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The Fourth Industrial Revolution enables in depth assessment of technology prospects by systematising social, environmental, and other measurable indicators while sustaining economic growth. Although these categories can be integrated into a monetary framework, such unification fails to account for dependencies among resource costs, geographical variations, and business paradigms, thereby introducing significant uncertainties. Economic growth models have long attempted to incorporate social factors. Growth is a fu...

In Romania, Cirsium arvense (creeping thistle) has a high incidence in agricultural crops, approximately 70%, the development being largely influenced by climate but also by the inadequate technologies practiced. This study is an overview of the integrated management of the perennial weed Cirsium arvense in Romania. Therefore, it was done a review of the studies published in Romania, in order to highlight the predominant methods and whether or not cultural and biological measures are used. The methods used were bi...

Climate change intensifies concurrent drought and heat stress in viticulture across Central Europe. This study assessed vineyard ecosystem stress using integrated multi-parameter monitoring over 31 months (May 2023 November 2025; n=43,763 observations). A composite Ecosystem Stress Index (ESI) integrating Vapor Pressure Deficit (30%), depth-weighted soil water availability (40%), and soil temperature gradient (30%) was developed. The year 2023 exhibited healthy baseline (mean ESI=0.1375; only 1 stress day). The ye...

Blue-green infrastructure (BGI) is part of European policies to address climate change that has occurred in recent years. In Sandanski region, Bulgaria, data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ERA5) show that since 1979, air temperatures have risen by 2.3 degrees Celsius, with an upward trend. Meanwhile, there is no permanent decrease in precipitation, but there are extreme events and alternating cycles of floods and droughts. BGI can mitigate climate change by cooling the effect of veget...

Integrating environmental and Earth sciences into education is vital for cultivating ecological literacy and fostering sustainable behaviour. Digital learning through serious educational games (SEG) offers an interactive, immersive environment that allows students to explore and understand complex environmental systems in a global context, in an engaging, dynamic, and risk-free manner. This paper focuses on the use of SEG to improve conceptual understanding of natural processes and climate responsibility. It outli...

Sustainable land use and resource planning are essential for reconciling resource extraction with environmental protection, particularly in mining regions. This study examines the integration of hydrological analysis into sustainable land-use planning, with a specific focus on the Bogdanka SA coal mine in Poland. The objective is to identify limitations in current hydrological methodologies and to propose enhancements that support more effective resource management. The paper reviews critical components of hydrolo...

In the global context of the 2030 Agenda, the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in higher education has become essential for advancing societal, economic and environmental resilience. Universities play a key role in this process through their missions in education, research, governance and community engagement. This paper examines how Transilvania University of Bra?ov (UTBv) implements the SDGs, using a qualitative case study approach, based on the analysis of internal strategic documents, instit...

A significant component of soil organic matter (SOM) is constituted by disintegrating plant residues containing particularly cellulose and lignin which are resistant to microbial decomposition. Yet, the degradation of lignin may begin already in the early stages of organic matter decomposition if there is a sufficient amount of available saccharides in the soil as these serve as a quick source of energy allowing the microorganisms to produce enzymes for lignin decomposition. The aim of this study was to verify whe...

While urban land use planning receives much attention in land management in Bulgaria, agricultural land use planning has been significantly neglected. Today, more than ever, effective and efficient land use planning is needed to address the global and local challenges, such as protecting prime agricultural lands for food production, achieving sustainable productivity gains, improving water use efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, etc. The objective of the paper is to review the international experience i...

Integrating Internet of Things (IoT) in poultry farming transforms livestock manage-ment and promotes climate resilience, namely in sub-Saharan Africa, where the rising demand for animal protein is challenged by climate variability and limited resources. This review examines how IoT enhances climate resilience, operational efficiency, and sustainability in African poultry systems. A systematic scoping review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted using databases such as Scopus, IEEE Xplore, Sci-enceDirect, Spri...

