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The waste management sector as one of the most significant economic sectors requires effective management not only in Latvia but in the European Union as whole. According to the recent (2020) available Eurostat data, 505 kg of municipal waste per capita were generated in the EU of which 48% were recycled and 22% were landfilled. Latvia ranges in the 11th position among the EU Member States with 478 kg of generated waste per capita. Romania (287 kg), Poland (346 kg) and Hungary (364 kg) are countries having generat...

Explosive atmospheres may occur both in underground mining, as well as in surface industries such as the oil and gas, chemical, petrochemical, wood or baker industries, basically in all industries which extract, process, use, transport or store flammable substances. Within the European Union, Directive 2014/34/EU regulates the placing on the market of equipment, protective systems and components intended for use in such hazardous atmospheres. In this regard, for proofing the compliance with the essential safety re...

Modern way of life using means of producing energy through renewables and forming a part of energy communities and citizen energy communities represent innovative resources. National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), redefines an update of the objectives of both the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plane (INECP) and the long-term strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, to reflect the changes that have occurred in the meantime in Europe. In detail, this article aims to ponder on the path ta...

A small quantity of flammable gas mixed with dust can cause a large explosion with severe consequences. In this study, hybrid mixtures explosion tests were performed in a constant volume 0.02 m3 spherical vessel. Five pressure-time curves were recorded. The effects of initial temperature on burning velocity were investigated for Lycopodium Clavatum-methane-air hybrid mixtures. The most important results from evaluated experiments are the values of burning rates to understand better the fundamental flame methane-ai...

When considering environmental priorities in the Moscow region, it was pointed out that not only human economic activity damages the environment, but also resources a significant part is destroyed by fires and other emergencies, which number has been increasing in recent years. Land resources are among the main exhaustible resources without which human existence is impossible. State activity, first and foremost, must be aimed at the land resources effective management and protection against the human economic acti...

The aim of the article was to assess the importance of Natura 2000 sites in halting land take, given that the European Commission has set itself the target of reducing land take in the EU to zero by 2050. In the surveyed area, land take is primarily a consequence of the economic activities carried out and of their pace and intensity; the density of housing also puts pressure on the phenomenon through the permanent expansion of the built-up area of the settlements (the brown belt), especially in the economically ef...

Nature-based Solutions is an umbrella concept, gaining traction in recent years. It implies working with nature in order to simultaneously address multiple challenges humanity faces today, including biodiversity loss, climate change, food and energy insecurity. Nature-based Solutions are being applied across landscape types, including urban, rural, forest and protected areas. Combining nature-based solutions with landscape design, however, has predominantly been considered in cities. However, there is a great pote...

The research is part of the -Design of an intelligent system to forecast landslides' processes and their influence on the roads' technical and operational characteristics- project financed by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan by AP09260066 program. The research goal is in surveying deformed parts of -Almaty-Cosmostation- automobile road nearby critical slopes to identify in the next phases the causes of pavement degradation and formulate then the recommendation to prevent such deg...

The climate change is strongly affected by the increase of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. Other important atmospheric factors of climate change are stratospheric sulfur aerosols, whose ability to reflect solar radiation back to the space cause cooling effect. Sulfur aerosols have common natural and anthropogenic origin. The volcanos are a major source of particles in the stratosphere, whose lifetime depends on various atmospheric proce...

This paper provides a detailed picture of the existing legislation of agricultural land use by entities who do not own it in Bulgaria and makes specific suggestions to improve it, aiming at creating a legislative framework enhancing productivity and sustainability. The study is briefly considering the historical and economic factors for the development of the case law in line with the legal framework in thiscontext. Attention is also paid to the goals of the European Union (EU) to provide properconditions for tech...

The levels of specific activity of 90Sr and 137Cs in fish of one of the most polluted reservoirs of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ) - Vershyna Lake. During the research period from 2011 to 2021 for all studied fish of the lake. The peak ranges of the specific activity of radionuclides are noted at the level of 32960-213300 (average value 67832-22936) Bq/kg for 90Sr and 838-25907 (4811-569) Bq/kg for 137Cs. It is shown that at the current stage, the specific activity of 90Sr in the ichthyofauna of the lake exce...

The impact of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions on the increase in the average temperature on the planet and the risk of initiating irreversible processes are recognized by most of the scientific community as real threats to humanity. Many countries have a legal and institutional framework for a consistent industrial policy taking into account the climate and environmental components, including carbon accounting. Russia is a country with high intensity of production-based CO2 emissions. In is well-known that ...

This study is focused on influence of graphene nanoplatelets as additive in magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) paste. This material composed of light-burned magnesia, prepared at lower temperatures than ordinary Portland cement (PC), is considered as its eco-efficient low-carbon alternative with properties comparable to high-performance concrete such as high mechanical resistance, stiffness., and low porosity. Two composite pastes were prepared, reference paste and paste enhanced with graphene, and subjected to se...

