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 Mihai Dan CARMIHAI, Nicoleta RADU, Zina PARASCHIV, Francisca BLANQUEZ CANO, Oksana MULESA, Adrián SILVA, Razvan TEODORESCU

The attitudes of students toward the European Green Deal were assessed through a survey involving master's and doctoral students from four European universities: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain), University of Porto (Portugal), University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest (Romania), and Uzhhorod University (Ukraine). Results revealed strong overall support among students for actions promoting environmental sustainability and reducing carbon footprints. Significant variations were observed across countries, with students from Spain, Portugal, and Romania demonstrating particularly high agreement regarding the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental protection. While respondents generally recognized the long-term benefits of the Green Deal, concerns regarding implementation costs were notably higher among students from Romania and Ukraine. Additionally, a vast majority expressed interest in tools to monitor personal carbon footprints, highlighting growing awareness of individual environmental responsibilities. These findings suggest a positive attitude among European university students toward environmental sustainability initiatives, though addressing concerns about economic implications could enhance broader support.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Aurelia BRADU, Alexandrina-Elena ANDON, Alexandra-Marina BARBU, Claudiu-Sorin DRAGOMIR

The most commonly used material in the construction sector is arguably cement, the production of which generates massive amounts of greenhouse gases, contributing approximately 5-8% of global CO2 emissions. A potential solution in this context is the use of inorganic binders from local sources, a trend that is gaining momentum in research studies within the construction materials industry. Clay-based masonry mortar represents a viable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective solution, with its components being abundantly available worldwide. Clay has demonstrated its effectiveness as a binder over centuries. In its natural, calcined, or modified forms, clay serves as an important alternative to cement, offering sustainable material development at lower costs and with reduced environmental impact. Clay is a sedimentary rock, whose main ingredient is aluminium silicate, characterized by its colloidal appearance and binding properties. The primary feature of clay is its ability to absorb large amounts of water, transforming into a pasty, ductile mass that can be easily shaped into any form.

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

This study evaluates the quality of tarragon essential oil, toxic metals content, and the growth potential of tarragon on heavy metal-contaminated soils. Tarragon demonstrated tolerance to toxic metals and can be cultivated on highly polluted soils. The levels of toxic metals in tarragon essential oil were below the Maximum Permissible Concentrations. Based on translocation and bioconcentration coefficients, tarragon is a Cd, Pb, Zn and Hg excluder and suitable for phytostabilization. Tarragon essential oil exhibits a mixed sabinene/elemicin/isoelemicin/methyleugenol chemotype and could be used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and related industries.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Roxana-Elena FRÎNCU, Carmen Otilia RUSĂNESCU, Gheorghe VOICU, Gabriel Alexandru CONSTANTIN, Elena-Denisa PREDESCU, Sabrina Maria BĂLĂNESCU

Lithium-ion batteries dominate electrochemical energy storage due to their high charge–discharge efficiency, thermal stability, and safety. With an average lifespan of 3-5 years, their growing end-of-life volume poses environmental and resource management challenges. While recycling efforts have focused on high-value metals, electrolyte recovery remains underdeveloped. This review compares pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and direct recycling based on literature from 2015–2025, evaluating metal recovery efficiency, energy demand, CO2 emissions, environmental impact, and technological readiness. Hydrometallurgy emerges as the most viable current method (>90% recovery, ~800 kWh/ton energy use), while pyrometallurgy, though industrially established, has high energy requirements (~2,200 kg CO2/ton) and poor lithium recovery. Direct recycling shows strong sustainability potential by preserving active material structures yet faces scalability challenges from feedstock variability and process standardization. Advancing sustainable recycling will require innovation in automation, standardized materials, and robust policy frameworks to support a circular economy for critical raw materials.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Emil Cătălin ȘCHIOPU, Roxana Gabriela POPA, Irina Ramona PECINGINĂ, Ramona Violeta CAZALBAȘU, Marinela Florica BODOG

Gorj County is located in the south-west of Romania with a predominantly mountainous relief, and the main economic activities are specific to the exploitation of natural resources, agriculture and tourism. As a result of the lack of sewerage systems in most of the villages in Gorj County and the uncontrolled storage of manure resulting from animal husbandry activities, the groundwater has suffered significant microbiological contamination. This paper describes the investigations carried out to determine the degree of microbiological contamination of groundwater in the northern part of Gorj County, in one of the most attractive tourist localities. The investigations consisted of taking 45 water samples from public and private wells in the villages of Gureni and Frâncești, in the commune of Peștișani. The most important microbiological indicators for determining water quality were determined from samples: the number of bacterial colonies, the number of coliform bacteria, the number of Escherichia coli and the number of intestinal enterococci.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Andreea HEGYI, Gabriela CĂLĂTAN, Cristian PETCU, Stefan BAKOS, Alexandra CSAPAI