The paper presents the results of investigation of the process of leaching of scandium from chloride wastes generated in titanium production to optimize the parameters of extraction into solution. The effects of key factors, including solid-to-liquid ratio (S:L), hydrochloric acid (HCl) concentration, process duration, stirring speed and the influence of temperature on the degree of scandium extraction into solution were studied. Experimental results indicate that optimal conditions for maximum extraction are: S:L...

Old manor parks are generally considered as important features of historic heritage in European cultural landscapes. But these parks are not only historic monuments. Because of presence of veteran trees and other biological legacy (such as dead wood), historic manor parks can be biodiversity hot-spots in urbanized landscapes. This study present results from long-term comparison of bird diversity in large old manor park in Central Europe (Czech Republic). Based on bird species richness comparison between 1997 and 2...

Multi-enzymatic cascade reactions, that is, the integration of several biocatalytic transformations occurring simultaneously, offer a wide range of possibilities and new ways to synthesize products with high added value. Such systems improve biocatalytic processes by saving time and reducing waste, while being self-sufficient in terms of requirements for related factors. As a more environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative method for the production of chemicals and biological products increases in import...

Constructed wetlands provide a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable approach to wastewater treatment; however, their efficiency in phosphorus removal often remains insufficient to meet current discharge standards. Chemical precipitation using aluminium-based coagulants has been proposed as a promising solution. In this study, laboratory-scale columns were constructed to simulate French and Austrian types of constructed wetlands and operated in two experimental phases. During the first phase, wastewater w...

Occupational health and safety and the physical safety of population are key areas of legal regulation at the international, European as well as national levels. This article analyses the legal frameworks that govern sustainable development and resource management in these areas, highlighting their importance for protecting workers and the public from physical, chemical, biological and cyber threats. International legal standards, such as International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and European Union direc...

In the post-war period, the priority issues that will need to be addressed are the reconstruction of rural areas and ensuring not only food security but also environmental safety. The article draws attention to the fact that ensuring sustainable development of rural areas should become a priority task of the government of Ukraine, especially in the post-war period. The priority of such a task should be comprehensive and has to include: poverty alleviation, restoration of the state of the environment, ethno-cultura...

Global climate and ecological crisis urge to decarbonazation of EU through sustainable low carbon alternatives to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Within this context, Power-to-Hydrogen-to-Power (P2H2P) technologies are playing an essential role in the energy transitions boosting the energy system flexibility, facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources and providing a promising pathway for long-term energy storage and clean fuel supply. Driving forces behind this research are the imperative raise t...

This study evaluates the environmental performance of two CNC machining strategies-three-axis and five-axis milling-used in the production of an aluminum wheel upright for a Formula Student vehicle. A process-based gate-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was carried out using Sphera GaBi software and the Ecoinvent 3.9.1 database, focusing exclusively on impacts associated with the manufacturing technologies. The analysis included detailed measurements of electricity consumption, machine time, machining operation ...

Lake Liepaja, a shallow lagoon-type lake located in the temperate climate zone, is affected by persistent ecological pressures, including nutrient enrichment, sediment contamination, and climate variability. This study presents an overview of long-term water quality dynamics based on monitoring data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (2001-2023), interpreting key physical and chemical indicators as evidence of broader ecological trends. Multi-year records of physicochemical parameters wer...

The aim of this study is to conduct an in-depth analysis of data on the genesis of pegmatite deposits of the Kalba-Narym rare metal belt, features of rare metal mineralization. The research methodology includes the analysis of existing information on the study of geology and structural-tectonic conditions of the formation of rare metal deposits within the central part of the Kalba-Narym batholith. Field studies, sampling (more than 40 samples), and study of the mineralogical composition of pegmatites and host rock...

