bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of fabric phase sorptive extraction for the determination of selected pharmaceuticals in environmental waters
Authors: SAKKAS V. , JIMENEZ-HOLGADO C. , VOURDAS N. , STATHOPOULOS V.
Published: November 2022

There is a growing public and scientific concern about the possibility of ecosystem and human health effects from pharmaceuticals in environment. Results have shown that several types of environmental waters (drinking water, groundwater, surface water, treated water) were contaminated by the presence of pharmaceutical compounds including psychiatric drugs. For this reason, it is imperative to develop analytical methods of extraction and pre-concentration to allow for subsequent instrumental analysis of these drugs. In this work, fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) is investigated for the extraction and pre-concentration of citalopram, clozapine and sertraline (used in the treatment of mental diseases) in water samples with the aid of high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection (HPLC-UV/DAD). Parameters affecting the efficiency of FPSE were evaluated in depth. Studies have been conducted with regards to calculation of contact angle and roll-off angle, mass uptake while several techniques were employed for material characterization such as FT-IR, differential scanning calorimeter analysis and optical microscope. The method shows good linearity, with RSD of less than 15%. Relative recoveries higher than 40% were obtained for the studied compounds
Biomonitoring of 21 phthalate metabolites in Slovak pre-school and school age children related to their consumer practices
Authors: Šidlovská M. , Hlisníková H. , Petrovičová I. , Kolena B. , Wimmerová S. , Pälmke C. , Koch H.
Published: November 2022

Consumer practices are considered to be the main source of human exposure to phthalates. The aim of our study was biomonitoring of low molecular weight phthalate (LMWP) and high molecular weight phthalate (HMWP) metabolites in Slovak pre-school (n=100; age range 1-6 years) and school age children (n= 96; age range 7-15 years) and relate exposures to consumer practices. We used high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry for spot urine sample analysis to determine concentrations of 21 phthalate monoesters, metabolites of 11 LMWP and HMWP diesters. Median concentrations of ∑LMWP (177.32 µg.L⁻¹) were close to the ∑HMWP (169.83 µg.L⁻¹) metabolites. We observed significantly (p≤0.05) higher concentrations of 5 LMWP and 4 HMWP metabolites in school-age compared to preschool-age children. Data showed several statistically significant associations (p≤0.05) between concentrations of phthalate metabolites and the consumption of food and beverages. Interestingly, we observed for all HMWP metabolites (except mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate MEHP) and 1 LMWP metabolite (mono-methyl phthalate MMP) significantly lower concentrations in children who used at least 2 personal care products in comparison to non-users. Unexpected results suggest that potential routes of exposure differ from consumer practices included in our study.
The effect of alkaline activated reservoir sediments used as a binder in concrete on its compressive strength
Authors: Junakova Natalia , Junak Jozef
Published: November 2022

Sediment as the product of erosion processes is found in every water body and reduces the storage capacity and the lifetime of water reservoirs. The quantity of sediment which affects downstream areas and also their quality complicate sediment management. Dredged sediments are on the borderline of soils, water and waste. The favourite dredged material management options are natural options and beneficial re-use is a way to encourage the use of dredged material as a potential resource and not as a waste. Sediments are regarded as a suitable raw material in construction industry.
This paper is focused on the study of the effect of sodium hydroxide as a pozzolanic activator of sediments from Ruzin reservoir (Slovakia) used as a binder in concrete on the compressive strength of hardened concrete. Reservoir sediments are mechano-chemically and chemically activated with the addition of solid sodium hydroxide into milling process. Hardened mixtures containing 40% of binder replacement by activated sediments were tested for compressive strengths after 28, 90 and 365 days of curing. The results show that sodium hydroxide is not an effective pozzolanic activator for sediments.
Heat of adsorption in the fly ash zeolite – CO2 system at dynamic conditions
Authors: Boycheva Silviya , Zgureva Denitza , Marinov Ivan , Miteva Simona , Asenov Asen
Published: November 2022

The global warming represents one of the main world problems in the recent decades as it is considered that electricity production by coal burning is responsible for 40 % of the total CO2 emissions. The post-combustion capture of CO2 based on physical adsorption has the highest potential for meeting the industrial needs. Development of new sorbents, especially including solid waste utilization such as zeolitization of coal ash, would improve the process’ parameters in terms of economic feasibility, safety, and environmental protection. The adsorption processes’ nature is complex and is described by many empirical constants which are experimentally determined for individual contact systems.
In this study the heat of adsorption in the system fly ash zeolite (FAZ) – CO2 is experimentally investigated. The performed technique includes on-line measurements of temperature increase during the exothermic adsorption process in laboratory adsorption column filled with FAZ. The sample is under continuous flow of 30 ml/min pure CO2. The exothermic peak is registered at 95 s and the detected temperature increase is 32.88 oC. The calculated specific heat of adsorption amounts to Hads=36.83 kJ/kg.

