Abstract The analysis over the underground water monitoring system and the collected data from survey drilling show that the underground water has an unsatisfactory quality due to some physical and chemical characteristics. Along with these, factors like the surface water pollution, the hydrodynamic exchange between surface and underground waters and the reintroduction in the agricultural activities of nitrates and phosphorus based fertilizers lowers, as well, the quality that it has been tal...
Autori: Ioan Crăciun, Catrinel-Raluca Giurma-Handley, Ion Giurma
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25436

Abstract Finding solutions to the waste problems generated by human activity represents a high concern of authorities and environment specialists for many years. Furthermore, energy conservation and reduction of the dependency from fossil fuels represents a top priority of governmental organizations at world level. The developments in alcohol industry have resulted in the increase of wastewaters which are highly polluted with organic substances, causing environmental pollution hazards. A wide...
Autori: Carmen Mateescu, Ionel Constantinescu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25626

Abstract Equilibrium and kinetics of sorption of Zn (II) ions from aqueous solutions of pH 5 on indigene (Romanian) peat moss were investigated in batch system. The experimental equilibrium sorption data at three temperatures were analysed by Freundlich, Langmuir, Tempkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich sorption isotherm models. Results indicate the following order in to fit the isotherm equations: Langmuir > Tempkin > Dubinin-Radushkevich > Freundlich. The equilibrium sorption capacity determine...
Autori: Angelica Kicsi, Doina Bilba, Matei Macoveanu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25632

The removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous solutions by sphagnum peat moss was investigated in batch experiments as a function of solution pH and initial Cr (VI) concentration. The highest removal percentage (R=99%) was obtained at pH = 1, in solutions of 20.8 mg Cr (VI)/L. In order to establish the mechanism of the removal process, Cr (VI) and total Cr (Cr (VI) + Cr (III)) in residual solutions was analyzed. The Cr (VI) removal by the peat moss at low pH is governed by two processes – electrostatic ...
Autori: Catalin Balan, Doina Bilba, Irina Volf, Matei Macoveanu, Petru Bulai
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25849

This paper presents original studies about the influence of mineral and/or organic fertilization on the minerals contents (P, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni and Pb) in leguminous plants from permanent grassland situated in a hill area of Banat County. Determination of minerals in grassland is very important both for the nutritional or toxic effects of these elements and their compounds, in the plants, animals and environment. Phosphorous was analyzed colorimetric and all the others metals hav...
Autori: Alexandru Moisuc, Iosif Gergen, Monica Harmanescu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25858

Quantification of the floristic matrix is important both for animal’s nutrition and for the biodiversity monitoring of plants species under the influences of substance flow. Our researches have the main aim to study the possibilities offered by Infrared Spectroscopy in rapid, unpolluted and non-destructive analysis of floristic matrix modification from perennial grassland fertilized with organic and/or mineral fertilizers. It was performed three different FTIR models: for Poaceae (R2=0.949; RM...
Autori: Iosif Gergen, Moisuc Alexandru, Monica Harmanescu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25892

AbstractPresent study deals with a technology that reduces the cadmium(Cd) availability to the leafy vegetable Amaranthus caudatusfrom Cd contaminated soil (6 μg Cd g-1soil), amended with farmyard manure FYM, FYM+NPK and agricultural wastes (ricehusk; RH and saw dust; SD) at different doses (0.5 %, 2 %, 5 % and 10 %). Among all the doses 5 % was found to the best foreach amendment showing maximum reduction in phytoavailability of Cd hence better vegetable yield. At this dose the reductionin...
Autori: Anita Singh
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26228

AbstractIn our study, we examined the annual carbon footprint and energy balance of a Hungarian biogas power plant with a poweroutput of 0.637 MW in 2013, with reference to the complete life cycle of the biogas production. The life cycle analysis (LCA)considered the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) during the production of feedstock and its transportation into the powerplant, during the operation of the factory and during the process of rendering the discarded waste materials harmless. Weesta...
Autori: György Szabó
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26548

Abstract Biodegradable chitosan was used to cover fertilizer granules with an inert, impermeable layer in order to obtain a material with controlled release properties. The process was performed in a laboratory drum granulator. Prepared materials were characterized with available analytical methods (XRD, optical microscopy). The layer thickness of the obtained materials was in the range of 0.047 – 0.5425 mm. The degree of nutrients' release (0.64-0.965 within five hours) were deter...
Autori: Krzysztof Lubkowski
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26583

Abstract It has been recently shown that acid activation enhances the ability of zeolitic tuffs to bind weak organic bases. More specifically, tuff containing acid-resistant zeolites (i.e. clinoptilolite) exhibits higher sorption capacity than chabazite/phillipsite-rich tuff. Based on the above considerations, we investigated in depth the adsorption behaviour of two pesticides onto acid-activated clinoptilolitic tuff under different experimental conditions. The pesticides simazine and boscal...
Autori: Stefano Salvestrini
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26791