Since time immemorial, mankind has sought solutions to the problem of creating sustainable living spaces that provide thermal comfort and good indoor air quality. One of the most prevalent techniques has been the construction of buildings from clay-based materials. Nevertheless, even at the present time, this method is still insufficiently regulated by generalised regulations. The principal issue is the diversity of raw material characteristics, which necessitates a considerable number of preliminary tests and a lengthy period of time. This paper puts forward an interdisciplinary methodology for the analysis of clayey earth, with a view to determining the potential applications of this material in the production of adobe-brick masonry elements and plastering mortars for vernacular construction. The research methodology entailed a pedological analysis of 30 clay soil samples sourced from Mârgău and Ciucea region, Cluj, followed by an evaluation of their suitability for construction applications. The experimental findings have indicated the potential for establishing limiting conditions regarding the clay, sand, and dust content of the soils, in conjunction with pH, humus, and carbonate levels.

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

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of obtaining energy from waste biomass. The potential of waste biomass from aromatic plants, left after the production of essential oils, was assessed. The calorific value, ash content, volatile compounds, and moisture content were determined. Elemental analysis of the waste biomass was conducted to measure the C, H, N, and S contents. The results indicate that residual waste has significant potential as a quality feedstock for solid biofuel production. Compared to coal, the calculated emission factors demonstrate a reduction in CO and CO2 emissions by up to 30%, NOx by up to 80%, SO2 by up to 99%, and dust by up to 67%, depending on the waste used. When selecting suitable waste for energy production, it's essential to balance calorific value and emission factors. If energy efficiency is the priority, lavender, tansy, and thyme waste may be preferred. However, for sustainability and lower environmental impact, common sage waste could be the better choice. It's important to consider the specific context, including regulations and energy needs, when making a final decision.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Nicoleta RADU, Mihai Dan CARAMIHAI, Francisca BLANQUEZ CANO, Montserrat Sarrà ADROGUER, Oksana MULESA, Adrian SILVA, Razvan TEODORESCU

This study investigates expert opinions from five universities across Romania, Spain, Portugal, and Ukraine regarding the use of digital learning, gamification, and artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing education aligned with the European Green Deal (EGD). Based on structured survey responses from academic professionals, the findings reveal that 65% of participants view online learning as a potential contributor to social isolation, highlighting the value of blended learning approaches. Gamification received broad support, with over 70% of experts agreeing it improves student engagement and comprehension, although concerns about cost and implementation persist. AI was acknowledged as a valuable tool for academic integrity and assessment, though its effectiveness in providing real-time personalized feedback remains inconclusive. These results suggest that a balanced integration of digital tools can support improved educational outcomes and better understanding of sustainability-related content.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Stefania-Adelina MILEA, Maria Daniela (IONICA) MIHAILA, Valentina-Andreea CĂLMUC, Cătălina ITICESCU, Puiu-Lucian GEORGESCU, Alin-Constantin DIRTU, Cătălin Eugen PLATON

Pesticides have been classified as the most harmful substances in the world because of their extensive application, toxicity, and persistence. Hydrophobic chemicals, such as pesticides, have a considerable tendency to sorb to organic matter in sediment and soil. Measuring pesticides in sediment is crucial for monitoring their environmental fate and possible toxicity because they are typically found at higher concentrations in sediment. Since many hydrophobic substances do not break down easily, they remain in the environment for a very long time. This study aims to develop an integrated approach to extracting and quantifying pesticides from sediment samples using QuEChERS-gas chromatography techniques. The extraction of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides from the sediment sample was achieved by slightly modifying the QuEChERS method. The extracted compounds were identified and quantified by gas chromatography with a triple-quadrupole mass detector. Organochlorine pesticides or their degradation compounds provided the majority of the target substances. Monitoring pesticide content in sediments is essential for understanding bioaccumulation and long-term environmental effects, as well as for promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Cosmin-Constantin NIÈšU, Anca ROTMAN

Leonardo Fibonacci (c. 1170 - c. 1240-1250), an Italian mathematician often regarded as the most gifted European mathematician of the Middle Ages, played a crucial role in introducing the Hindu–Arabic numeral system to Europe. His seminal work, Liber Abaci (1202), not only promoted this numerical framework but also featured the now-famous Fibonacci sequence - an integer series with deep mathematical properties and widespread applications. This paper explores the mathematical foundations of the Fibonacci sequence, including its recurrence relations, algebraic and matrix representations, and connections to continuous fractions. Furthermore, it examines the relationship between the sequence and the golden ratio (φ), an irrational number often referred to as the "divine proportion". The golden ratio is linked to aesthetically pleasing proportions and appears in various domains such as art, architecture, music, biology, and cosmology. Through historical analysis and illustrative examples, this work highlights the enduring influence of Fibonacci’s legacy and the remarkable intersection between mathematical theory and patterns observed in the natural and cultural world.

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The publisher is not responsible for the opinions published in the Volume. They represent the authors’ point of view.

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