2022

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.iuls.ro/handle/20.500.12811/3182

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listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Habitat preference of the endangered species Crambe tataria (Brassicaceae) from Romania
(Göttingen, 2022-12-12) Chirilă, Simona-Dumitrița; Coroi Cara, Irina-Gabriela; Motrescu, Iuliana
Crambe tataria is a protected species, thermophilic relict in Europe and steppe postglacial relict in Romania. In the past three decades, the size of C. tataria populations has been significantly reduced, and the geographical distribution of these populations is fragmented. Despite its status, there is insufficient data on the environmental conditions of this priority species. This study aimed to identify the main plant communities with C. tataria and the relationships between their floristic composition and environmental variables. The floristic composition based on 211 phytocoenological relevés from the Romanian Grasslands Database (164 relevés; EU-RO-008) and personal data (47 relevés). The vegetation groups were identified using hierarchical agglomerative clustering methods. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) evaluated the relationship between floristic composition and environmental variables. Climatic variables were represented by the environmental variables. The analysis of the floristic composition was performed based on the presence/absence matrix. The vegetation analysis indicated that C. tataria grows and persists in a limited number of plant communities, with a preference for the Arrhenatherion elatioris, Festucion valesiacae, Stipion lessingianae, Cirsio-Brachypodion pinnati, Danthonio-Brachypodion and Prunion fruticosae. The most important variable that influences the floristic composition is the elevation. The analyzed populations prefer alkaline soils rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Arsenic and lead were also present in high concentrations. Investigations have shown that in addition to the Festuco- Brometea the phytocoenoses of C. tataria identified belong to the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, and Rhamno-Prunetea classes. The areas occupied by xerophilic meadows of the Festuco-Brometea are in different stages of degradation due to overgrazing, particularly in north-eastern Romania.
listelement.badge.access-status Metadata only ,
Analysis on the collection and recycling of plastic packaging of crop protection products in Romania
(2022) Tudor, Valentina-Constanța; Smedescu, Dragoș; Vlad, Ionela-Mituko; Dumitru, Eduard-Alexandru; Ungureanu, George; Jităreanu, Andy-Felix; Robu, Alexandru-Dragoș; Costuleanu, Carmen-Luiza
The collection and recycling of plastics, in which crop protection products are stored, has become a priority both in the European Union and at the national level. Therefore, a whole series of projects have been initiated to collect packaging from farmers. This paper aims to analyze the quantities placed on the market by the plant protection industry, as well as the collection and recycling of packaging, meanwhile identifying a correlation between the quantities of pesticides used in Romania, the quantities placed on the market, and those collected. The quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis, the analysis of statistical indicators (mean and standard deviation), as well as the Pearson correlation coefficient was used. The results indicate a strong link between the number of pesticides used and the amount of packaging resulting from the use of plant protection products. Fluctuations in the amount of packaging collected are driven by the involvement of farmers in the process.
listelement.badge.access-status Metadata only ,
Assessment in education. What actions need to be addressed? The perception of students in social sciences and humanities
(2022) Vodă, Ana-Iolanda; Florea, Nelu; Ciulu, Ruxandra; Costuleanu, Carmen-Luiza; Grădinaru, Camelia
Given the importance of the digitalization of education, especially in the context of the worldwide outbreak of Covid-19, this paper focuses on the main directions for action necessary in developing and implementing a digital strategy in education. To achieve this goal, we collected data from March to August 2021 and gathered a total of N=282 participants enrolled at four faculties from the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Romania, in the fields of social sciences and humanities. Our results support the importance of digital skills, digital training assessment, digital infrastructure, education institutions incentives, digital education instruments design, open access resources, public-private partnerships, best-practices exchanges, security and protection and strategic forecasting, in assessing a digital strategy in education from the perspective of both social sciences and humanities students.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
The impact of the storage conditions and type of clearomizers on the increase of heavy metal levels in electronic cigarette liquids retailed in Romania
