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The Black Sea exhibits significant potential for the development of substantial gas hydrate reserves, primarily due to its low salinity, extensive sedimentary complexity, and the presence of vast deep-sea buried paleodeltas. Recent geophysical and geochemical studies carried out as part of European and national projects have yielded valuable data and outcomes, serving as the basis for a reassessment of gas hydrates in the Black Sea. This research aims to provide an updated estimation of the Black Sea gas hydrate r...

For most soils, genetic inheritance is the determining factor of heavy metal abundance. The anthropogenic impact on the soil produced by fertilizers, pesticides, zootechnical residues, wastewater or particles brought to the soil by gaseous emissions, brings important quantities of heavy metals into the soil. Among these, the most toxic are Cd and Pb. The aim of the study was to establish the levels of Cd and Pb in soil and Beta vulgaris roots, sampled from eight locations from Tarnaveni area, an industrial center ...

The use of hydrogen as a fuel requires as much research as possible on the construction and functional parameters for the development of appropriate burners. The researches undertaken are addressed to diffuse flame burners with concentric jets of fuel and air. These burners cannot lead to flame return, the combustion being much safer, than for the case of burners with fuel-air mixture. The researches were carried out by numerical modeling through the ANSYS-FLUENT V.14.0 software. An important stage of the research...

A comparative analysis has been carried out on a set of indicators of two ways of recycling glass containers - collecting in retail stores and fast washing of containers at beverage bottling plants and processing into cullet, taking into consideration the whole life cycle of glassware production, use, recycling and utilization. Methods of systematization and statistical generalization were applied for comparative analysis. The specified work was based on data, that were received from various glass manufacturing en...

Soil contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a widespread concern due to the high potential for human exposure through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact. In this study, we compared the efficiency of three different methods for PAHs extraction from model samples, including ultrasonic (US), mechanical shaking and purification with commercial QuEChERS kit (Shq), and ultrasonic extraction coupled with QuEChERS (USq) by gas chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole tandem mass-spectromet...

An assessment of processes in forest stands requires the monitoring of many parameters. The annual dynamics and composition of precipitation show the impact of atmospheric depositions on ecosystems. Throughfall depositions play a significant role not only in the dynamics of canopy processes but also influence soil conditions through the interception processes and element changes in canopies. The study was carried out in two permanent sample plots located at different altitudes in the Western Stara Planina in Bulga...

This paper presents the starting phase of a research project that aims to develop the technological demonstrator of a wind power generator system using a wind sail to capture the high altitude wind energy. The sail will capture the wind energy and will be raised to an altitude of minimum 100-200 meters to capture the stronger and more constant winds at this altitude. Flight attitude control will be done via an active control hub named WCU (Wing Control Unit) attached to the cable at about 10m from the sail. The gr...

In the energy field hydrogen will be more obvious to use by certain technologies than by direct combustion. The paper presents a conceptual analysis on the use of hydrogen by hydrogen by hydrogenation of carbon dioxide with final product methane, by hydrogenation of carbon dioxide, with the final product of methanol and by injection in certain proportions into the natural gas network. A new application of carbon dioxide hydrogenation is the decarbonisation of flue gases. To this end, conceptual analyses have been ...

The purpose of this study is to shed light on the question of what the possible consequences will be on people and the building stock of a strong earthquake for the city of Varna. A seismic risk assessment methodology is used, which was approved by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria. The seismic impact is determined based on a detailed deterministic study of the seismic hazard. Initially, an assessment of the seismic vulnerability of the building stock is made based o...

Rock typing is an essential tool for reservoir characterization and management in the petroleum industry. It is the process of grouping portions of a rock sample based on their physical and chemical properties. This process is currently done by experts in the industry, which consumes valuable industry resources. Precise and efficient rock typing can build accurate geological models, optimize exploration and production strategies, and reduce exploration and production risks. This work proposes a deep learning metho...

