi/Silistra-Galati-Tulcea sectors, Danube Delta and the Black Sea coast, from the SE part of Romania, by counting of the bacteria indicators of the organic pollution (heterotrophic bacteria and total coliforms). The results demonstrate a decrease of microbiological contamination of surface water in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown in all the samples collected from the Black Sea coast, Danube branches, Danube-Black Sea confluence, and Danube river downwards the town of Galati. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is a fundamental and indispensable constituent of the human body. Small changes produce serious disorders and insufficient water intake is much less tolerated than in other deficiency. The aim of this work is the study of drinking water quality indicators in selected localities in SE Romania (Galati, Braila, Buzau, and Vrancea counties). Water samples were taken from drinking water sources (tap water, well water, spring water, filtered tap water with biological filter), frequently used by the population (15 places). They were subjected to chemical and physico-chemical analysis in order to determine the physical, chemical parameters of quality that can have an impact on the residents' health. In five water sources (Independenta (tap), Independenta (spring), Lunca/Buzau, Liesti fountain at 40 m depth, and Galati (biologically filtered tap water) the pH is below 6.5, a value that does not fit into STAS acquis in force - SR ISO 10523-2009. Oxidability index values in the majority of cases are below the maximum allowed, of 5 mg O2/L water, according to SR EN ISO 8467-2001; in some cases, the values exceed the limits as following: Independenta: 8 mg O2/L; Lunca/Buzau: 10 mg O2/L; Focsani spring: 9 mg O2/L; Focsani tap: 8 mg O2/L; Galati tap: 6 mg O2/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known the role of nutrients in growing crops and obtaining cost-effective production, but also to ensure a nutritious contribution to humans and animals alike, in food safety conditions. This study aims to evaluate both the supply of nutrients and the main parameters of agricultural soils, in 0-30 cm layer, under intensive agricultural practices pressure, undertaken in an agricultural area influenced by steel industry activities. The soil samples were collected from three sites and different plots grown with wheat, corn, and sunflower, and subjected to analysis protocols within Galati County Soil Survey Office. Soil supply with the main macronutrients indicates imbalances in all studied sites, regardless of the cultivated plants. Overall, soils have a high nitrogen deficiency, correlated with the low level of soil organic matter supply. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen values are between 0.076-0.258 % for all surveyed plots. Mobile phosphorus is low to very high (8-276 ppm), while mobile potassium is low to very high (70-600 ppm). On the one hand, this is due to the natural process of soil degradation through water and wind erosion, and on the other to anthropogenic activities. Most of the time, out of the desire to obtain large harvests, farmers apply non-compliant amounts of fertilizers, which translates into the physical and chemical degradation of agricultural soils and poor management of crop nutrition. Other investigated soil parameters were pH, particle size fractions, as they are related to the dynamics of chemical elements in the soil. It could be concluded that the studied agricultural soils are characterized by imbalances in terms of providing chemical elements accessible to plants, in relation to the main investigated physico-chemical parameters and environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the methodology of analysis of industrial and environmental materials using Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) technique. The application of thick target PIXE technique using a 3 MeV proton beam at 3 MV Tandetron at Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH), Romania, in industrial and environmental complex studies proved to be very useful for the identification of a large series of trace elements, some of them being toxic for living organisms and humans and others contributing to the elemental cycling in natural environments. The main elements determined by PIXE are K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Br, Rb, Sr and Pb, using High Purity Germanium (HPGe) GDP-05145 (BSI) type detector of 20 mm2 surface, 8 mm thickness. In addition, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, and Cl could be determined using external beam PIXE with X-123 SDD Fast Amptek silicon detector of 25 mm2 surface, 500 µm thickness. PIXE technique successfully complements other atomic and nuclear techniques, such as: energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and ion beam technique particle-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE). A discussion is made regarding the suitability of PIXE technique to be further used in studies related to soil-crop toxic metal transfer in an agroecosystem, as well as heavy metals biosorbtion from industrial wastewater, for the investigation of level of contamination with metals and toxicants occurrence in environmental factors and human health risk assessment. The paper was presented at the Scientific Conference of the Doctoral School of "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati (SCDS-UDJG), 7th edition, Galati, Romania, 13-14 June, 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some