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The Apuseni Mountains have a particular geological structure which gives distinctive geothermal features. They are located between the well-developed geothermal zone of the Pannonian Basin, and the Transylvanian Basin, which is a cold zone. Little information is available in the literature about the geothermal systems from this region. The synthesis of the literature data, combined with our field measurements show there is significant geothermal potential in the area. The thermal water sources are located along a NW-SE alignment. During the field campaigns, the flow rates and temperatures of the water sources were measured. A total flow rate of about 33 l/s was calculated for the study area at an average temperature of about 34 °C. The total thermal energy released by these sources by comparison to the common groundwater is more than 100,000 GJ/year. This geothermal potential could be used as sustainable energy sources for different activities, as agriculture (fish farming, greenhouses), heating (residential and administrative buildings), tourism and balneotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the evaluation of schoolchildren from five primary schools (classes' I-IV), located in Alba County. The presented methodologies stand for thoracic and respirable particulate matter, carbon monoxide, -dioxide, temperature, relative humidity and ventilation rate. The measurements were done in three classrooms, and one exterior point. The five locations were Unirea, Aiud, Alba Iulia, Sebeş and Vinţu de Jos. This article is in consistent with the measurement protocol for indoor and outdoor of the SINPHONIE project (Schools Indoor Pollution and Health Observatory Network in Europe), for physical and chemical measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining is generally considered among the most pollutant industrial activities currently running. However, the modern society needs ever increasing quantities of raw mineral materials that can be extracted from the Earth's sub- and near-surface. As the easily accessible deposits are depleting, new ore bodies are approached, very often in conditions that are more difficult and with lower grades. The environmental issues are more and more taken into account when opening a new mine, and in many cases, new operations are being rejected by the local communities, due to the failure of complying with the current environmental standards. We have to admit that any mine has a significant impact on the environment, and part of the economic benefit should be used for the environmental restoration/reconstruction of the area, but also creating new economic opportunities for the local community in the post-closure period. Under such circumstances, the environmental monitoring and management are very important. The conventional approach generally consists in periodically performing field measurements in discrete points, taking samples and doing laboratory analysis. This procedure is time-, money- and resources-consuming, although the obtained data are not always reliable and reproducible, and the interpretation lacks relevance in many cases. An accurate and cost-effective monitoring system is essential in the management of the environmental issues in mining areas. A new approach is proposed by the EU-funded project ImpactMin, consisting in combining the satellite remote sensing, and aerial lightweight measurements with the ground sampling for developing new models of environmental monitoring in mining areas. Four test-sites were selected for calibrating and demonstrating the new toolset. Among the benefits of the new approach should be mentioned: a more accurate description of the current state of the environment and changes overtime; future developments in the evolution of the environment can be predicted; reduction of the probability of loss by natural/technological disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]