ISSN 2285-6064, ISSN CD-ROM 2285-6072, ISSN-L 2285-6064, Online ISSN 2393-5138
 

Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Andreea DOROFTE, Ira-Adeline SIMIONOV, Ștefan-Mihai PETREA, Cătălin PLATON, Puiu-Lucian GEORGESCU, Cătălina ITICESCU

The production of plastics in the context of global warming contributes to water pollution by microplastic particles. Consequently, a shift towards sustainable practices in the field of plastic production is crucial. This paper aims to address the main concerns related to plastic and microplastic pollution and to identify environmentally sustainable strategies applied in the production sector. A particular focus is placed on biodegradable, eco-friendly materials as alternatives to conventional plastics, with an emphasis on their environmental impact. For example, food waste has emerged as a promising alternative for plastic packaging production, offering a sustainable solution, valorization of by-products, and mitigating environmental impacts. The paper also focuses on the potential of using waste to create biodegradable materials, highlighting the importance of a zero-waste approach to enhance the economic value of by-products, while promoting a cleaner environment and waste management presented in environmental contexts. Through its comparative analysis, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of waste management and supports the advancement of a sustainable circular economy.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Paul SESTRAS, Ioana POP, Florica MATEI, Catalin-Stefanel SABOU, Simion BRUMA, Silvia CHIOREAN, Elemer Emanuel SUBA, Mircea NAP, Iulia COROIAN, Jutka DEAK, Tudor SALAGEAN

In recent years, Romania has experienced an increasing frequency and intensity of severe storms, driven by climate change and resulting in amplified weather-related risks such as heavy rainfall, windstorms, and flash flooding. To enhance regional preparedness and support risk mitigation, this study proposes a GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making framework using the Analytic Hierarchy Process to identify optimal locations for severe storm refuges in Cluj County, Romania. Seven spatial factors were selected, consisting of elevation, slope, land use/land cover, population density, and proximity to roads, rivers, and healthcare facilities. Each factor was reclassified and weighted based on expert input and AHP pairwise comparisons, followed by a weighted overlay analysis in ArcGIS. The final suitability map categorizes the county into five classes: not suitable, less suitable, moderately suitable, suitable, and highly suitable. Results indicate that 68.67% of the total area (4569.5 km2) is moderately suitable, while only 0.07% (4.3 km2) is classified as highly suitable for refuge development. The most favourable areas are found near Cluj-Napoca, due to optimal elevation, gentle slopes, built-up and vegetated land cover, and high accessibility to infrastructure and services. This spatial approach offers a replicable model for enhancing disaster resilience in storm-affected regions of Eastern Europe.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Mădălina CĂLMUC, Valentina Andreea CĂLMUC, Nina Nicoleta LAZĂR, Marius IVANOV, Puiu-Lucian GEORGESCU, Cătălina ITICESCU

Although the presence of microplastics in the oceans was first reported in the 1970s, the first studies on lakes were published in 2011. This pioneering study aims to determine the presence of microplastics in the Somova-Parches lacustrine complex, situated in the predeltaic territory of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) was also calculated to assess the microplastic pollution level in water. The microplastics concentrations in the water of the 6 investigated lakes varied in the 0.15 - 0.65 particles·m-3 range. The PLI index values indicated a low level of microplastic pollution (level 1). The results of the micro-FTIR analyses highlighted the predominant presence of polyethylene and polypropylene polymers in the composition of the collected microplastics. The present study contributes to bridging the knowledge gap regarding the occurrence of microplastics in freshwater.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Andreea Diana CLEPE, Sorin HERBAN, Clara-Beatrice VÎLCEANU, George CRISTIAN

Telecommunications towers are essential infrastructures that serve various functions, including telecommunications, meteorological data collection, and surveillance. Maintaining their structural integrity and accurate vertical alignment is crucial for ensuring operational efficiency, safety, and long-term durability. However, evaluating the verticality of tall structures presents significant challenges, necessitating the use of modern and precise methods. Traditional techniques, such as manual surveys using level instrument, are often limited by human error, environmental factors, and the complexity of the structures involved. This study investigates the use of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology as a modern method for assessing verticality. By employing advanced LiDAR scanning techniques, the research establishes a thorough framework for accurate and efficient structural monitoring. The paper highlights how LiDAR technology outperforms traditional methods in accuracy, speed, and flexibility, providing a safer and more dependable solution for managing the vertical alignment of observation towers.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Mihai Teopent CORCHEȘ

In the context of climate change, where Romania faces increasingly frequent droughts, significantly impacting water availability in several regions, the issue of efficient water resource management is becoming more pressing. The phenomenon of drought is having a growing impact on agriculture, necessitating the development of new irrigation systems and the modernization of existing ones, which may need to be more efficient in water use, such as drip irrigation, subsurface irrigation, or sprinkler irrigation, which can also be equipped with smart irrigation technologies (soil moisture sensors, automatic control, remote monitoring and management, aerial surveillance of agricultural crops, etc.). This study analyzes the opportunities for adapting irrigation infrastructure in the current context, focusing on the possibility of implementing best practices and modern technologies used worldwide in Romania. It also critically examines the challenges Romania faces in the development of irrigation systems, as well as the solutions adopted by other countries to overcome these challenges.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Mihai NEGURA, Robert Florin BEILICCI, Erika Beata Maria BEILICCI, Mirela Laura IEREMCIUC, Dorina Gabriela IONESCU

