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The purpose of this research was to assess the degree of sediments contamination with heavy metals. In December 2013, 8 sediments samples were collected from several areas from Baia Mare. Each of the collected sediment samples was analyzed for pH, redox potential (ORP), electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and salinity with a portable multiparameter (WTW 3210i). In laboratory, using an ICP-OES, all the sediment samples were analyzed for iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and manganese (Mn).According to Romanian legislation the level of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn exceeded the maximum permissible limit (0.8 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, 85 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg).Heavy metals are not removed from aquatic ecosystem by self purification and they can accumulate in suspanded particulates and sediments, as a consequence they are a real threath for the human health and ecosystem via food chain accumulation.

The main purposes of the present study were: to investigate the physico-chemical parameters of several mineral springs from Buzău County and to classify the investigated waters in mineral water classes, according to national legislation. The analyzed parameters were: pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO) and turbidity. The water samples were collected during October 2014. Generally, the water samples proved to be slightly acidic to neutral, with high levels of TDS (37 7 – 1,271 mg/l). Some of the analyzed dissolved ions (carbonates, bromine and phosphate) were not detected in the analyzed waters. The major dissolved ions distribution is dominated by the presence of sodium (3.8 – 589.2 mg/l), calcium (36.5 – 126.3 mg/l), sulphates (60.3 – 412.2 mg/l) and bicarbonates (213.2 – 915 mg/l). Magnesium ranged between 9.9 – 40.6 mg/l, potassium between 8.7 – 45.2 mg/l, fluoride between 1.0 and 2.9 mg/l., nitrates between 6.4 and 108.9 mg/l and chlorine was between 9.1 and 211.8 mg/l. Some of the investigated water can be commercialized as sodic water, chlorine water, sulphate water and bicarbonate water.

The acid mine drainage (AMD) can be a major source of water and soil pollution. To evaluate the chemical composition of the AMD and its impact on surface waters, a total of 132 water samples, both surface and waste waters, were collected during four field campaigns in November 2018, December 2018, March 2019 and April 2019. There were also collected several samples from the tailing dam material and sediments from the rivers where acidic waters are discharged. The physico-chemical parameters (pH, redox potential, electrical conductivity, total dissolved salts and salinity) were measured by a portable multiparameter (WTW multi350i, Germany), while the dissolved ions (NO2-, NO3-, Br-, F-, Cl-, PO43-, SO42-, Li+, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+) were analysed by ion chromatography and the metal content (Cu, Zn, Fe, Cr, Cd, Ni, Pb) was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Most of the water samples had an acidic pH, with high electrical conductivity values (up to 9,360 μS/cm). The waters had a high level of SO42- (up to 8141.8 mg/l), Fe (up to 1,216.2 mg/l), Cu (up to 71.9 mg/l) and Zn (up to 61.98 mg/l). The tailing dam material was characterised by high levels of Fe (39.87 - 40.72 g/kg), Zn (81.3 - 241.1 mg/kg), Cu (343.5 - 942.3 mg/kg) and Pb (41.4 - 77.1 mg/kg). The analyses indicated the negative impact of AMD discharge in surface waters, which proved to have high levels of SO42- and heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Romania, there are rural areas where the access to safe drinking water sources is still an unsolved issue. The main objective of the present study was to assess the quality of several underground drinking water sources from two rural communities from Romania and to evaluate the suitability of using those water sources in drinking and agricultural purposes. The investigated parameters were: pH, redox potential (Eh), electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, dissolved ions (F-, Cl-, Br-, NO2-, NO3-, PO4-3, SO4-2, Li+, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+) and metals (Fe, Zn, Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb and Mn). The analyses indicated high levels of sulphates (up to 353.2 mg/l) in the wells from Cluj County and high concentrations of nitrates (up to 111.4 mg/l) and nitrites (up to 1.49 mg/l) in the wells from Bistrița-Năsăud County, these parameters frequently exceeded the safely limits imposed by national and international legislation. The levels of the other investigated parameters were generally below the maximum limits imposed by national and international legislation. Based on the sodium adsorption ratio, sodium percentage and magnesium adsorption ratio values, most of the investigated water sources can be safely used in agriculture purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tanning is the most important operation in leather processing, which turned the leather into a non-putrefying material. Tanning may be carried out with chromium