Species of macrofungi were collected from extremely polluted sampling spots in the vicinity of abandoned antimony mines in Slovakia. Concentrations of potentially toxic elements in plants and fungi were determined by ICP-MS and in soils and sediments by both ICP-MS and ICP-ES. Of the edible species the highest values of arsenic and cadmium were recorded in Agaricus arvensis, lead in Imleria badia and representatives of the genera Boletus, Leccinum and Suillus accumulated high levels of mercury. Suillus species als...

From time immemorial, the oceans, seas and their coasts have been the cradle of human civilization and still play a vital role in the lives of millions of people, indirectly affecting all of humanity. The phenomenon of coastalization suggests that our reliance on and dependence from marine and maritime sectors will grow, and their sustainable development is a topical challenge. The Blue growth strategy addresses this issue on a Pan-European level, fostering research and innovation with regards to marine environmen...

Diagnostic ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are important medical imaging methods in modern radiology. Our research is focused on imaging brain structures in neurology. In this paper we present differences of digital image analysis of the substantia nigra (SN) between US and MRI using the same algorithm. In the past, we developed an application for analyzing substantia nigra echogenicity in BMODE US images. Our developed application is based on a principle of binary thresholding in Region of In...

In the last years, composite materials are increasingly used in automotive, aeronautic, aerospace, construction applications. Composite materials have been used in aerospace in applications such as engine blades, brackets, interiors, nacelles, propellers/rotors, single aisle wings, wide body wings. The fields of use of composite materials have multiplied with the improvement of material properties, such as stability and adaptation to the environment, mechanical tests, wear resistance, moisture resistance, etc. The...

Although the volumes of fiber reinforced polymer composites (FRPs) used for aircraft applications is a relatively small percentage of total use, the materials often find their most sophisticated applications in this industry. In aerospace the performance criteria placed upon materials can be far greater than in other areas - key aspects are lightweight, high-strength, high-stiffness and good fatigue resistance. Composites were first used by the military before the technology was applied to commercial planes. Nowad...

Various secondary metabolites isolated from Ophiocordyceps sinensis, the Chinese caterpillar fungus, have been reported to possess high therapeutic potential. Paecilomyces hepiali has even more biologically important chemical components with interesting pharmacological activity. Traditional Chinese medicine uses Ophiocordyceps sinensis to treat lung and respiratory system problems, hyposexuality, hypolipidemia kidney, or liver, heart, and immune system conditions. In addition, it has been used to treat various for...

Requirements relating to the quality of the flue gases produced have become more and more stringent in recent years. This is why the electricity producers, especially those using coal-fired units, have been forced to introduce additional environmental technologies. However, most of the coal-fired power plants and waste incineration plants in the Czech and Slovak Republics are following the same path, in particular for economic reasons. They are introducing the selective non-catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides (...

The construction sector generates more than a quarter of all carbon dioxide emissions, which contributes to the deterioration of the environmental situation in the world. This article describes one of the ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from construction by changing the type of concrete components. In this research, a comparison analysis of various criteria of Portland cement and Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) was carried out. The main method for solving the problem of this study is the Multic...

A thematic map contains a spatial database that allows the user to add new information to that database. The ability to combine a variety of datasets in a variety of ways makes any GIS a useful tool for almost any field of knowledge. From routinely performing work-related tasks to scientifically exploring the complexity of our world, GIS offers people the geographic advantage of becoming more productive, more aware, and more receptive to the planet Earth. A GIS can be defined as a system designed to capture, store...

The presented paper represents a comprehensive analysis of hydrous ferric oxides (HFOs) precipitated from Fe rich drainage waters contaminated by arsenic and antimony. Ochre samples from three abandoned Sb deposits were collected in three different seasons and were characterized from the mineralogical, geochemical, and microbiological point of view. They were formed mainly by poorly crystallized 2-line ferrihydrite, with the content of arsenic in samples ranging from 0.7 wt.% to 13 wt.% and content of antimony ran...

The European Union and its Member States have set themselves to achieve climate neutrality across the EU by 2050. The agricultural sector is one of the emitters of greenhouse gases (GHG). To achieve its climate neutrality goals of reducing the increase in global temperature to below 2-C and limiting it to 1.5-C, the EU has adopted the Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy based on it. These goals create the need for the development and implementation of innovations. The agricultural sector will experience sever...

Fish oils with a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are gaining increasing interest in the food and nutraceutical industry, due to their important functional properties for human beings- health improvement. The most important PUFAs have at least two double bonds placed on the carbon chain. These include ?-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahaxaneoic acid (DHA). Microencapsulation is a technique used to protect the bioactive compounds from oxidative damage, to ensure their ...