(MDPI, 2022-03-05) Jităreanu, Alexandra; Coroi Cara, Irina-Gabriela; Sava, Alexandru; Mârțu, Ioana; Caba, Ioana-Cezara; Agoroaei, Luminița
The growing popularity of electronic cigarettes has raised several public health concerns, including the risks associated with heavy metals exposure via e-liquids and vapors. The purpose of this study was to determine, using atomic absorption spectrometry, the concentrations of Pb, Ni, Zn, and Co in some commercially available e-liquid samples from Romania immediately after purchase and after storage in clearomizers. Lead and zinc were found in all investigated samples before storage. The initial concentrations of Pb ranged from 0.13 to 0.26 mg L􀀀1, while Zn concentrations were between 0.04 and 0.07 mg L􀀀1. Traces of nickel appeared in all investigated e-liquids before storage but in very small amounts (0.01–0.02 mg L􀀀1). Co was below the detection limits. We investigated the influence of the storage period (1, 3, and 5 days), storage temperature (22 C and 40 C), and type of clearomizer. In most cases, the temperature rise and storage period increase were associated with higher concentrations of heavy metals. This confirms that storage conditions can affect metal transfer and suggests that the temperature of storage is another parameter that can influence this phenomenon.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Environmental wellbeing in the context of sustainable development: Evidence from post-communist economies
(2022-10-11) Ulman, Simona-Roxana; Mihai, Costică; Căutișanu, Cristina; Brumă, Ioan-Sebastian; Coca, Oana; Ștefan, Gavril
Considering diverse national contexts, there are differences in the capacity of countries in terms of their ability to attain sustainability in its threemain dimensions. The present study puts the economic, social, and environmental indicators faceto- face from 19 post-communist economies across the 2006–2020 period. It emphasizes the main vulnerabilities at the level of the analyzed countries, concentrates on these weak points, and offers concrete explanations regarding the main social and economic factors, exerting a negative influence on them. Consequently, placing climate and energy, with their major components, i.e., energy use, energy savings, greenhouse gases, and renewable energy, at the center of the analysis, as the major weak points of environmental wellbeing within the analyzed group of countries, the nature of the influence of human and economicwellbeing upon each of themis evidenced using panel data-specific methods (pooled, fixed, and randomeffects). The general results obtained showed the following: 1) the components of environmental wellbeing registered a different evolution among post-communist economies; 2) climate and energy components were the main vulnerabilities in terms of environmental sustainability; 3) these environmental components were closely linked to both components of economic and social dimensions; and 4) the determinants of energy use, energy savings, greenhouse gases, and renewable energy were different in the selected group of countries. This study draws attention to the fact that the patterns of development applied in the group of post-communist economies seem to strengthen sustainable goals, especially with regard to economic and human wellbeing. Moreover, while directing its focus on the main urgent environmental vulnerabilities and encouraging their strengthening by not putting the economic dimension in the center of interest, it supports the theoretical perspective of sustainable wellbeing, based on sustainability and ecological economics
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
A scientometric analysis of climate change adaptation studies
(MDPI, 2022-10-10) Iancu, Tiberiu; Tudor, Valentina-Constanța; Dumitru, Eduard-Alexandru; Sterie, Cristina-Maria; Micu, Marius-Mihai; Smedescu, Dragoș; Mărcuță, Liviu; Tonea, Elena; Stoicea, Paula; Vîntu, Cătălin-Răzvan; Jităreanu, Andy-Felix; Costuleanu, Carmen-Luiza
In recent years, climate change has begun to put pressure on humanity and affect natural and human systems. The aim of this paper is to provide an improved understanding of the state of the literature on the impacts of climate change that can be addressed through measures related to disaster risk reduction, sustainable agricultural practices, and the circular economy. This review also represents a valuable and fundamental reference for both researchers and practitioners in these fields. A total of 74,703 articles (climate change adaptation, 45,030; disaster risk reduction, 5920; sustainable agricultural practices, 7940; circular economy, 15,813) published between 1990 and 2022 were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection, and the links between these areas were mapped using VOSviewer. There has been an increase in the amount of published research on these four topics since 2007, indicating the increasing involvement of researchers to address these topics, influenced by the concerns of national and international bodies to address these changes.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Labour implications on agricultural production in Romania