The research examines creativity as an important factor in the production of ecological products and the promotion of sustainable development in the regional economy. The research aims to examine how to promote creativity in the regional economy, what tools should be implemented to develop creativity in individuals, and how creativity is associated with overall prosperity and economic growth in the country. Nowadays, the problems of exploiting natural resources and management of constrained natural resources in th...

The serious demographic crisis in rural areas of the country poses great challenges to the implementation of the strategic plan for the development of agriculture and rural areas for the period 2023-2027. This determines the purpose of the publication, namely to develop and build scenarios based on them to make recommendations regarding the need for urgent, complex and non-traditional measures to overcome the demographic crisis. The estimated values of the indicators were used to prepare the scenarios: the birth r...

The Arctic Seas are of particular interest now in connection with the prospects for their development. At the same time, the construction of critical and industrial infrastructure at sea must be preceded by a thorough assessment of possible geohazards, including dangerous landforms, earthquakes, geofluid outflows, marine landslides, soil liquefaction, tsunamis, etc. The purpose of the study is to highlight various seismological applications of the records obtained recently in the Laptev Sea and other Arctic Seas o...

The transition to sustainable pathways of economic development depends on the clear understanding of the sustainability principles, but it also needs ability to evaluate critically conventional professional practices and rethink them into sustainable one. However, the previous years of struggling for economic transformations have showed a serious issue - lack of action competence when it comes to the implementation of the sustainable solutions. The design thinking is a core of professional competency and high perf...

The analysis of the dynamic and fractal properties of the released seismic energy time series allows for the classification of the seismotectonic system that produces earthquakes as a deterministic-chaotic system. The dynamics of such systems suggests that relatively small changes can lead to significant (with one or more order large) jumps. At the same time, the size of these jumps and the intervals of time that separate them are irregular, and the possibilities for their prediction are limited or absent. In this...

This publication evaluates the yield of waste biomass from wheat and sunflower for the period 2008-2019. The method of regional factor analysis (RFSA) is applied, through which it is tracked in which direction and to what extent the raw material potential of straw is changing and sunflower stalks necessary for the development of the regional bioeconomy in the six planning regions of the country. It is emphasized that the use of waste biomass from plant substances does not lead to climate deterioration, which is a ...

Ponicka Cave, situated in central Slovakia, is a natural wonder, known for its stunning stalagmites, stalactites, and underground lakes. This unique cave system has a hydrological connection to the Earth's surface, representing a very vulnerable habitat. Long-lasting intensive livestock grazing in the aquifer area of Ponicka cave and insufficiently insulated manure dump were the main reasons for the contamination of this cave. Soil nematodes are the most abundant multicellular organisms on Earth with respect to bo...

The paper considers processes of ore formation. This concerns complex dynamic natural objects, depending on polygenic geological phenomena, mutually interacting and forming a single mineral formation environment. Development of ore-forming systems is connected not only with the natural evolution of thermodynamic parameters, but also with physical-chemical properties and composition of ore-bearing deposits, state and character of manifestation of tectonic structures, such as field strength, degree of tectonic trans...

The paper presents a new approach to the design and development of textile woven structures with copper yarn content intended for heating systems. Copper is known for its high electrical conductivity, meaning it can easily transfer electrical energy through its surface. This makes copper yarns ideal for heating applications, as they can quickly and efficiently transfer heat to the surrounding environment. In addition to their electrical properties, copper yarns also have good thermal conductivity, which means that...

The issue of energy self-sufficiency is currently crucial. The concept of energy selfsufficiency is closely related to the concept of energy security; yet, there are many definitions for the term energy security. The essence of all of them is for a country to secure enough energy resources to cover its needs. If a country can secure these resources on its own without depending on imports from other countries, one refers to energy self-sufficiency. Energy self-sufficiency can be achieved in a number of ways such as...

The objective of the circular economy is to definitively change the way in which we produce and consume, it consists of doing more with less, and it brings us back to simplicity, trying to break the dependence: production-consumption of raw materials, making the most of each material and extending its useful life. Through eco-design, it seeks to generate circular products that allow the easy separation of all materials, providing new ways of their management and processing to avoid elimination at the end of their ...

