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The Sofia-Plovdiv railway line is part of the Sofia-Plovdiv-Istanbul direction along the Orient/Eastern-Mediterranean corridor of the Trans-European network (TEN-T). The line is of important national and strategic importance. The project to modernize the line will lead to better conditions for transporting passengers and cargo and reaching European interoperability standards [1]. One of the predicted effects of modernization is an increase in the volume of freight transport at the expense of road transport. This w...

This study addresses the severe environmental disaster in the village of Umm al-Nasr in the northern Gaza Strip, which faces one of the most severe environmental disasters. The equivalent of 130 thousand cubic meters of sewage flowed into the village of Umm al-Nasr from the sewage collection basin. The losses include the deaths of five citizens and the injuries of 35 others, in addition to environmental damage and material losses in the village as a result of this environmental disaster, including pollution levels...

Camilo Ponce Enriquez is in the southwest coastal zone of Ecuador, and it is surrounded by 4 river basins (Gala, Tenguel, Siete and Pagua) with an area of 1,780 km2. Mining has been the main economic activity since 1980 and is classified as Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Activity. However, since 2000s there is evidence of contamination by heavy metals in water and sediments due to irregular mining practices and inefficiency environmental-s regulations. Despite the evidence, there are not enough scientific studie...

Accurate representation of particle dimensions is essential for reliable sedimentation analysis and assessment of settling dynamics. The use of equivalent diameters-such as Stokes, Feret, and volume-based diameters-introduces approximation errors when replacing real particle dimensions, especially for irregularly shaped particles. This study quantifies these errors by capturing high-resolution 2D images of particles within a bentonite, commonly found in bentonite suspensions characteristic of those occurring in ri...

Rural areas and infrastructure in the Danube Delta are affected by natural disasters, and the frequency and severity of hydrological phenomena are increasing due to climate change. The rural areas of the Danube Delta experience significant flooding due to the high levels of the Danube, often resulting from quantitatively significant precipitation. The protection dyke system related to the Danube River is most often affected by floods that sometimes lead to the failure of the dykes. Dyke failure is noted by the app...

In recent years, the domestic frozen bakery and pastry market has shifted towards ready-to-bake frozen products, driven by the global trend for convenience and on-the-go consumption. This study aims to analyze the quality indicators of cakes subjected to freezing to determine their shelf life and optimize freezing conditions. Four sample categories were evaluated: fresh cake (P1), cake subjected to thermal shock (P2), cake frozen for 3 months (P3), and cake frozen for 6 months (P4). Quality assessments included se...

This research aims to conduct a descriptive statistical analysis to identify the statistical correlation between categories of new and second-hand vehicles registered for circulation in Romania and various health conditions associated with atmospheric pollution. Currently, a significant challenge for the global community lies in mitigating the impact of atmospheric pollution, considered a crucial factor both in terms of global climate change and its impact on public health. One major source of atmospheric pollutio...

This article presents a numerical study of the effects of changing the geometry of the turbine impeller blades on the efficiency and intensity of homogenization in a bioreactor. The mixing of liquid media is an important stage of technological processes in various industries. Modern Impellers are equipped with homogenizing devices for introducing energy into the liquid, they include hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical devices or their combinations. Rational selection of the mixing device at the design stage is imp...

The assessment of the influence of economic activities on the population in the eastern region of the Jiu Valley (located in the south-western part of Romania) entails several stages. These include measuring the extent of air pollution, selecting a tool for evaluating air quality, and most importantly, implementing a method for estimating the environmental impact. The objective of the study is to analyze the environmental conditions by analyzing the data collected from the six designated locations and utilizing th...

In the context of the pressure to reduce the production of CO2 emissions in cement manufacturing, cement plants are significantly changing their product portfolios. Changes in the composition of cement products also lead to changes in their properties. This paper focuses on the monitoring and non-standard evaluation of initial volume stability. Several different types of currently used cements produced in various cement plants in the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 2022 and 2023 were tested using the -initial volum...