(MDPI, 2022-06-13) Tudor, Valentina-Constanța; Dinu, Toma-Adrian; Vladu, Marius; Smedescu, Dragoș; Vlad, Ionela-Mituko; Dumitru, Eduard-Alexandru; Sterie, Cristina-Maria; Costuleanu, Carmen-Luiza
Throughout this paper, the theoretical concepts from the above areas were combined with the analysis and interpretation of statistical data from the same areas of interest, resulting in a detailed analysis of how the agricultural labour force influences the yields of the five most important crops in the Romanian agricultural sector, namely, wheat, maize, sunflower, rapeseed and soybean. The analysis was carried out within the eight NUTS-listed development regions. A bibliometric analysis of the importance of the academic environment for agricultural labour force research was previously carried out using VOSviewer software. The content of this document aims to determine the impact that the agricultural labour force has on the productivity of the five main crops cultivated in Romania over large areas during the period 2015–2019, where, although the population employed in agriculture has decreased, the yields of these crops have increased due to the technological development process started in agriculture. As of 2019, only 9% of the total Romanian population is represented by the population employed in agriculture and 39.41% and 61.37% of the total area of the country are represented by arable/agricultural area, respectively.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Dynamic of ecological agriculture certification in Romania facing the EU Organic Action Plan
(MDPI, 2022-09-05) Jităreanu, Andy-Felix; Mihăilă Borza, Mioara; Robu, Alexandru-Dragoș; Lipșa, Florin-Daniel; Costuleanu, Carmen-Luiza
Approaching the ecological agriculture topic in the context of European Policies to accelerate the conversion to those policies is an interdisciplinary challenge. The motivation to develop this subject is based on the longitudinal observation that the ecological agriculture evolution in Romania has been very slow, despite the policies aimed to accelerate the transition from the conventional to the ecological agriculture have been supported since the 2000s. The goal of the paper is to reframe the available data to evidence the slow dynamics of the organic farms’ certification. The methods used are descriptive and numerical analysis, supplemented by a qualitative-transversal interpretation. The research work has been carried out on the dynamic analysis of the ecological agriculture progress in Romania, based on the data with the ecological certification of the specialized companies (2019–2021). The main hypothesis: the slow dynamics are caused by subjective barriers. The results confirm the slow dynamics of ecological certifications due to some limits and barriers to understand the real role and benefits from the ecological agriculture. In this context, the European Union Organic Action Plan for 2021–2030 proves to be a stimulus for the Romanian ecological agriculture.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
The relationship between environmental factors, satisfaction with life, and ecological education: an impact analysis from a sustainability pillars perspective
(MDPI, 2022-08-27) Jităreanu, Andy-Felix; Mihăilă Borza, Mioara; Alecu, Ciprian-Ionel; Robu, Alexandru-Dragoș; Ignat, Gabriela; Costuleanu, Carmen-Luiza
The paper analyzes the link between three concepts: environmental values, ecological behavior, and satisfaction with life. Various studies indicate the links between environmental values and ecological behavior, satisfaction with life, and pro-ecological behavior, but no connection between these three concepts. The paper aimed to develop such a research direction, namely sustainability as an integrative concept. The existence of a complex conceptual model between three specific constructs is analyzed. A questionnaire to 267 students from the universities of Iasi, Romania, was applied. To identify the existence of some equations between components, PLS-SEM and PLS-MGA methods were used, through SmartPLS3.9 and SPSS 18. The final model was a reflective-formative one on two hierarchical levels, being made up of 5 latent variables and 18 observed ones. Only the existence of significant equations between knowledge of environmental values and pro-ecological behavior and between knowledge of environmental values and satisfaction with life was highlighted. The multi-group analysis: although higher values are obtained among students from the rural compared to urban, there are no significant differences. The influence of knowledge of environmental values and ecological behavior on life satisfaction among students was highlighted. The results encourage the continuation of research on a larger population, from an extended area.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
“Zero-Waste” food production system supporting the synergic interaction between aquaculture and horticulture
(MDPI, 2022-10-17) Nenciu, Florin; Voicea, Iulian; Cocârță, Diana-Mariana; Vlăduț, Nicolae-Valentin; Matache, Mihai-Gabriel; Arsenoaia, Vlad-Nicolae