The most widely used building materials in the world are those based on Portland cement. Unfortunately, their use is associated with a number of negative environmental impacts, from CO2 emissions to the depletion of natural aggregate resources. In order to contribute to greater environmental responsibility, this work investigated building materials containing both alternative binders and fillers. Magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) is considered to be a more sustainable binder than Portland cement and is characteri...

The article presents directions for improving diamond drill bits designed for drilling in hard abrasive rocks. The first direction involves the development of multilayer tools in which impregnated diamond layers are separated by soft, non-diamond interlayers of the same configuration. Additionally, ring-shaped bits have been developed with diamond-bearing layers placed on the concave surface of the matrix. This design enables the use of a weakened rock zone beneath the working elements, enhancing rock-breaking eff...

The authors of this paper investigate the way rural areas can be sustainably maintained (designing and building -green buildings-, managing natural resources, practicing sustainable agriculture, practicing sustainable economy, practicing sustainable transportation, producing renewable energy, protecting the environment, reducing waste, being responsible) through environmental measures (conserving water, controlling pollution, designing and building -green buildings-, educating in the spirit of environmental protec...

Biomass is the renewable energy resource that contributes to the energy balance by conversion into heat, by combustion in specialized facilities, conversion into electricity based on steam or gas obtained that drives turbines and electric generators or in both cases combined, through the cogeneration process. However, in order to be collected from nature, it must be optimally organized so that the effects on the environment are not harmful. Also, in the conversion processes, polluting emissions must be as low as p...

The paper will provide an overview of platforms and their impact in the context of climate change on the seas and oceans. It discusses the types of platforms, and the technologies used to improve performance in the face of severe weather and sea level rise. The proposed work emphasizes the importance of integrating innovative solutions to improve the offshore industry. Analysis conducted so far highlight different types of platforms, classified according to their specific use and structural characteristics, highli...

Nickel (Ni) composite coatings fabricated via electrodeposition have garnered significant attention due to their enhanced microstructure, tribological performance, and corrosion resistance. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in Ni-based composite coatings, emphasizing the influence of embedded reinforcements such as ceramic particles, polymers, and metallic phases on their structural and functional properties. The microstructural characteristics, including grain size refinement, p...

Miocene deposits are widespread in the Carpathian Foredeep in Poland (the northernmost part of Central Paratethys). The Poreba Zegoty XXV/25 borehole is located about 25 km on the west from Krak-w in the western part of the Carpathian Foredeep. The profile of Miocene deposits in this borehole includes the Klodnica and Skawina Formations. The Skawina Formation sediments are represented by grey and ash-gray claystones slightly brecciated in places. Micropalaeontological studies were conducted on the Skawina Formatio...

At present moment, Bulgarian regulatory documents lack rainfall hyetographs that can be used in computer models of sewer networks. In the conditions of climate change and the occurrence of extreme precipitation phenomena, this leads to difficulties in the application of sewer network modeling in solving engineering problems. It is not possible to perform a normatively defined determination of hydraulically overloaded sections of the sewer network, as well as to determine the expected frequency of flooding and floo...

This paper presents the modeling and simulation of an electrical energy management system that integrates a 300 V, 8 Ah lithium-ion battery, a DC shunt machine, and a variable DC load using NEPLAN simulation software. The main purpose of this work is to investigate the performance and control behavior of a hybrid electrical system where the power flow is automatically regulated according to the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery. The DC machine alternates between motor and generator modes depending on the SOC le...

Within a catchment, evapotranspiration is considered the loss component of the water budget. High mountain basins of high precipitation and low air temperature are essential for the recharge of water resources available to lowland settlements. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to the dynamics of water resources in mountainous areas, particularly due to the lack of measurements and the expected impacts of global warming. The aim of this study is the analysis, evaluation, and modeling of evapotranspiratio...

Impact assessments of climate change commonly use either synthetic or downscaled meteorological data. Many meteorological variables are missing or uncertain in such an approach. In this paper, it is shown that in such studies, this limits the use of classical reference ET0 models, e.g., the FAO-56 Penman Monteith model, which require several climatic data inputs. The objective of this study was to assess the capability of the minimal-input approach to predict ET0 and irrigation water requirements solely from tempe...