With the development of food production technologies, the consumers attention has turned to products with specific nutritional and health-promoting properties. For this necessity, today's manufacturers have turned their attention to fortified foods, and a raw material that is found in great diversity and that can be used to enrich food is represented by mushrooms. The purpose of this study consists in determining how the addition of different concentrations of crued polysaccharides extracted from mushrooms and add...

The basic structural and functional element of a belt conveyor is the conveyor belt, which is supported by carrying rollers. Research in this area is important for increasing the service life of mining belt conveyor components. The rollers are subject to various forms of wear. Tribological interactions between the roller, the conveyor belt, and the particles of the transported material or impurities from the environment that enter the tribological system cause various forms of mechanical wear. Abrasion is the pred...

<i>Trichoderma harzianum</i> is a well-known biocontrol agent with growing interest as a multifunctional bioinoculant due to its diverse metabolic capabilities. Despite its promising potential, the transition from laboratory-scale cultivation to industrial-scale production still presents challenges, particularly in optimizing biomass and spore yield at low cost. This study focused on testing a new medium for spore/mycelium production of <i>T. harzianum</i> integrating traditional growth media with gazpacho, a toma...

Changes in land use and architectural renovation are a normal process in historic urban centres, and as a consequence there are changes in the occupation of properties, such as the loss of vegetation cover and filtering soils that could be integrated into the urban green system, which is now almost entirely concentrated in the public space. In this study, a series of orthophotographs of the historic centre of the city of Loja were analysed to determine the changes in vegetation cover and its distribution among squ...

The agricultural sector is an important strategic branch of any economy. Food security and food independence of the state are the key to ensuring the national security of the state. This fact became especially evident during Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which, among other things, affected the global food market. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is one of the oldest policies of the European Community, as it was launched in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome, signed by six countries (Germany, France, Italy, the ...

The purpose of this article is to provide a legal analysis of the practice of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in the field of protection of environmental human rights from the point of view of the following key aspects: severity threshold, degree of discretion, positive obligations of states. Special attention was paid to the latest case of Klimaseniorinnen Schweiz and others v. Switzerland. On April 9, 2024, the ECtHR for the first time upheld a complaint in a climate change case. This is the first tim...

In this study, we present the design and implementation of an experimental stand tailored for the analysis of hydrogen explosions with the capability of modifying the propagation direction. Hydrogen explosions pose significant safety concerns in various industrial settings, and understanding their behavior under different conditions is crucial for risk assessment and mitigation strategies. The experimental setup integrates precise control mechanisms to manipulate the direction of explosion propagation, allowing fo...

This study explores the interconnection between health, nutrition, and the emotional bond in the human-dog relationship. Using a multiple-choice questionnaire, the research examines health issues, dietary choices, food rewards, and emotional ties among dog owners, with a focus on individuals aged 31-45 from diverse backgrounds. The main objective is to understand how health, nutrition, and emotional bonds are linked between dogs and their owners. The survey covers topics such as health observations, veterinary car...

This study investigates the nutritional composition and sensory characteristics of mango-based jams prepared with different sweeteners, evaluating their potential as a nutritious and appealing food product. Mango, a tropical fruit rich in vitamins A, C, and dietary fiber, is an ideal base for jams, contributing both health benefits and natural sweetness. The study analysed the effects of various sweeteners, including refined sugar, honey, agave syrup, and stevia, on mango jams' nutritional profile and sensory prop...

Waste management is a current and future challenge due to the increasing volume of waste. The amount of waste generated directly correlates with production and consumption patterns. The current level of natural resource utilization exceeds the Earth's capacity for replenishment. Therefore, humanity must take action to mitigate the consequences of rampant natural resource consumption. One way to achieve this goal is to increase the level of waste recycling. However, the amount of waste actually recycled is signific...