Acknowledgements
This work was financially supported by the NSF, Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria under contract DM 17/6.
Bottled water microbiological quality in Estonia
Authors: Vahur Kristi , Udras Helen , Keir Kerttu
Published: November 2022

Water is macro-nutrient without which we can´t live. Nowadays people often prefer to buy bottled water instead of drinking the tap water. Stores are full of different bottled waters and studies have demonstrated that people tend to consider the bottled water to have high quality. The aim of this research was to find out the compliance of bottled water sold in Estonia with the established microbiological normatives. The study included bottled drinking water available in retail stores. A total of 63 bottles of water from 21 different sale items were analysed. These 21 items included also items of gased water and flavoured water („near water“). One bottle of all different sale items (21 bottles) was analysed for E. coli, Enterococcus sp and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (filtration method, cfu/250 ml), and all 63 bottles were analysed for total bacterial count on 22 °C and 37 °C (pour-plate technique, cfu/1ml). The analysis results were compared with local microbiological normatives for bottled drinking water.

No E. coli, Enterococcus sp and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were detected in the analyzed waters. Several deviations were noted for total microbial count: 14 bottles out of 63 had bacteria level higher than the established normatives allow, thus 22.22% of bottles were microbiologically contaminated. Results suggest that gasification of bottled water has an inhibitory effect on the total bacterial count. Flavored waters (including sweeteners, richer in bacterial nutrients) did not show higher bacterial counts. Research continues with maintenance experiments (long maintenance effect to the number of total bacterial counts).
Thermal swing adsorption for post-combustion carbon dioxide capture
Authors: Boycheva Silviya , Zgureva Denitza , Miteva Simona , Marinov Ivan , Lazarova Hristina , Popova Margarita
Published: November 2022

The advantages of post-combustion capture of CO2 based on physical adsorption have been extensively studied in the last years regarding to the economy, environmental compatibility, and process’ efficiency. The industrialization of the process involves the construction of adsorption columns in which adsorption and desorption mass transfer processes occur. Each solid-gas system has particular mass and heat transfer properties. In this study the adsorption and desorption processes in the fly ash zeolite-CO2 system in dynamic conditions was investigated. The breakthrough curves were built in a series of experimental conditions aimed at establishing an optimal temperature of desorption. In the temperature range 50-200 oC, the adsorption capacity at the break point was obtained of 100-115 mg/g. The concentration limit of 5 vol.% CO2 in the exhaust gas stream was reached in 11.3-11.9 minutes. The small change in the adsorption capacities achieved for multiple adsorption-desorption cycles and the minor displacement in the break point determine the applicability of a low thermal swing adsorption process at 50 oC. This low temperature of desorption would increase the total energy efficiency of the process, as the required heat could be provided by waste streams from the electricity production process.
Acknowledgements
This work was financially supported by the NSF, Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria under contract DM17/6.
A database of existing solid industrial waste reuse schemes as the basis for an industry matching algorithm
Authors: Angelis-Dimakis Athanasios , Arampatzis George , Solomou Konstantina , Dedousis Panagiotis
Published: November 2022

For the purposes of the SWAN Project, an integrated suite of on-line resources and tools has been developed aiming to assess novel industrial business models based on solid industrial waste reuse. One of the major components of this platform is an inventory of commercially implemented best practices. This inventory will both inform all registered users about the current opportunities for waste reuse and also serve as the basis for the SWAN matching algorithm.

For all the practices or technologies included in the database, the following characteristics have been collected:
• The type of the industrial plant supplying the waste stream;
• The type of the industrial plant receiving the waste stream;
• The type of the waste stream exchanged between source and sink;
• The technology readiness level of this option.

The Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community has been used for the categorization of the industrial plant types whereas for the waste streams both the European Waste Catalogue and the European Waste Classification for Statistics have been applied. The database has been populated with more than 100 entries and has led to the identification of the most common symbiotic opportunities based on solid waste reuse.
SWAN Platform - A web based tool to support the development of industrial solid waste reuse business models
Authors: Angelis-Dimakis Athanasios , Arampatzis George , Apostolopoulos George , Dedousis Panagiotis
Published: November 2022

The SWAN platform is an integrated suite of on-line resources and tools for assessing industrial symbiotic opportunities based on solid industrial waste reuse. It has been developed for the purposes of the SWAN Project, a project of the transnational Cooperation Programme Interreg V-B “Balkan-Mediterranean 2014-2020” aiming to develop a digital solid waste reuse platform for the Balkan region and Cyprus.

The SWAN platform integrates a database with the spatial and technical characteristics of industrial solid waste producers and potential consumers, which will be populated with data from all four countries involved in the project; i.e. Greece, Bulgaria, Albania and Cyprus. It also incorporates an inventory of commercially implemented best practices on solid industrial waste reuse.

