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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 purpose of this study was to evaluate the drinking water sources quality from Mediaş Town, Sibiu County. In November 2013, 6 water samples were taken from different drinking water sources and each water sample was analysed to determinate physico-chemical parameters (using a portable multiparameter WTW 320i major ions (using DIONEX ICS1500 ion chromatograph and heavy metals (using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer model ZENIT 700 Analytik Jena). The investigated physico-chemical parameters were: temperature, salinity, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total dissolved solids (TDS) and redox potential (ORP). The analysed major ions were: lithium (Li+), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), magnesium (Mg2+), calcium (Ca2+), fluoride( F-), chloride (Cl-), bromide (Br-), nitrite (NO2-), nitrate (NO3-), phosphate (PO43- ) and sulphate (SO42-). The investigated heavy metals were: lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cooper (Cu), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) and arsenic (As). The Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated using the analysed water quality parameters and it ranged from 76 (very poor water quality) to 375 (unsuitable for drinking).

Zăpodie stream is subjected to pollution with organic matter, nutrients, heavy metals, due to leakage and seepage of leachate from landfill platform in Cluj-Napoca. For determining the quality of the Zăpodie stream we analyzed several physico-chemical indicators such as pH, TDS, EC, ORP and salinity during January-May 2012. Furthermore, we performed a physico-chemical analysis of the leachate so we can correlate with qualitative results obtained for Zăpodie stream. In addition we also measured the leachate concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cd, cations (Na²+, Ca²+, Mg²+) and anions (SO4²-, Cl-, PO43-). Ramp leakage exceeded the MAC (maximal admitted concentration) mentioned in NTPA 001/2005 and HG 352/2005 for Ca²+ and SO4²- and both can cause a possible pollution of mineral nature. For the case of heavy metals, Zn exceeded the values set by NTPA 001/2005. A biological analysis of stream water was also performed in order to monitor the activity and biological load in a polluted environment. After analysis we detected a water pollution indicator species, namely UNIRAMIA-insects: Chironomus.

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]

