University ranking using research,educational and environmental indicators

This paper introduces a model, which is enabling a comparison between universities regarding research, educational and environmental performances; the mission of university fits the sustainability idea. The purpose of the paper is to improve the methodology and indicators of the existing ranking tables. The three dimensional index, which provides simplified information about the quality of universities, has been developed. It enables quick detection of the weaknesses, strengths and opportunities for universities. Weights of indicators were determined using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Results of the AHP have shown that the most important are research oriented indicators, followed by social and environmental ones.The proposed model has been tested on a sample of 35 top universities from the ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities) and Times ranking tables and a new ranking table – the Three dimensional University Ranking (TUR) has been developed. In addition, correlations between indicators and ranking tables have been carried out. There is only a medium correlation between the ARWU and TUR. Regarding the indicators, a high correlation with Hirsch indices and Highly Cited Researchers exists, while there is an insignificant correlation between the low student to staff ratio and the graduation rate.     

The determination of the extractability of selected elements from agricultural soil

Concentrations of Ag, Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn—isolated by sequential extraction steps from apple orchard soil—were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy and compared to the total amount of metal in soil determined by XRF. The extractable amount of each metal was calculated by the extraction yields of the four steps. The LODs of the different elements in all extracts ware below 3 μg/L except for Ba (steps 1 and 2), Cu (step 1), Fe (all steps), K (steps 1–3), Mn (step 2), Na (steps 1–3), Ni (step 1), Pb (steps 1 and 4), and Zn (steps 1 and 2). The highest LOD (>10 μg/L) was found for Fe, K, and Na (step 1). The recovery of all metals after four sequential extraction steps was 90–112%. The repeatability (<1.1%), the intermediate precision (<5.3%), the day-to-day reproducibility (<6.2%), and the overall uncertainty of measurement (approximately 4–8.5%) for all analyzed metals supports the choice of the method used.     

Analysis of emergency situations at municipal solid waste landfills

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - This work focuses on the issue of emergency prevention in the operation of municipal solid waste landfills. In this work, an emergency is...     

Impact of a severe flood on large-scale contamination of arable soils by potentially toxic elements (Serbia)

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - Extreme flooding in May, 2014 affected the sub-catchments of six major rivers in Serbia. The goal of the study was to evaluate the contents of potentially...     

Microphytoplankton in the Strait of Otranto (eastern Mediterranean)

The Strait of Otranto is the connection between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Low nutrient concentrations, high transparency, and low phytoplankton cell density and biomass reflect the oligotrophic character of the area. Enrichment of the euphotic layer with nutrients is mainly due to discharge of Albanian and Greek rivers, as well as mixing and upwelling in winter/early spring. Following phytoplankton bloom in April, a progressive decrease of phytoplankton cell density is due to the consumption of nutrients throughout the proceeding summer and autumn. Nitrogen was a strong limiting factor for phytoplankton growth in summer. Deep biomass maxima were detected in the 50 to 100 m layer and corresponded mostly to cells smaller than 20 m. The eastern part of the strait is mostly influenced by the northerly inflowing current from the Ionian Sea, and the western part by the southerly outflowing current from the Adriatic Sea. This typical circulation could be disturbed by inertial oscillations in the current field, generated by the strong oscillating winds and cyclonic eddies. The type of circulation determined the distribution of thermohaline characteristics, abundance, biomass, as well as taxonomic composition of phytoplankton, across the strait. Ecological characteristics of the water masses on two sides of the strait were significantly different during the formation of a longitudinal thermohaline front in May 1990.