The SWAN platform hopes to be the facilitator in the development of novel business models based on solid industrial waste reuse in the Balkan region. Towards this end, it will allow the registered users to run the SWAN matching algorithms and identify and assess potential novel business models based on solid waste reuse, either for an individual industrial unit (source/potential receiver of solid waste) or a specific region.
Anaerobic ammonium nitrogen oxidation and sulphate reduction in psychrophilic conditions
Authors: Przywara Lucyna
Published: November 2022

Investigations of simultaneous removal of ammonium and sulphate were carried out in anaerobic laboratory bioreactor - upflow anaerobic filter (UAF). The bioreactor was filled with the anaerobic activated sludge from WWTP Bielsko – Biała. The process was operated in psychrophilic conditions. Temperature was maintained constant at 20± 2° C. Synthetic wastewater containing ammonium chlorine and sulphate magnesium was used as the feed for the bioreactor in experiment. The concentration range of ammonium and sulphate in the wastewater were kept at 22-27 and 80 – 130 mg/L , respectively . The analysis of the nitrogen and sulphur compounds in the liquid and gas phases indicated simultaneous ammonium and sulphate removal in the reactor. After star- up and acclimatization of this process for 30 days , the average effluent concentrations of ammonium and sulphate were 20 and 18 mg/L , respectively. About 80 % of the sulphate entering the reactor was removed from the liquid phase, of which 30 % appears as S – S2- in the effluent. During sulphate conversion were formation also S- H2S in the biogas and elemental S. Raman spectroscopy (RS) were performed to confirm the presence of sulphur in the sludge. Owing to the reduction sulphate and oxidation ammonium, about 20 % nitrogen initially present in the influent was removed appearing as N2 in the gas phase.
UN(K)NOWN Project: Development of Anammox microbial inocula to improve nitrogen removal efficiency in wastewater treatment
Authors: Ribeiro Hugo , Machado Ana , Costa-Dias Sérgia , Wijaya I Made , Salgado Paula , Bordalo Adriano , Teixeira Catarina
Published: November 2022

The discovery of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) revealed the existence of a shortcut in the classic nitrogen cycle where ammonium is converted directly to dinitrogen gas. Anammox process can be used to develop more cost and energy-efficient sustainable nitrogen removal systems comparing to those existing today. However, large-scale applications are limited by the slow growth rate of anammox bacteria described so far. This project proposes to explore the presence of these bacteria in different ecological niches, and select the appropriate seeding sludge starter as the inoculum for reactors. Anammox biomass is enriched in batch experiments as well as in laboratory scale bioreactor systems, such as Up-flow Biofilter and Anaerobic Baffled Reactor. Afterwards, microbial community composition, optimum growth conditions, and nitrogen removal efficiency are studied. The ongoing project aims to investigate new anammox bacteria and the relation between community structure and process activity. Ultimately, it is planned to develop microbial inocula to be used as seeding sources for anammox reactors, and to contribute to a wider application of the anammox process in wastewater treatment.
Acknowledgments: Project UNNOWN (PTDC/BTA-BTA/31098/2017), co-financed by COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF, and by FCT through national funds.
LED light tailoring in a planar photobioreactor for optimization of microalgae growth.
Authors: Riggio V. , Occhipinti A. , Grinic D. , Zanetti M.
Published: November 2022

Microalgae are well known for their potential in producing valuable substances for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as a source of biofuel. Currently, the use of the photosynthetic capacity of microalgae is a new alternative for carbon dioxide bio-fixation. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to identify the best microalgae growth conditions, using an experimental planar photobioreactor (PBR) and LEDs with variable intensities as a light source. Two different illumination intensity levels were used during the experiment: 33 and 57 µE of PPFD (photosynthetically active radiation). A series of PBR variables such as temperature, pH, CO2 and oxygen levels, were monitored in real time. Optical density (OD) and dry weight were periodically evaluated in order to estimate the concentration of biomass in the culture. Microalgae growth under specific light conditions was evaluated and a strong correlation between the two was observed. Namely, given the biomass growth curve as a function of time, it is possible to identify a proportional relationship which relates light intensity to biomass density. Overall, the innovative approach of this work allowed to 1) successfully cultivate Scenedesmus obliquus in a closed photobioreactor under low photon flow; 2) establish a correlation between biomass concentration and LED intensity for this specific microalgae strain which can be used in future experiments in order to finely tune light intensity to the desired biomass density.
The contribution of the cadaster to the protection of urban forests. The case study of Seich Sou.
Authors: Vordoglou Maria , Samara Theano , Tsitsoni Thekla
Published: November 2022

This paper studies the way in which modern land-forest map design contributes to the protection of urban forests generally and the Seich Sou urban forest of Thessaloniki in particular. We also examine the role of cadaster and forest maps in protecting urban forests from abuses such as pressure for housing, which are particularly acute due to their proximity to urban centers. Particular emphasis is given to the Seich Sou urban forest, which provides important protection from erosion and pollution to the city of Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki is characterized by a low proportion of green areas per inhabitant and a high pollution burden. The history of the forest, its ownership status, its legal framework of protection, the problems it faces, as well as the role of the cadaster and forest maps in their resolution are presented. Finally, we conclude by proposing ways of strengthening the protective framework governing Seich Sou, as well as the urban forests of the country in general. The rational management of urban forests via the development of good forest policy with tools such as cadaster and forest maps can be the key to protecting urban forests effectively and exploiting their multiple benefits in perpetuity.
IN-SITU REMOVAL OF ANTIBIOTICS IN SOIL BY COLD PLASMA
Authors: Aggelopoulos Christos , Hatzisymeon Maria , Tataraki Despoina , Rassias Gerry
Published: November 2022

