Plant Bioassays for an in Situ Monitoring of Air Near an Industrial Area and a Municipal Solid Waste – ŽILINA (SLOVAKIA)

The process of a bioindication of genotoxic effects of complex mixtures on the environment using higher plants is very appropriate and effective. We present the results of an in situ indication of the genotoxic effects of polluted environment near Žilina city. For a more complex monitoring we used: the Tradescantia micronucleus (Trad-MCN) assay, the Tradescantia microspore test and an evaluation of the abortivity of the pollen grains of native plant species. We found significant differences in the frequency of the micronuclei when using the Trad-MCN test in local of Dubeň. The Tradescantia pollen abortivity test showed significant differences in the frequency of the abortive pollen grains between the exposed groups and the control group. By using native plant species in the pollen abortivity test we found significant differences in both of the two locations for the four following species during two consecutive years: Artemisia vulgaris, Melilotus albus, Trifolium pratense, Typha latifolia.     

Utilization of municipal solid waste bottom ash and recycled aggregate in concrete

In the combustion process of municipal solid waste (MSW), bottom ash (BA) represents the major portion of the solid residue. Since BA is composed of oxides, especially SiO(2) and CaO, the feasibility of its application in concrete as a substitute for cement was tested. It was found that at the age of 28 days, the flexural and compressive strengths of the binder linearly decrease at the rate of 0.03 and 0.02 MPa per wt% of BA in the binder, respectively. According to the results it may be recommended to replace up to 15 wt% of cement by BA and to use such binder where a low strength of concrete elements is required. Furthermore, the aggregate used for low strength concrete need not be of a very good quality. Therefore, gravel aggregate was partially replaced by recycled aggregate (RA). Consistency measured by slump was significantly reduced (>50%) when BA or/and RA were introduced into the mixture. However, concrete density and compressive strength were not affected and were approximately 2300 kg/m(3) and approximately 40 MPa, respectively.     

Development of plant-friendly vermicompost using novel biotechnological methods

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - For the first time in the world, raw tea waste from tea plants was mineralized by rapid biotechnological methods using beneficial worms, enzymes...     

Effects of olive mill waste (OMW) contaminated soil on biochemical biomarkers and reproduction of Dendrobaena veneta

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Olive oil industry is economically important in Mediterranean countries. Disposal of olive mill waste (OMW) presents an environmental concern in those...     

Analysis of essential,toxic, rare earth,and noble elements in maternal and umbilical cord blood

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Progressive industrialization in recent decades has contributed to the increase of metal levels in the environment, which has a dangerous impact on...     

Investigation of gamma ray absorption levels of composites produced from copper mine tailings,fly ash,and brick dust

To date, heavyweight concretes have been produced from various heavy aggregates as radiation insulation materials, and their gamma ray absorption levels have been investigated. Many of the studies have used heavy aggregates instead of cement or coarse aggregates from composite material components. The present study prepared lightweight concretes using copper mine tailings, clay brick dust, and fly ash instead of fine aggregates. Some mechanical tests (density, compressive strength, and ultrasonic pulse velocity) were performed on composite blocks with dimensions of 5*5*5 cm, and radiation interaction parameters [linear absorption coefficient (cm⁻¹), mass attenuation coefficient (cm²/gr), HVL (half-value layer) (cm), MFP (cm), and permeability (%)] were measured. Radiation interaction parameters were obtained using a HPGe gamma detector. Radiation measurements were performed at five different photon energies: 583 keV (¹³³Ba), 609 keV (¹³³Ba), 662 keV (¹³⁷Cs), 911 keV (133^Ba), 1173 keV (⁶⁰Co), and 1332 keV (⁶⁰Co). Additionally, the compressive strength and UPV values of composite materials were associated with their gamma ray permeability. Tests revealed that samples with the addition of copper mine tailings yielded the best energy absorption at all energy levels and that absorption decreased as the energy level increased. For example, with the increasing of the energy level, mass attenuation coefficients decreased. The highest mass attenuation coefficients were obtained as 0.128 cm²/g at an energy level of 583 keV in composites produced from copper mine tailings. On the other hand, it was measured at the same energy level as 0.069 cm²/g (a 46% decrease) in the composites produced with fly ash. In addition, it was observed that fly ash used as a fine aggregate did not have a significant effect on mass attenuation coefficient and could be used as a gamma shield if the material thickness was increased to an average of 14 cm. This study revealed that tailings materials could be used as radiation shields. This study also demonstrated that not using heavy aggregates and producing lightweight concrete in radiation shield production significantly reduced shield production cost.

     

Mapping of cosmic radiation dose in Croatia

The Earth is continually bombarded by high-energy particles coming from the outer space and the sun. These particles, termed cosmic radiation, interact with nuclei of atmospheric constituents and decrease in intensity with depth in the atmosphere. Measurements of photon and gamma radiation, performed with a Radiameter at 1 m above the ground, indicated dose rates of 50-100 nSv/h.The neutron dose rate was measured with the CR-39 track etch detector calibrated by the CERN-EU high-energy Reference Field (CERF) facility. Correlation between neutron dose rates and altitudes at 36 sites was examined in order to obtain a significant positive correlation coefficient; the resulting linear regression enabled estimation of a neutron dose at particular altitude. The measured neutron dose rate in Osijek (altitude of 89 m, latitude of 45.31° N) was 110 nSv/h.     

Evaluation of properties and composition of the mixed municipal waste fine fraction,the case study of Czech Republic

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Estimation of mixed municipal waste composition is important for the option of suitable waste treatment. Many studies have presented their...     

The toxicity of the glyphosate herbicide for Pardosa spiders’ predatory activity depends on the formulation of the glyphosate product

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Glyphosate is an herbicide which was previously considered safe for non-target organisms. 825.8 million kilograms of glyphosate-based products were used...