Inadequate production practices are widely used in aquaculture management, causing excessive water and energy usage, as well as ecological damage. New approaches to sustainable aquaculture attempt to increase production efficiency, while reducing the quantities generated of wastewater and sludge. The sustainable operating techniques are often ineffective, expensive, and difficult to implement. The present article proposes a zero-waste production system, designed for growing fish and vegetables, using a new circular operational concept that creates synergies between fish farming and horticulture. In order to optimize the operational flows with resources, products, and wastes in an integrated zero-waste food production cluster, a business model was designed associating three ecological production practices: a closed fishing pond, a technology for growing vegetables in straw bales, and a composting system. The design had the role to assist the transition toward multiple circular material flows, where the waste can be fully reintegrated into the production processes. A comparative evaluation was conducted in three alternative growing environments, namely, a soilless culture established in straw bales, a culture grown in soil that had received compost fertilizer, and the conventional farming technique. When compared to conventional methods, experiments showed a significant increase in the cluster’s cumulative productivity, resulting in a 12% improvement in energy efficiency, 18% increase in food production, and 25% decrease in operating expenses.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Evaluation of the adsorptive performances of rapeseed waste in the removal of toxic metal ions in aqueous media
(MDPI, 2022-12-16) Arsenie, Teodora-Daniela; Coroi Cara, Irina-Gabriela; Popescu, Maria-Cristina; Motrescu, Iuliana; Bulgariu, Laura
Rapeseed seeds are one of the most important categories of raw materials used to obtain biofuels. However, the biomass resulting after oil extraction is still considered waste, for which valorization solutions are sought. In this study, we propose the use of this type of residual biomass (rapeseed waste biomass (RWB)) as a biosorbent for the removal of toxic metal ions from aqueous media. Two toxic metal ions were selected for the experimental studies, namely: Pb(II) and Hg(II). The optimal biosorption conditions, for both metal ions, were selected based on response surface methodology and were verified experimentally in batch systems. More than 92% of the initial amount of Pb(II) and Hg(II) are retained under the following conditions: pH = 6.5 for Pb(II) and 4.0 for Hg(II); biosorbent dosage = 4.0 g/L; contact time = 3 h; temperature = 25 1 C. Isotherm (Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models) and kinetic (pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intra-particle diffusion models) modelling of the experimental data were used for the quantitative evaluation of both biosorption processes. Although the Langmuir maximum biosorption capacities are different (higher in the case of Pb(II) (61.97 mg/g) than in the case of Hg(II) (51.32 mg/g)), the pseudo-second order kinetic constants have the same order of magnitude. This shows that the retention of both metal ions involves similar elementary steps and that RWB behaves as a typical biosorbent. These characteristics, together with the very good desorption behavior, provide a complete picture of the possible applications of this waste in environmental decontamination processes.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Soil conservation measures on degraded land in the hilly region of Eastern Romania: a case study from Puriceni-Bahnari Catchment
(MDPI, 2022-02-10) Niacșu, Lilian; Bucur, Daniel; Ioniță, Ion; Codru, Ionuț-Costel
Land degradation through erosion processes is probably the most restrictive issue regarding the sustainable agricultural use of land resources in contemporary Romania. The socio-economic changes that occurred in Romanian society after 1990 resulted in a sharp decline in the implementation of conservation practices along with an increase in intensity of land degradation. Consequently, the present paper firstly aims to analyse the actual spread and intensity of land degradation in the Puriceni-Bahnari catchment, representative area in terms soil erosion within Moldavian Plateau of Eastern Romania. Secondly, the achievement of a dedicated project at the level of the entire basin regarding the implementation of land conservation practices is the most suitable solution for the sustainable agricultural use of this fragile natural resource. The results prove the severe degradation state of the agricultural land, with a mean value of annual soil loss of 15.46 t ha􀀀1 yr􀀀1 (13,500 t yr􀀀1). Furthermore, 460 ha of agricultural lands (72.7% of total) falls within the category that exceeds the limit of admissible erosion of 7 t ha􀀀1 yr􀀀1. As a solution to the existing land use pattern, we designed a map of proposed conservation measures and works on agricultural land for the whole catchment that can be relatively easily implemented and conserve soil and water. The main issues of the proposed land use pattern are: (1) the entire cropland must be reduced and changed to a strip-cropping system; (2) the quality of the pastures should be improved; (3) the forested area must be substantially extended, especially on account of unproductive land, and (4) the agricultural road network must be halved and entirely reshaped. In conclusion, the large-scale implementation of conservation practices on degraded agricultural land is the only rational solution for sustainable development of poor local communities in the hilly areas from eastern Romania.