AbstractThis paper reviews some practical aspects of the application of algal biomass for the biosorption of heavy metals from wastewater. The ability of different algal species to remove metals varies with algal group and morphology, with the speciation of specific metals and their competition with others in wastewater, and with environmental or process factors. The scattered literature on the uptake of heavy metals by both living and dead algal biomass - both macroalgae and immobilized microal...
Autori: Loredana Branza, Maria Gavrilescu, Matthew J. Dring
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25133

AbstractThe crystallization of ferrierite/ZSM-35 zeolite at 180 Âą 50C in the presence of ethylenediamine as a structure-directing agent from reaction mixtures containing various active NaOH/SiO2 ratios has been studied. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, TG/DTG/DSC analysis, nitrogen sorption measurements and temperature-programmed ammonia desorption were used to characterize the ferrierite/ZSM-35 solids. The XRD data reveal that the samples synthesized in optimized conditions are...
Autori: Ioana Droahna, Iuliean Asaftei, Nicolae Bilba
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25251

Abstract This paper presents the preliminary results of photocatalytic oxidation of humic acid from water using two types of catalysts, i.e., TiO2 and Ag-doped TiO2 modified zeolite (TMZ and Ag-TMZ). TMZ and Ag-TMZ, with zeolite granulation of 315-500 ?Źm was synthesized by sol-gel method, and the morphology and composition of the unmodified/modified zeolite were characterized by BET (Brunauer–Emmet–Teller) method, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dis...
Autori: Cornelia Ratiu, Carmen Lazau, Paula Sfirloaga, Corina Orha, Daniela Sonea, Stefan Novaconi, Florica Manea, Georgeta Burtica, Ioan Grozescu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25397

Abstract The use of fly ash (FA) in wastewater treatment received a lot of attention for the immobilization of heavy metal cations, mainly Cd2+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Cu2+. For an up-scalable wastewater treatment process, the substrate must have good adsorption efficiency and relatively constant behaviour. Modifying the fly ash surface can be a solution for reaching both goals. The use of FA for heavy metals removal, from wastewaters resulted in the dye finishing industry, faces a supplementary p...
Autori: Maria Visa, Anca Duta
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25471

Abstract The paper presents a comparative approach concerning the properties of TiO2 thin layers obtained via spray pyrolysis deposition (SPD) using hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers as additives. The influences of composition (X-ray diffraction), morphology (Atomic Force Mycroscopy, Contact angle) and optoelectric (electrical conductivity, absorption, band gap and photocurrent) properties on the photocatalytic activity of the layers were studied. ...
Autori: Alexandru Enesca, Luminita Andronic, Anca Duta
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25479

Abstract Macro-Defect-Free (MDF) cements are polymer-cement composites characterized by high value of flexural strength. Due to their thermal and electrical insulating properties, MDF cements could replace other insulators obtained by environmental non-friendlier technologies or being themselves toxic and non-biodegradable. MDF cements obtained by the use of an ecologic polymer (poly(vinyl alcohol)) shows high mechanical resistance in the initial state but also it’s dramatic decrease after ...
Autori: , Georgeta Moise, Hulusi Ozkul, Ozgur Ekincioglu, Catalin Croitoru
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25493

Abstract The paper presents the results obtained when using thin films (doctor blade) of titanium oxide powder (Degussa P25) and fly ashactivated with NaOH, for advanced treatment of complex waters resulted in the textile industry. There are studied the heavy metal(cadmium, copper) adsorption and the dyes (methyl orange and methylene blue) photo-degradation using these novel substrates.The thin films crystallinity (XRD), morphology and roughness (AFM) were evaluated and no significant changes...
Autori: Anca Duta, Luminita Andronic, Maria Visa
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25500

Abstract The paper presents the surfactant-assisted solvo-thermal route to synthesize nanoparticles of cerium oxide with different shape and morphology. The precursor was calcined at 400°C for 4 h in order to obtain CeO2 nanoparticles. The obtained samples were characterized by means of thermal analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. The UV-Vis analysis was used to study the optical properties. The morphologies and nano-structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and XRD. It...
Autori: Nicolae Apostolescu, Gabriela Carja, Gabriela Apostolescu, Elena Husanu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25541