Antibiotics are extensively used in clinical settings to treat or prevent human diseases, in veterinary science for farm and domestic animal health and in agriculture for crop protection. Due to their incomplete biological degradation, human and animal antibiotics are released through discharges from wastewater treatment plants into the environment and return in the food chain via leachates from landfills, wastewater reuse for irrigation purposes. Consequently, once antibiotics are found in the environment, they pose a serious threat for soil and water quality since they inhibit active microorganisms of the ecosystem that could be vital in many subsurface processes such as soil and groundwater remediation and nitrogen, sulphur and carbon cycles. More importantly, the continuous presence of antibiotics in the soil and water will gradually allow harmful microbes and bacteria to develop resistance to these medicines that our defense depends on. It is therefore necessary to develop efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly methods for the decontamination of antibiotics-polluted soils.
In this study, cold atmospheric plasma was examined for the in-situ remediation of antibiotic-polluted soil. The experiments were conducted in a cylinder-to-grid dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor driven by a high voltage nanosecond pulse generator. The effect of CAP operating conditions such as treatment time, applied voltage, discharge frequency and initial pollutant concentration was investigated and optimised. The main ciprofloxacin degradation intermediates were identified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and a possible CAP-mediated degradation pathway was proposed.
Lipid production by Rhodosporidium toruloides growing on media presenting composition similarities with the spent sulfite liquor in batch and fed-batch cultures
Authors: Papanikolaou Seraphim , Michou Sevy , Vastarouchaa Eleni-Stavroula , Sarris Dimitris , Kalantzi Ourania
Published: November 2022

Aim of this study is to explore the effect of sodium lignosulfonate (SL), a paper industry by-product, on cell growth and lipid production by the yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides, cultivated on xylose-based media, that mimic the principal waste-stream originated from paper production facilities (viz. the spent-sulfite liquor). Yeast lipids present increasing interest as alternative non-food feedstocks for biodiesel production. Strains DSM 444 and NRRL Y-27012 were shake-flask cultured under nitrogen-limiting conditions using xylose at 50 g/L, and SL was added at varying concentrations. Finally, a fed-batch bioreactor trial of the strain NRRL Y-27012 with optimum SL addition was carried out.
In the strain DSM 4444, maximum lipid production was obtained in media supplemented with 20 g/L SL, where lipid of 4.77 g/L occurred. In NRRL Y-27012 strain, maximum lipid production was seen with the addition of 10 g/L SL (lipid =5.30 g/L). In fed-batch bioreactor experiments carried out with the strain NRRL Y-27012, lipid =17.0 g/L (corresponding dry biomass =29.7 g/L) was achieved. The yield of lipid produced per unit of xylose consumed was 0.19 g/g. Lipids containing increased concentrations of oleic acid, constituting thus perfect materials amenable to be converted into “2nd generation” biodiesel were synthesized.
Odorous gases monitoring on industrial sites and algae decomposition using Cairsens smart sensors
Authors: BEN DAOUD Azzédine , Laplagne Jerome , AKIKI Rony , AFLALO S. Serge
Published: November 2022

The appearance of natural odors sources (Sargassum beaching events) or odors generated by the human activity (integration of industrial sites in increasing urban environment and residential encroachment into previously non-resident areas) represent a major challenge for municipalities. Combined with intolerance of nuisances by residents, and/or tourists, it forces municipalities and industrial players to manage and control diffused emissions of odors in a more stringent and efficient way.