This study quantifies the elemental composition of soil, vegetation, and the level of trace elements in coals to identify the impacts associated with coal mining practices in the Longyearbyen and Barentsburg settlements, the Svalbard archipelago. The analysis is based on a data set that includes 26 chemical elements measured in 74 soil, 29 vegetation, and 4 coal samples provided by a catena-based survey strategy. The concentrations of lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), and vanadium (V) ...

The Mushroom Training and Resource Centre (MTRC) is an organization aimed at helping to improve the standard of living for current and future generations of rural residents in Uganda through mushroom cultivation and sales. This community organization was established in 2007 with the primary objective of teaching people from marginalized rural areas how to cultivate the oyster mushroom in a simple and sustainable manner. The fungi are grown on agricultural plant waste, which is transformed into valuable food. The p...

The article presents the creation of an experimental model of a hybrid vehicle intended to work both in conventional environments, in which the use of a diesel engine is permitted, and in environments with pollution restrictions (noxious emissions), in which an electric motor powered by batteries is used. At the level of the experimental model, the chassis of the drive train was made and tested, and the results were compared with those obtained by simulation with AMESim. The equipment in the NRMM (non-road mobile ...

Surfactants play an important role in enhanced oil recovery by creating an oil-water emulsion that will be easier to recover from the reservoir. It is known that sulfatereducing bacteria (SRB) can use surfactants as a carbon source, which can increase the biological accumulation of sulfides and, accordingly, the corrosion of oil production equipment. Thus, all new surfactants used in oil production need to be pre-tested for SRB. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of four new groups of synthesized sur...

The paper-s purpose is to quantify the measurement consequences in the purge test of equipment protected with the -p- type of protection. In order to achieve this objective, the authors involved a simulation process for a pressurization enclosure. The simulation was conducted, in the first stage, without measurement to obtain a reference after that simulation was conducted for scenarios involving sampling separately for each measurement point. The first part of the paper presented the risks of explosion and pressu...

Following the EC directives and corresponding National regulations under approval, the possibilities for deployment of marine energy conversion farms have been considered, with a focus on the floating wind generators as one of the most promising applications and advantages. The specifics of local climate, hydrology and geography along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast have been analyzed, based on long-term surveys, and three potential areas of deployment were recommended, keeping in mind restrictions imposed by the Na...

Chemically hazardous industrial accidents pose a serious risk to both people and the environment. Furthermore, these accidents affect sustainable progress and result in significant economic losses. However, several industrial sectors that are essential to a contemporary industrialized civilization must employ substantial volumes of hazardous chemicals. Measures are needed to prevent major accidents, as well as to ensure adequate preparation and response should such incidents occur, to reduce the risks associated w...

Agri-fodder value, i.e., the diversity of floristic composition of communal pastures in Romania is strongly affected by impropper management practiced for the last three decades. Most permanent grassland areas are excessively grazed in addition to the effect of climate change on the multiplication and development of plant species making up the grassy cover. Communal pastures are the most important source of feed for animal growers in the territorial administrative units (TAUs) of the Timis County. Their current st...

Volcanic sites on Earth provide valuable insights into the geological processes that shape our planet and can also serve as effective analogs for studying similar volcanic activity on other celestial bodies, such as the Moon. This work aims to discuss the general characterization of the Capelinhos volcanic site, in the archipelago of Azores in Portugal, showing the potential as a planetary analog. It-s barren landscape, covered with pyroclastic rocks can lend itself the purpose of becoming a lunar planetary analog...

The increased demand for raw materials requires to reassess some deposits that were not of economic interest in the past. Complex of modern geochemical and mineralogical methods (SEM-EDS, LA-ICP-MS, QUEMSCAN) are used to study the ore mineralization in the small scale Pozharevo manganese deposit, Western Srednogorie Zone, Bulgaria. The deposit is formed in the contact zone between Late Cretaceous andesite pyroclastic rocks and overlying volcanogenic-sedimentary rocks. Manganese mineralization forms colloform textu...

High concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) today led to the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, which is based on the concept of mineral carbonation in peridotites, enabling CO2 sequestration. In the Philippines, several opportunities for CCS in ophiolites and associated springs are yet to be studied. Therefore, this paper examined the geochemistry of alkaline springs and ultramafic to mafic rocks in Botolan, Zambales and determined its significance to carbon sequestration. Res...

Granitoids are very developed and widespread geological formations on the territory of Kazakhstan. Many mineral deposits are associated with them, in addition, they themselves are useful minerals, like building materials. The Shu-Ile tectonic belt in Kazakhstan is a large region of the Paleozoic granitoid massif. Many deposits of gold, non-ferrous metals and rare earth elements are associated with them. One of them is the Jeltau leucogranites complex, with which most of the facing stone objects are associated. In ...

The studied intrusive massif is an ellipse elongated in the sublatitudinal direction. Only the eastern part, 2.2x4 km in size, is exposed on the earth surface. Under the sediments, the intrusion was traced by boreholes and aeromagnetic survey. The intrusion is a sheetlike body of a fractured nature, inclined to the southwest. A zone of marmorized limestones, as well as tremolite and wolastonite hornfelses, formed at the contact with the intrusion. Among the intrusive rocks that make up the massif, three successive...

Geopark networks are expanding globally, with the main purpose to protect geoheritage. In many places of the world geopark sites are associated with local cultural heritage and indigenous people. These links sometimes are synergistic, whereby geoparks serve as important protected areas that allow for preservation of important cultural objects and even support livelihoods of indigenous people. However, in some cases geopark development is perceived negatively by local communities and might have potentially damaging...

Geothermal energy sources in Albania are estimated as warm water sources of the underground layers of the earth, which have a sufficient temperature to be used as a source of energy. The area of Elbasan is a special area because it has a significant number of sources with geothermal potential. This area, as part of the Kruja geothermal area, has a length of 180 km and a width of 4-5 km. The current average flow of thermal water is about 15-18 l/s and temperatures vary from 55-65oC. It is estimated that the resourc...

In a context where clean energy has become almost an imperative, investments in renewable energy projects play an important role for achieving the sustainability of scarce resources needed for the well-being of future generations. Driven by the fact of climate change and the very need for reduction of carbon dioxide emissions all around the world, renewable energy economy has expanded with increasing participation of investors and new types of innovative financial techniques. One of the most striking innovative fi...

In 2019, the Green Cities submitted the first proposal for the Green Norm. The Green Norm is a set of practical recommendations mainly for politicians, officials and urban development officials. Green cities introduce this norm as a critical strategy for competitiveness. More and more people are moving to big cities, so we must consider climate-neutral solutions as the municipalities set an example. The number of green and climate-neutral towns in Europe and Latvia has constantly been increasing over the last deca...

Climate change and the deteriorating state of the environment pose a serious threat to the European Union and the entire world. The Green Deal for Europe sets a potential goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This agreement aims to promote a green economy, create sustainable industry and transport, and reduce pollution. The main intention is to turn climate and environmental challenges into opportunities and ensure that the transition is fair and inclusive. The European Commission supports EU Member States...

We present a study on the responses of plants from three functional groups: grasses, forbs, and legumes, deriving from a coal mining waste heap, to changes in environmental stress factors. The aim of this work is to identify plant responses to environmental stress resulting from the transfer of plants from the waste heap to the waste substrate and an extensive green roof with a thickness of 15 cm. After one year of growth, selected functional traits were analysed: including height, specific leaf area (SLA), and ch...

The continuous development of human society from a technical-economic point of view is closely related to the increase in energy consumption. However, this implies the rapid depletion of existing fossil fuels and an accelerated increase in global pollution. At the moment, to counteract these impediments, one of the most important sources that can be used for the purpose of energy production, without having a negative impact on the environment, is hydrogen. Due to the fact that, when mixed with air, hydrogen can ge...

