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Historical migration routes for anadromous sturgeons in the Danube River have been interrupted by transversal structures for hydropower use, from which the Iron Gates hydropower system represents the first significant barrier upstream Danube from the Black Sea. For the implementation of DALIA project, funded by Horizon Europe, the National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection Bucharest (INCDPM) carries out research and innovation activities that aim to provide a sustainable solution for ultrasonic tagged sturgeons to by-pass upstream and downstream the hydropower dams. The spatial and temporal parameters recorded during April 2024 for the behavior of 7 male and 2 female ultrasonic tagged sturgeon specimens was analyzed and incorporated in a decisional matrix that provided the value 4 to 1 for the male to female ratio. This result is taken into account in the design for the by-pass solutions to be implemented for the dams that will provide the restoration of the historical multisecular migration route for ultrasonic tagged sturgeon species.

The three wild anadromous sturgeon species currently present in the Black Sea and Lower Danube are in a critically endangered state. Their population has been consistently declining due to a combination of various factors, both caused by human activity and natural phenomena. These factors include unsustainable exploitation and poaching, hydro-technical projects aimed at improving navigation, water management, and energy production, pollution of essential habitats, and climate change. The EU Green Taxonomy is an essential framework that facilitates collaboration between researchers, communities, and the government to protect natural ecosystems and conserve biodiversity while promoting a sustainable and balanced socioeconomic environment. INCDPM Bucharest has developed a research agenda for environmental protection and biodiversity conservation based on the six main principles of the Green Taxonomy. This agenda focuses on 7 core themes that address the highest priorities in these areas and provide future scientific directions to achieve these goals.

In the context of the continuing decline of the species belonging to the order Acipenseriformes on a global level, the anadromous sturgeon species sturgeon species in the Lower Danube have been affected by a significant reduction in historical migration routes and fragmentation of breeding habitats. This paper presents the stages of the methodology for identifying areas that present a possible risk of interruption of sturgeon migration in correlation with satellite images and daily values for discharge/water level databases. In order to determine the two ranges of values that characterize the extreme phenomena (high/low flows), a hydrological statistical analysis was carried out for the most extensive period of time covered by recorded data (January 2011 – May 2023) in the hydrometric station located in Calarasi, Romania. Based on the 4524 values from the series of average daily discharge values, the discharge hydrograph, the empirical curve of insurance/exceedance probability and the frequency and duration curves using 200 m3/s discharge steps were determined and represented. Correlated with satellite imagery recorded during the determined time intervals with extreme phenomena, there were identified areas with possible risk for sturgeon species migration disruption.

Polypodium hydriforme is the only known parasite adapted to intra-cellular parasitism of sturgeon oocytes, thus affecting the delicate life balance of these endangered species. Aquatic ecosystems are often shaped by intricate interactions between various organisms, each playing a distinct role in the overall health and sustainability of the environment, parasites on the other hand pose no beneficial roles and are a threat especially for fragile or declining species. Sturgeons, which are endangered and ecologically important fish species, serve as hosts for this parasite during their crucial reproductive phase. The presence of Polypodium hydriforme in sturgeon eggs has prompted investigations into its effects on both the host’s reproductive success and the broader aquatic ecosystem. Stating the intricacies of this parasitic interaction is essential not only for unravelling its evolutive adaptations but also for ensuring the conservation of sturgeon populations and the preservation of aquatic biodiversity as a whole.