Among these diffuse odors, hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and ammonia (NH3) have been identified as 2 important sources of nuisance. Beyond the olfactory discomfort, these gases may have high adverse effects on health, the severity increase with the duration and level of exposure. Consequently, they must be detected, monitored and controlled in advance.
A lot of analyzers’ available in the market, including fluorescence-based detection (1) or flame photometric detector (2), provide very precise measurements at a given time and place, but such analytical devices are expensive in investment, operation & maintenance. In addition, they are not easily field transportable and usually require field calibration and A/C housing to locate them. Those instruments cannot be mass-deployed and consequently not appropriate to give a full picture of current pollution. The spatial and temporal dimensions, which define the diffused pollution, are then lost.
For these reasons and because wide areas should be monitored, the management and the control of odorous emissions requires solutions composed of multiple analyzers (or accurate sensors) combined to a efficient software application. Above the nature and the quality of the algorithms of mathematical models, the reliability of results is closely linked to the number of measurement sampling points. The most representative assessment of the real situation is obtained by a network of readings over a given territory provided by a high quantity of cost-effective devices.
Biotechnological production of polyols through conversions of crude glycerol by newly isolated strains of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica
Authors: Papanikolaou Seraphim , Vastaroucha Eleni-Stavroula , Michou Sevy , Kalantzi Ourania
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study is to investigate the ability of newly isolated Yarrowia lipolytica strains to grow on crude glycerol, the main by-product of the industrial production of biodiesel. In particular, the ability of the yeasts to metabolize glycerol and produce dry cell weight (DCW) and secondary metabolites such as lipid, endopolysaccharides and polyols (e.g. mannitol, arabitol, erythritol) was assessed. Two newly isolated strains (LMBF Y-46 and LMBF Y-47) were used, while trials were performed in different initial glycerol concentrations (Glol0=40-120 g/L) and various initial pH values (3.0-7.0) in shake-flasks. It has been seen that polyols production increased with decrease of pH value into the medium. At low Glol0 concentrations (=40 g/L), almost exclusively mannitol was synthesized (i.e. the strain LMBF Y-46 produced ~20 g/L of mannitol at pH=3.0). When Glol0 increased, other polyols (i.e. erythritol and arabitol) were also produced in appreciable quantities. At a pH=3.5 and for Glol0~120 g/L, a total quantity of polyols ~57 g/L was synthesized for the strain LMBF Y-46. Cellular lipids in restricted quantities (8-14% in DCW) were produced, while cellular polysaccharides increased with the time reaching to values of c. 35-42% w/w in DCW at the stationary phase of growth.

Acknowledgement
The current investigation was financially supported by the project entitled “Adding value to biodiesel-derived crude glycerol with the use of Chemical and Microbial Technology” (Acronym: Addvalue2glycerol, project code Τ1ΕΔΚ-03002) financed by the Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs, Greece (project action: “Investigate – Create – Innovate 2014-2020, Intervention II”).
Daily wind gusts in relation to mean daily wind speed and atmospheric circulation
Authors: DELIGIORGI DESPINA , PHILIPPOPOULOS K. , GRANAKIS K.
Published: November 2022

An important aspect in the design of wind farms and consequently in wind power production, is the sensitivity of wind turbines to wind gusts. This study aims at estimating the probability of occurrence of daily wind gusts for different atmospheric circulation regimes. The analysis is performed for a 30-year period (1979-2009) for the Hellinikon station in Athens, Greece. The proposed methodology estimates the probability of exceeding a wind gust speed value from the mean daily wind speed observations for a given atmospheric circulation pattern. The large-scale atmospheric circulation classification is based on a two-stage clustering approach, using Self-Organizing Maps as a clustering methodology. The classification is based on the Sea Level Pressure, the geopotential at 500hPa, the zonal and meridional wind components at 10m and at 850hPa, the specific humidity at 700hPa and the air and dew-point temperature at 2m. Following the gust factor method, different statistical models are trained for each of the eight identified atmospheric modes. The results demonstrate the suitability of the lognormal distribution for associating wind gusts and mean wind speeds. The adopted gust factor method provides accurate estimates of daily wind gust speeds and that the atmospheric circulation enhances the precision of the statistical models.
PHOTOSYNTHETIC RESPONSE OF SPRING OILSEED RAPE TO HEAT, DROUGHT, NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY AND COMBINED STRESS
Authors: Dikšaitytė Austra , Viršilė Akvilė , Januškaitienė Irena , Žaltauskaitė Jūratė
Published: November 2022

This study was aimed to determine the photosynthetic response of spring oilseed rape to heatwave (HW), drought, nutrient deficiency (N-D) and combined stress. HW and drought acted in a different manner. Under both adequate and deprived soil nutrient conditions, in the presence of adequate water supply, HW up regulated the photosynthetic performance of rape. However, drought-induced stress was highly exacerbated under HW, leading to the incomplete recovery that was additionally impaired by nutrient deficiency.
Reducing the environmental impact of construction wastes by their use in the preparation of construction mixtures
Authors: Junak Jozef , Sicakova Alena
Published: November 2022

At present, great emphasis is placed on protecting the environment. Civil engineering, mainly cement production, greatly pollutes the surrounding environment. Even the excavation of aggregate, which is one of the basic components of concrete, does not make any extra contribution to the sustainability of our environment.
This paper focuses on the use of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) as a substitute for natural aggregate. Concrete produced in this way is characterized by worse properties than standard concrete, mainly due to the properties of the RCA. One option is to modify the surface of the RCA and thereby to improve the properties of the concrete as a whole. By the mothode described in this paper, we have succeeded in reducing the density of concrete by 5% and total water absorption of the concrete by 50%, while the compressive strengths on the cubes with the edge 100 mm were 55 MPa.
A DPSIR approach to selected Cr(VI) impacted groundwater bodies within Attica and Eastern Sterea Ellada River Basin Districts
Authors: Pyrgaki Konstantina , Argyraki Argyraki , Kelepertzis Efstratios , Botsou Fotini , Megremi Ifigeneia , Karavoltsos Sotiris , Mpouras Athanasios , Dassenakis Manos , Hatzaki Maria , Dermatas Dimitris
Published: November 2022