The paper presents a quality evaluation of the kinematic model concerning the relative height movement of the Earth-s crust that refers to the territory of the Republic of Croatia. This kinematic model enables determination of vertical displacements and movement speeds of discrete points on the Earth-s crust. So far, the quality of the model has been rated only for certain parts of the Croatian territory, but this paper shows the results of the model-s quality evaluation for the entire territory of the Republic of...

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023 - 2027 is currently the main instrument of the member states for the development of the agricultural sector and rural areas. CAP is focused on ten key objectives related to social, environmental and economic goals. EU agricultural policy covers all levels covers all levels of agri-food supply chain. The Romania CAP Strategic Plan was approved by the European Commission in December 2022 with a total allocation of 15.83 billions - (14,96 billions - from EU budget and 0,86 bi...

Today about 10% of Latvia's territory is occupied by peatlands (645,100 ha), but the extraction of peat happens in only 4% (25,739 ha) of the total. In regulatory documents peat bogs are mentioned as having a very high probability of flammability (in the context of climate change and other natural elements: drought, heat, lightning and deliberate or unintentional human activity). This indicates the need to improve fire safety by conducting research and improving regulatory frameworks. The aim of the study was to a...

In recent decades, the interest of researchers has focused on the development of methods for obtaining alternative energy sources. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is one of the methods for obtaining a wide range of hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Ru, Ni, Fe and Co are the widely used catalytically active metals in FTS. To increase the activity of the catalyst, as well as increase the yield of target products, promoters are introduced into catalytic systems. In FTS, oxides of alkaline and rare earth metals, oxides of...

Human activities have significantly impacted aquatic ecosystems worldwide, especially in developing countries. Acid mine drainage from mineral extraction and wastewater containing xenobiotics pose substantial threats for lakes and marine ecosystems, introducing heavy metals and increasing antibiotic resistance in pathogenic microbes. Despite the urgent need for effective solutions, many environmental liabilities remain without an adequate mapping unmapped or remediation plan, exacerbating risks for environmental h...

Due to the increase of global concerns over environmental degradation, the search for sustainable energy sources has led to increased utilization of renewable fuels such as biogas and biodiesel. Despite their advantages in terms of sustainability, challenges persist in their efficient utilization. An easy method to approach these challenges is addressing the characteristics of flames produced during these fuels- combustion. This study aims to address these challenges by developing a MATLAB-based flame analysis too...

Nature-based solutions harness the power of nature. Nature-based solution represent an innovative approach that can combine ecological and engineering elements with site security. Nature-based solusion encompass a wide range of measures to protect, restore or sustain landscapes such as watersheds and urban areas. Nature-based solution can be implemented on the basis of a risk analysis of the territory to ensure the safety of the territory, e.g. a municipality. An example of this is the construction of dry polders ...

This paper presents the results of laboratory processing tests conducted to explore the potential for beneficiation of a wollastonite mineral (calcium metasilicate, CaSiO3). The ore studied comes from a mineralized body located in the southern part of Sardinia (Italy), which has been studied in the past with geological surveys and sampling. In the investigated area the mineralization was very irregular. The encasing rocks consist of schist and the mineralized body is composed of wollastonite associated with limest...

In addition to excellent mechanical, physical and chemical parameters, magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) composites offer numerous environmental benefits, particularly with regard to the necessary reduction of carbon dioxide emissions associated with the production of Portland cement based building materials. However, the limitation to the wider use of MOC is its low water resistance. Therefore, the possibility of improving the water resistance of magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) composites by nano-adjustment u...

The soils from the central part of Sredna Gora Mountain in Bulgaria were studied aiming to establish the occurrence of contemporal soil forming processes occured in the forest ecosystem. Soils were analyzed to determine the carbon content, the soil organic matter composition and the total soil acidity. The precise soil classification based on the detail morphological diagnostic was carried out. The ecological conditions in forest ecosystem determine the mode of humic substances in the studies soils. Soils are char...

