bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TELECOMMUNICATION SIGNALS CAN CAUSE BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS: OUR 20 YEARS' STUDIES IN LIVING SYSTEMS
Authors: MARGARITIS L.
Published: November 2022

The big bang of telecommunication initiated a few decades ago has caused gradually an enormous increase of the electromagnetic pollution in the environment, the work place and home as well as the personal surrounding of every user. The research of our Electromagnetic Biology Laboratory is focused on the effects of various kinds and sources of telecommunication signals (mobile phones, mast antennas, wireless DECT, baby monitors) on the reproduction of Drosophila melanogaster. Our activities are focused recently on the irradiation of the rodent Mus musculus to reveal defects on memory, behaviour, brain proteome/gene expression and other lesions induced by this type of non ionizing radiation. Our studies inxolve multidisciplinary approaches engaging the most sophisticated techniques, such as the Morris water Maze behavioural task, object recognition task, proteomics/transcriptomics analysis, ROS assay, immunohisto-chemistry, confocal and electron microscopy. The data show a decrease in the reproductive capacity of Drosophila and deficits in osteogenesis of newborn mice, as well as memory impairment and brain protein/gene expression changes following irradiation. Plant growth was shown to be affected by telecommunication signals. A proposed general mechanism of action involves the raise of reactive oxygen species as a major early event governing EMF exposure of living matter
References
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Stefi AL, Margaritis HL, Christodoulakis NS (2016) The effect of the non-ionizing radiation on cultivated plants of Arabidopsis thaliana.(Col.). Flora 223, 114-120
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Characterization of Natural Organic Matter and Disinfection By-products Formed After Chemical Disinfection of Water
Authors: Postigo Cristina , Andersson Anna , Mourad Harir , Bastviken David , Gonsior MIchael , Schmitt-Kopplin Philippe , Gago-Ferrero Pablo , Ahrens Lisa , Ahrens Lutz , Wiberg Karin
Published: November 2022

Chemical disinfection of water has been commonly applied to protect public health from waterborne infectious diseases. Chemical disinfectants are strong oxidants that react with the building blocks or alter the metabolism of pathogenic organisms, killing them as the final consequence. These oxidative reactions are not substrate-specific, and thus, all organic and inorganic constituents of the water may be involved. The changes of the organic matter and the disinfection by-products (DBPs) formed are dependent of the disinfectant used and the organic and inorganic precursors present in the water. The present work aims at investigating these aspects in disinfected water from four water treatment plants in Sweden. The waterworks investigated were selected according to the type of disinfectant used (chlorine or chloramine) and the characteristics of water entering the plant (groundwater, surface water, or artificially recharged groundwater). Specific and generic extraction approaches, and target, suspect and non-target screening approaches using advanced mass spectrometry have been used to investigate DBPs formed and to characterize the organic matter before and after the chemical disinfection process.

Acknowledgments: CP acknowledges support from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences through the August T Larsson Guest Researcher Programme. This work was supported by the Government of Catalonia (Consolidated Research Groups 2017 SGR 01404- Water and Soil Quality Unit) and by the Swedish Research Council FORMAS (grant 2013-01077).
The integration of three field survey datasets in Athens, Greece: transformation of five-point to seven-point thermal sensation scale
Authors: Pantavou K. , Lykoudis S. , Delibasis K. , Tseliou A. , Koletsis I. , Nikolopoulou M. , Tsiros I.
Published: November 2022

The integration of the datasets from three different field surveys on thermal sensation conducted at eight different sites of the area of Athens, Greece was examined. All three surveys were carried out with similar methodologies so data integration can be considered meaningful. The surveys included micrometeorological measurements and questionnaire-based interviews during different seasons focusing on human thermal sensation. The participants self-reported their thermal sensation classified in predetermined classes, i.e. very cold, cold, cool, neither cool nor warm, warm, hot, very hot. However, despite the similarities, one of the surveys used a five-point (±2, ±1, 0) thermal sensation scale whereas the other two a seven-point (±3, ±2, ±1, 0) scale. The present study focused on the transformation of the five-point to a seven-point thermal sensation scale. The middle and extreme classes of both scales were considered to coincide, so the rescaling method involved fitting a common sigmoid curve in all three datasets and reassigning points ±1 of the five-point scale to ±1 and ±2 of the seven-point one. For this purpose, air temperature, grey-globe temperature and Physiological Equivalent Temperature were used as possible independent variables.
Removal of PFAS from wastewater by bio-waste adsorbent: material characterization and adsorption kinetic study
Authors: Bavasso Irene , Bracciale M.Paola , Sbardella Francesca , Di Palma Luca , Marco Scarsella
Published: November 2022