The holistic approach of the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) analytical framework in combination with Geographical Information Systems was applied to selected Cr(VI) impacted groundwater bodies. For the characterization of “state”, 157 samples including field blanks were collected during the wet and dry seasons of 2017 and 2018 and several physicochemical parameters were determined. In Loutraki, Cr(VI) ranged from 12 to 62 μg/L while NO3 and Cl maximum values were 157mg/L and 218mg/L respectively. Very high concentrations of Cr(VI) (up to 430μg/L), NO3 (up to 245mg/L) and Cl (up to 1039mg/L) were measured in Schinos. Additionally, Cr(VI) up to 131μg/L and NO3 up to 156mg/L were identified in the groundwater of Thiva. In C.Evia, Cr(VI) was up to 96μg/L while NO3 and Cl were also very elevated with its respective maximum values to be 362mg/L and 793mg/L. Finally, the highest Cr(VI) concentrations (up to 11.7 mg/L) were measured in Oinofyta area. The main identified pressures are: i) nitrate pollution due to intensive agriculture and urban waste disposal ii) sea water intrusion due to overpumping and iii) Cr(VI) contamination due to both natural processes and industrial activities (clearly in the case of Oinofyta). In many cases, Cr(VI), NO3 and Cl are above the upper drinking water limits of the European directive 98/83/EC. Therefore, among the first steps to address these issues are the implementation of a constant monitoring program as well as the development of a common database for water managers.
Structuring efficient photocatalysts into bespoke fiber shaped systems for applied water treatment
Authors: Theodorakopoulos George , Romanos George , Katsaros Fotios , Papageorgiou Sergios , Falaras Polykarpos , Kontos Athanasios , Beazi-Katsioti Margarita
Published: November 2022

In this study structured photocatalytic systems were successfully developed by a facile method. Polymeric (Alginate) molds, settled the basis in order to effectively disperse and stabilize nanoparticles of an efficient, copper augmented photocatalyst (Degussa P25), which after removal of the polymer by a pyrolytic or calcination-sintering procedure, were shaped in the form of all-ceramic hollow fibers (HFs) with enhanced photocatalytic and mechanical properties and excellent resistance to attrition. The structural and morphological properties have been studied using LN2 porosimetry, XRD, SEM and Raman spectroscopy. The experimental campaign for elucidating the photocatalytic performance encompassed batch experiments, where the abatement of a prototype organic pollutant (Methyl Orange) was investigated in the dark and under UV irradiation. The obtained performance was benchmarked against that of a prototype photocatalyst implemented in slurry or thin film reactors. The role and the contribution of zero-valent Cu nanoparticles in the photocatalytic mechanism, as well as of carbon residues from the pyrolytic procedure, were also examined.
Biodegradation of pharmaceuticals by bacteria isolated from estuarine environment - cleanup technologies through nature based processes
Authors: Fernandes Joana , Duarte Patrícia , Almeida C. Marisa , Carvalho Maria , Mucha Ana
Published: November 2022

New sustainable technologies are needed to tackle pharmaceuticals contamination in different environmental compartments. Bioremediation technology, using native microorganisms with capacity for partial or complete elimination of contaminants, can be considered. This work investigated the capability of different bacterial strains to biodegrade paroxetine and bezafibrate, either as a bacterial consortium or as a single strain. These strains were isolated from bacterial cultures previously enriched under static conditions with paroxetine or bezafibrate, using as inoculum an estuarine sediment. All strains were identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Degradation potential was accessed by analyzing pharmaceutical compounds in the culture medium and fluoride ion release (only for paroxetine). The genus Pseudomonas, widely reported in biodegradation studies, was predominant among the isolated bacterial strains. Most bacterial strains showed potential to degrade paroxetine (55%-100%) as a single strain in co-metabolism with sodium acetate. Furthermore, bacterial consortia also presented high removal efficiencies (>85%) for paroxetine throughout 4 weeks. For bezafibrate, tests showed a high potential of the bacterial consortia to degrade this compound (>90%). The obtained results highlight the potential of native microorganisms to degrade different pharmaceuticals which should be addressed for future development of bioremediation technologies for the recovery of contaminated environments.
Study of water quality in a recirculating aquaculture system for environmental sustainability and fish welfare
Authors: Almeida Diana , Magalhães Catarina , Silva Eliane , Blanquet Isidro , Mucha Ana Paula
Published: November 2022

Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are a promising technology of fish production to reduce aquaculture environmental impact. Water recirculation relies on the stability of physical, chemical and biological processes to increase biosecurity. Although, disruptions in RAS systems can cause fish disease outbreaks by opportunistic pathogenic bacteria with an economic impact. The aim of this study was to characterize the water microbiota across the different sectors of a flatfish (Solea senegalensis) RAS unit, and understand its relation with the water quality parameters. Analysis was focused on the beneficial microbial community for a better environmental sustainability, but also on the opportunistic agents that threaten the fish welfare. Water samples were collected from four sectors at different filtration stages. For microbial diversity, DNA was extracted from the water samples, sequenced by Illumina MiSeq® and sequences output analyzed by SilvaNGS. Results show that Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the most abundant phyla, and potential pathogenic bacteria were detected. They also indicate that salinity shifts can affect the structure of the bacterial community.
An innovative green iron-fertilizer, produced biotechnologically, for correcting iron chlorosis of soybean plants grown in calcareous soils
Authors: Soares Helena
Published: November 2022