resources such as soil, air and water are considered inexhaustible and renewable. But in reality, due to massive pollution, the quality of these resources is affected. Increasing quantities, together with the increasing complexity of pollutants, slow the natural processes of self-purification and self-purge. Current technologies used to clean and purify fail to restore the original resource quality. In this regard, algae have been introduced into various methods of treating polluted resources to improve current technologies or to replace them. Marine algae are photosynthetic aquatic plants, which become waste if they are not valorized. In the developed countries they are used as raw or secondary material in different industries. The most important issues of marine algae usage in various industrial applications (pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food, biofuel and sewage treatment industries) are reviewed in this paper, with a focus on their biosorption properties and valorification for accumulation of heavy metals from industrial wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum vulgare L.) is one of the most cultivated plants in the Galati-Braila region, where after the latest statistical data, quantities of 4000-5000 kg/ ha/year have been obtained. The present study aims to investigate the contamination level of the wheat edible parts due to industrial activity. This aspect is of great interest for human nutrition, especially as the studied area is located in the air mass circulating zone that trains the toxic particles emitted by the Galati steel plant. An impact on the quality of agricultural production, regarding the contamination with toxic elements, may also have the defective application of chemical fertilizers, which in quantities not complying with plant needs and soil properties may lead to the loading of agricultural products with harmful elements. In order to determine the transfer level of contaminants (heavy metals) in grains, the concentrations of Cr and Zn both in soil and wheat were determined by specific techniques, such as High- Resolution Continuum Source Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HR-CS AAS) applied at INPOLDE research center, ReForm multidisciplinary platform, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati. Analytical results showed very high concentrations in soil for total Cr (117.10-383.10 mg/kg), exceeding approximately 13 times the maximum admissible limit (30 mg/kg), and for total Zn (63.31-136.59 mg/kg), exceeding sensitively the reference limit (100 mg/kg). Zn is known for its important role in the normal course of physiological processes in plants, but which in high concentrations can cause significant crop decline. Chromium is one of the most toxic elements which, if released in the soil solution, mostly under particular pH conditions, can be translocated into the plant tissues. The investigated grains show low concentrations of Cr and Zn. The bioaccumulation factor recorded values lower than 1, which means that the wheat grains do not accumulate these elements in excess, under this region climate and the given soil condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work natural radioactivity was investigated in 27 samples of meat (fish, pork, chicken) collected in the period 2014-2016 from Galati, Braila and Vrancea counties, Romania. Level of gross alpha activity, gross beta activity and the concentrations of 210Po, 210Pb, 238U, 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K were determined. The values of the activity concentrations (fresh weight) in meat samples ranged in the intervals: 9-1632 mBq kg−1 (gross alpha), 31-133 Bq kg−1 (gross beta), 15-62 mBq kg−1 (210Po), 7-28 mBq kg−1 (210Pb), 9-58 mBq kg−1 (238U), 5-19 mBq kg−1 (232Th), 18-126 Bq kg−1 (40K), 0.7-5.7 Bq kg−1 (226Ra). Although the highest effective dose per kg was calculated for fish samples (2.4 ± 0.3 μSv kg−1), the highest annual effective dose (47.5 ± 6.6 μSv year−1) has been found in case of pork meat consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper presents the results obtained by the application of energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (ED-XRF) for the determination of the elemental composition of various waste industrial materials. The technique was optimized for the analysis of several industrial hazardous wastes with a high content of heavy metals and sludge samples resulted from galvanizing processes, produced by a company which manufactures electrical and home appliances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a set of preliminary results obtained by the application of energy dispersive Xray fluorescence method, using portable instrumentation, to study the contamination with mercury of selected industrial soils, collected during decommissioning of a chlor-alkali plant. Mercury cell chlor-alkali plants use liquid mercury as a cathode in electrolytic cells to produce chlorine, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen by electrolysis of brine solution. The Hg emissions from these plants and contamination of surrounding soils, vegetation and aquatic ecosystems have been widely investigated in the last two decades, besides the human health impact, but information about the contamination of soils located under the electrolysis cell is very scarce. The Hg concentrations in the targeted soils are very high, ranging in the interval 10,624 – 12,627 mg/kg (average 11654.4 ± 712.1 mg/kg), values which are comparable with the results reported in similar