salts (III) or with a variety of other tanning agents. In present days, tanning with chromium salts (III) is the most widely used technique in industrial processing of leather, almost 90 % of leather goods being processed by this method. Taking into account the fact that the wastes from the leather and fur industry are framed by Commission Decision 532/2000 under code 04 01 08 (non hazardous), this study aim's to analyze the leachability of total chromium from tanned and dyed leather waste originated from leather processing industries, in order to establish the environmental risks of them. Leachability tests, conductometric tests and determination of the refractive index were carried for three types of tanned leather waste (G-gray, Bn-brown, Bk-black), at different temperatures. The results shown that the values for the total chromium in leachate were higher than the maximum allowed concentration for the hazardous waste (MAC = 70 mg/kg). The leachability of total chromium increased at low temperatures (5-13°C) and at high temperatures (40-60°C). In Romania an important amount of tanned leather waste reaches the municipal landfills. These results indicate that the leather waste can be disposed only in special landfills for hazardous waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baia Mare region is one of the most polluted areas from our country due to extraction and processing of ores with high content of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and precious metals. The main objectives of the present study were: to assess the groundwater quality by determine the physico-chemical parameters values, dissolved ions and heavy metal concentration and to evaluate if those groundwater sources can be used for irrigation and drinking purposes by calculating 10 specific quality indexes. A total of 70 groundwater samples were collected from 14 private wells and springs from Baia Mare and surrounding areas (November 2013 and December 2013, June 2014, September 2014 and December 2014). In situ a portable multiparameter WTW Inolab 320i respectively a portable turbidimeter were used to determine the physico-chemical parameters like: pH, ORP, EC, TDS, DO, salinity and turbidity. The dissolved ions (Li+, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, F-, Cl-, Br-, NO2-, NO3-, PO4 3-, SO4 2-) were analysed in laboratory by using an ion chromatograph IC DIONEX 1500. An atomic absorption spectrometer ZEENIT 700 was used to determine the heavy metals concentrations like: Cd, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. After calculating the specific quality indexes (WQI, MI, HPI, PI, SAR, % Na, SSP, MH, MR and KR), the obtained results indicated that the majority of the investigated water sources are not recommended for drinking and most of them are suitable to be used only like irrigation waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 80 water samples were collected from several private wells (Sita Buzăului village - Covasna County) and public springs (Vatra Dornei area - Suceava County), during five sampling campaigns (November 2016, January - April 2017). The wells had a higher content of dissolved ions than the springs, while nickel was slightly higher in springs than in wells, due to the more acidic pH. The levels of the analyzed parameters were lower during January and February 2017 than in March 2017. Based on the water quality index, 75% of the investigated water sources can be classified as excellent quality status, 19% correspond to good status, while 6% have a poor water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper is a study of the water quality sampled from Brăteni Lake and the streams near the lake. The analysis targets the microbiology via DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing of DNA fragments and the chemistry through nitrate and ammonium determination. For the quantification of bacteria present in water samples, 3 culture media were used: R2A for oligotrophic microorganisms, Standard I as a complete medium and Burks for nitrogen fixing bacteria enrichment. The identified bacteria included, Pedobacter, Streptomyces, Bacillus, Flavobacterium and Sphingobacterium. Nitrate and ammonium had higher concentrations in one of the streams near the lake. The results highlighted a close link between land use and lake water quality, agricultural activity having a strong influence on water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims procurement and testing of ways using leather waste from tanneries, by incorporating them into a composite. This new material was subjected tests to determine leachability total chromium and lead in leather waste. Flow of production was as follows: grinding skin, placing the composite composition of a CRT glass waste to replace natural aggregates, own recipes, samples forming and demoulding. The new composite was then subjected to leachability test for total chromium and lead. The primary objective of this study was to achieve a composite material that can be used as material for the construction, in compliance with current standards of construction and environmental legislation. The proposed method of waste recovery skin is viable and beneficial to the