Iron deficiency is one of the main causes of chlorosis in plants, which leads to the loss in the field crops quality and yield. Iron-deficiency is a worldwide problem, particularly sever in calcareous soils (about 30% of world´s land surface).
The current use of synthetic iron-chelates to prevent or correct iron-deficiency in plants raises environmental concerns due to their poor biodegradability. Thus, new, more environmentally-friendly efficient solutions are needed to solve iron deficiency-induced chlorosis (IDIC) in crops grown in calcareous soils. In this work, a new green freeze-dried iron fertilizer was produced (patent submitted) from a culture of A. vinelandii containing siderophores of a natural source able to bind iron at pH 9. Soybean plants cultivated under calcareous soils and treated with the green iron-fertilizer responded more significantly and comparable to the positive control, ethylenediaminedi(o-hydroxyphenylacetic) acid, than those treated with the negative control, when evaluated by their growth (dry mass) and chlorophyll concentration (SPAD index). On average, iron content was also greater on green iron-fertilizer treated plants than on negative control treated ones. Results suggest that the freeze-dried product, prepared from A. vinelandii culture, can be a viable alternative for mending IDIC of soybean plants grown in calcareous soils.
New evidence of accelerated elimination of an emergent water pollutant by TiO2 assisted photo-oxidation
Authors: FAVIER LIDIA , LASLAU ALEXANDRA , SIMION ANDREI IONUT , SESCU AMALIA , HARJA MARIA , RUSU LACRAMIOARA
Published: November 2022

Over the past few years, the presence of the pharmaceuticals and their metabolites in the aquatic environment has become an important public health issue. These molecules are generally released in the aquatic ecosystem through the effluents of conventional wastewater treatment plants which were not designed to treat such kind of pollution. Thus, new efficient strategies are needed for their efficient elimination. This study focuses on the photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceutic compound essentially employed for the treatment of hypertension using TiO2 as catalyst and UVA irradiation. An efficient elimination of 95% was obtained after 10 minutes of irradiation at initial pollutant concentration of 6 mg/L and 1.2 g/L of catalyst. A higher mineralization yield of 87% was reached in 2h of reaction. Results showed that under all studied process conditions the target molecule was degraded according to a pseudo first order kinetics. Obtained data clearly demonstrate the potential application of the investigated process for the remediation of polluted water.
Recovery of critical and precious metals from E-Waste
Authors: Vegliò Francesco , Ippolito Nicolò Maria , Birloaga Ionela , Ferella Francesco , Innocenzi Valentina , De Michelis Ida
Published: November 2022

Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is the fastest growing waste stream in Europe. This waste contains a high amount of critical and valuable metals as the rare earths defined critical materials from European Commission (2010) and the precious metals. Exhaust fluorescent lamps are examples of electronic wastes that have important percentages of rare earths elements (REEs). These types of WEEE represent an important secondary source of REEs. Moreover, they are classified as hazardous materials for the presence of mercury and need to be properly handled. Among the most valuable component of WEE there are printed circuit boards (PCBs) for their precious metals content. In the present paper a hydrometallurgical process for the recovery of REEs (yttrium, europium, terbium, gadolinium, lanthanum and cerium) from fluorescent powders and copper, tin, zinc, gold and silver from WPCBs. Hydrometallurgical process for rare earths recovery includes a preliminary roasting, acid dissolution and precipitation of a mixture of REEs oxalates. Alternately, a solvent extraction operation and stripping can be added after dissolution to selective recover rare earths. For the WPCBs treatment, a hydrometallurgical process consisting of two sequential leaching procedures (performed in counter and cross current ways) followed by selective precipitation/reduction of elements of interest from solution has been designed.
A nine-year study on the temporal changes of licit and illicit drug use patterns as revealed from the chemical analysis of influent wastewater from the wastewater treatment plant of Athens
Authors: Thomaidis Nikolaos , Galani Katerina , Alygizakis Nikiforos , Borova Violeta
Published: November 2022

Daily flow-proportional composite influent wastewater was collected from the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Athens during a nine-year sampling campaign (2010-2019). Analytes in influent wastewater are markers of the consumption and the exposure of the chemicals in the population. Wastewater samples were cleaned up and enriched 200 times using a generic solid phase extraction protocol based on a mixture of four sorbent materials capable of retaining a wide-range of analytes. Extracts were analyzed by a wide-scope targeted LC-QTOFMS and by highly-sensitive LC-MS/MS methods for the determination of pharmaceuticals such as antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, antibiotics, antiepileptics, analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), diuretics, antihypertensives, antiulcer, and steroids as well as the main illicit drugs and their metabolites among others. Furthermore, the daily consumption of the substances was back-calculated with the aim of revealing trends in the use patterns of the compounds and associate the changes with socioeconomic phenomena, law enforcements and financial indicators.
NORMAN Non-target screening (NTS) prioritisation scheme for ranking thousands of contaminants of emerging concern in effluent wastewater collected from Europe
Authors: Alygizakis Nikiforos , Dulio Valeria , Von der Ohe Peter , Slobodnik Jaroslav , Thomaidis Nikolaos
Published: November 2022