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Recent advances in removal of Congo Red dye by adsorption using an industrial waste
(Springer Nature, 2022-04-12) Harja, Maria; Buema, Gabriela; Bucur, Daniel
The Congo Red dye was removed from a simulated textile wastewater solution using fly ash from a local power plant. The characterisation of fly ash was studied in detail by SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, BET surface area and TGA techniques. The influence of four parameters (contact time, initial concentration, adsorbent dose, and temperature) was analysed, the results showing that the adsorption capacity depends on these parameters. Thermodynamic and regeneration investigations as well are presented. The fit to pseudo-second-order kinetics models suggests that the removal process is a chemical adsorption. The Langmuir model fitted the experimental data, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 22.12 mg/g. The research is a preliminary case study that highlights that fly ash posed a very good potential as a material for Congo Red dye removal.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Investigating six common pesticides residues and dietary risk assessment of Romanian wine varieties
(MDPI, 2022-07-26) Dumitriu Gabur, Georgiana-Diana; Gabur, Iulian; Cucolea, Elena-Iulia; Costache, Teodor; Râmbu, Dan; Cotea, Valeriu V.; Teodosiu, Carmen
The food and environmental safety debate extends to the use of pesticides in agriculture including the wine sector, which is one of the most intensive pesticide users across the agricultural sector. Pesticide utilisation is a common agricultural practice to protect fruits and plants from pathogens and insects while maintaining high production levels. Grapevine is generally a crop that is subject to intensive phytosanitary treatments, and therefore, it can be assumed that pesticide residues will accumulate in the vine-shoots and, later on, end up in the grapes and wines. The aim of this study was to determine the pesticide content in red, rosé, and white wines after phytosanitary treatments applied in the vineyard and their impact on long-term dietary risks. The following six pesticides were analysed: oxathiapiprolin, myclobutanil, iprovalicarb, tebuconazole, chlorantraniliprole, and acetamiprid. Samples were extracted using the QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method and analysed for the residues of pesticides by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results indicated that the observed pesticides in the wine samples ranged between 0.05 and 0.75 ng/g. Dietary risks due to pesticide residues for women and men were evaluated using the estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and hazard index (HI) of wines. The HQs and HIs did not surpass the 1 value (HQ, HI < 1) for both women and men, denoting that the concentrations of pesticide residues in these wine samples do not pose any immediate risk to consumers. Moreover, a pesticide residue intake model (PRIMo) model analysis was conducted, and the results suggest that European adult consumers have a low pesticide residue intake due to moderate wine consumption. However, pesticide residue intakes have been associated with several human health problems and high toxicity levels, therefore reliable analytical methods to monitor their presence in horticultural crops is crucial for clean and safe food products and healthy consumers.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Effects of hybrid polymeric material based on polycaprolactone on the environment
(MDPI, 2022-07-13) Fortună, Maria-Emiliana; Ungureanu, Elena; Jităreanu, Carmenica-Doina; Țopa, Denis-Constantin; Harabagiu, Valeria
Polymers are of great interest in areas such as agriculture, medicine and pharmacy, the food and cosmetic industries, and the chemical and construction industries. However, many polymers are nonbiodegradable and are not environmentally friendly. They are highly resistant to degradation and therefore can lead to waste disposal problems. In recent years, the interest in the microbial degradation of polymeric materials has grown due to the desire for less waste pollution in the environment. In this study, the biodegradable polymer that was obtained by the ring-opening polymerization of "-caprolactone (CL) using an aminopropyl-polydimethylsiloxane (APDMS) oligomer and the effects of the polymer towards the growth and development of tomato plants (Lypercosium esculentum) were investigated. The obtained product was characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDX) analysis, and the effects of this compound on the evolution of tomato plants (Lypercosium esculentum) were studied. We also studied the biological stability of the product by identifying some of the microorganisms that developed on the surface, given its susceptibility to biodegradation.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Meat fatty acid composition ofwild boars hunted in Romania in relationship to gender and age-class