Abstract Geopolymerization is a continuous developing field of research for utilizing solid waste and by-products. It provides a solution to many problems where hazardous residue has to be treated and stored under critical environmental conditions. Consumption of fly ash in the manufacture of geopolymer is an important strategy in making materials more environmentally friendly. Fly ash has been chosen as a base material in order to utilize this industrial waste. Previous researches have show...
Autori: Maria Harja, Marinela Bărbuţă, Maria Gavrilescu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25542

Abstract The aim of this work was to obtain ceria-based catalysts with improved oxidation properties by adding tin dioxide (5, 10 and 20 wt %) and using the co-precipitation method of preparation. The samples were characterized by BET, ESEM, and DRIFT spectroscopy. The activity of SnO2-CeO2 catalytic systems in CO oxidation was studied between room temperature to 673 K. It was found that the increase of SnO2 content obviously increases the low temperature CO conversion. However, at 673 K all ...
Autori: Tatiana Yuzhakova, , Monica Caldararu, Jozsef Kovacs, Anca Vasile, Georgeta Postole, Cristian Hornoiu, Endre Domokos
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25565

A series of sodium bentonites as raw material were prepared to the modified inorganic iron-nickel montmorillonites and organic composite montmorillonites. The structural characterization and morphology of the iron-nickel crosslinked modified bentonites were observed by means of IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy. The effects of the amount of bentonites, adsorption time and pH change on the adsorption of Cr(VI) have also been studied. The results indicated that the a...
Autori: Shao Hong, Cao Ninghttp://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25695

Abstract:Point of zero charge (PZC) is defined as the condition at which the surface charge density of a material equals to zero and, formost of the solids it is strongly pH dependent. The PZC can be controlled by tuning the solid surface properties (crystallinestructure, morphology) and by a proper environment control, thus it is important to evaluate the PZC for a certain type of material,in given working conditions, for enhancing the efficiency in the targeted application (e.g. layer by layer...
Autori: Laura Maria Bertus, Radu Adrian Carcel
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25721

Abstract:Hybrid nanocomposites may synergistically combine and enhance the properties of inorganic nanoparticles and organicmolecules.The objective of this paper is to examine particular nanocomposites films based on binary copolymers and inorganic TiO2nanoparticles from the structure and properties point of view. These nanoparticles were dispersed in maleic anhydride-styrene(MAS) copolymer by using elaidic acid, trans isomer of the oleic acid, as coupling agent in order to increase the compatib...
Autori: Alina Matei, Dana Perniu, Ileana Cernica, Irina Popescu, Lucia Dumitrescu, Vasilica Schiopu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25755

Abstract:Ash is a waste that can be an efficient substrate in wastewater treatment for the immobilization of heavy metals and for dyesremoval. For an up-scalable wastewater treatment process, efficient substrates, with relatively constant behavior are needed andmodifying the adsorbent surface can be a feasible solution. Fly ash, resulted from coal burning, and wood ash are mixtures mainlycontaining metal oxides and carbon in various proportion, depending on the initial raw material.The paper pre...
Autori: Maria Visa, Mihaela Nacu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25771

Newly prepared SnO2-CeO2 catalyst samples used as depollution catalysts were characterized applying low-temperature nitrogen adsorption (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetry (TG-dTG) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) methods. Pure SnO2 has higher surface area (17 m2/g) than the pure CeO2 (8 m2/g). Addition of organic tin oxide precursor to ceria in amount of 5 wt% slightly decreases the surface area of CeO2 (SSn5-Ce= 7 m2/g). The increase of tin oxide content to 10 and 20 wt...
Autori: , Anca Vasile, , Cristian Hornoiu, Jozsef Kovacs, Tatiana Yuzhakova, Veronica Bratan
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25875