environment and provides economic benefits by creating jobs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper represents an ample study on hazardous waste came from WEEE, namely CRT glass. The aim of this study was to obtain a composite structural material which would integrate CRT (cone) glass. The hereby study is structured and presented into three main parts: literature data, the experimental part and results interpretation and general conclusions. Chemical analyzes were made with Atomic Absorption Spectrometry method and the lead (Pb) leachability of the new material made was monitored. Also mechanical strength test were made using a Tehnotest device. Mechanical tests were conducted for resistance to compression and flexure of the material. For the new material were obtained good results and it can be viable both from metal leachability and mechanical resistance point of view. The obtained data and results show the possibility to incorporate hazardous waste into new composite materials and represent a foundation for further research and new directions to follow are opened for profound investigation in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about heavy metal concentrations in food products and their dietary intake are essential for assessing the health risk of local inhabitants. The main purposes of the present study were (1) to investigate the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd in several vegetables and fruits cultivated in Baia Mare mining area (Romania); (2) to assess the human health risk associated with the ingestion of contaminated vegetables and fruits by calculating the daily intake rate (DIR) and the target hazard quotient (THQ); and (3) to establish some recommendations on human diet in order to assure an improvement in food safety. The concentration order of heavy metals in the analyzed vegetable and fruit samples was Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd. The results showed the heavy metals are more likely to accumulate in vegetables (10.8-630.6 mg/kg dw for Zn, 1.4-196.6 mg/kg dw for Cu, 0.2-155.7 mg/kg dw for Pb, and 0.03-6.61 mg/kg dw for Cd) than in fruits (4.9-55.9 mg/kg dw for Zn, 1.9-24.7 mg/kg dw for Cu, 0.04-8.82 mg/kg dw for Pb, and 0.01-0.81 mg/kg dw for Cd). Parsley, kohlrabi, and lettuce proved to be high heavy metal accumulators. By calculating DIR and THQ, the data indicated that consumption of parsley, kohlrabi, and lettuce from the area on a regular basis may pose high potential health risks to local inhabitants, especially in the area located close to non-ferrous metallurgical plants (Romplumb SA and Cuprom SA) and close to Tăuții de Sus tailings ponds. The DIR for Zn (85.3-231.6 μg/day kg body weight) and Cu (25.0-44.6 μg/day kg body weight) were higher in rural areas, while for Pb (0.6-3.1 μg/day kg body weight) and Cd (0.22-0.82 μg/day kg body weight), the DIR were higher in urban areas, close to the non-ferrous metallurgical plants SC Romplumb SA and SC Cuprom SA. The THQ for Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd was higher than 5 for <1, <1, 12, and 6 % of samples which indicates that those consumers may experience major health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present research was to assess the ground water quality from nine private wells from Tarna Mare commune located in Satu Mare County. Tarna Mare the northernmost commune of Satu Mare County, it has a population of 3.774 inhabitants and a total surface of 44 km2. The commune is located along the Tarna Valley at the foothills of Oas Mountains. Tarna Mare background is rich in complex ores of non-ferrous metals (copper, lead, zinc, gold and silver). In order to evaluate the water quality, several physico-chemical parameters (pH, redox potential, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity and salinity) were investigated. The samples were collected in October, November, December 2015 and January 2016. The results showed that the waters were acidic having the pH between 4.7 and 7.52, considerably lower than the limit imposed by national legislation (between 6.5 and 9.5). The investigated wells proved to have a relatively high contented of dissolved salts, having the electrical conductivity between 83.6 μS/cm and 908 μS/cm and the salinity between 0 and 0.4 ‰. Regarding the cations concentrations (mg / L) those ranged between: 21.55 - 318.19 for Na+, 16.42 - 556.43 for Ca2+, 5.27 - 149.48 for Mg2+ and 5.7 - 481.83 for K+. Li+ and NH4 + were not detected in analyzed samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to determinate the groundwater quality from 17 wells, 3 natural springs and 3 samples from a local distribution network. The samples were taken from Nadas village, located in Crisul Repede village, Cluj County. The area has a topography that consists in a valley surrounded by hills (500 - 700 meters high). The main objective was to investigate physico-chemical parameters: pH, TDS, ORP, salinity and heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, Fe, Zn and Ni). Laboratory analyzes revealed that the waters sampled from well 7 exceeded the permissible limit imposed by US-EPA for TDS value (500 mg/L), wells 4 exceeded the salinity value imposed by US-EPA (0.2 ?), one well had a pH close to permissible limit (9.5), ORP had negative values (between -6.9 and - 143.5 mV), while the heavy metal content varied significantly, depending on the water sources and heavy metal type. Copper and cadmium were not detected in the analyzed water samples, but chromium had values between 1.36 - 40.21 µg/L, zinc between 11.19 -437.6 µg/L, iron increased levels in the wells samples from 10.77 µg/L to 99.90 µg/L, lead was identified in four wells (4.93 - 51.1 µg/L) and nickel ranged between 4.94 - 39.61 µg/L. Were registered significant differences between the water samples collected from wells, natural springs and water samples from the local distribution network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a strong relationship between drinking water contamination with heavy metals like Pb, Cd, Cu, Mo, Ni, or Cr and chronic diseases such as renal failure, liver cirrhosis, hair loss, and chronic anaemia. The present study evaluates the content of nickel, cadmium and manganese in thirteen private wells from four rural areas located in Baia Mare (NW Romania) metropolitan area. Based on the Ni, Cd and Mn concentration, the heavy metals daily intake rates were calculated for the female, male and children who use these water sources as drinking water supplies. The daily ingestion rate of Ni, due to water consumption, was considerably higher for the inhabitants from Tăuţii de Sus (0.38 . 0.96 μg/day/person), while the Cd (0.04 . 0.11 μg/day/person) and Mn (0.53 . 0.98 μg/day/person) ingestion was higher for the inhabitants from Bozânta Mare and Bozânta Micâ villages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the present study was to determinate the quality of well water by analyzing the presence of dissolved anions from several well water samples from a rural area. The samples were taken from Nadăş village, located in Crisul Repede village, Cluj County. At the beginning of the study there were 17 wells selected, but only 10 private wells have been chosen (W1, W3, W4, W5, W6, W7, W12, W13, W15, W16) for the analysis of dissolved anions content: F-, Cl-, NO3-, NO2-, PO4-3, SO4-2. The wells were selected according to the electrical conductivity (EC) values that ranged between 409 μS/cm (W12) and 1251 μS/cm (W4). EC was within the MPL (maximum permissible limit) set by national legislation which is 2500 μS/cm. In the water samples taken from W1, W5, W6, W7 nitrate exceeded the MPL (50 mg/ L according to the national legislation). In the water sample from W6 nitrite exceeded the MPL (0.5 mg/ L according to the national legislation). In the water sample from W1 sulphate exceeded the MPL (250 mg/ L according to the national legislation). The present study indicated that some of the investigated water sources may pose some health problems if the waters are used as drinking water, especially due to the high content of nitrate and nitrite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the European Union, the hazardous waste recycling has become a priority, as response at legal prohibition for landfilling of untreated WEEE. The economic and eco-efficient recycling methods acquire more and more interest from the industry. The Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) glass derived from Waste of Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) dismantle is known as hazardous waste, because of their heavy metals content, especially lead. For this type of waste, the authors have proposed in previous studies a green recycling method by embedding it in cement matrix. The purpose of this study is to obtain unconventional mortars with different ratio of CRT waste glass as substituent of natural aggregates, and to compare their mechanical strength with another original CRT composite one. The goal was to demonstrate the viability of the new CRT materials, obtained under the mortars EU Standard provisions, in order to enlarge the possibilities to recycle this type of waste. Mechanical tests and SEM analyses have been performed. The results showed that mechanical strength decreased with the increasing of CRT waste amounts; whereas the new original composite's mechanical properties are higher than the standard mortar. Nevertheless, the CRT "mortar" mechanical properties allow a comparison with plastering mortar even 100% of natural aggregates were substituted. This type of mortars represents an environmentally friendly option for WEEE recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ingestion of high levels of heavy metals through drinking water intake can lead to chronic diseases such as renal failure, liver cirrhosis and chronic anemia. The present study evaluates the lead content in thirteen private wells from four rural areas located in Baia Mare (NW Romania) metropolitan area. Based on the lead concentration, the daily intake rate of Pb was calculated for the female, male and children who use these water sources as drinking water supplies. The daily ingestion rate of lead due to water consumption was considerably higher for the inhabitants from Tăuţii de Sus (0.05 - 0.21 μg/day/person) than for the inhabitants from the other villages (<0.08 μg/day/person). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]