Search

The assessment of soil contamination in the vicinity of integrated siderurgical plants is of outmost importance for agroecosystems and human health, and sensitive techniques should be employed for accurate assessment of chemical elements (metals, potential toxic elements, rare earths, radioelements) in soil and further evaluation of potential ecological and safety risk. In this paper a total of 45 major, minor and trace elements (Al, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Eu, Fe, Hf, Hg, I, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nd, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Ti, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn and Zr) were quantified in soils located around a large siderurgical works (Galati, SE Romania) using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) in combination with X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). The statistical analysis results and vertical distribution patterns for three depths (0–5 cm, 5–20 cm, 20–30 cm) indicate inputs of toxic elements in the sites close to the ironmaking and steelmaking facilities and industrial wastes dumping site. For selected elements, a comparison with historical, legislated and world reported concentration values in soil was performed and depth migration, contamination and toxic risk indices were assessed. The distribution of major, rock forming elements was closer to the Upper Continental Crust (UCC), and to the Dobrogea loess, a finding confirmed by the ternary diagram of the incompatible trace elements Sc, La and Th, as well as by the La to Th rate. At the same time, the La/Th vs. Sc and Th/Sc vs. Zr/Sc bi-plots suggested a felsic origin and a weak recycling of soils' mineral components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article paper, leather from book cover and metal lock from an 18th century church book were studied. The book was printed during the time of Mihai Constantin Șuțu, with the blessing of the Metropolitan of Moldova, Iacov Stamati. The analytical method used to study the components and the methods of obtaining all the important parts was the non-destructive technique SEM-EDX. The results regarding the used paper showed typical intermeshed cellulose fibers. In the case of leather, due to its advanced state of degradation, it was impossible to determine the type of animal from which the skin was used. The elemental analyses (EDX) of the metal lock indicated that it was made of brass. The results of the study of 18th century parts of the book, gave important information about the way of paper manufacture, the conservation state of the cover and the way that the metal lock was made and the safe way to clean it in the restoration and conservation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cooperation between scientists and numismatics is needed because there is a practical requirement to extract all the information from materials in order to accomplish a complete research. In this paper several Romanian coins from early 20th century are analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive Xray spectroscopy (EDX) in order to determine the micro-chemical nature and structure in order to establish the conservation state and manufacturing method. The results indicated that the coins were authentic and for some cases mechanical evidences were presented, suggesting pre-heating before minting. Generally, the metallic samples were relatively well protect against the aggressive external factors but, due to the natural corrosion process, many corrosion products were formed on the metallic surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the environment at macroscopic level, it is necessary to begin the study from the microscopic level. If the problem is studied at molecular level the results will give a better view of the mobility and bioavailability of the contaminants that can be present in the soil. With Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) it can be achieved a study of observation of the soil grains, the bound between particles, the shape of the clays, giving general information about the morphological properties of the soil. EDX technique (Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy) gives qualitative information of the sample. SEM, in conjunction with EDX, represents an important first step in the study of soil pollution. Future investigations are needed in order to have a complete view of the pollution problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower Prut Meadow represents a natural park where it is expected that CE 92/43/EEC and CE 79/409/EEC directives should be respected, according to the conservation of the natural habitats such as species of flora and fauna, and the conservation of the bird species. Two types of factors, the geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor, were calculated and used to identify the level of soil pollution. Both factors indicated that the level of pollution in the Lower Prut River Meadow is found between unpolluted to slightly polluted class. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the analytical techniques of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Gas Chromatography with Electron Capture Detection (GC-ECD) and coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) are used in order to assess the level of industrial and agricultural pollution of soils. The soil samples were collected from Galati County, near an industrial plant and near cultivated areas. In this study, it is investigated the way in which the anthropic activities influence the quality of the environment, due to the contribution of inorganic and organic elements enrichments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]