Abstract The possibility to use release controlled fertilizers in the agriculture of the tropical countries is more important than in the agriculture of the countries of the cold regions. In this context, the purpose of this work is the characterization of an encapsulated commercial Fertilizer of Controlled Release named FERLENT®, which was covered with a polymeric material, obtained in situ, under controlled conditions, which allowed to corroborate the fairly well adjustment of the synt...
Autori: Mayra González Hurtado
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26916

Abstract Water is one of the most important resources for sustainable development and human life. To meet future water needs, water resources and drinking water watersheds (DWWs) should be placed under protection using efficient methods. The spatial planning and spatial data has an important role in sustainable DWW management. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is extensively used for spatial data production effectively based on spatial planning. The use of large-extended data, the analy...
Autori: Recep Nisanci
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26917

To explore the main sources and pathways of heavy metals entering fruits and the corresponding countermeasures, a field survey was conducted in Pujiang County, Zhejiang Province, China. The results showed that heavy metals in fruits came mainly from the use of foliar fertilizers, ripening agents, fungicides, pesticides, and other sprayed materials during the flowering and ripening stages. Therefore, a government program should be established to improve monitoring of agricultural products ente...
Autori: Bin Fang
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26955

The application of chemical fertilizers and fungicides is an important source of heavy metals into the agricultural soil. Leaching and weathering can facilitate the transport of the contaminants through soil to the groundwater. In most rural areas, groundwater is used for drinking and irrigation purposes, without any treatment, population being exposed to direct contamination. The study area in this paper, Arjaat Village from Rabat Salé Zemour Zaer Region of Morocco, matches into this ...
Autori: François Xavier Nshimiyimana
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26980

Three different winter wheat production systems for three European countries (United Kingdom, France and Italy), all with different climatic conditions, soil management and input levels (e.g. tillage, fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides) were analysed from an environmental perspective. The intended applications were the analysis and comparison from a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) perspective and the identification of the key parameters which have the greatest influence on final results. The ...
Autori: Daniele Cambria
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27102

In order to improve the soil fertility, several eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cultivation practices have been proposed. The use of biofertilizers, such as rhizobacteria with different plant growth promoting properties is an environmentally-friendly option to achieve sustainability in agriculture. In this context, two bacterial strains (Bacillus pumilus R3 and Pseudomonas lini R7) isolated from the rhizosphere of runner bean plants were assessed for their plant growth promoting abil...
Autori: Gabriela Mihalache
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27108

Intensive agriculture has become an indispensable practice because it has to meet the needs of increasingly large yields to feed the population of the planet. In recent years, tough challenges to increase the efficiency of bioconversion were performed, since the conventional system has negative impacts on the environment, especially on health products by low intake in nutrients. In this context, the aim of this study is to show the effects of fertilization measures, which improve the quality ...
Autori: Daniela Cristina Dimitriu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27110

Water quality is a very important aspect in the perspective of durable, urban and rural development. At European level, several directives were implemented, with the purpose of regulating the degree of pollution for water sources. Both surface and underground water resources in Romania are being affected by pollutants, such as nitrites, phosphorus, generated through irrational usage of chemical fertilizers, but also through the discharge of urban waste water directly into river courses. The spat...
Autori: Andrei Enea
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27280

Biofuels and biochemicals are currently centre stage in the on-going scientific and political debate. The prevalent opinion is that their use can significantly reduce the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions and primary energy demand along their whole value chain. This study aims at evaluating the environmental impact in terms of GHGs related to carbon dioxide (CO2) of secondgeneration sugars (2GSs) production from cardoon residual biomass. Cardoon is a favourable crop in Mediterranean areas for...
Autori: Maria Teresa Petrone
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27413

The use of activated carbon as filter media for water has gained research attractions over the years. A comparison study of granular activated carbon (GAC) of extracted palm fruit fibres (EPF), palm kernel shell (PKS) with existing filter material (EFM) commercially produced activated carbon for water filtration has been conducted. Palm kernel shells and extracted palm fruit fibres from palm oil mill wastes were processed to form activated carbon by chemical activation process. Scanning Elect...
Autori: Jamaliah Idris
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27498

The present study aims to compare the efficiency of a single extraction and a 3-stage cross-current extraction of PAHs from both lowly contaminated (LC) and highly contaminated (HC) sands using palm kernel and soybean oils (PKO, SO). It is observed that 3-stage cross-current extractions increase the total efficiencies compared to single extractions by 18.7–22.7% and 27.2–30.6% for LC and HC sands, respectively. Maximum efficiencies of 94.3% and 98.4% are obtained for phenanthrene (PH...
Autori: Ee Von Lau
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27530