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are considered emerging contaminants and have been increased their attention due to their distribution in water body. These compounds are acid and characterized by a thermal stability to make them resistant to degradation processes. Activities such as tannery, paper and cardboard production, waterproof cloths, produce wastewater rich in PFAS and heavy metals. There are currently no Maximum Contaminant Levels established for PFAS chemicals and the Environmental Protection Agency is working on the definition of a technical guidance providing information on health effects and methods for the treatment of drinking water. The adsorption process is one of the technologies used for the treatment of wastewater and food residues are getting increased attention as bio-adsorbent because they can be found easily as wastes or by-products and at almost no cost. In this work the removal of PFAS was performed by using food waste such as Yerba Mate (YM) as bio-adsorbent. Adsorption tests were performed at different pH condition (from 3 to 10) and temperature (from 10 °C to 40 °C). The concentration of pollutants was determined by HPLC, UV-VIS and TOC analysis. SEM-EDS, XRD, FT-IR and BET were done to achieve a characterization of the adsorbent material.
Species prioritization for recovery potential estimation. Case of study: Seasonally dry tropical forest at an inter Andean valley of Cauca River, South America
Authors: Alvarado-Solano Diana , Otero Joel , Šarapatka Bořivoj
Published: November 2022

Seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF) at the Colombian inter-Andean valley of Cauca River (IVCR) has been under constant transformation. Following the current SDTF’s global distribution, it has remained as small and sparse fragments embedded in an anthropogenic landscape. Information regarding the known species composition is a basic input in any modelling scheme. Environmental data is also needed to understand its influence as an explanatory variable for the species occurrences. Knowledge about the biomes and ecoregions where they have been registered may help to understand the way in which the multiple species have been distributed through environmental gradients. In such a way we could recognize the relevance that IVCR plays for the conservation of SDTF plant species in the long term. From multiple datasets, a database with 1725 plant species was built. After applying different criteria set (endangered, endemic, conservation status, at national and regional level), different species subsets were obtained. For a first subset with the species prioritized, Maxent Algorithm on R Studio has been applied to produce predictive habitat suitability models to support the detection of potential areas for restoration. Restoration scenarios will be built for each subset of prioritized species which can be used for landscape planning purposes.
Membrane technology for the purification of solutions containing cationic surfactants.
Authors: Klimonda A. , Kowalska I.
Published: November 2022

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cationic surfactant (Tequat LC90i, TEAQ) removal from aqueous solutions with the use of tubular ceramic ultrafiltration and microfiltration modules. Research included an assessment of the feed solution parameters (surfactant concentration, presence of electrolyte) and process conditions (transmembrane pressure and linear velocity) on the transport and separation properties of the membranes. It was found that pressure-driven membrane processes enable cationic surfactants solutions purification – TEAQ retention coefficients exceeded 80%.
UV/H2O2 coupled with adsorption in the decolorization and phytotoxicity effects of dye mixtures
Authors: Aristizábal Castrillón Adriana , Ortega Tapia Ana Carolina , Alvarez Marroquin Cristian Felipe , Cardona Rendón Lorena , Arroyave Quiceno Catalina
Published: November 2022

UV/H2O2 is an effective process for the decolorization of dyes in water; However, after treatment if complete mineralization is not achieved the toxicity of the wastewater usually increases due to the generation of intermediated more toxic than the dye. Thus, a subsequent process to reduce toxicity of the treated effluent is desirable to reduce treatment costs and to allow discharge in water corps or for water reuse. Few UV/H2O2 studies reported UV/H2O2 efficiency in mixtures of dyes and other few considered couple processes with adsorption to decrease phytotoxicity. The present study reported the decolorization by UV/H2O2 of three textile dyes in water and their binary and ternary mixtures at different initial concentrations. Also, the effect of the initial concentration of H2O2 was studied in time. After UV/H2O2 treatment the effluents were treated by adsorption using a commercial aluminosilicate and a silica gel (waste from industry). The decolorization and phytotoxicity effects (using a Raphanus sativus bioassay) were evaluated before and after UV/H2O2 and adsorption processes.
Waste Management System and Its Effects on the Water Quality of an Ecotourism Destination in Caramoan, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Authors: Moico Cherry Luz , Florece Leonardo , Cereno Roberto , Ancog Rico
Published: November 2022

Caramoan is a municipality located in the far eastern end of Camarines Sur in the region of Bicol, Philippines. The islands of Caramoan has been the site for several editions of the international reality TV show Survivor since 2008. After being featured in the show, its popularity spread like wildfire and the volume of tourist visitors escalated. The tourism industry boosted the municipality’s economy and brought income generating opportunities to its communities. Changes in the physical, environmental and social dynamics became noticeable over the years. Resorts were intensively built in shorelines, farmers shifted to tourism-related businesses and services and problems on waste management emerged. The worsening problem on wastes became the most challenging in one community of the municipality. This study was conducted to assess the waste management of the community and how it affects the coastal water quality. Results showed that the community and tourists gave high importance on proper waste management but the local government unit showed weak policy implementation. As an additional validation, coastal water quality tests on DO, BOD, pH, TC and TFC were done for two distinct seasons. Results showed that the water is still within the standards of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-DENR, Philippines.
Climate change impact on river assimilative capacity: a case study application of water related climatic indicators
Authors: ZIOGAS A. , ROMAS E. , PECHLIVANIDIS I. , TZIMAS A.
Published: November 2022