Wetlands are characterised by distinct hydrological regimes and have significant importance in the global carbon cycle, having the potential to reduce carbon emissions through long-term carbon storage in the soil. In this study, carbon dynamics were simulated using a process-based model DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC), for two locations along Dâmbovița River case study area. These scenarios took into consideration the interconnection of soil parameters, hydrology, meteorological conditions and vegetation type. The findings showed that soil CO2 emissions are positively and strongly correlated with air temperature and soil moisture, with changes in the water content of the soil regime having the greatest impact on CO2 fluxes. Also, the model simulations have been validated by statistical analysis of uncertainties with the values of CO2 fluxes measured in situ using the dynamic closed chamber method. By comparing DNDC outputs with field measurements, the performance of the model was evaluated in different environmental conditions and the results were consistent, which increased confidence in its application for assessing wetland ecosystems. These results contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the carbon cycle in wetlands and an improved estimation of the effects of climate change on the dynamics of carbon in these ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anadromous sturgeon species in the lower Danube are currently critically endangered and based on the studies of the INCDPM expert team and the 2022 report of IUCN-SSG (Sturgeon Specialist Group) it appears that the future prospects of these populations are unfavourable. This situation occurs mainly as a result of anthropogenic impacts, especially due to intensive fishing, poaching and hydrotechnical constructions (e.g.: dams, immersed obstacles such as the bottom sill on Bala Branch). The dams interrupted the historical spawning migration routes of these species and the bottom sill can interrupt them in the future. In this context, INCDPM has elaborated an innovative by pass solution for the Iron Gates I, based on the longterm monitoring of ultrasonically tagged sturgeons from the Black Sea to the Iron Gates. This article presents the methodology developed by INCDPM in order to ensure the implementation of the innovative by-pass solution with minimal risk of unseccesful restoration of the historical migration routes. The study aims to present the specific migration conditions and the actual routes, which have been determined by over a decade of in-situ monitoring of ultrasonically tagged specimens. Additionally, simulations of upstream migration will be conducted and GIS maps will be developed to present historical migratory routes, with consideration given to hydrodynamic conditions and climate change scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research was conducted within the framework of a broader investigation with the objective of identifying freshwater parasites and bacteria on national territory, with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of the relationships between parasites, hosts, and the environment, and to assess the potential detrimental effects of parasitic infestation on the conservation status of fish populations. Within this study, it was documented the first recordings of parasites Vorticella globularia and Epistylis sp. in the Romanian Petroleuciscus borysthenicus celensis fish species. A total of 42 specimens were collected from the Gurban River to study their infestation status, focusing on the skin, gills, and fins. From the samples analyzed, 16 specimens presented signs of infestation with five distinct parasite species (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Dactylogyrus vastator, Trichodina acuta, Vorticella globularia and Epistylis sp) and four bacterial strains (Aeromonas veronii, Shewanella putrefaciens, Aeromona hydrophila, and Citrobacter freundii). The results indicate that the skin is the organ most severely impacted by parasites and bacteria, followed by the gills. The fins, on the other hand, are the least susceptible to infection. Furthermore, the significant amount of parasitic infestation coupled with the high bacterial load of Aeromonas veronii indicates a plausible link between the two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most recent assessment (2008) of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species classified Romanichthys valsanicola as critically endangered (CR). In December 2022, an expert team from the National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection Bucharest investigated the presence of the species in historical locations and in other potential sites. The authors correlated public data to the actual habitat area to calculate the potential species density in relation to the specific territorial behavior. The ecological carrying capacity was represented by the consensus between the behavioral density limitations and the trophic limitations of the actual species potential habitat. Both trophic availability and populational density present encouragingly high values for the sculpin perch in the Valsan River, indicating that the natural habitat could host a considerably higher number of individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, plastic pollution has been brought more and more to the attention of scientists and the general public alike by the increasing number of studies regarding the insidious presence of microplastics in every aspect of human life and in the environment. Macroplastics and large microplastics have a clear direct impact on faunal health and conservation by clogging the digestive systems of affected individuals and even acting as promoters for the introduction and long-distance transport of potential invading species of algae and molluscs. However, the behaviour and the largely unknown long-term effects of microplastics and nanoplastics, which have the ability to break the intestinal barrier and become adsorbed into the circulatory system and tissues of key ecosystem species, may pose an even greater threat to biodiversity conservation. This paper aims to identify the presence of microplastics in two of the components of the Dâmbovi?a River, namely in the water column and in the sediment, in order to identify and later eliminate plastic waste pollution, which would have long-term positive effects for habitat and biodiversity. The collected samples were analysed in the laboratory, and the presence of microplastics was identified in all the water and sediment samples. Also, the abundance of identified microplastics was systematically higher in sediment samples than in water samples, with the highest identified level of microplastics being almost 90 mg/kg of wet sediment and 9 mg/L of water downstream of the municipal wastewater treatment plant. FTIR analysis showed a mix of PE, PP, and PET absorption bands, and the microscopic analysis of microplastic particles retained on micro-cellulose filters has been greatly hampered by the fact that many of the separated particles have irregular shapes, very small sizes, are transparent and colourless, and, for this reason, have been more difficult to identify and quantify. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to evaluate the results obtained by ultrasonic tagging of sturgeon species and to collect field data for the period 2019-2021. Thus, an analysis was made of the information collected from the beginning of the period and also will be presented the migration capacity of sturgeons in the area of hydrotechnical arrangements and the possibility of passing areas in different hydromorphodynamic conditions highlighted by collecting bathymetry data. This research aims to present the situation of sturgeon species tagged with ultrasonic transmitters since the beginning of the study, both in terms of evolution by species, their migration capacity in the area of hydrotechnical arrangements and the identification of potential swimming speeds taking into account the feeding and rest periods, respectively. At the same time, in addition to the results proposed in the study, an assessment was made of the pressures that may adversely affect the conservation status of sturgeon species and the proposed measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrotechnic works often generate aquatic ecosystem disturbances. Sometimes they are local and short-term, but sometimes they cause significant long-term impact that may be irreversible. The present paper aims to analyze the possible impact of the maintenance works performed on Bastroe channel fairway on the populations' dynamics of migratory anadromous fishes, sturgeon. The methodology implied sturgeon tagging and migration monitoring using ultrasonic telemetry technique during 2011-2014. The tags were inserted into the abdominal cavity through a simple surgical intervention, being set to transmit data related on swimming depth and water temperature towards receiver stations fixed on Chilia branch, upstream and downstream of Bastroe channel, Tulcea and Old Danube branches. The results showed that the distribution of the adult specimens during migration on Chilia and Tulcea branches was 53% - 47% (spring 2012/2014) and 31% - 69% in autumn 2013. A possible progressive warping of the Old Stambul and especially Musura branch, as well as an increase of the naval traffic on Bastroe channel will have major negative effects on upstream sturgeon migration for breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, dangerous industrial wastes are a main source of environmental pollution because they are stored and deposited improperly. Besides, dangerous industrial wastes could also be a source of secondary raw materials which are not well capitalized. This fact causes substantial losses of secondary raw materials and energy and it is explained by the lack of certain technologies of treatment, capitalization and final removal that are technically and economically sustainable. To identify the main types of dangerous industrial wastes generated in Romania and to group them in relation to their main component that renders them the feature of being dangerous, the 'List of wastes including dangerous waste', taken over and adapted in conformity with the European Catalogue of wastes, and presented in Annex 2 of Government Decision no. 856/2002 has been used. This paper analyses the following types of wastes: blast --furnace cinder, flue dust, coal sludge rich in CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, wollastonite which can be used to produce Portland cement clinker in order to reduce energetic consumption and CO2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]