It is acknowledged that organic fertilizers and wastes, such as animal slurries/manure from intensive farm enterprise, sewage sludge, poultry litter are and will continue to be spread on agricultural land and provide beneficial nutrients to crops. However, many of these materials which are also potentially polluting if not properly managed can pose a risk to groundwater and surface water quality. Generally, their distribution on the soil is performed with specialized machines to reduce the risk...
Autori: Vasilica Ştefan
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27545

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) colonize rhizosphere and enhance growth in crop plants, by producing various regulatory substances. Since PGPR employ diverse array of mechanisms and exact mechanism and role are still to be established. Therefor experiment was designed 1) to identify and 2) to select potential rhizobacterial strains based on their impact on the growth, physiological and enzymatic activities of rice. A CRD pot experiment with six PGPR isolates; two containing only ACC-...
Autori: Waseem Hassan
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27587

A new low-cost activated carbon was developed from kiwi peel for removing Pb(II) from aqueous solution. The adsorbent characteristics were determined by different analyses such as BET, FTIR and SEM. The adsorbent demonstrated remarkable characteristics such as high surface area (306.18 m2.g-1) and large total pore volume (0.4810 cm3.g-1). The effect of pH, contact time, initial concentration, shaking rate and adsorbent dosage on the Pb removal efficiency was investigated. It was found that the o...
Autori: Mostafa Rahimnejad
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27605

The main objective of this research was to evaluate the environmental impact generated by municipal solid waste during its collection, transportation, treatment and processing in the south-west region of the department of Norte de Santander, Colombia, by means of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Three strategies for waste management were considered: the current baseline situation, wherein 100% solid waste was taken to the landfill; plus, an optimistic and a pessimistic scenario in which solid was...
Autori: Oscar Orlando Ortiz-Rodriguez
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27665

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of meat and bone meal (MBM) applied as organic fertilizer on the quality of groundwater in arable fields. The effect of meat and bone meal fertilizer applied at rates of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 t ha-1 was compared with no fertilization, mineral fertilization, and manure fertilization (10 t ha-1). Groundwater samples for chemical analyses were collected every month during the growing season using piezometers installed in the ...
Autori: Arkadiusz Stępień
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27742

Our research aims to establish the influence of Osmocote®Pro fertilizer on ornamental characteristics, photosynthetic pigments content, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities for Lillium regale species. The tests were organized in four variants, each with three replicates, each replicate consisting of 10 bulbs. The growth of plants in the four experimental variants was achieved without fertilization in case of the control variant (M) and under fertilization conditions with Osmocot...
Autori: Maria Brînză
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28005

Since the middle of the past century, when the synthetic fibers began their rise, wool has steadily lost importance in the textile sector, and now is a marginal fiber on the textiles market. Great amounts of non-marketed raw wool have turned from an income source for sheep farmers into a problematic waste, which is, at best, burn or landfill. With increasing interest for sustainable use of natural resources, wool was reconsider as an underrated, underused renewable resource, worthy of a bette...
Autori: Hossein Rajabinejad
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28031

Techniques such as composting, a controlled process of decomposition of organic materials, have become fundamental to minimize the problems associated with the organic fraction of urban solid waste, as the potential to cause damage to public health, the environment and, consequently, to economic and administrative aspects can be related to this kind of waste. Microbial activity is also highlighted as a relevant factor since the microorganisms are fundamental in the degradation of organic matter...
Autori: Priscila da Costa
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28222

The aim of this study is to design and characterize a new controlled release fertilizers category by using valorization of residues from agri-food, industrial and post consumers activities normally allocated into landfill disposal. The underlying strategy in materials research fully agreed with the circular economy perspective and the more recent European legislation about critical raw materials recovering. This study covers the development of lightweight aggregates, based on a local red clay (k...
Autori: Silvia Barbi
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28286

The steady increase in separate waste collection has highlighted the urgent need to adequately deal not only with urban waste (differentiated and undifferentiated) but also with special waste produced by separate waste collection and recycling processes. Source collected municipal solid waste produces different waste streams. One of this is the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). This fraction is central for circular economy, since it can be further transformed in order to recove...
Autori: Ivana Moscato
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28302

Citrus is one of the most important fruit tree crops worldwide, with respect to both total production and economic value. About 80% of the world production is destined to the fresh market, the remaining is processed to obtain various products (juices, jams, etc.). Citrus processing residues account for about 50-60% of processed fruits; their huge amounts and peculiar characteristics need a correct management that imply cost for producers and processors. If not well managed, they can represent an...
Autori: Paola Sangiorgio
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28309