As the climate changes, the EU is experiencing heavier rainfall, harsher storms and rising sea levels. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), the consequences of fluvial, pluvial and coastal floods in Europe will overall worsen as a result of local and regional increases in intensity and frequency of flooding [1]. The article concerns the indication of the functionality of the available QGIS software in the identification of critical infrastructure objects in Poland and the Czech Republic along with t...

This paper presents the experimental evaluation of the effectiveness of a newly developed two-coat system (TCS) for the protection and repair of concrete. The optimized system consists of a penetrating layer of modified low-viscosity resin of BPA (bisphenol A) type and a top coat based on aliphatic polyisocyanate resin of HDI (hexametyl diisocyanate) type. TCS was applied to reference concrete specimens, which were subjected to various tests to evaluate their basic physical properties, mechanical strength, hygric ...

As nonferrous metals, lead zinc is the most widely used ore after aluminum and copper. Considering the increasing demands in industry, it is understood that a sustainable mine supply is necessary to meet the Pb-Zn. In this context, the geochemical characteristics of the Erva lead zinc deposit in Yahyali (Kayseri) district were tried to be revealed. The study area, Yahyali district, is located in the Southeast of the Central Anatolia Region. The geological unit in which the Erva is located is the Yahyali Munzur Nap...

Geochemistry, a young earth science discipline, has evolved with chemical analysis techniques and is now integrated with environmental issues. Industrial development has increased the input of toxic elements into soil, water and air, potentially affecting the food chain. Geochemical tools investigate these sources and assess the risk of contamination. The combination of background enrichment indices and contamination indices provides a robust framework for understanding soil contamination. This dual approach enabl...

Modern information educational technologies open up a wide range of opportunities for teachers of general education institutions to develop students' key competences in geography and ecology lessons. According to the federal state standard for geography, the requirements for subject outcomes of the geography course at the profile level should reflect the ability to work with geographic information systems. The existing level of information technology development allows geographic information systems to be adapted ...

To enable effective operational decisions and combat mission execution on the battlefield during war, access to reliable, accurate, and timely data is essential. We propose utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze extensive datasets, as modern military operations rely on accurate spatial terrain mapping for command, control, communication, and coordination. This study introduces a terrain analysis approach tailored to military vehicle movement, focusing on assessing ground resilience to vehicle tr...

Raw materials are essential for Europe-s industrial base, as they are used to produce vital goods and technologies. The European Comission-s assessment identifies lithium and tin as critical and strategic raw materials due to rising demand. A PhD thesis aims to create a 3D geological model of the Argemela District in Central Portugal to provide vital information about the genesis of the hydrothermal tin and lithium mineralizations founded in the region. The study places emphasis on the very-low-frequency (VLF) ele...

In order to limit climate change, it is necessary to look for areas in each country where facilities for the production of electricity with renewable energy resources can be placed. In Latvia, agricultural and forest land areas are used for the realization of these goals. The aim of the study was to look for alternative areas, thus looking for opportunities to reduce the pressure on areas whose main purpose would be agricultural production. In the study, 297 geospatial analysis of land units on which municipal was...

The surface area of the studied area in the Artana 1 landfill is about 24,000 m2. Presented here are samples taken from 11 boreholes with survey designations S-6, S-8, S-9, S-11, S-12, S-16, S-19, S-20, S-24, B /Y-2 (S-Y-2), Y-5 (S-Y-5). Drilling wascarried out using the spiral survey method up to the base level of the soil. The workswere carried out by the Trepca-Karova institutions within the project of recycling wastefrom the ore flotation of the Artana-Kishnica mines. Samples were taken at each meter,the surve...

Rapid urbanization across Lagos, Nigeria has driven extensive land cover modifications with significant climatic impacts. This study analyzed interlinkages between land use land cover (LULC) transformations and land surface temperature (LST) shifts in the intensely developing Lagos suburb of Ikorodu from 1991-2021 utilizing robust geospatial techniques. Multi-spectral Landsat 5, 7 and 8 data enabled reliable LULC classification into five covers using a Random Forest algorithm. Subsetting the Ikorodu area facilitat...