AbstractPartial nitrification for the biological nitrogen removal (BNR) via nitrite has recently gained interest for treating high-strengthammonium wastewater with low organic matter content. However, stability of partial nitrification is still a challenge in activatedsludge system. In the present study, the technique of aerobic granulation was developed to produce granules for stable nitritation,treating ammonia-rich inorganic influent with 400 mg NH4+-N/L. The morphology, physical properties, ...
Autori: An-Jie Li, Xiang-Chun Quan, Xiao-Yan Li, Zhi-Feng Yang
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25947

AbstractFlood inundation modelling and flood risk mapping are primary cornerstones of flood risk assessment and management.Modelling activities generally assume that the morphology of the conveyance does not change, which certainly is not true foralluvial rivers. River bed elevations can quickly change during flood events. Flood water can induce different bed-forms (ripples,dunes, plain bed, etc.), which affects the flow resistance and as a result the flood water level. As a result integrating t...
Autori: Biswa Bhattacharya, Ioana Popescu, MdShamim Shams
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26016

AbstractWater quality is an inportant concern for the ecosystem state from a particular region. Since the continuous urban and economicdevelopment induces a negative impact on entire hydrological cycle, this study investigates the water quality of a Romanian lake,located in the Surduc area - Timis County. This perimeter has undergone significant economic development in the past twodecades due to increased tourism potential and the number of holiday residences.We proposed hybrid materias for the ...
Autori: Adina-Elena Segneanu, Cornelia Bandas, Florentina Cziple, Ioan Grozescu, Paula Sfîrloagă, Titus Slavici
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26040

Abstract According to the Water Frameword Directive the classification of water bodies environmental quality and the achievement of “good status” by 2015 are requested for all the European aquatic environment, including transitional waters such as coastal lagoons. Although progresses have been done and many results have been achieved, several aspects of the WFD implementation can be further improved and current limitations are more evident for some categories of water bodies such a...
Autori: Andrea Critto
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26103

AbstractInvestigations on thermochemical transformation of asbestos fibers followed by computer aided image analysis are presented.Asbestos Containing Wastes (ACW), notably asbestos-cement, were characterized before and after microwave heating withadditives aimed at reacting with and transforming asbestos fibers. Microprobe analysis helped determine the chemicalcompositions. X ray diffraction (XRD) was used to confirm decomposition of asbestos fibers during microwave heating. Electronparamagneti...
Autori: Yan Yvon
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26256

AbstractThe supply of building materials in the city of Kinshasa is one of the major challenges for sustainable development andespecially at this time when the authorities are committed to rebuild the country and to rehabilitate the basic infrastructure,mobilization and knowledge of these materials appears to be of paramount importance. In this context, the Kinshasa morphologywill change day by day because of the operations of construction materials extraction, to meet the needs of the populatio...
Autori: Holenu Holy Mangenda
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26428

AbstractThe thermal excess in a settlement compared to its rural environment is called urban heat island (UHI). It has a significant effecton human comfort in open urban spaces and indoor environment. UHI intensities (the thermal difference between the settlementand its close-to natural environment) are determined by buildup characteristics of settlements as static endowments and synopticweather conditions as dynamic factors. Effects of build-up characteristics are traced in the case of the city...
Autori: Sándor Szegedi
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26539

AbstractThe aim of this work is to study the valorisation of two regenerated low density polyethylene (LDPE) coming from dirty wastesby blending with polypropylene (PP) in presence of compatibilizer. The first step was the determination of the physico-chemicalproperties of the two regenerated samples (density, melt flow index, water absorption, melting temperature and oxidation index)and the mechanical properties (tensile and shore D hardness).The second step was the characterization of the phys...
Autori: Nabila Guerfi
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26565

Abstract Locally sourced clay from Kuala-Kangsar town in Perak state Malaysia was used in both its raw (RKKC) and modified (MKKC) form as adsorbents for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from synthetic textile wastewater in batch adsorption process. The raw clay was modified through H2SO4 acid treatment, Al(OH)3 ion exchange, calcinations and then molded into beads before freeze drying. The BET surface areas of RKKC and MKKC were 11 and 100 m2/g, respectively; their elemental analysis and ...
Autori: Manase Auta
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26717