In this investigation, we use climatic, water-related indicators to evaluate the impact of climate change on the assimilative capacity of the Asopos River, Central Greece. Indicators were developed and organised under the SWICCA climate service (http://swicca.eu), which aims to develop and showcase a Water Management Information Service for the Copernicus Climate Change Service based, among others, on real case studies and end-users. River flow indicators are the core data for evaluating the assimilative capacity of the Asopos River under different scenarios regarding average flow conditions. Assimilative capacity was evaluated for 6 heavy metals, namely Cr, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn. Socioeconomic indicators (GDP and Land Use) were also utilized to incorporate changes of economic activities in the assessment. Climate impact indicators are free of the need for laborious processing. They cannot cover all aspects of local analysis needs but, combined with local information, they are key-data for integrated climate change impact investigations. Results from 226 scenarios of circulation, regional and impact models combinations as well as industrial activity evolution, indicate for the majority of the scenarios, a small impact on the river’s assimilative capacity, associated with climate change, while industrial activity evolution could have a significant effect.
Employing data-driven models in the optimization of chemical usage in water treatment plants
Authors: Kandris K , Romas E , Tzimas A , Gavalakis E
Published: November 2022

One of the most challenging tasks in potable water production is the cost-efficient and consistent operation of water treatment plants (WTPs) that treat raw water of variable quality and quantity. To increase process stability and optimize the usage of resources, two data-driven models simulated coagulation in two WTPs. The data-driven models were successfully trained on monitoring data collected from the two WTPs (mean errors of effluent turbidity were below 0.5 NTU in both case studies) and were subsequently employed in the optimization of two historical periods of the WTPs. During this model-based backtesting of the WTPs, multiple operating scenarios were investigated on a daily time step in search of chemical doses that deliver a quality threshold for treated water at the minimum usage of chemicals. Results from the application of this model-based approach for WTP optimization indicated that a reduction of chemical costs equal to 6 % and 8 % would be probable for the two case studies respectively, without hampering the efficiency of raw water treatment. This work underscores that the large quantity of passive data that are amassed daily during the operation of WTPs can be turned into actionable intelligence that supports decision-making and enhances adaptive planning for water utility operators.
Risk analysis for gas pipelines: A sustainability assessment approach using bow-tie analysis
Authors: Panagopoulos J. , Karayannis A. , Karayannis P. , Gouvalias G.
Published: November 2022

Vast amounts of natural gas (NG) are consumed around the world everyday that are mainly transported and distributed through pipelines. Integrity of these pipelines is of primary interest to NG companies, consultants, governmental agencies, consumers and other stakeholder due to adverse consequences and heavy financial losses in case of system failure. Fault tree analysis (FTA) and event tree analysis (ETA) are two graphical techniques used to perform risk analysis, where FTA represents causes (likelihood) and ETA represents consequences of a failure event. 'Bow-tie' is an approach that integrates a fault tree (on the left side) and an event tree (on the right side) to represent causes, threat (hazards) and consequences in a common platform. The study also explores how inter-dependencies among various factors might influence analysis results to perform risk assessment for natural gas pipelines using triple bottom line (TBL)sustainability criteria, namely, social, environmental and economical consequences. The present study aims to help owners of transmission and distribution pipeline companies in risk management and decision-making to consider multi-dimensional consequences that may arise from natural gas pipeline failures. The research results can help professionals to decide whether and where to take preventive or corrective actions and help informed decision-making in the risk management process. A simple example is used to demonstrate the proposed approach.
Challenges in biological treatment plants: the approach of zero sludge waste
Authors: Amanatidou E , THEOFANIDIS S , Samiotis G , Bellos D , Pekridis G , Tsioptsias C
Published: November 2022

The current trend in operation of biological Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) is the minimization of sludge wastage due to its labor and cost intensive management process. Minimization of sludge can be achieved by increasing the solids retention time (SRT) in a WWTP, up to an almost complete retention of solids. This operational modification can induce problems that compromise effluent quality, such as: (a) excessive accumulation of sludge, (b) Dissolved Oxygen availability, (c) changes of C:N:P nutrient ratio, (d) changes of microbiological and morphological characteristics of biomass and (e) insufficient treatment. By imposing specific WWTP design and operational conditions, the SRT related problems can be resolved. The current study presents results based on monitoring five full scale industrial and municipal WWTPs, operating towards “complete solids retention”. The results showed that under high SRT and after the modification in the design and operation of a WWTP, successful microbial manipulation can be achieved. This leads to (i) excess sludge minimization, up to 95%, (ii) good sludge settling characteristics, with SVI < 120 ml/g, (iii) sufficient wastewater treatment, with removal efficiencies, up to 99%, 98% and 99% for COD, TN and TP respectively.
Successful use of UV light driven photocatalytic oxidation for the removal of an emergent water contaminant
Authors: HARJA M. , SESCU A.M. , FAVIER L. , LUTIC D. , CIOBANU G.
Published: November 2022