This paper explores the application of augmented reality (AR) in spatial data and 3D model visualization, particularly in the context of smart cities and campuses. The term "smart city" refers to the concept of urban planning that optimizes city space by applying digital technologies to improve the quality of life. Smart cities include innovative solutions in traffic, urban planning, energy, communications and digital management of the city and buildings to provide efficient and sustainable development. We develop...

Global biodiversity decline is dramatic. Urbanization is a global trend that is often driving biodiversity loss. At the same time urban green spaces can maintain high levels of biodiversity. However, for urban Nature-based Solutions to maintain biodiversity they have to be designed and managed with this goal in mind. Furthermore, there are certain risks to biodiversity associated with the urban green infrastructure. These risks merit consideration when urban planning is undertaken. Approaches to green infrastructu...

Even today, factories and production systems are primarily planned using established methods from lean production, developed in the 1990s, which only partially address sustainability. Industrial production significantly impacts climate change; in Germany, for instance, 70% (9.1 million TJ) of the primary energy requirement of 13 million TJ comes from industry, and around 28% of annual new land use is attributed to industrial expansion and new construction. This situation is no longer viable, given the European Com...

Nowadays, the use of supercomputing for solving almost any task ranging from industrial to the ecological ones has been increasing. It should be noted that this requires lots of energy, which negatively affects the environment and is costly. However, in a number of cases it is possible to achieve high performance calculations without the use of supercomputers but instead by relying on special processors, focused on a particular class of tasks. While optimizing the computational pipeline for a particular mathematic...

The main purposes of the project were to analyze the possibility of using waste from the energy sector - fly ash from the lignite combustion process - as a growing medium, as well as to use the electricity obtained from the photovoltaic panel to power the equipment located in the constructed greenhouse. In addition, the project involved the development of a connection of equipment to ensure proper air parameters for growing plants. The constructed and equipped greenhouse stand was used to perform vase tests on whi...

Forest ground vegetation biomass plays a significant role in carbon (C) storage and contributes to the overall carbon pool of forest ecosystems. Ground vegetation, including understory plants, shrubs, and grasses, not only affects carbon sequestration through photosynthesis but also contributes to the carbon cycle as it decomposes and release carbon into atmosphere and soil. This process adds to soil organic matter and affects it carbon dynamics. Understanding the above and below-ground biomass of forest ground ve...

During the mining, handling, and processing activities, the production of fines is inevitable due to breakage of large particles caused by compression, abrasion, attrition and impact of the ore particles with one another and the equipment during beneficiation and handling. The fines generated as a result, are generally high-grade feed stock materials and add value to processes. Many attempts to recycle these fines have shown some limitations because of the quality of binders used for agglomeration. Pyrometallurgic...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is well known as a robust technique that can support and improve the quality of human life. In the mining industry, the applications of artificial intelligence have changed the sciences and technologies as well as the performance of the mining industry through machine learning, autonomous technologies that provide many economic benefits to the mining industry by reducing costs, efficiency and improving productivity. In principle, reducing the exposure of workers to hazardous conditions...

Gypsum composites are promising building materials, but they have disadvantages such as low strength and water resistance. To improve these properties, a self-reinforcement method can be used, where the gypsum matrix is reinforced with crystals other than gypsum. One type of such crystals is ettringite. To obtain a self-reinforced gypsum composite, it is necessary to maintain a high pH environment and sufficient ions to form ettringite. In this work high-calcium fly ash, which is a waste product of coal combustion...

Most rivers in the temperate zone experience flooding due to snowmelt or heavy rainstorms. The lower Danube rivers has caused significant economic damages and in some cases even loss of human life. Understanding the relationship between the occurrence rate of Danube rivers flood events and climate change is crucial for flood risk management in Romania. Here we present a multiproxy and observational data set of floods from the lower Danube Basin Rivers over the last millennium. The results highlight that the lower ...