Water scarcity, the degradation of freshwater resources, and wastewater pollution are reaching crisis levels, especially in arid regions of the world. The reuse of wastewater was investigated by using intermittent media infiltration (IMI) to evaluate fecal coliform (FC) removal efficiency. Twelve IMI columns were packed with soil and natural filtering materials (sand, zeolite, vermicompost and charcoal) at percentages of 25, 50 and 75. The municipal wastewater was treated for the FC analysis ...
Autori: Sasirot Khamkure
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26935

Urbanization and industrialization have led to the increase in impervious surfaces, the reduction of water seepage into soil and the increase of runoff discharges in urban areas. The overland flow may be carried over long distances along the streets and sidewalks depending on the land slope and morphology, while in lowland, water tends to accumulate in ponds. In this research, we aim to identify these ponds in the floodplain, slope and urbanized interfluves in Cluj-Napoca. The ponds outline t...
Autori: Ionel Haidu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27063

This paper reports the potential of rice husk waste biomass to remove copper (II) from simulated wastewater under different experimental conditions. For this, rice husk has been pre–treated by boiling, formaldehyde and concentrated sulphuric acid. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy dispersive analysis X–ray analyses were performed before and after adsorption, to explore number and position of the functional groups available for copper ...
Autori: Manjeet Bansal
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27095

This study presents the results obtained in tailoring thin films of alumina, deposited onto aluminium substrates by spray pyrolysis, at 250°C, using AlCl3 solutions (0.15M) in a water:ethanol (1:1) solvent mixture. As morphology controlling agents, acetylacetone and maleic acid based copolymers are added in the precursors’ solutions. The precursors’ systems are analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy and the surface morphology of alumina thin films is investigated by atomic force microscop...
Autori: Luminita Isac
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27291

The paper aims to present the sorption properties of two sorbent substrates (composts) prepared by aerobic fermentation from vegetables waste composted with beech sawdust (BR2) and beech ash (BC1) to be used for Cu2+ removal from wastewaters. The composts structures and surface properties were characterised in terms of active groups (FTIR), crystallinity (XRD), morphology (SEM), topography (AFM) and specific surface and pores analysis (BET), and the changes in properties after Cu2+ sorption were...
Autori: Ileana Manciulea
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27323

A low-cost magnetic zeolitic material was synthesized from coal fly ash by means of a new, simple method involving alkaline hydrothermal zeolitization of fly ash (FA) followed by low-intensity wet magnetic separation. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis was applied to characterize the composition, microstructure, and morphology of the material. The mineral and synthetic zeolite phases were identified by powder X-ray diffraction. The obtained magnetic zeolitic m...
Autori: Annie Shoumkova
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27486

An experimental design methodology was applied to study the copper removal from aqueous solutions by immobilized nanoscale Lentinus edodes. The effect of the various variables (biomass loading, initial metal ions concentration, PH, contact time, agitation speed and temperature) were studied in the batch experiment. The results showed that pH, contact time and agitation speed were the most significant variables on biosorption of copper ions determined by Minimum Run Equireplicated Res V Design...
Autori: Rong Chen
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27487

This study aims to obtain high performance cement under friendly environmental conditions, through the optimization of clinkerization process. The influence exerted by mineralizers i.e. fluoride (NaF, KF) or oxide (CuO, TiO2) on the Portland clinker characteristics and derived cement properties is presented in this experimental study. The presence of these additions in low concentration (i.e. 0.5-0.8 wt. %) permits the reduction of the burning temperature (with 20oC up to 70oC) of raw mix and mo...
Autori: Jenica Paceagiu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27500

Recently, the studies about vitamin B12 increased due to the high number of people who can develop vitamin B12 deficiency, namely: vegetarians, pregnant women or with vitamin B12 malabsorption. One solution to correct the low nutritional intake of vitamin B12 can be using food supplements or pharmaceuticals, based on the vitamin B12 microencapsulation. In the present research, the vitamin B12 microencapsulation and the controlled release of fresh and 4 months’ storage samples of vitamin B1...
Autori: Ioana C. Carlan
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27559

