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The statistical characteristics of section discrepancies and standardized section discrepancies derived from the Third Levelling of Bulgaria are examined in detail. The computed excess kurtosis values are minus 0.44 and minus 0.56, respectively, with standard deviations of 0.07. These results clearly indicate a notable departure from the normal distribution, for which the excess kurtosis is equal to zero. This finding suggests that the conventional methodology for defining permissible limits between measurements, ...

Purpose Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally, posing urgent environmental and social challenges, particularly in emerging economies where recycling infrastructure is underdeveloped and informal recycling practices dominate. This article examines how circular economy (CE) principles can be applied to enhance e- waste supply chains and promote sustainable management. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) of 50 peer-reviewed articles published betw...

This article examines how the impacts of climate change are assessed during the formulation of adaptation strategies and sustainable investment decisions. The purpose of this discourse is to determine, based on thorough analysis, the most effective methods for mitigating the detrimental effects of climate change. The analysis identified notable disparities in the climate change adaptation strategies implemented across various regions. It was concluded that sustainable investments depend on the integration of scien...

In the context of globalisation and mounting socio-environmental challenges, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has emerged as a strategic mechanism for promoting sustainable development. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer a universal framework requiring the active participation of both public institutions and private enterprises. This article examines the interrelationship between CSR and SDG implementation, focusing on how corporations embed socially responsible practices into th...

Green finance has become a central instrument in the global transition toward sustainable economic growth, addressing the urgent need to align financial systems with environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and long-term development goals. As economies face increasing pressures from climate change, resource depletion, environmental degradation, and social inequality, traditional financial models are being re-evaluated to incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. Green finance inc...

Accounting is not just an activity, it is a reflection of traditions, values, it even represents the language of business for the respective era and carries within itself the messages of each economic unit that presents itself to outsiders. There is no enterprise that does not perform accounting activities and does not have an accountant. The accounting profession has been much discussed in recent years, not only due to the influence of digitalization and digital technologies, but also due to the fact that the eco...

The generation of leachates containing heavy metals, salts, and organic contaminants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) makes municipal solid waste landfills a major contributor to soil and water degradation. Because traditional remediation techniques are often cost-prohibitive, sustainable approaches such as phytoremediation have gained considerable attention. This research investigates the efficacy of Paulownia tomentosa (Oxytree) in restoring soils impacted by landfill leachates. In a controlled green...

Europe is undergoing a transition toward renewable heating and cooling, and borehole heat exchanger systems play a critical role in this energy shift. However, their efficiency depends heavily on site-specific and local climatic conditions. This study evaluates BHE design and performance across 11 European capital cities that represent diverse climatic conditions, from hot/dry (Nicosia, 21.56 C, undisturbed ground temperature) to cold/humid (Helsinki, 6.76 C). A representative university building was virtually rel...

This study examines the thermal control of the lower boundary of seismicity in the Lena Delta, eastern Russian Arctic, using the depth distribution of local earthquakes recorded by temporary seismic networks in 2016–2018 together with temperature–depth curves derived from crustal heat-flow modeling. This study contributes by comparing the observed lower cutoff of local seismicity with modeled crustal temperatures, thereby adding a seismological constraint to previous seismic, thermal, and magnetic interpretati...

As part of this study, a comprehensive thermogravimetric analysis of biomass oxidation was conducted to study its thermal decomposition and determine its kinetic characteristics in an oxidative environment. This work is of great importance for the development of sustainable energy, the optimization of combustion and co-combustion processes, and the minimization of environmental damage through more efficient use of biomass. The experiments involved measuring the mass change of biomass samples (sawdust from hardwood...

Rapid warming along the Antarctic Peninsula has intensified surface melting on maritime glaciers, accelerating ablation and contributing to increasingly negative surface mass balances, particularly on Livingston Island, South Shetlands Islands, Antarctica. Continuous, weather-independent monitoring of snow and ice conditions is therefore essential for assessing seasonal variability and its implications for glacier evolution. A multi-temporal dataset of Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery acquired bet...

Abstract This study examines the tourist valorization of speleological heritage in the Republic of Kosovo. Owing to its geological, geomorphological, hydrological, cultural-historical, and biological heritage, as well as favorable climatic conditions, Kosovo possesses significant potential for the development of speleotourism, ecotourism, and tourism more broadly. In recent years, ecotourism has gained increasing importance within the tourism sector and is widely regarded as a key component of sustainable developm...

The transition to sustainable agriculture in Europe depends on farming systems that are not only environmentally sound but also economically viable and measurable. Meeting the targets of the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy requires tools that translate sustainability into quantifiable, comparable, and actionable data at the farm level. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is one way that offers this capacity, yet methodological gaps and data limitations continue to constrain its wider use. This study inve...