The discharged pharmaceutical compounds in water have created environmental problems due to their harmful potential at low concentrations. Finding an environmentally friendly treatment process is a real challenge to avoid water contamination. Heterogeneous photocatalysis, can be used for the degradation of organic compounds, but each pollutant must be studied. The aim of this study was to explore the potential of TiO2 Degusa commercial photocatalysis for elimination of levetiracetam (Lev), an anticonvulsant used to treat certain types of seizures. Tests were carried out in a batch reactor, mechanically stirred, with external irradiation using UVA light, ambient temperature, at natural pH of solution. UV irradiation was generated by two Philips PL-S lamps (9W). The experiments were performed for a catalyst loading of 1 g/L and at an initial concentration of Lev in the range of 5 - 25 mg/L. After adsorption-desorption equilibrium, all experiments being performed for an irradiation time of 140 min. Samples were taken at regular time intervals, filtered and the residual concentration of pollutant was measured (liquid chromatography - HPLC, using a Waters 600 PDA system) to determine the photodegradation efficiency. The influence of different parameters was investigated and in optimal conditions a photodegradation yield of 99% was achieved.
A detailed characterization of household Municipal Solid Waste
Authors: Papadopoulou Konstantina , Mathioudakis Dimitrios , Lytras George Marios , Pavlopoulos Charalampos , Dimopoulos Nikolaos , Niakas Spyridon , Melanitou Helen , Lekkas Dimitrios Fragiskos , Lyberatos Gerasimos
Published: November 2022

Reliable data on Municipal Solid Waste composition are paramount for the development of environmentally sound, sustainable and economically viable integrated waste management systems. However, no standardized universally accepted waste characterization protocol has been developed, as there are various methodologies described in the relevant literature (Edjabou et al., 2015). In the present study, a generic and easy-to-apply waste sampling and sorting approach is developed and presented. The area of interest of the characterization was the Municipality of Halandri in Attica, Greece. The MSW composition characterization was necessary for the development of an innovative waste management strategy in the Municipality (WASTE4Think, 2015). Five suitable waste collection points were identified as sampling points. In each sampling point three collection bins were located (commingled waste in green bins, recyclables in blue bins and paper & cardboard in yellow bins. The sampling points were located in a residential area (no shops or companies etc. around). For seven consecutive days the content of the bins was collected and transported to a sorting facility, where sorting into 40 fractions and sub-fractions and weighing took place. The results indicated a recycling rate up to 75% and a level of impurities in the recycling bins (blue and yellow) no more than 17%.
Water resources management in education for sustainable development
Authors: Tzaberis N. , Paraskeva D. , Tatarakis N.
Published: November 2022

Issues relating to water resources are included among the most serious environmental problems. Pollution and deterioration of the receiving surface water and groundwater, mainly from human activities, pose an immediate threat to natural ecosystems and the functions of biosphere reserves, the balance of which is a prerequisite for the survival of every life form on the planet. In this light, the aim of the current study is to record second grade high school Rhodes students’ knowledge of matters concerning water. For the purposes of the investigation, a questionnaire was used consisting of 19 main questions, which was distributed to 292 students. The survey results indicate a general lack of adequate knowledge in matters relating to pollution and water scarcity, as well as ways of dealing with them, and managing water resources. These data require the development of appropriate teaching interventions in education for sustainable development. This teaching procedure can contribute to the formation of active citizens, with knowledge, sensitivity and willingness to defend the right to life by preserving and maintaining healthy aquatic systems for the present and the future of humanity.
The use of biochar from waste wooden biomass for removal of emerging pollutants
Authors: Žgajnar Gotvajn Andreja , Carvalho Ana Paula , Marinšek Marjan , Kalčikova Gabriela
Published: November 2022