The production of oil and gas includes drilling a number of wells for exploration or production activities. During drilling operations, large volumes of drilling fluids are used to facilitate the process. In Libya, after completion of drilling operations drill cuttings and waste drilling fluids are typically discharged close to the oil fields without treatment. This can result in negative ecological impacts on the surrounding environment e.g. through infiltration of toxic constituents into soils and underground wa...

The aim of this study is to determine the prospects of the region for the identification of new objects. For this purpose, it was necessary to solve the tasks of analyzing and summarizing all available geological data on the Torgai trough and based on this, to make forecast maps and determine the prospects for identifying deposits. Analysis of extensive factual data and outcomes of the sedimentary cover minerals was followed by interpretation of sections at the basic outcrops and wells. All this work resulted in c...

The problem of carbon dioxide emission from the soil is relevant, since it affects the reduction of the soil organic carbon pool, thereby reducing its fertility and productivity. In addition, carbon dioxide emissions from the soil are a significant contributor to the greenhouse effect. The aim of this work was to evaluate the mineralizing activity of the microbial community of the soil of a new point of observation of carbon dioxide emissions, located in the previously little-studied territory of Russia, using suc...

River hydrology is a key component in river resources planning and river engineering. Our recent study is focused on flow metrics that best describe the registered flow regime and hydrological characteristics of rivers within the Tundzha watershed located in South Bulgaria. The flow regime will be described using 5 broad categories: magnitude of river flow; frequency; duration; timing and rate of change. A special attention in the research was given to the low flows. Thirteen hydrometrics stations were selected fo...

Based on data from the last decade, institutions have faced an increasing number of applications for licenses and permits for raw materials, construction, industrial and metallic minerals. Receipt of applications and accompanying documents for licenses and permits is currently performed as a manual process and submitted by enterprises in hard copy format. Institutional officials consistently face with the difficulties in manually processing all data from applications and accompanying documents submitted, causing d...

The effect of management practices lead to significant variations of the net C balance of agricultural soils, and in this paper is estimated the impact of long-term cultivation on the soil organic carbon stocks. This paper also evaluates the potential of carbon sequestration of mineral soils through management practices in temperate agricultural systems, under dry climate regime. For fulfilling of the objective of this study, the -stock-difference method- was used for estimating the soil organic carbon stocks betw...

Currently, many emphases are placed on the possibility of limiting excavation works in the event of water pipelines or sewage systems failure. For this purpose, various types of inspection and repair robots/manipulators are used, which can enter the installation's interior without the need to get into the pipe physically (e.g. with an excavator). Mobile robots allow you to diagnose the problem (or provide information on which section the failure occurred) and in some cases, to repair (unplug) the installation with...

The paper deals with the current state and development of smart cities in the Czech Republic in the context of sustainable mobility and transport and the improvement of the quality of life inhabited by small-scale cities. Today, cities are exposed to many challenges and are looking for new efficient transport solutions that will ease existing infrastructure, improve public space, and promote sustainable modes of transport. The growth of individual car traffic has caused numerous social conflicts and environmental ...

The basis of the natural resource base of the resort and recreational sphere is made up of natural healing resources (mineral waters, mud, brine of lakes and estuaries). In the context of the introduction of the concept of sustainable development, special attention is paid to the assessment of natural conditions and resources, systematization and monitoring of data on natural healing resources of the country. The State Cadastre of natural healing resources is being developed to systematize data, knowledge and info...

For many years, oil derivatives, natural coal, and natural gas were used and still are, as primary energy supply due to their calorific potential, and their great availability on the planet. However, the utilization of these feedstocks causes greenhouse effects and helped in global warming, creating a general concern about this issue, and leading to the creation of urgent measures to overcome these problems. Hence, guidelines and public policies were granted to guarantee the reduction of emissions and increase the...

The high performance characteristics of Peltier thermoelectric modules (TEM) in comparison with compressor cooling systems are determined by the convenience of their use for both cooling and heating, technological advantages due to the absence of moving parts, etc. To effectively regulate the temperature conditions of TEM, it is necessary to develop automatic control systems with specified characteristics. Modeling and design of such systems is complicated by the essentially nonlinear properties of the constituent...

Digital Twins can be seen as powering the next generation of IoT-connected solutions. Digital Twins model the real world by using historical and real-time data to represent the past and present and simulate the predictable future. Digital twins are related to a set of concepts such as digital representation and 3D visualization, integration, monitoring, control, computation, prediction, and decision-making. They are digital replicas of physical objects having bidirectional data flow. The physical object and its di...

Biomass is monitored in many agricultural studies because it is closely related to the growth of the crop. The technique of digital repeat photography that continuously capture images of a given area with an RGB or near-infrared enabled cameras, Phenocams, has been used for more than a decade mainly to estimate phenology. Studies have found a relationship between Phenocam data and above-ground dry biomass. In this context we investigate the modeling of barley fresh above and underground biomass with Green chromati...