Hypospadias is a developmental abnormality in which the male urethra opens on the underside of the penis or on the perineum and can be accompanied by penile aplasia or hypoplasia, hypoplasia of the corpus cavernosum, incomplete formation of the prepuce, or cryptorchidism [1]. In animals, it rarely appears in horses, sheep, goats, cattle, dogs, and cats as isolated cases with urogenital anomaly or with other abnormalities [2,3]. The aim of this paper is to present the hystological results in a crossbred calf seen w...

The golden jackal (Canis aureus), a mesocarnivore, is currently spreading from eastern to western Europe. In Europe, the golden jackal is considered an invasive species, as in recent years it has managed to populate extensive territories in Greece, Turkey, Slovenia, Serbia and Hungary. Bulgaria is considered the country with the largest population of jackals in Europe. In Romania it is frequently found from the plains of Dobrogea to Banat. The present work aimed to study and observe the newly developed antibiotic ...

One of the important environmental protection problems in Romania is air pollution, which is an extremely complex phenomenon. Industrialized urban settlements are susceptible to the phenomenon of pollution given the presence of various types of polluting species. The area of interest, where the study was carried out (Jiu Valley), is a mountainous region located in the southwestern part of Romania, known for its mineral resources and for the mining industry that dominated the region for several decades. Currently, ...

The challenges of economic growth in today's economy are to create optimistic cooperation between industries and the state, local authorities and to maintain sustainability by balancing economic, environmental and social interests. The transition to a circular economy is in many cases understood only as an unnecessary barrier rather than as a new business model. Production based on a linear "take, make, dispose" model is no longer feasible on the grounds of environmental degradation. The aim of the study is to dev...

The work is devoted to increasing the service life of PDC bits when drilling rocks alternating in hardness by equipping tools with additional superhard elements. Experimental data have shown (ISM NAS (Ukraine)) that superhard elements have the following composition: diamond, tungsten carbide, cobalt, chromium diboride and zirconium dioxide, and the latter two components are included in the composite in a ratio of 2:4. Inserts made of a new composite have minimal cracking, increased wear resistance and cutting abil...

The subject this research is presentation of the seismic processing procedure focused on creating and validating interval velocity models typically used in PreStack Depth Migration (PreSDM). For the validation of interval velocity, simultaneous inversion has been applied. All geophysical and geological data were used as constraints. The survey area is located in the Carpathian overthrust in close proximity to well-known hydrocarbon deposits. In the research, the method of simultaneous inversion (SJI) of gravity an...

The depletion of fossil fuels is a major concern for the world because of the demand for energy that has increased rapidly with population growth and urbanization. For sustainable development, energy producing industries are trying to find suitable substitutes for petroleum fuel that are environmentally friendly and economically feasible. Biomass ,such as bio-oil and biochar production, could be a possible alternative energy source. Production of biochar and bio-oil from chicken manure(CM) by the pyrolysis process...

A significant seismic sequence started on 13 Feb. 2023 at 14:58 GMT with a mainshock of 5.2 ML located at 17 km depth and at 14 km distance NW from Targu Jiu city. The first shock was followed by 16 aftershocks with magnitudes between 2.1 and 3.4 after which a second mainshock of magnitude 5.7 was triggered next day, 14 Feb., at 13:16 GMT. The largest acceleration at the second shock (105.25 cm/s2) was recorded at Gura Zlata station as well. The seismic events hypocenters are established by several methods. First ...

The MiFiRE (Microgravity Fine Regolith Experiment) experiment, which will be launched this year on a suborbital space flight, currently scheduled for August 2023, was designed with the aim of better understanding the initial stages of planetary formation. The fundamental and embryonic question is to contribute to the study of how the mineral and rock particles, which do not have enough mass for the gravitational force to be influential, can then aggregate through electrostatic forces. In order to recreate the envi...