Prioritisation of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) remains a challenging task of primary importance for environmental managers and the scientific community as regards the definition of priority actions for pollution prevention & control and for the allocation of resources to address current knowledge gaps. The NORMAN prioritisation scheme combines the traditional risk-based ranking process with the preliminary application of a decision tree, which allows the allocation of substances into six action categories, based on the knowledge gaps and actions needed to fill them, e.g. development of more powerful analytical methods, launch of monitoring campaigns and performing additional ecotoxicity tests. The ranking within each category is then evaluated by occurrence, hazard and risk criteria. The tremendous improvements in high-resolution mass spectrometry and the development of advanced chemometric tools resulted in the update of the NORMAN prioritisation scheme, so that it incorporates the automatic retrieval of the occurrence of CECs through retrospective suspect screening. The objective of the study was to present a) the updated NORMAN prioritization scheme and the modifications introduced and b) the application of the scheme for the prioritization of more than 40,000 CECs in 46 effluent wastewater samples collected from Europe.
Influence of Varying Concentration of Toluene in a Soil Biofilter with Water Content Control
Authors: Badilla Daisy
Published: November 2022

Contaminant concentration affects rate of removal of air contaminant in biofiltration. In this study, extent of degradation rate at varying concentrations of toluene (from 50 to 700 ppm) as the air contaminant in terms of elimination capacity (EC) was measured in a soil biofilter with water content control ran for 215 days. Results showed that no inhibition or oxygen limitation was observed at 700 ppm as EC went higher at this concentration reaching 58 g m-3 hr-1. At low concentrations in the gas stream, toluene was degraded faster than it could diffuse into the biofilm while at high toluene concentrations, the whole biofilm was fully penetrated and there was no increase in EC due to biological activity limitation. Oxygen limitation may influence removal rates even if oxygen is not completely depleted in the biofilm with biofilm thickness as another factor in oxygen limitation. There was growth in the biofilm but it did not produce a biofilm thick enough to give rise to oxygen limitation. Though toluene inhibition and/or oxygen limitation could eventually become influencing factors, biofiltration may be used as an air pollution control technology at varying contaminant concentration.
The effect of Boundary Layer Meteorology in GHGs concentrations –The case study over 3 European cities using an aerial platform
Authors: MAGGOS T. , FLOCAS H. , SOULOS TH. , Lenarčič M, , PANAGOPOULOS P. , Gotti A. , Karakitsios S. , Sarigiannis D.
Published: November 2022

In the frame of an EC Horizon2020 project named “ICARUS” (Integrated Climate forcing and Air pollution reduction in Urban Systems), a newly constructed N.A.S.A Awarded light aircraft equipped with high-tech scientific instrumentation was used to perform an aerial mapping over Athens, Thessaloniki and Ljubljana greater Area. The main goal of the current study was to evaluate the effect of atmospheric boundary layer (BL) on Green House Gases (GHGs) concentrations over three different areas of the cities. Sampling took place during winter time over a rural, an urban background and an urban area of the cities. Detailed meteorological parameters were provided by both the aircrafts instrumentation, the wind profile available from radiosonde data as well as the regional models available from the Atmospheric Modelling group of University of Athens. The estimation of the mixing height of the ABL was based on the synoptic scale atmospheric circulation and the prevailing background wind. It was found that the northerly wind in winter forms higher mixing layer, of about 1000 m in winter contributing to the ventilation of the lower troposphere. On the contrary, under southern sector winds the mixing height is lower (of 500-600 m) and favours the accumulation of GHCs.
Urban Strategies for Waste Management in Coastal Areas
Authors: Zorpas Antonis , Voukkali Irene , Loizia Pantelitsa , Chatziparaskeva Georgia , Navarro Pedreno Jose
Published: November 2022

In comparison with other areas, tourist areas have to face additional challenges related to waste prevention and management due to their geographical and climatic conditions, the seasonality of tourism flow and the specificity of tourism industry and of tourists as waste producers.

One major objective of this research is to support policy makers in answering these challenges and in developing strategies that aim at reducing the amount of municipal waste production and at further support the re use, recycle, collection and disposal of waste in tourist areas.

Within this research, the concept of urban metabolism will be used to understand and analyse how tourist areas that are influenced by tourism use their resources and how touristic activities are linked to waste management and resource conservation. Furthermore, a waste compositional technique has been performed in order to relate the waste production in coastal areas as well as the level of the pollution link to the sea and moreover to evaluate the existing infrastructure and waste management plan.