studies in other countries, but extremely high compared with the legislated levels for soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) can provide important information regarding the molecular structure of organic and inorganic components and for this reason, it has been extensively used for the chemical characterization of geological samples in the last years. In this paper, we are presenting a spectroscopic analysis of several sedimentary rocks and fossil leaves deposited on these rocks, collected from "Răzvan Givulescu" fossil-bed Reservation of Chiuzbaia, Romania. The assignments of vibrational modes are performed using the current literature. The organic carbon originateing from vegetation is identified in ATR-FTIR spectra by the presence of two aliphatic methylene absorption bands. The mineralogical composition of sediment samples are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantity of produced sewage sludge (SS) from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is growing daily and the proper disposal of biosludge became a serious environmental issue worldwide. The socio-economic and legislative criteria have to be taken into consideration in order to proper manage and control the storage of these bio-wastes. One of the proposed solutions in European countries for the management of huge amounts of SS is land application in agriculture and for this purpose, the potentially toxic metal composition of SS should be assessed by employing accurate analytical techniques. In this work a strategy of environmental assessment is presented and a comparison is made for SS originated from WWTPs in Northern Greece serving two large municipalities (Kavala and Drama) as regards the occurrence of potentially toxic elements (PTE), the coefficients of variation of their concentrations during various periods of time and the appropriateness for their use as soil amendment. A comparison is made regarding the toxic metal levels from similar reports for various WWTPs in Greece and other countries in the world with the synthetic results obtained by us (expressed in mg kg-1 dry matter in the form: mean±SD, median and range, respectively): Kavala-Cd 1.46±0.60, 1.24, 0.8-2.5; Cr 40.6±27.7, 32, 14-85; Cu 119.7±37.8, 108, 69-198; Ni 17.9±8.7, 16.1, 8.8-34; Pb 61.0±16.1, 58, 37-96; Zn 978.2±91.8, 994, 810-1095 & Drama-Cd 2.28±1.90, 1.7, 1.3-7.3; Cr 108.9±89.2, 42, 24-239; Cu 126.8±39.5, 122, 53-191; Ni 33.9±18.2, 33, 14-64; Pb 48.1±15.1, 43, 33-74; Zn 1057.6±203.9, 1080, 798-1340. Although the sludge PTE concentration results demonstrate a large variability, the Kavala/Drama coefficients of variations (%) (Cd: 41.3/83.3; Cr: 68.1/81.9; Cu: 31.6/31.2; Ni: 48.3/53.6; Pb:26.3/31.4; Zn:9.4/19.3), are lower than those obtained in other wastewater works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a synthesis of the results obtained by the application of selected nuclear and Xray methods to study the microstructure and micro-composition of various environmental samples and solid materials, as well as radiometric techniques used for the assessment of environmental radioactivity. The employed methods were: energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) coupled with gamma-ray spectrometry. A discussion is made on the recent results obtained by the teams of Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics (FLNP), Joint Institute of Nuclear Research (JINR) at Dubna, Russia, and Physics Division at Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati (UDJG) within the Romanian-Russian joint research projects and grants. The paper also highlights the involvement of young researchers and students from various study programs (doctoral, master, undergraduate) from UDJG in the research activities, sampling of environmental materials, samples' processing, measurements of environmental radioactivity, nuclear data interpretation and comparison with results obtained in the frame of MIS ETC 1676 Europeanfunded project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurements for gross alpha and gross beta activity represent the first step in the radiological characterization of drinking water. In this study it was determined the level of gross alpha and gross beta activity for the drinking water in Galati, Romania. 318 samples were collected during 2013 and 2014 from all the waterworks in Galati. In 2013 the gross alpha activity and gross beta activity ranged from 6.0 to 75.8 mBq L-1, and from 25.0 to 386.2 mBq L-1, respectively, while in 2014 the gross alpha activity and gross beta activity ranged from 6.0 to 85.2 mBq L-1, and 25.0 to 434.8 mBq L-1, respectively. Associating the gross alpha activity and gross beta activity with 210Po and 228Ra radionuclides, which are the most radiotoxic alpha and beta emitters, the annual effective dose due to water ingestion was calculated. The annual effective dose for adults ranged from 0.005 to 0.074 mSv y-1, and from 0.055 to 0.218 mSv y-1, associated with 210Po and 228Ra, respectively. These values were compared to the recommended value by the World Health Organization for annual effective dose (0.1 mSv y-1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurements for gross alpha and gross beta activity represent the first step in the radiological characterization of drinking water. In this study it was determined the level of gross alpha and gross beta activity for the drinking water in Galati, Romania. 