Teichi bog is largest intact moss bog in the Baltics states. The article considers the hydrological exchange process of the bog and surrounding areas. It plays an important role in the ecosystem, as well as a factor in stabilizing the water level, as bog peat in its natural state contains 88%-97% water. It belongs to raised bogs, since its upper layer is located above the surrounding relief. Replenishment of water resources in the Teichi Nature Reserve occurs mainly due to precipitation. In turn, the bog with surf...

The study analyzed forest vegetation in the "Bazos Dendrological Park" area, Timis County, Romania, in order to describe the seasonal variation of the vegetation through imaging analysis based on satellite images (Sentinel 2). The study took place in the period 2021-2022, and each year 7 sets of images (T1 - T7) were taken between the months of April and August. NDMI, NDVI and NBR indices were calculated from the analysis of satellite images. Among the calculated indices, very strong correlations were found betwee...

In the era of digitization, in a context where climate changes affect all sectors of activities and life itself, modern translation has a crucial role and a major importance in all the activities related to the prevention and education of young generations and not only, from the modern societies to the disadvantaged backgrounds. The most valuable and important information, as well as all the EU regulations, procedures, resources, manuals, books, may be transmitted nowadays through translation worldwide. Using mode...

As the planet-s population increases, pollution entering waterways increases, and the availability of non-renewable raw resource materials reduces. It is possible to reduce this pollution by constructing treatment wetlands, but these wetlands use significant amounts of natural aggregates. The question arises: is it not possible to replace non-renewable resources with recycled materials made from construction and demolition waste? This article examines the applicability of recycled building materials as filter medi...

The article presents the results of remote monitoring of the consequences of armed aggression, namely the occurrence of fires on the territory of protected areas in the combat zone. In combination with "traditional" data, satellite imagery can play a crucial role in protecting protected areas and providing evidence of environmental violations. Plant and animal life are under threat of destruction from enemy shelling by the Russian army. In addition, there is the uncontrolled spread of fire in the combat zone of Uk...

The study presents a detailed analyse of the morpho-dynamic processes of the main two bifurcations of the Danube River within its delta, at Ceatal Izmail and Ceatal St. George. The first bifurcation of the Danube, called Ceatal Izmail; here the river divides into two distributaries: a northern one, the Chilia (Kilia), and a southern one, the Tulcea. Forking to the right at Ceatal Izmail (Mile 43), the Tulcea distributary stretches further to 17 km to the second main hydrographic knot Ceatal Sfantu Gheorghe (St. Ge...

In recent years, the whole world has been looking for the most suitable solution to deal with global warming and other environmental consequences caused mainly by anthropogenic activities. One of the potential problematic phenomena at present is urbanization, which subsequently has an impact on the enlargement of urban or suburban areas at the expense of green areas. Vertical vegetation systems are part of the blue-green sustainable infrastructure and have become increasingly popular in recent years. With the righ...

In Bulgaria, the number of water sources and facilities for drinking and domestic water supply from surface and underground water is about 7,480. They are surrounded by sanitary protection zones (SPZ). Each SPZ has 3 belts, which are organised according to an accepted methodology. With the help of a designed geographic information system, it was found that in Bulgaria forest territories that belong to SPZ around water sources and water supply facilities for drinking and domestic needs have a total area of 576,117 ...

The Durankulak Lake is the northernmost Bulgarian Black Sea lagoon. The hydrological regime of the lake is, for the most part, the inflow of water in karst underground cracks. Over the years, the rare cases of digging a sea-lake canal have been a significant cause of the oligohaline estuarine wetlands nature of the water body. The publication aims to present current research on the structure of the lake bottom, the heart of the substrate and changes over the years, using data from a multi-beam echo sounder and sid...

The studies presented in this paper, were aimed at testing, in order to extend the applicability of the methodology for approaching biomonitoring methods to new domains of activity by using bioindicators. The proposed and applied methodology aimed to add new complex studies, some of that not previously used, combining macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical analyses of selected and exposed bioindicators compared to control bioindicators maintained under standardized conditions in the climate chamber. The change o...

Schools in many countries implement environmental education to different extents. School as an institution has a significant role in shaping pupil?s attitudes and behaviour towards nature and the environment. School's cooperation with a forest pedagogue is oriented towards the activities of forest pedagogy, the application of which to education in the conditions of Slovak schools represents one of the possibilities of forming pupils' relationship with nature and awareness of forestry. The aim of the research is to...

The increase in human population brings an increase in consumption, higher pressure in often limited space and growth of waste, particularly in communal environments. Out of the huge volume of communal waste, a portion is composed of biologically degradable and other waste, that could be recycled utilizing eco-friendly means - e.g. fungal activity. This includes plant waste from gardens, yards, parks, orchards and forests, or plant debris not utilized by other ecologically and economically useful means. In this co...