Biochar can be produced usig variety of waste biomass to achieve goals of zero waste management and circular economy. It has been used as adsorbent in the past for water and wastewater treatment. Recetly, the application of natural porous materials for removal of emerging pollutants gained a lot of attention. One of the important groups of emerging pollutants are also pharmaceuticals. Owing to recent concerns about their effects on naturally occuring bacterial communities resulting in developement of antibiotic resistance different removal methods are studied and applied. The aim of presented research is to use biochar prodeced from waste biomas for removal of veterinary antibiotic tiamulin from model wastewater. Produced biochar was activated using different chemical methods (KOH or K2CO3 addition under varios conditions). It was chracterised using BET method for determination of pore size and volume as well as SEM microscopy. Results indicated importance of biochar activation to achieve applicable adsorption characteristics. In 180 minutes of batch experiment 42% of tiamulin was removed. Kinetic parameters were also determined by Lagergren model while for determination of adsorption isotherm Freundlich model fitted obtained data. It was concluded, that adsorption characteristics of produced and activated biochar are comparable to those of commercially available activated carbon and thus its feasibility for removal of tiamulin from model wastewater was confirmed.
Production of PHAs with enhanced properties from sugar-based wastewater in a two stage process
Authors: ANTONOPOULOU G , FOUSKAKIS G. , STERGIOPOULOU E , ALEXANDROPOULOU M , NTAIKOU I , LYBERATOS GERASIMOS
Published: November 2022

The experimental design of the study was based on two different microbial processes, i.e. anaerobic fermentation of a sugar-based wastewater via mixed acidogenic cultures and aerobic polymerization of the produced acids and alcohols for poly-hydroxy-alkanoates (PHAs) production, via enriched cultures. For the first stage of the combined process, a continuous up-flow column reactor (UFCR) and a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) were developed. For the optimization of the performance of both reactors, the effect of main parameters influencing the distribution of the produced acids were investigated.
The liquid effluent of the reactors, containing fatty acids and ethanol were forwarded to the second stage of the combined process. A sequential batch reactor (SBR) was used for the second, aerobic stage of PHAs production. The inoculum used for the start up of SBR was an enriched culture that was developed by thermally pretreated soil, subjected to nutrient limitation.
Multivariate Analysis of Large µ-FTIR Data Sets in Search of Microplastics
Authors: Wander L. , Vianello A. , Vollertsen J. , Braun U. , Paul A.
Published: November 2022

µ-FTIR spectroscopy is a widely used technique in microplastics research. It allows to simultaneously characterize the material of the small particles, fibers or fragments, and to specify their size distribution and shape. Modern detectors offer the possibility to perform two-dimensional imaging of the sample providing detailed information. However, data sets are often too large for manual evaluation calling for automated microplastic identification. Library search based on the comparison with known reference spectra has been proposed to solve this problem.
To supplement this ‘targeted analysis’, an exploratory approach was tested. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to drastically reduce the size of the data set while maintaining the significant information. Groups of similar spectra in the prepared data set were identified with cluster analysis. Members of different clusters could be assigned to different polymer types whereas the variation observed within a cluster gives a hint on the chemical variability of microplastics of the same type. Spectra labeled according to the respective cluster can be used for supervised learning. The obtained classification was tested on an independent data set and results were compared to the spectral library search approach.
The role of hydro-technical works in diminishing flooded areas. Case study: the June 1985 flood on the Miletin River
Authors: Hutanu E , Urzica A , Paveluc L.E. , Stoleriu C.C. , Grozavu A
Published: November 2022

Hydro-technical constructions are very important in diminishing flooded areas and associated damage in the event of a flood. The case study for the Miletin River in the Moldavian Plateau (Eastern Romania) focusses on the historical floods of June 1985. The floods recorded at the Miletin River hydrometric stations are: 106 m3/s for Nicolae Balcescu station and 204 m3/s for Şipote station. Our analysis involves a series of simulations of a flood flow constant using the hydrological data associated with the 1985 flood. The mathematical modelling base is the high-grade terrain model (LiDAR raster type). Two flood scenarios have been carried out: the first one was based on the running of a constant flow considering the present hydro-technical constructions and works; the second scenario implied running the same flow, but without hydro-technical constructions. Bands of flooding associated to the two scenarios were generated. Flooded areas and damages were determined considering the modification of the bed by these works. Comparative analysis of flooded areas scenarios reveals, in the case of the same amount of precipitation, a downward trend in flood flows due to the presence of the hydro-technical constructions.
Pretreatment of antibiotics-contaminated waste biological sludge by ozonation
Authors: Kalčikova Gabriela , Boševski Igor , Derco Jan , Žgajnar Gotvajn Andreja
Published: November 2022

Ozonation was studied as a pretreatment method for a waste biological sludge, contaminated with large amounts of globally used antibiotics; tiamulin, levofloxacin and amoxicillin. At the concentrations of over 100 mg L-1, these antibiotics were found to inhibit biogas production (up to 50%), which means, that the molecules would pass the anaerobic digestion system unchanged. Ozonation of sludge, contaminated with antibiotics, not only removes inhibitory effects but also improves overall biogas production for 10% or even more, depending on the dose of the oxidant.
Human exposure to PFCs by drinking water
Authors: Petreas Myrto , Kalantzi Olga-Ioanna , Thomaidi Vasiliki , Tsahouridou Aggeliki , Stasinakis Athanasios
Published: November 2022