318 samples were collected during 2013 and 2014 from all the waterworks in Galati. In 2013 the gross alpha activity and gross beta activity ranged from 6.0 to 75.8 mBq L-1, and from 25.0 to 386.2 mBq L-1, respectively, while in 2014 the gross alpha activity and gross beta activity ranged from 6.0 to 85.2 mBq L-1, and 25.0 to 434.8 mBq L-1, respectively. Associating the gross alpha activity and gross beta activity with 210Po and 228Ra radionuclides, which are the most radiotoxic alpha and beta emitters, the annual effective dose due to water ingestion was calculated. The annual effective dose for adults ranged from 0.005 to 0.074 mSv y-1, and from 0.055 to 0.218 mSv y-1, associated with 210Po and 228Ra, respectively. These values were compared to the recommended value by the World Health Organization for annual effective dose (0.1 mSv y-1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study 49 representative sites have been selected for the collection of water samples from central water supplies with different geographical locations in the region of Kavala, Northern Greece. Ten physicochemical parameters (pH, electric conductivity, nitrate, chloride, sodium, potassium, total alkalinity, total hardness, bicarbonate and calcium) were analyzed monthly, in the period from January 2010 to December 2010. Chemometric methods were used for monitoring data mining and interpretation (cluster analysis, principal components analysis and source apportioning by principal components regression). The clustering of the chemical indicators delivers two major clusters related to the water hardness and the mineral components (impacted by sea, bedrock and acidity factors). The sampling locations are separated into three major clusters corresponding to the spatial distribution of the sites – coastal, lowland and semi-mountainous. The principal components analysis reveals two latent factors responsible for the data structures, which are also an indication for the sources determining the groundwater quality of the region (conditionally named “mineral” factor and “water hardness” factor). By the apportionment approach it is shown what the contribution is of each of the identified sources to the formation of the total concentration of each one of the chemical parameters. The mean values of the studied physicochemical parameters were found to be within the limits given in the 98/83/EC Directive. The water samples are appropriate for human consumption. The results of this study provide an overview of the hydrogeological profile of water supply system for the studied area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increase of "greenhouse gases" level, rise caused by human activities, have artificially accentuated the greenhouse effect, resulting in increasing of global temperatures and disturbing climate. This paper analyzed the concentrations of three greenhouse gases recorded for Romania in 2011. The data come from European Environment Agency, Airbase. In the database of European Environment Agency, 2011 is the last year where there are data on greenhouse gas emissions. Annual average concentrations of analyzed greenhouse gases exceeded the thresholds in many cities around Romania especially in highly industrialized centers and large population cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environment and pollution are some of the key topics today, since they are directly related to our life quality. The need for energy is continuously growing and even though more and more countries try to apply on larger scale ecological technologies for energy production, their cost-efficiency rate is not yet good enough and the production capacity is not yet high enough as to eliminate the other, so-called classical energy production methods. Thus, nuclear technology remains one very important energy production means worldwide, especially for those countries which do not possess enough rivers or conventional fuels for hydro and thermal energy production. This paper deals with the study of the evolution of nuclear capacity of some of the most developed countries as related to the risk of nuclear accidents and with their consequences, as compared to the risks involved by the other energy production technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar cells in superstrate arrangement need a protective cover glass as one of its main components. The effectiveness of these cells is determined by the cover glass's low weight, radiation resistance, optical clarity, and structural integrity. Damage to the cell covers brought on by exposure to UV irradiation and energetic radiation is thought to be the root cause of the ongoing issue of a reduction in the amount of electricity that can be generated by solar panels installed on spacecraft. Lead-free glasses made of xBi2O3–(40 − x)CaO-60P2O5 (x = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mol%) were created using the usual approach of melting at a high temperature. The amorphous nature of the glass samples was confirmed using X-ray diffraction. At energies of 81, 238, 356, 662, 911, 1173, 1332, and 2614 keV, the impact of various chemical compositions on gamma shielding in a phospho-bismuth glass structure was measured. The evaluation of gamma shielding revealed that the results of the mass attenuation coefficient of glasses increase as the Bi2O3 content increases but decrease as the photon energy increases. As a result of the study conducted on the radiation-deflecting properties of ternary glass, a lead-free low-melting phosphate glass that exhibited outstanding overall performance was developed, and the optimal composition of a glass sample was