Electrochemical behaviour of YBaCo2O5 perovskite in alkaline solution was studied during oxygen insertion/release process. In correlation with electrochemical studies was analyzed the compound morphology and structure. Compound electrochemical oxidation consists in intercalation of oxygen atoms in crystalline structure, which is equivalent with a structure compaction. These results were correlated with the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of sample and also with SEM pictures. Compactio...
Autori: Mircea Dan
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27866

A study on the biodegradability of several formulations based on poly[vinyl alcohol] (PVA) and wood flour has been carried out. Basically, all formulations are based on PVA and wood flour, and the influence of starch, glycerol and/or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) incorporated in some of them was investigated. Biodegradation was performed by incubation of the composites with a selected Aspergillus niger strain able to act as an polymer biodegrading agent. The composites biodegradation was evaluated...
Autori: Luiza Jecu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27886

In this study, Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles with 2% Mg content were synthesized by sol-gel method. The structure and morphology of the nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, BET and UV-Vis absorbance techniques. From TEM image, it was found out that the nanoparticles had uniform size and uniform distribution. BET analysis revealed that in comparison with pure ZnO, Mg 2%/ZnO nanoparticles had a higher specific surface area. Based on UV-Vis absorbance analysis, Mg 2%/ZnO nanoparticles shifted t...
Autori: Nahide Zarei
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27909

Latest analysis regarding the climate change phenomenon arises issues related to air quality, human comfort within urban environments and an increased energy demand attributed to the building sector. The Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon is directly responsible for the poor quality of life in cities and for increased energy consumption. Characteristic features pertaining to a specific urban environment, such as local microclimatic conditions, urban morphology and anthropogenic heat release ...
Autori: Adriana Lucia Kadhim-Abid
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27913

The paper reports on the preparation of polysiloxane hydrophobized viscose-maghemite/goethite magnetic composite with properties appropriate for uses in oil spill sorption from polluted aqueous media. A multi-step procedure was employed to obtain the polymeric composite. The structures of the prepared samples and precursors were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), whereas their morphology was investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hydrophobic...
Autori: Răzvan Rotaru
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28008

The combustion behavior of several polymers was studied with a cone calorimeter, while the samples were based on a recycled acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS) and as additives were considered: organic montmorillonite (OMT) and a mixture of two fire retardants (FR). The samples structure and thermal properties are characterized by means of Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray Powder Diffraction(XRD) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and cone calorimeter. The main objective o...
Autori: Tudor Mihai Simionescu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28098

The research focuses on the assessment of the main agro-productive properties and the evolution of the mollic reddish (red-brown) preluvisol between the Jiu and Olt rivers, under the new conditions of soil formation and exploitation, created after radical transformations in Romanian agriculture, when most of the lands were passed from state to private ownership. The first comparative analysis of the properties of the soil that evolved on the terrains utilized for crop culture on farms and agrito...
Autori: Jenica Călina
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28128

In this work, the removal of methyl orange (MO) and Cd2+ by simultaneous adsorption on adsorbent obtained from modified charcoal (BCBH) coated with TiO2 has been studied. The synthesized materials obtained from wood branches were characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) for the roughness and SEM to determine the morphology of the surface. EDX spectroscopy indicates the presence of C, N, O, Na, K, P and Ti on the surface of the adsorbent materials. The micro-porosity and BET specific sur...
Autori: Nicoleta Popa
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28157

Impregnation of aluminium ion onto silica gel (SG) surface (Al/SG) is to increase the adsorption capacity of an anionic dye such as Indigo carmine (IC). The impregnation was carried out using wetness impregnation. The change of the functional group was evaluated by FTIR, crystallinity was determined using XRD, surface morphology were studied by SEM-EDX, while surface area and pore size using N2 gas adsorption-desorption analyzer. Meanwhile, the best of IC adsorption condition onto SG and Al/SG ...
Autori: Yudi Aris Sulistiyo
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28253