Rising urbanization and consumption are accompanied by increasing volumes of municipal solid waste (MSW). This fact requires improved economic mechanisms for regulating waste management. Under these conditions, it is important to harmonize the interests of the state and business. Recently, waste management costs and investments in fixed assets have been rising. The key factors influencing MSW generation for Russian regions were identified and their impact was assessed. The urbanization rate and food consumption ar...

The rapid evolution of geographic information technologies has significantly transformed the field of regional atlas cartography, shifting the paradigm from static, paper-based publications to dynamic, interactive web environments. This paper introduces the methodological framework, structural design, and practical execution of the combined print and web-based geographical atlas of the Kvemo Kartli region, Georgia. Developed by the Vakhushti Bagrationi Institute of Geography, this project synthesizes centuries of ...

Medicinal plants offer diverse health benefits through biological active compounds, anti microbial effects that help treat diseases. Polluants contaminate medicinal plants through polluted soil, water, and air, or poor processing, with different concentrations.Different contributors include industrial emissions, pesticides, irrigation with polluted water, and environmental pollution e.g. Toxic/heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), and chromium (Cr), mangan...

The aim of this work is twofold: to identify the dominant types of anthropogenic impact on SWQ in the Chepinska and Chepelarska River basins to localise the hot spots of pollution; and to obtain the main land cover units from Very High Resolution (VHR) Airbus Pléiades-1A and SPOT 6 imagery. The assessment of anthropogenic impacts on SWQ is based on an analysis of more than 10 physicochemical parameters, and the CCME WQI, WAWQI, and HPI indices were used. The results show different types of water pollution in the ...

The territory surrounding the Tekeli polymetallic tailing storage facility (SE Kazakhstan) represents a highly transformed technogenic landscape where natural ecosystems have been replaced by heterogeneous ecotopes with distinct abiotic constraints. This study aims to classify technogenic ecotopes and characterize their abiotic parameters to provide a scientific basis for ecological restoration. Four major ecotopes were identified based on geomorphology, substrate origin, granulometric structure, moisture regime, ...

The government electrical company – ESO manages and monitors 16 000 km powerlines in Bulgaria. In this paper the main focus is on monitoring forestry corridors, which are used to provide free of encroachment space for safe electrical power transmission. Those open spaces ensure that no tree or such can be near the conductor enough to cause induction of energy between a tree and a conductor, which is the main reason for wild fires and electrical power shortages. This paper presents a methodology for systematic mo...

In the current nano-tech-era and smart agricultural solutions, the nanoformulations (NFs) application can elicit unpredictable responses, potentially impacting environmental components, human health, and crop performance. Accordingly, this study aimed to quantify the effects of selected nanoformulations (NF) and their conventional agrochemical counterparts on the grain-quality attributes, their technological properties, and physiological responses of crop-wheat. Specifically, selenium-species in nanoformulation (S...

Urban Digital Twins (UDTs) are emerging as one of the most transformative technologies in contemporary urban planning, environmental monitoring, and smart city governance. By creating dynamic virtual replicas of physical urban environments through the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), real-time sensor networks, and big spatial data, Urban Digital Twins enable advanced simulation, predictive analysis, and evidence-based decis...

The role of urban planning as a driver of land value creation is examined, with particular attention to the mechanisms through which this value may be captured for public benefit. The study analyses the relationship between planning decisions, the regulatory framework, and land value dynamics in the Bulgarian context, applying the OECD-Lincoln analytical framework to systematically examine the processes of value creation, capture, and redistribution.To this end, the theoretical foundations of land value formation ...

In recent years, natural fibres have gained attention as an effective means of enhancing the performance of composite materials. By forming a reinforcing network within the matrix, fibres can limit crack propagation and improve cohesion. This approach is particularly relevant for lime-based mortars used in the repair of historic masonry, which often suffer from low mechanical strength during early curing. The presented study investigates the effect of increasing animal fibre content in natural hydraulic lime-based...

Biochar of the waste from seed cleaning to produce can improve soil fertility and carbon sequestration. Chemical properties of biochar are affected by input biomass (feedstock) type. Biochar production from wood pellets, pelletized sweet clovers, poppy residues, hay, straw, grass-seed and alfalfa is discussed. Micro-elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B) in biochars prepared from different types of pelletized biomass are evaluated. All materials exhibited higher element contents. The highest Fe and Cu were in biochar from p...

The foundry industry is a major producer of industrial waste, with used foundry sands (UFS) representing the largest share. While bentonite-bonded sands can be reused multiple times, sands with organic binders are typically single-use and are often landfilled due to limited regeneration capacity. Their valorization in construction materials represents an important pathway toward circular economy. This study evaluates the use of UFS from three different foundries, including bentonite- and furan-bonded systems, as p...