The orogeny in Albania and its surrounding, in collision with Adria microplate is divided in two domains of a different present-day tectonic regimes: the external domain with a compressional regime and the internal domain with an extensional regime. Two main fault systems are distinguished: 1) the longitudinal fault system, trending NW-SE up to NNW-SSE, represented by thrust and reverse faults, and 2) the traversal fault system NE-SW trending represented by strike-slip. The Lushnje-Elbasan transversal fault, in th...

Modern water quality monitoring in reservoir systems increasingly involves the use of multiparameter sensors and mobile measurement platforms capable of providing accurate, high-resolution data in both spatial and temporal domains. This study presents the results of a field campaign conducted at the Dobczyce Reservoir in southern Poland, where two complementary measurement strategies were employed: manual vertical profiling at fixed points, and continuous near-surface monitoring during in-motion transects using a ...

The modernization of the Bulgarian railways, which has been underway for more than 20 years, is an important step towards a climate-neutral Europe. The goal is to improve Bulgaria's connectivity with the countries of Central and Western Europe, by achieving European standards and integrating the national transport network into the trans-European transport network, the requirements for interoperability of the railway infrastructure in Europe and the EU Green Deal. The expected results of the modernization are achie...

In recent years, significant effort has been dedicated to monitoring sea surface temperature (SST) trends at local scales. Previous studies using MODIS data reported an increasing SST trend of 0.05-C/yr for the Ionian Sea and 0.04-C/yr for the eastern Mediterranean. In this study, we use Copernicus Marine Service mean daily gap-free SST data to verify these satellite-derived trends and compare them with daily in-situ measurements from ten aquaculture sites to assess potential discrepancies. Both datasets cover a t...

Conventional salt mining creates large voids that disrupt geomechanical equilibrium, inducing subsidence pressures from overlying strata. This process, known as convergence, is the time-dependent closure of excavated spaces caused by salt-s viscoplastic behavior. Continuous convergence monitoring is critical for early detection of excessive strain, enabling timely mitigation to maintain structural stability and prevent hazards like water ingress and flooding. Due to the slow deformation rates of halite formations,...

The scientific research presented in the article is related to the application of methodologies for monitoring deformations of the Earth's crust. Intensively developing technologies were used, such as GNSS and SAR methods. The Sofia region is among the earthquake zones in Bulgaria. The general conclusion is, that Sofia located in an area characterized by a high seismic risk, with considerable consequences in the case of a strong seismic event. New scientific knowledge about the geodynamics of the region and the ph...

Since Latvia acceded to the European Union (EU) in 2004, the natural resources tax (NRT) has been constantly amended to comply with EU regulations and directives. Particularly significant amendments to the NRT Law have been made concerning the circular economy, pollution reduction and sustainable use of resources. Considering that environmental protection requirements become increasingly stringent and sustainable development is a priority of EU and Latvian policies, there is a possibility that the NRT will be exte...

Green space is an integral part of human life. Many aspects of the population's activity and well-being are associated with this process. Green space is equally important for both rural and urban settlements. Tbilisi, Georgia, is a city where the loss of green space has recently intensified due to excessive urban sprawl. However, this growth is not well planned in most cases. Accordingly, analysis of green space dynamics is crucial for strategic planning in Tbilisi. However, there is a lack of similar data for Tbi...

Electrical installations in spaces classified as being in danger of explosive atmospheres have special characteristics to correspond to operation in such atmospheres. For safety reasons in these areas, it is essential that during the lifetime of these installations, the integrity of these special characteristics be maintained. The assessment of explosion-protected electrical equipment within the scope of certification is of paramount importance in view of the risk of explosion which must be minimized to ensure the...