The purposes of this study were to investigate the presence and potential health risks of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in drinking water. An extended literature review was initially conducted to collect monitoring data of PFCs in drinking water, worldwide. In order to assess the potential risk for human health associated with the presence of PFCs in drinking water, risk assessment was based on Risk Quotient (RQ) methodology, while RQs were calculated for different life stages, applying different scenarios based on the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) values published in the literature. According to the results, there is a considerable number of published articles in scientific journals (31) concerning the presence of PFCs in drinking water. Their mean concentration levels ranged from less than 1 ng L-1 to marginally higher than 100 ng L-1. Amongst all target compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) seemed to pose a probable risk to human health, especially to infants and young children, indicating the need for further research.
The need for setting optimal geographical and temporal boundaries for infrastructure project design and EIA, and how science and technology can help
Authors: Venables Roger
Published: November 2022

All infrastructure projects generate significant effects on the environment and their surrounding communities, but to varying degrees depending on their nature, scale and context. The environmental Impact assessment process, despite its title, attempts to assess the social effects of projects alongside environmental impacts.

However, EIAs are often undertaken after the overall scope of the project has been settled. Strategic environmental assessment (SEA), on the other hand, is a framework for ensuring that environmental and sustainability impacts are integrated into high-level government policy, planning and programme making, and provides a systematic process that is aimed at to bringing up-to-date scientific methods to environmental assessments.

Major infrastructure projects lie somewhere in between, often have impacts at a wide range of scales, and often visit benefits and adverse impacts unequally to different communities and other stakeholder groups.

This paper examines the challenge of optimising geographical and temporal boundaries for the overall framing of infrastructure projects with the objective of minimising the significant adverse impacts and the number of people affected, and maximising the benefits to the greatest number of people. It concludes with comment on how environmental science and technology can help support this process.
Exceptional flood events in the summer of 2018 in Trebes Negel Reprezentativ bazin (Romania)
Authors: Paveluc Larisa Elena , Grozavu Adrian , Cojoc Gianina Maria , Hutanu Elena
Published: November 2022

In the summer of 2018, the general unstable weather throughout the central and eastern parts of Romania has led to significant rainfall, sometimes exceeding 60 mm/day, and consequently to a massive runoff on the slopes that rapidly increased the flow on tributaries and the main course of the river Trebes from the Moldavian Subcarpathians. The majority of the hydrometric basin stations recorded exceeded caution levels, and the hydrometric station Bacau registered the maximum historical level (H= 348 cm). Analysis and data processing were performed using programs and hydraulic calculations for different probabilities that demonstrated this.
Effect of oxygen functional groups on mercury retention in activated carbons
Authors: Sotiropoulou R. E. , Skodras George , Serafidou Maria
Published: November 2022

Two commercial activated carbons (F400 and RWE) were tested for their Hg° retention capacity, in order to elucidate shortcomings that still exist, with respect to the oxygen functional groups. The number and the nature of oxygen containing functional groups were altered by heating under H2 at 1100°C or treatment with HNO3. The activated carbons tested were found suitable for mercury retention and the observed differences are attributed to their diversified characteristics (surface chemistry and pore structure). Acidic activated carbons promptly adsorb Hg°, since it behaves as a Lewis basis. When oxygen groups were almost completely removed, by H2 thermal treatment, the Hg° retention ability became practically zero. Acid treatment increased both the number and the acidic oxygen groups; resulting in increased Hg° retention. The Langmuir isotherm equation was used to describe the adsorption (physisorption and chemisorption) of Hg°, occurring in activated carbons. The fitting curve of the Langmuir equation and the correlation coefficient R2 indicate quite fair linear approximation (R2 = 0.9773). Reflecting the spontaneous nature of the adsorption reaction, the Gibbs free energy change calculated is negative (-23.5 kJ/mol and -30.9 kJ/mol, for the RWE and F400 respectively).
Nano-iron based coated biomass as packing material in fixed-bed reactors for Lead removal from wastewater: experimental and mathematical modelling
Authors: Vilardi G. , Di Palma L. , Verdone N.
Published: November 2022

The lead pollution of natural environments is considered a severe issue due to the high toxicity and mobility of lead ionic species. The present study deals with the removal of Pb(II) ions from synthetic wastewater by means of iron-based coated olive stones, used as packing material in lab-scale fixed bed columns. The biomass was coated through the direct precipitation of nano-iron oxide nanoparticles and demonstrated a notable Pb(II) sorption capacity. In detail, the continuous experiments showed a Pb(II) removal efficiency of 80% at an initial Pb(II) concentration of 50 mg/L, a bed height of 12 cm and an inlet flowrate of 4 mL/min. Different operating parameters values were varied (initial Pb(II) concentration, inlet flowrate and bed height) at pH>pH of zero charge of the packing material. The obtained breakthrough curves were fitted by suitable dynamic models, to obtain the regressed model parameter values for a subsequent pilot-scale process simulation and scale-up.
What can we do about Smartphone-addiction – or the dream of a wireless-free digital detox Island
Authors: Lercher Piero , Mosgoeller Wilhelm
Published: November 2022