identified. The 60P2O5–30Bi2O3–10CaO glass combination is a viable option for use in radiation shielding that does not include lead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beryl occurs in the ancient Roman mines at Wadi Nugrus, South Eastern Desert of Egypt. It ranges from small crystals to 10 mm in size, and it varies in color, appearing as bright green, pale green, dark green and brown-green with biotite inclusions. The trace and minor elements were analyzed by the SIMS method. The two rims are richer in Cs, Na, Mg, Fe, Sc, V, Rb and H2O than cores but are poor in Mn, Ca, Co, Sr and Li. The bright-green rim is richer than the pale-green one in Na, P, K, Ca, Fe, Rb, Cs and F, but poorer in Mg and Li. The alkaline elements (Cs, Na, Rb) and Fe correlate with the color zoning, and where beryl crystals have a maximum of these elements, the green color is strong and bright. The emerald of Wadi Nugrus has similarities with the geological setting of the Canadian emeralds. Emeralds occur along the contact zone between biotite schists, pegmatites and quartz veins. A large-scale interaction between Be-bearing magmatic fluids from granites and related pegmatites took place with hydrothermal fluids enriched in Cr, V, Sc, Mg and Ca after percolation through pre-existing serpentinite and talc carbonates, metagabbros and biotite schists and additional fluids bearing H2O, NaCl and CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article paper, leather from book cover and metal lock from an 18th century church book were studied. The book was printed during the time of Mihai Constantin Șuțu, with the blessing of the Metropolitan of Moldova, Iacov Stamati. The analytical method used to study the components and the methods of obtaining all the important parts was the non-destructive technique SEM-EDX. The results regarding the used paper showed typical intermeshed cellulose fibers. In the case of leather, due to its advanced state of degradation, it was impossible to determine the type of animal from which the skin was used. The elemental analyses (EDX) of the metal lock indicated that it was made of brass. The results of the study of 18th century parts of the book, gave important information about the way of paper manufacture, the conservation state of the cover and the way that the metal lock was made and the safe way to clean it in the restoration and conservation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article are studied samples of soil collected from Public Garden of Galați, Romania. This location was chosen to observe the negative influence of road and railway traffic on the soil quality. The soil samples were collected from the surface (0 cm), 5 and 30 cm, from the all four principal and secondary garden entrances and one sample from the playground area. The analytical method used to study the soil samples was X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), a non-destructive technique and very popular in environmental studies, that provided qualitatively and quantitatively information of the elements contained in soil. The results presented a strongly negative influence on soil quality from the road traffic, but the railway traffic didn't have a strong impact on the soil quality because it was related to person transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of a national radon survey conducted in the context of the Republic of Moldova. The study included about 2500 homes of different types, located in urban and rural localities in different areas of the country. The RADTRAK2 detectors kindly provided by the RADONOVA laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden, for the MOL9007 project funded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have been used. The exposure period was 90 days. The measured radon concentrations are the following: the average (±standard deviation) 252.8 ± 215.9 Bq/m3; the range (minimum–maximum) 10–1480 Bq/m3; the median 200 Bq/m3 and the geometric mean (± geometric standard deviation) 158.5 ± 3.0 Bq/m3. The results of the study allowed mapping indoor radon and identifying localities with increased radon concentrations. In order to reduce the high radon concentrations in places recording >300 Bq/m3, appropriate measures have been proposed according to the legislation in force. The cluster analysis showed positive links between the radon concentration in dwellings and the incidence of respiratory diseases, especially the bronchopulmonary cancer in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electron microscopy images of powder materials of Li-N system obtained at pressures of 1-10 atm in the frame of a Romanian-Russian joint project (JINR Dubna no. 51/2012) are interpreted in terms of multifractal geometry. Fractal geometry is a theory describing the distribution of inhomogeneous or irregular objects, and fractal dimension is an important parameter for measuring the extent of irregularity. The presence of particles of irregular shape indicates a high reaction rate of formation. In addition, multifractal geometry will allow us to see if there is an amount of fine particles with increasing pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the mechanisms that drive spatial pattern changes over space and time is a central goal of landscape ecology, but these patterns are often complex. Multifractals, an extension of the concept of fractal geometry, is especially suited to the description of complex patterns. In our paper, we examine the scaling properties of forest spatial patterns over