(MDPI, 2022-03-22) Ciobanu, Marius-Mihai; Postolache, Alina-Narcisa; Lipșa, Florin-Daniel; Munteanu, Mugurel; Rațu, Roxana-Nicoleta; Murariu, Otilia-Cristina; Boișteanu, Paul-Corneliu
The present study evaluates the influence of gender and age-class on the carcass traits, meat chemical composition, and fatty acid profiles of randomly hunt-harvested wild boars from Romania’s Frasin District hunting area, which is an important part of the stock density management strategy. Only 76 wild boars were chosen to participate in the experimental design from a total of 94 wild boars hunted over seven winter seasons, based on two main criteria: right carcass part intact and animal health status (suitable for human consumption) as determined by the veterinary health notice issued by the Food Safety Authority, with all wild boars being evaluated before slaughtering. After sanitary inspection and within the first 24 h postmortem, meat samples were taken in duplicate from the right side of wild boar carcasses (m. Biceps femoris). The aim of this study was to compare the carcass characteristics, chemical composition, and fatty acid profile of wild boar Biceps femoris muscle obtained from the right side of carcasses, as well as the effects of gender, age-class, and their interaction on these traits, in a context where venison is frequently regarded as organic food by consumers due to the natural habitat in which wild animals live. The age of the animals had an effect on the postmortem undressed warm and cold carcass weights (p 0.05). Considering the proximal chemical composition, only the intramuscular fat (IMF) content was higher in adult meat samples compared to young animals. C18:1 n-9 was the most abundant fatty acid in wild boar meat, followed by C16:0, C18:2 n-6, and C18:0. For IMF content, gender, age class, and their interaction influenced mainly MUFA fatty acids, in particular C16:1 n-9, C20:1 n-9 and C22:1 n-9, and also PUFA fatty acids C18:3 n-6, C20:3 n-3, C20:4 n-6, C20:5 n-3, C22:4 n-6, and C22:5 n-6. The appropriate amounts of individual fatty acids in the muscles of the wild boars translate into a ratio of P/S acids that promotes health as a bio-alternative resource of meat.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Efficient removal of methylene blue and ciprofloxacin from aqueous solution using flower-like, nanostructured ZnO coating under UV irradiation
(MDPI, 2022-06-26) Tiron, Vasile; Ciolan, Mihai-Alexandru; Bulai, Georgiana; Mihalache, Gabriela; Lipșa, Florin-Daniel; Jijie, Roxana
Flower-like ZnO architectures assembled with many nanorods were successfully synthesized through Thermionic Vacuum Arc, operated both in direct current (DC-TVA) and a pulsed mode (PTVA), and coupled with annealing in an oxygen atmosphere. The prepared coatings were analysed by scanning-electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray-spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray-diffraction (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. By simply modifying the TVA operation mode, the morphology and uniformity of ZnO nanorods can be tuned. The photocatalytic performance of synthesized nanostructured ZnO coatings was measured by the degradation of methylene-blue (MB) dye and ciprofloxacin (Cipro) antibiotic. The ZnO (PTVA) showed enhancing results regarding the photodegradation of target contaminants. About 96% of MB molecules were removed within 60 min of UV irradiation, with a rate constant of 0.058 min􀀀1, which is almost nine times higher than the value of ZnO (DC-TVA). As well, ZnO (PTVA) presented superior photocatalytic activity towards the decomposition of Cipro, after 240 min of irradiation, yielding 96% degradation efficiency. Moreover, the agar-well diffusion assay performance against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria confirms the degradation of antibiotic molecules by the UV/ZnO (PTVA) approach, without the formation of secondary hazardous products during the photocatalysis process. Repeated cyclic usage of coatings revealed excellent reusability and operational stability.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Distribution and pathways of introduction of invasive alien plant species in Romania
(Pensoft Publishers, 2022-08-23) Sîrbu, Culiță; Miu, Iulia-Viorica; Gavrilidis, Athanasios-Alexandru; Grădinaru, Simona; Niculae, Mihăiță-Iulian; Preda, Cristina; Oprea, Adrian; Urziceanu, Mihaela; Camen Comănescu, Petronela; Nagoda, Eugenia; Sîrbu, Ioana-Minodora; Memedemin, Daniyar; Anastasiu, Paulina