Since the introduction of wireless technology, these devices penetrated all strata of the society. Even children use mobile phones regularly and excessively long. Currently we see the rise of behavioural changes and symptoms indicating addiction. According to various studies on the addiction potential of digital devices, there is an increasing need to respond to the association of "screen time" and altered social behaviour. There is academic discussion whether the problematic use of smartphones use really fulfils all criteria for the diagnosis "Addiction". Considering addiction as a disorder with severe effects on physical and psychological health, it is clear, that the observed behaviour has a similar presentation as addiction in terms of excessive use, impulsive control problems and negative consequences. In its socio-cultural context there is a need for research on the underlying neurobiology and mechanisms.
We propose the installation of holiday camps equipped for behavioural therapies to offer immediate help to families or individuals that suffer from modern technology pathologic use. An ideal setting could be a region that abstains from wireless modern technology networks and provides facilities to consume addictive technology under controlled conditions. Currently we are looking for a Greek island that can be dedicated to the project.
Characterization of xylanase-Treated Karagumoy Fiber Reinforced Composite (KFRC)
Authors: MINA MARIA TERESA
Published: November 2022

Effect of Enzyme Treatment on the Properties of Karagumoy Fiber-
Reinforced Plastic Composite

This work attempts to determine the effects of enzyme treatment on the mechanical properties of a natural fiber-reinforced composite using Pandanus simplex (karagumoy) fibers. The properties of karagumoy fibers are presented. Physical modification such as enzyme treatment is employed to improve the chemical and mechanical properties of the fibers and the karagumoy fiber-reinforced composites (KFRCs) that were produced. The treatment scheme sufficiently improves the mechanical properties of the fibers and composites, as well as, the composites’ water absorption property. The morphology of fibers and composites is determined through the use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). SEM results indicate a reduction in fiber diameter for the treated fibers and an increase in fiber surface roughness, thereby resulting to an improved adhesion or compatibility between the hydrophilic fiber and the hydrophobic matrix. FTIR analysis results of the fibers further support this finding as evidenced by the reduction in OH groups of the enzyme-treated karagumoy fibers.
Strategic Spatial Planning for Green Infrastructure. The case of the metropolitan area of Thessaloniki
Authors: Pozoukidou Georgia , Sagovits Silia
Published: November 2022

Intense and varying environmental challenges have become one of the most pressuring goals that contemporary cities struggle to meet. Climate change, excessive urbanization and fragmentation of space are just some of the issues that contemporary cities are called to respond to. Thus, finding an effective approach to improve the quality of urban areas has proved crucial to cities all around the world. Green Infrastructure (GI) practices emerge as a key measure for cities that seek to increase their resilience to climate change and provide a quality place for people. Through strategic spatial planning, GI can be considered as one of the most appropriate multi-faceted approaches to reciprocate to a constantly changing urban landscape. In the metropolitan area of Thessaloniki there has been no GI planning so far. However, existing and prospective green, open and natural areas can play a catalytic role in the development of a GI network. To address this gap, the paper presents the methodology used for the development of a strategic spatial planning approach for GI in the metropolitan area of Thessaloniki.
Ozonation, advanced oxidation and hydrodynamic cavitation for removal of persistant pollutants
Authors: Žgajnar Gotvajn Andreja , Čehovin Matej
Published: November 2022

Ozone is commonly used in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in combinations with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and UV radiation (UV). Hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) has been experimentally proven to result in effects, typical of AOPs. Combinations of AOPs with O3, H2O2 and UV, and HC (with cavitation numbers less than 0.2, generated by various orifice plates and nozzles, with number of passes up to 12) were experimentally assessed on model water, containing organic matter. Various synthetic organic micropollutants (iohexol, diatrizoic acid and metaldehyde with concentrations of 10 μg L–1) were selected as the target compounds. At dosages of O3, H2O2 and UV above 2 mg L–1, 4 mg L–1 and 450 mJ cm–2, respectively, herein applied HC had no beneficial effect on target pollutants removal. At lower dosages of the aforementioned oxidants, HC was able to improve the removal rate of the target pollutants by as much as 15 %. Moreover, in terms of electrical energy consumption, the hybrid process with HC was found to be as efficient per order (90 %) of removal (EEO, kWh m–3 order–1).
Improving aquaculture environmental footprint utilizing offshore renewable energy
Authors: LILAS THEODOROS , Antoniou Evanthia , Kotrikla Anna , Vatistas Athanasios , Dagkinis Ioannis
Published: November 2022