Catamarans are widely used in marine transport due to their advantages in stability and speed. However, their hydrodynamic performance is affected by the interaction between the two hulls, which creates complex interference phenomena influencing resistance and fuel consumption. Understanding and quantifying these interference effects is essential for optimizing catamaran, a key factor not only for operational efficiency and emissions reduction but also for achieving climate-resilient, energy-efficient marine trans...

With three units of laboratory equipment (jaw and roller crushers, as well as rotary ore divider) operating simultaneously, numerical modeling research was performed to examine the effect of dust emission area on air pollution in a laboratory crushing room. The modeling was performed in a three-dimensional setting using the COMSOL program. The room ventilation process was modelled based on a previously developed two-stage methodological approach: calculation of aerodynamic parameters in the incompressible fluid ap...

Chenopodium album L., is a plant from the Amaranthaceae family. In many traditional cuisines, the leafy plant is highly valued for the nutritional properties, especially the leaves. Being native to Europe and Central Asia, the plant has been used and cultivated for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Containing several bioactive compounds, makes Chenopodium album very beneficial to human health, including: betalains пїЅ pigments with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; polyphenols пїЅ antioxidants ...

The Bohemian-Moravian Highlands represents an area rich in the abundance of old mining structures of various origin, like e.g. adits, shafts, paddy fields, quarries and age from medieval to modern. For example, Jihlava ore district is well-known for its medieval mining and processing of polymetallic silver ores. The locations of some old mining sites are well documented, however, the knowledge about many of them was lost over time. As a possible indicator of the existence of the old mining sites, spring water anal...

While the transition toward sustainable food systems pose a significant challenge, it also offers substantial economic opportunities. As consumer expectations evolve, the food market is undergoing a profound transformation. This shift presents new prospects for farmers, food processors, catering services, and other stakeholders across the agri-food sector. Pursuing the transition implementation can enable all the domestic food system operators along the agri-food chain to accomplish sustainability and to enrich th...

This paper aims to identify and analyse opportunities for improving financing mechanisms in the environmental sector by exploiting the opportunities provided by public-private partnerships. The need to create conditions and opportunities for strengthening ecological financing mechanisms in Bulgaria is identified as an essential element through which sustainable development goals can be achieved, while also aligning regional and national environmental policies with European environmental policies. There is a growin...

One of the directions towards a green energy transition is the spread of electric vehicles in the transportation sector. This necessitated the installation of electric charging stations, but as their number increases, so do the problems with their management and the increasing consumption of electricity. In this regard, there is a need to search for intelligent management solutions in the transition to alternative energy sources. This research is related to the development of a project to build a smart system for ...

The estimation of aquifer parameters is a critical issue in groundwater modeling. Traditionally, these parameters are determined using manual curve-matching techniques. However, the accuracy of these methods heavily relies on the modeler-s expertise, which can lead to graphical or human-induced errors. To address these challenges, a coupled simulation-optimization framework is proposed for identifying the hydrogeologic parameters of unconfined aquifer systems. In the simulation phase of the proposed framework, dra...

The selection of foundation type for photovoltaic (PV) panels depends on several factors, including soil type, geographical location, site topography, groundwater level, and soil corrosion potential. Common foundation solutions for ground-mounted PV panels include ballasted foundations, ground screws, helical piles, and, most frequently, driven steel micropiles. The current study focuses on optimizing the design of foundations using steel micropiles by leveraging Cone Penetration Test (CPT) results to enable more ...

Cupola furnaces are still considered the most suitable furnace units for cast iron melting. Typical exhaust gas from a cupola furnace contains CO, SO2 and NOx. A relatively large amount of dust emissions are emitted from the cupola furnace. These are formed during melting in the cupola furnace. These emitted particles can contain CaO, FeO, Pb, MnO, MgO, SiO2 and Zn. Crushing and mechanical abrasion during charge preparation and charging generate particles, some of which are emitted immediately. Dust is also genera...