This paper presents a comprehensive study regarding the pollution of the groundwater, in a rural area. Drinking water samples have been collected from ten wells from Cotu-Vameş village, Neamţ County for two years (2011 and 2013). These drinking water samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), ammonium (NH4+), nitrite (NO2-), nitrate (NO3-), chloride (Cl-), color, smell, oxidability, turbidity, coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, enterococci and total number of germs. Three of the wells had a large number of coliform bacteria over the maximum permissible values according to the Romanian legislation for drinking water (LAW 311/2004; 458/2002). Water quality index (WQI) was calculated in order to evaluate the overall quality of groundwater and its values ranged between 22 (excellent quality) and 84 (very poor quality). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As air quality becomes increasingly deteriorated in world-wide cities, air quality monitoring has extended beyond the criteria pollutants (CO, SO2, NOx, O3 and PM) in order to include several toxic air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the present study it was investigated the presence of 29 VOCs and PM including PM2.5, PM2.5-10 and PM>10 fractions, in an urban area from Romania. The total VOCs was higher in the urban area (176.72 - 192.54 µg/m³) than in the rural area (131.58 µg/m³). The dominant VOCs from the rural area were terpenes (23.0%), esters (21.5%) and aliphatic hydrocarbons (21.1%), while in the urban area the dominant VOCs were aldehydes/ketones (23.5 - 30.8%), aliphatic hydrocarbons (25.2 - 28.6%) and aromatic hydrocarbons (15.8 - 16.8%). The BTEX level ranged between 21.23 - 27.15 µg/m³. The level of PMtotal was higher, almost triple, in the urban area (21.2 - 320.5 µg/m³) than in the rural area (29.2 - 117.3 µg/m³), reflecting the general level of urbanization. In the rural area the fine particles (PM2.5) was the dominating fraction (91%), while in the high traffic urban area, the coarse particles (PM2.5-10) was the dominating fraction (44%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates how the anthropogenic activities influence the Somesul Mic River water quality. A total of 194 water samples were collected from various sites along Somesul Mic River course, inside Cluj Napoca town, for seven months (November 2012 - May 2013). The physicochemical parameters such as: temperature, pH, redox potential (ORP), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, electrical conductivity (EC), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sodium (Na+), ammonium (NH4+), potassium (K+), lithium (Li+), fluoride (F-), chloride (Cl-), nitrite (NO2-), bromide (Br-), nitrate (NO3-), phosphate (PO43-) and sulfate (SO42-) were determined. In order to assess the Somesul Mic River water quality we had calculated the water quality index (WQI) which had the values between 25 (excellent) and 128 (unsuitable for drinking). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Iranian decision to go nuclear was not a surprise for the US, since it sponsored its advent in the 1950s under the Shah. What was surprising for Washington and for the world, was the Iranian ability to secure the secrecy of the program; the more so since the covertness continues into nowadays, as well. The true power of the Iranian regime is its ability to conceal its intentions and its acts; the United States does see beyond them but is increasingly pressured and awake in front of the increasing Iranian threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rural population from Romania is dealing even today with the absence of access to a sure drinking water source. Therefore in 2002 only 65% of the Romanian population had access to drinking water, distributed in 90% from the urban environment and 33% from the rural one (www.recensamant2002.ro). This work presents a case study referring to a 3 month (April-May-June 2011) monitoring of weekly samples of the quality of well water (10 samples) from Tureni village, Cluj County. A portable multiparameter model WTW 720 Germany was used to measure the pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), temperature, oxidation-reduction potential and salinity of the collected water samples (these tests were done on site). In laboratory, using the photometric method (RQ Flex instrument, Merck) we determined : Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42-, Cl- and NO3- (C. Nertan et C. Rosu, 2008). The analyzed well water samples have values over the legally admitted limits by the Romanian legislation for the drinking waters (L 458/2002) in the calcium cation, the nitrate and sulfate anion, but also in the global parameters: salinity and TDS . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using lab experiments, the heavy metal tolerance of young ectomycorrhizal trees was assessed in two axenic systems, co-cultures on germination medium and a sandwich technique system with Modified Melin-Nokrans medium. Sterilized seeds of the tree species Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) were inoculated with the ectomycorrhizal fungi Paxillus involutus and/or Tricholoma vaccinum in media containing either 10 mM CsCl or 0.25 mM CdCl2. The behavior of the seedlings and young trees was investigated over a period of eight weeks. The young mycorrhizal trees showed an increased biomass in comparison to non-mycorrhizal trees. The heavy metals induced stress was visible in reduced germination capacity, reddish colored, instable stems, reduced growth and increased lethality during the first six weeks of growth which was clearly relieved in mycorrhizal association. The results may be important for remediation actions and re-forestation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of 500 water samples collected from various sites of Tarnava Mare River, between Medias and Copsa Mica were analyzed, during three years (2010-2012). The physicochemical parameters like: temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sodium (Na+), lead (Pb2+), chloride (Cl-), sulfate (SO42-), ammonium (NH4+), nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-) were determined. The results were compared with the standards prescribed by WHO (2003) and Romanian Water Law (2004). It was found that the water samples collected from various sites were contaminated with chloride, nitrate and nitrite. Since health, plant and animal life can be affected, the system needs to be monitored and improved in terms of water quality, based on appropriate measures and rehabilitation options, to make it good for uses. In particular, the industrial units along the river need to improve their technology and implement cleaner production methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for the analysis of several carbonyl compounds in air samples. The air samples were collected using a passive sampling method and cartridges based on florisil impregnated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH). After derivatization the carbonyl compounds were analyzed by liquid chromatography technique coupled with UV detection. The developed RP-HPLC method was used to analyze eight carbonyl compounds in air samples collected from the indoor environment of a faculty building located in Cluj-Napoca. The analyses results indicated the presence of three carbonyl compounds: propionaldehyde (2.65-3.14 µg/m³), acetaldehyde (10.45-26.91 µg/m³), and acetone (44.96-89.88 µg/m³). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a passive sampling method for formaldehyde determination in air samples is described. The method is based on the derivatization of formaldehyde with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, followed by liquid chromatography coupled to UV-Vis detection analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of indoor air quality by passive sampling of NO2 and O3 in schools of Alba County. Romania. This study is performed within the project "SINPHONIE - Schools Indoor Pollution and Health: Observatory Network in Europe, 2010-2012. For this study, in Romania were chosen five schools from Alba County. This study is important because approximately 20 % percent of the population spend their days in schools. Students are at greater risk because of the hours spent in school facilities and because these are especially susceptible to pollutants. Sampling is done using Radiello cartridges, these will be exposed for a period of five days in three classes during which students operate and in parallel will make a sampling in the schoolyard. The monitoring period is identical to each school. After the cartridges have been exposed will be analyzed in the laboratories of the Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering. The analysis of NO2 and O3 are made with UV-VIZ spectrophotometer. This study aims to regulate indoor air quality in schools. [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]

The paper presents the sampling procedure of indoor dust for analyses of biological indoor contaminants in five schools in Alba county, Romania, included in the SINPHONIE (Schools Indoor Pollution and Health: Observatory Network in Europe) Project study. The SINPHONIE project is a complex research project covering the areas of health, environment, transport and climate change, aiming to improve air quality in schools and kindergartens. The sampling was performed during heating season, and consisted in three types of sampling procedures: sock sampling, EDC sampling and ALK sampling. The results of the sampling campaign and analyses will set the basis for a comprehensive risk assessment regarding the impact of indoor air quality in classrooms on children's health and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]