The Sânnicolau Mare-Saravale Canal covers an area of 20,060 ha, with land rehabilitation works accounting for 19,998 ha. Sânnicolau Mare is located in the western part of Romania, in Timiș County. The MIKE11 program was used for numerical modelling. MIKE 11 has flow calculation modules that include hydraulic structures, and ways to describe the operation of the structure. With the MIKE 11 model, they draw up flood risk maps. The keywords are productivity, reliability, quality and versatility for professional engineers who use the MIKE 11 program. The MIKE 11 model has been shown to be highly reliable for generating flood risk maps.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Iulia COROIAN, Silvia CHIOREAN, Rodica SOBOLU, Diana FICIOR, Paul SESTRAS, Luca-Pavel RUS, Catalin-Stefanel SABOU, Luisa ANDRONIE

This article explores innovative approaches to improving cadastral systems and utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) tools for forest management. It emphasizes the importance of accurate and up-to-date cadastral records to support sustainable forest management, land ownership clarity, and environmental preservation. The study outlines methodologies for integrating cadastral updates with advanced GIS spatial analysis techniques, enabling the efficient mapping and monitoring of forested areas. Key applications include assessing land use changes, detecting illegal activities, and planning conservation efforts. The research highlights how GIS tools enhance spatial data visualization, offering insights into forest density, composition, and land-use dynamics. By analysing case studies from forested regions, the article demonstrates practical implementations and benefits, including improved decision-making for policymakers, forest managers and environmental stakeholders. The integration of cadastral updates and GIS-based analysis represents a significant step toward ensuring the sustainable management of forested areas, balancing ecological protection with economic and social considerations.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Adrian ROȘU, Daniel-Eduard CONSTANTIN, Maxim ARSENI, Mirela VOICULESCU, Cătălina ITICESCU, Puiu-Lucian GEORGESCU, Ionuț Cornel BEJAN, Sorin FRĂSINĂ, Silvia DRĂGAN, Mădălin CRISTEA

Urban air pollution poses a critical challenge due to rapid urbanization, increasing vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and infrastructure expansion. Accurately assessing pollution levels and pinpointing emission sources is essential for effective environmental management. This study integrates advanced remote sensing techniques with cost-effective sensor technologies to monitor air quality in an urban setting. Mobile measurements were conducted on April 18, 2024, using the UGAL MDOAS system and the Sniffer 4D sensor, both mounted on a vehicle. The UGAL MDOAS system employs Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) to detect atmospheric trace gases, while the Sniffer 4D utilizes electrochemical sensors to quantify pollutant concentrations. This study focuses on measuring and comparing NO2, O3, SO2, O4 and PM levels from both instruments. The findings contribute to enhancing urban air pollution monitoring by demonstrating the effectiveness of hybrid measurement approaches in identifying pollution hotspots and improving air quality assessments.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Paula IANCU, Marin SOARE, Mariana NICULESCU

Oltenia is the region in southwestern Romania facing significant challenges related to desertification, especially in Dolj County. Sandy soils from this area present specific characteristics due to the low water retention, low nutrient content and limited organic matter typically found in these types of soils. Afforestation could be an essential solution to prevent desertification in this region, which faces significant risks related to land degradation. Afforestation of sandy soils, however, requires a multifaceted approach, combining soil improvement techniques, careful species selection, water management and continuous monitoring. With the right strategies, it is possible to restore ecological functions and to improve fertility of these types of soils. The key to success lies in understanding the specific challenges of sandy soils and adapting techniques accordingly to promote the growth and sustainability of forested areas.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Svetla STOYKOVA, Diyana DERMENDZHIEVA, Gergana KOSTADINOVA, Miroslava IVANOVA, Milen STOYANOV, Georgi PETKOV, Lilko DOSPATLIEV, Georgi BEEV

Air pollution is a significant environmental and public health threat, contributing to approximately 7 million deaths annually, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Major pollutants such as particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are linked to severe health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, strokes, respiratory illnesses, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cancer. Vulnerable populations - the elderly, children, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing conditions - face the highest risks. Long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with a tenfold increase in health complications compared to short term exposure. While research has clarified many of the biological pathways through which pollutants affect human health, ongoing studies continue to explore the full extent of these effects. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the latest data on the health effects of ambient air pollution, with a particular focus on Bulgaria. It identifies key trends, examines policy gaps, and evaluates the effectiveness of existing air quality regulations. By incorporating a comparative analysis of WHO, EU, and Bulgarian air quality standards, this research underscores the pressing need for stricter regulatory measures and enhanced mitigation strategies to curb pollution-related morbidity and mortality. The findings highlight the urgency of aligning national air quality policies with WHO guidelines to safeguard public health and drive sustainable environmental initiatives.

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© 2019 SCIENTIFIC PAPERS LAND RECLAMATION, EARTH OBSERVATION & SURVEYING, ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING. All Rights Reserved. To be cited: SCIENTIFIC PAPERS LAND RECLAMATION, EARTH OBSERVATION & SURVEYING, ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING.

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