Parks have multiple functionalities in the urban environment, from ornamental, ecological, cultural, historical and other perspectives. This study analyzed the vegetation in “Justice” Park, Timisoara Municipality, Romania. The study evaluated the vegetation based on specific parameters, height (H, m), crown diameter (CD, m) and structural volume (SV). The crown projection area (CPA) was evaluated. The ecological value (EV), and landscape value (LV) indices were determined. Based on the inventory of plant speci...

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted traditional higher education practices, particularly in GeoScience disciplines where fieldwork, site observation, and direct environmental interaction are essential components of learning. Travel restrictions, social distancing measures, and limited access to outdoor learning environments accelerated the adoption of digital teaching methods and created strong demand for alternative experiential learning models. Among these, Virtual Field Trips (VFTs) emerged as an inno...

This study explores the spatial distribution and functional characteristics of visitor centres within the system of national natural parks of Ukraine, with a particular focus on the potential of virtual visitor centres as an innovative development pathway. Visitor centres are key elements of park infrastructure that provide information services, regulate visitor flows, and promote the conservation value of protected areas while supporting environmental education and community engagement. The research is based on a...

The WatHer project – Water Heritage in European Rural Mediterranean: Re[dis]covering Water Heritage Systems to face climate challenges learning from our past – is funded by the European Union under the Interreg Euro-MED Programme and aims to promote climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention through ecosystem-based approaches. Running from 2025 to 2029, the project is structured around eight pilot cases across the Mediterranean Basin, from Cyprus to Portugal, focusing on the study, restoration, and...

This study compares multiple approaches for surface water mapping using multi-sensor satellite data. Open-access imagery from Sentinel-2 (optical) and Sentinel-1 (SAR) was used for three study sites in Bulgaria. The optical dataset consisted of three Level-2A images acquired under near cloud-free conditions, while the radar dataset included three Ground Range Detected images acquired on dates closest to the optical imagery. Surface water extraction was performed using single- and multi-index approaches for the opt...

Climate change is a major challenge for offshore energy infrastructure, as it alters environmental conditions and increases operational risks. This paper analyzes the vulnerability of offshore platforms to climate-related factors, with a focus on wave climate variability and operational conditions in European seas, distinguishing between fixed platforms, floating installations, Arctic facilities affected by permafrost degradation, and coastal terminals exposed to sea level rise. The study is based on a systematic ...

The geomagnetic field varies in time and space, being a signal composed of periodic and non-periodic elements and is monitored in a triaxial system at observatories around the world. Based on data from INTERMAGNET observatories, we analyze the strongest storm of 2026, which occurred during January 19-21. The methodology used is spectral evaluation (Fourier, wavelet, signal decomposition into approximations and details with various functions on different levels, etc.). The wavelet technique allowed us to analyze th...

Albania, situated in the Mediterranean basin, represents a fire-prone environment where climatic conditions, vegetation heterogeneity, and human pressure interact to shape complex wildfire dynamics. While several studies have focused on meteorological fire-danger forecasting, the frequency of observed wildfire occurrence, and fire severity in terms of burned area extent, considerably less attention has been given to the year-to-year variability of biomass loss. This study examines the impact of wildfire activity o...

Extrusion-based three-dimensional concrete printing (3DCP) produces a periodic layer structure that renders the printed material inherently anisotropic. Quantifying this anisotropy non-destructively is essential for in-situ quality assurance. In this study, impact-echo (IE) signals were acquired on 52 laboratory-produced 3D-printed mortar prisms in two layer orientations: K (layers perpendicular to the test surface) and R (layers parallel to the test surface). Three IE wave types per specimen - longitudinal (FL), ...

This article presents a technological approach to extract and combine data from government websites to facilitate access to disparate information and obtain valuable analysis on it in response to user queries. The study addresses the challenges of extracting information from complex government sources, which often contain regulatory documents in various formats. The lack of open access complicates data consolidation, leading to fragmented search and analysis processes. Data scraping is proposed as a solution, but ...

This analysis examines the regulatory framework for the seaweed sector and its impact in the Baltic Sea region through a systematic literature review and quantitative approach. The study assessed legislation and policy documents at four levels of governance: international, European Union, regional and national. The aim of the study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the legal framework for the seaweed sector, to identify the main trends and challenges, and to assess its potential impact on the development ...

Windbreaks are key components of agricultural landscapes, mitigating wind erosion, protecting crops, enhancing microclimate stability, and supporting biodiversity. Despite their ecological and agronomic importance, spatially comprehensive inventories of windbreaks remain limited, particularly at regional and national scales. This study presents a semi-automated GIS-based method for identifying potential windbreak structures in the Malacky district of western Slovakia. Using the Land Parcel Identification System (L...