Biological invasions are one of the main drivers of modern human-induced species losses. Research on the distribution of alien species and their pathways of introduction is essential for understanding and tackling the invasion process. A comprehensive overview on invasive alien plant (IAP) species in Romania is lacking. With this paper, we aim to contribute to filling this gap and to provide a visualization of national patterns regarding plant species invasions, geographical origins and pathways of introductions. Based on plant species occurrence records in the published literature and herbaria we compiled a national database of 102 invasive and potentially invasive alien plant species. We georeferenced 42776 IAP species occurrences and performed an analysis of their spatial patterns. The spatial analyses revealed a biased sampling, with clear hotspots of increased sampling efforts around urban areas. We used chord diagrams to visualize the pathway of introduction and geographical origins of the IAP species, which revealed that species in Romania originate mainly in North and Central America, while the dominant pathway of plant introduction was horticulture. Our results provide an important baseline in drafting management and action plans, as invasive alien plant species represent a priority for the European Union through the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and a good starting point for various analyses as the database is further developed and regularly updated.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Preliminary study on the impact of non-thermal plasma activated water on the quality of Triticum aestivum L. cv. Glosa sprouts
(MDPI, 2022-12-07) Mandici, Alexandru; Crețu, Daniel-Eusebiu; Burlică, Radu; Astanei, Dragoș; Beniuga, Oana; Roșu, Crăița-Maria; Țopa, Denis-Constantin; Aostăcioaei, Tudor-George; Aprotosoaie, Ana-Clara; Miron, Anca
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of non-thermal plasma-activated water (PAW) on Triticum aestivum L. cv. Glosa sprouts. Two types of PAW were generated by exposing distilled water to a high-voltage electric discharge. Wheat caryopses were treated either with PAW1 (25 mg/L NO3 −, 4 mg/L NO2 −, and 6 mg/L H2O2 ) or PAW2 (35 mg/L NO3 −, 5 mg/L NO2 −, and 7.5 mg/L H2O2 ) for 8 days, with samples being collected at days 1, 2, 3, and 8. The germination rate, growth parameters, protein, photosynthetic pigments, total phenolic contents, antioxidant activity of free and bound phenolic fractions, and activity of antioxidant enzymes were evaluated. Both PAW1 and PAW2 had positive effects on Triticum aestivum L. cv. Glosa sprouts. PAW2 had a better impact on sprouts with respect to growth parameters, free phenolic content, and antioxidant activity of the free phenolic fraction (day 3), the accumulation of proteins, and photosynthetic pigments (day 8). In conclusion, exposure to PAW increases the quality of Triticum aestivum L. cv. Glosa sprouts. Further optimization of PAW treatment is required for the most favorable impact on the accumulation of biomass and health-promoting compounds in sprouts.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Feasibility of biochar derived from sewage sludge to promote sustainable agriculture and mitigate GHG emissions - a review
(MDPI, 2022-10-10) Ghorbani, Mohammad; Konvalina, Petr; Walkiewicz, Anna; Neugschwandtner, Reinhard W.; Kopecký, Marek; Zamanian, Kazem; Chen, Wei-Hsin; Bucur, Daniel
Sewage sludge (SS) has been connected to a variety of global environmental problems. Assessing the risk of various disposal techniques can be quite useful in recommending appropriate management. The preparation of sewage sludge biochar (SSB) and its impacts on soil characteristics, plant health, nutrient leaching, and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) are critically reviewed in this study. Comparing the features of SSB obtained at various pyrolysis temperatures revealed changes in its elemental content. Lower hydrogen/carbon ratios in SSB generated at higher pyrolysis temperatures point to the existence of more aromatic carbon molecules. Additionally, the preparation of SSB has an increased ash content, a lower yield, and a higher surface area as a result of the rise in pyrolysis temperature. The worldwide potential of SS output and CO2 -equivalent emissions in 2050 were predicted as factors of global population and common disposal management in order to create a futuristic strategy and cope with the quantity of abundant global SS. According to estimations, the worldwide SS output and associated CO2 -eq emissions were around 115 million tons dry solid (Mt DS) and 14,139 teragrams (Tg), respectively, in 2020. This quantity will rise to about 138 Mt DS sewage sludge and 16985 Tg CO2 -eq emissions in 2050, a 20% increase. In this regard, developing and populous countries may support economic growth by utilizing low-cost methods for producing biochar and employing it in local agriculture. To completely comprehend the benefits and drawbacks of SSB as a soil supplement, further study on long-term field applications of SSB is required.

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