some decades of forest expansion and deforestation in a few regions, using multifractal analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the environment at macroscopic level, it is necessary to begin the study from the microscopic level. If the problem is studied at molecular level the results will give a better view of the mobility and bioavailability of the contaminants that can be present in the soil. With Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) it can be achieved a study of observation of the soil grains, the bound between particles, the shape of the clays, giving general information about the morphological properties of the soil. EDX technique (Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy) gives qualitative information of the sample. SEM, in conjunction with EDX, represents an important first step in the study of soil pollution. Future investigations are needed in order to have a complete view of the pollution problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents some results obtained for complex matrices with different uses in industry, environment and health (steels, metallurgical slag, lithium nitride) after irradiation with radioisotope X-ray primary beams and electron beams and recording of corresponding energy dispersive X-ray spectra. Characteristic X-ray spectra highlight the presence of major and trace elements in the multi-elemental samples, such as As, Ga, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Fe, Co, Pb and Zn in energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF ) and C, O, S, P, Si, Ca, Na, K, La, Ce, Nd, Ga, Mo, Pr, Rh, Sm, Sn, Mg, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, As and Zn in scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). Extension of the work will be done employing SEM-EDX for impurity analysis in selected samples of Li-N and B-N systems synthesized at different pressures, within the Romanian-Russian joint project JINR Dubna between Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics (FLNP) of Joint Institute of Nuclear Research (JINR) at Dubna, Russia, and Physics Division within the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galati. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower Prut Meadow represents a natural park where it is expected that CE 92/43/EEC and CE 79/409/EEC directives should be respected, according to the conservation of the natural habitats such as species of flora and fauna, and the conservation of the bird species. Two types of factors, the geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor, were calculated and used to identify the level of soil pollution. Both factors indicated that the level of pollution in the Lower Prut River Meadow is found between unpolluted to slightly polluted class. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work provides some results obtained by application of X-ray based techniques for the characterization of various industrial, environmental and new synthesized materials with regard of micro-composition and structure. The employed techniques are X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) with energy dispersion (ED-XRF) and coupled with scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Aspects concerning the limit of detection, the number of elements analyzed, matrix effects and spectral interferences in XRF, and its complementarity with other micro-analytical techniques are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analytical applications of nuclear technique instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for trace element characterization of solid materials are reviewed. Results for the analysis of samples from the technological flux of an integrated iron and steel plant and geological materials are presented and aspects concerning the limit of detection, matrix effects, spectral and reaction interferences and its complementarity with other micro-analytical nuclear techniques are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this work was to determine the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in topsoils (n=17) at two sampling depths in Southeastern Romania, including industrial (Galati iron and steel plant) and agricultural sites in Galati and Braila counties, as well as nature reserves such as Lower Prut Meadow (Galati County) and Bugeac Lake (Constanta County), and to compare them with national guidelines and values reported for other regions. The total detectable OCP concentrations vary in the ranges 58–1662ngg−1 dry weight (dw) for 0–5cm depth and 6–12,644ngg−1 dw for 5–20cm depth. Of these, the concentrations of HCHs, DDTs, and heptachlor varied in the ranges 6–6818ngg−1, 27–5826ngg−1, and 108–873ngg−1 dw, respectively, the highest values being registered near a cultivated area, located in the proximity of Siret River and Galati town, probably due to extensive use of pesticides in the past. Chlordane was detected only at one industrial site in Galati (53ngg−1 dw), while the levels of aldrin, dieldrin, endrin and mirex were below the detection limits in all the locations and for both depths. The total PAH concentrations for 5–20cm depth range from 9ngg−1 (Lower Prut Meadow) to 25,352ngg−1 dw (cattle farm), being lower than those reported for the upper 5cm layer. The PAH distribution pattern in this study is in agreement with that previously obtained for surface soils from Lower Prut Meadow (prevalence of 3‐ring PAHs), industrial area and farmland (prevalence of 4‐ and 5‐ring PAHs), their sources being industrial activity, traffic and agricultural waste burning. Carcinogenic PAHs contribute 44.8–56.4% for 5–20cm and 43.7–55.8% for 0–5cm depth to total PAHs. In some locations the HCH, DDT and PAH amounts exceed the legal values. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was applied to determine elemental concentrations in some fish species collected frome the Romanian sector of Danube River at km 1049, near the entrance in Romania (Carassius auratus gibelio, Ctenopharingodon idella, Rutilus rutilus and Silurus glanis) and km 630 (Acipenser ruthenus). Concentration values of 32 elements (Ag, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Hg, K, La, Lu, Na, Ni, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, U, W, Zn and Zr) in calcined fish samples were obtained based on long half-life radionuclides. Bioaccumulation factors (BAF) in fresh fish relative to Danube water (km 1049) were assessed and compared with literature data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used for the determination of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface soils from seventeen areas in Southeast Romania, including sites placed in the vicinity of Galati iron and steel plant and Lower Prut Meadow natural reserve in Galati County. The total concentration of PAHs (TPAHs) in the investigated soils ranges from 0.003mg/kg to 38.524mg/kg dry weight. According to Romanian legislation for trace organic compounds in soils of different uses, the amounts of PAHs in soils from the industrial zone exceed the normal values for the majority of individual PAHs. The lowest concentrations were found in soils sampled from the protected area of Lower Prut Meadow natural reserve and the highest near a zootechnique farm in the Prut River basin, where the alert levels exceeded for the less sensitive area in the case of TPAHs and benzo[b]fluoranthene and for the sensitive area in the case of chrysene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[k]fluoranthene and benzo[g,h,i]perylene. The sources of PAH contaminating soils are complex, being of both pyrogenic and petrogenic origins. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper the analytical techniques of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Gas Chromatography with Electron Capture Detection (GC-ECD) and coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) are used in order to assess the level of industrial and agricultural pollution of soils. The soil samples were collected from Galati County, near an industrial plant and near cultivated areas. In this study, it is investigated the way in which the anthropic activities influence the quality of the environment, due to the contribution of inorganic and organic elements enrichments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work the sensitivities of minor elements in a standard steel sample EURONORM-CRM No. 085-1 irradiated with beams of 5.5 MeV protons and 5 MeV deuterons have been determined both by regular proton- (p-PIGE) and deuteron-induced prompt gamma-ray emission (d-PIGE) methods and with the selection of the (p, n) and (d, n) reaction channels, measuring the neutron–gamma coincidences. A check on the elemental composition of the steel standard has also been carried out using combined INAA and PIXE and quantitative determinations have been done for some elements whose concentrations were not specified by the manufacturer, such as Al, As, Cr, Mo, Na, Ni, W. This complex study has resulted in a significant improvement of the sensitivities for some minor elements in steel by reducing the background and increasing the peak-to-background ratio in the coincident prompt gamma-rays spectra as a result of the elimination of the competing nuclear reactions originating from isotopes of the adjacent elements in the periodic table, present in the steel target. This extension of the PIGE method could be adapted by any analyst with the necessary equipment for the analysis of a wide variety of matrices that are refractory enough to withstand the heating effect of the bombarding beam, taking into account that this type of experiment requires longer irradiation times. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study aimed to investigate the interaction parameters of antioxidant molecules in some spices and vegetables with gamma radiation. At first, mass attenuation coefficients (MACs, cm2/g) of gingerol, rosmarinic acid, quercetin, curcumin, eugenol, piperine, allicin, and capsaicin molecules were determined at the photon energies (13–1332 keV) emitted from the radioactive isotopes Am-241, Ba-133, Co-60, and Cs-137 with the help of the EpiXS and WinXCOM programs. The smallest and largest MAC values were found as 1.20 and 8.48 cm2/g at 13 keV and 0.059 and 0.058 cm2/g at 1332 keV for eugenol and allicin, respectively. It was observed that both results support each other. Using the MAC values, the effective atomic number and electron density (Zeff and Neff) values of the molecules were derived. The Zeff values for gingerol and allicin were obtained in the range of 5.79–3.40 and 13.85–4.53, respectively. The variation of the buildup factors of antioxidants in the range of 0.015–15 MeV depending on the chemical composition and penetration depth were also examined. It was noticed that the photon accumulation was the lowest in allicin and the highest in gingerol and eugenol. The results obtained from this study will make an essential contribution to dose calculations in food irradiation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]