This article proposes a hybrid project portfolio management model tailored to the needs of public institutions. This hybrid model integrates the predictability and regulatory compliance of traditional project management (the waterfall method) with the flexibility and responsiveness that underpin Agile methodologies. This hybrid model optimizes the simultaneous implementation of infrastructure, environmental, and digital transformation projects each with its distinct lifecycle and management requirements within a u...

Omnicopters are fully actuated UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) with some special properties, such as the ability to fly in an arbitrarily chosen orientation. However, many of their characteristics, including their resistance to wind gusts, remain poorly understood. This paper presents a new multirotor design that can be used to conduct comparative studies. The proposed platform is an eight-engine aircraft, and its main advantage is the ability to rearrange four of the motors between two configurations when landed,...

This paper aims to present an innovative approach to maritime transportation solutions and the need to minimize gas emissions and fuel consumption through green hydrogen research and substitution. Given its critical role in global commerce, maritime transportation has been a key factor for the past decades, specifically regarding the optimization of ship routing. The traditional focus on minimizing distance has been supplemented with modern, sustainability-driven objectives, including greater attention to fuel con...

The study-s aim is to assess the economic and environmental benefits of onshore power supply (OPS) implementation in port areas and to evaluate its cost-effectiveness under different energy price and emission trading scenarios. Specifically, the research investigates how OPS adoption impacts total annual costs, emissions of NOX, SO2, PM, and CO2, and overall cost-effectiveness expressed in euros per pollution unit. A quantitative simulation approach was employed using the OPS Calculation Tool, an Excel-based model...

The concept of circular economy (CE) is a fundamental change in the way we perceive and manage resources, production, and consumption. The transition to a circular economy is a major challenge at international level, considering the context of limited natural resources and the growth of the global population. As the consumption of resources continues to increase, it is essential to find ways to manage raw materials more efficiently and to reduce the anthropic impact on the environment. In this context, the authors...

Paper presents a technical and economic analysis of the implementation of renewable energy solutions in urban buildings by installing balcony photovoltaic systems. It has been calculated that if 25% of all urban homes in Romania had a balcony photovoltaic system, a total installed power of approximately 1,058 MW would result. The legislative, technical and economic challenges that may hinder the development of these balcony photovoltaic solutions in Europe are analyzed. Information is presented on the influence on...

Increasing the share of renewable energy sources for the generation of electricity in the public electricity network can have an important impact on the performance of the electricity system. An important problem in the electric power system is ensuring the continuity of the supply. The aim of the paper is to present a way to complement energy demand management and smart grids with models that follow changing energy production. This can be achieved by a holistic management system for diagnosis and risk assessment ...

When designing hydraulic, power and civil structures, special attention is paid to the study of the stress-strain state (SSS) of foundations from the soil environment. The operation of such structures often leads to changes in the SSS of the soil base, which can affect their stability. It is known that the SSS of soil bases significantly depends on the physical and mechanical properties of soils, hydrogeological conditions of the environment and the type of loads, in particular on the filtration of groundwater, ma...

This study focuses on the assessment and monitoring of the stress-strain state (SSS) of rock masses under conditions of increasing open-pit mining depth. It examines the influence of natural stresses on the stability of rock formations and the consequences of their disturbance during mining operations, including the risks of deformation and collapse. Particular attention is given to modern geomechanical monitoring methods, which include both direct and indirect (geophysical) approaches, as well as the use of compu...

Sustainable Development Goal 15 ( Life on Land ) emphasizes the conservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems, yet monitoring biodiversity across large landscapes remains a challenge, particularly for species not yet under direct threat but that serve as indicators of ecosystem health. Terrestrial wildlife monitoring has traditionally relied on direct visual observations, such as point counts or mark-recapture methods; however, these approaches can be challenging to apply to highly vagile, cryptic, rare, ...

Starting in 1992, the Romanian mining industry underwent a restructuring process, which involved the closure of a significant number of mining perimeters. Without conducting a critical analysis of the causes that led to this extensive action and its resulting effects, it can be considered that some mining units, whose minimum geological reserves ensure exploitation for at least 10 years, could have real prospects for promoting solutions that guarantee economic efficiency, at least at the national level. In support...

Hydrological modelling has long been recognised as an essential tool for understanding and predicting water dynamics, particularly in regions where long-term observational data are limited. In Latvia, significant advancements have been made in the development of hydrological models, with the METQ model family becoming one of the most widely applied for the simulation of runoff and groundwater level regimes. Initially developed in the 1980s, METQ has been continuously refined to improve its predictive capabilities,...

In 2021 there were approximately 227,360 ha of abandoned land in Latvia. Bauska district has very fertile soil and active farmers, but despite this, agricultural lands are being afforested. The aim of the research is to analyze and evaluate the reasons and results of afforestation of agricultural lands in Bauska district in order to assess under what afforestation conditions the forest is most successfully grown. Seven properties were afforested in 2019, with a total area of 23.48 ha. Each property was divided int...