The main environmental impacts of aquaculture include eutrophication, chemical pollution and harm to sensitive marine ecosystems. At the same time, the required energy leads to high emissions of greenhouse gases. Offshore wind turbines are a sector of renewable energy that grows rapidly. Offshore wind turbines can be combined with aquaculture units to meet their energy needs, saving fuel and reducing their carbon footprint. However, there are many difficulties in installing aquaculture units in existing offshore wind parks (e.g. small water depth). A new paradigm is to deploy floating wind turbines and aquaculture at open sea. Open sea aquaculture is more environmentally friendly, but has not been developed due to increased supply chain cost and harsh sea state conditions. The aim of this study is to propose a renewable energy system that can cover the energy needs of an open sea aquaculture unit. The system consists of a multiuse floating structure that accommodates wind turbine, photovoltaic panels, batteries, energy management system, fish monitoring devices and automatic feeding system. In this way the frequency and cost of in-situ visits, will be reduced. The above combination makes open sea aquaculture development more attractive and at the same time improves its environmental footprint.
Technical optimization of a treatment process on ABE effluent by membrane technologies
Authors: Stoller Marco , Bravi Marco , Russo Paola , Bubbico Roberto , Mazzarotta Barbara , Sed Giorgia , Moroni Monica
Published: November 2022

In the last decades, the interest in biofuel production is sensibly growing as a good source of sustainable energy and a valid alternative to fossil ones. One of the most promising biofuel is butanol and might be produced by starting from different substrates, such as second generation ones, that have the advantage to be in the future more cost effective, as soon as the relevant production processes will be fully developed and optimized.
In this case, the entering lignocellulosic material undergoes biological digestion up to a mixture mainly of acetone, butanol and ethanol, respectively. The digestion product, called ABE, requires the separation of almost pure butanol from the other components, in order to qualify as a biofuel. A possibility to perform this separation is by fractioned distillation, which has the advantage to be operated with ease, but leads to very high operating costs.
In this work, the separation of n-butanol from ABE was performed by means of membrane technology in four subsequent steps: ultrafiltration (UF), pervaporation (PV), nanofiltration (NF) and a last step of demixing once the n-butanol concentration reaches values within the miscibility gap. The study focused on the productivity, selectivity and longevity of the adopted membranes; in particular, it was observed by experimental campaign that membrane fouling must be strongly inhibited to achieve technical and economical feasibility of the overall proposed process.
Tuning of an advanced control system on a membrane process for tannery wastewater purification and chromium recovery purposes
Authors: Stoller Marco , Marchetti Angela
Published: November 2022

Tannery wastewater represent a hazard to the environment due to its high content of chromium. Conventional methods to purify this wastewater stream are available, but not capable to recover back chromium to the tannery process. Membranes appears to be a promising technology to achieve both targets of water purification and recycling of chromium.
The economic feasibility of the here proposed process relays on fouling minimization, in order to maximize the life of the employed membrane modules and as a consequence to keep the operational costs low. The use of an advanced control system capable to predict fouling incurrence and to adapt the operating conditions to sub-boundary ones appears to be the best strategy.
In this work, the proposed process, including the advanced control system, was simulated within HYSYS. By means of performed simulation runs, it was possible to avoid irreversible fouling operating conditions, still obtaining an adequate level of tannery wastewater treatment and relevant chromium recovery rates. Both the predictive and the adaptive part of the control system exhibits high reliability. The developed strategy appears therefore promising to encourage the use of membrane technologies for this application with feasibility from a technical and economic point of view.
Identification of biotransformation products of veterinary drugs present in piggery wastewater during treatment with photobioreactors based on microalgae-bacteria and purple phototrophic bacteria consortia
Authors: López-Serna Rebeca , García Dimas , Bolado Silvia , Jiménez Juan , Lai Foon , Golovko Oksana , Ahrens Lutz , Wiberg Karin , Gago-Ferrero Pablo , Muñoz Raúl
Published: November 2022

This work identified transformation products (TPs) from 5 antibiotics and 1 analgesic, namely enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, danofloxacin, amoxicillin, penicillin G and dexamethasone, respectively, present in spiked real piggery wastewater (PWW) before and after two different treatments in two open photobioreactors operated continuously with a consortium of microalgae-bacteria and purple photosynthetic bacteria. For this purpose, suspect and non-target strategies based on liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) were used. The application of quantitative structure-retention relationship (QSRR) prediction models, in addition to a comprehensive evaluation of the obtained MS/MS spectra, provided valuable information to support the identifications. The confirmation of the TPs was carried out with the corresponding reference standards, when these were commercially available. Alternatively, probable structures of the TPs based on diagnostic evidence were proposed. To the best of our knowledge, some of the identified TPs have never been reported before. A transformation pathway for their biotransformation has been proposed. The presence of the identified TPs was assessed in real PWW samples through retrospective analysis. Ultimately, the potential ecotoxicological risk posed by these six veterinary drugs and their TPs was evaluated by means of risk quotients.