Alin Mihu-Pintilie

Geomorphologic map of the 1st Mutnaya River, Southeastern Kamchatka, Russia

The Kamchatka Peninsula–situated in the Pacific “Ring of Fire”–has 29 active and over 400 extinct volcanoes. Since it is situated in the northeastern extremity of Russia, in subarctic climate, the volcanic landforms are overprinted by the 446 glaciers. This research focuses on the 1stMutnaya catchment which drains the southern slopes of two active volcanoes: Avachinsky and Koryaksky. Those volcanoes are a permanent threat for the cities of Petropavlovsk and Elizovo, which are the 2 of 3 cities of the peninsula. Hence, most of the studies carried out in the area dealt with the natural hazards and only few focus on landscape evolution. Thus, the purpose of this study was to elaborate a cartographic approach which integrates classic geomorphology with state of the art GIS and remote sensing techniques. As result, different landforms and related processes have been analysed and included in the first general geomorphologic map of the 1stMutnaya catchment.

Historic flood events in NE Romania (post-1990)

ABSTRACT Using open-source satellite imagery like Landsat TM, ETM+ and Sentinel 2 can lead to accurate cartographic products. We mapped flood events from Siret and Prut river basins in the last 30 years based on the availability of Landsat data archive. In this area were recorded historical values in flow rates for the entire Romanian territory: 4650 m³/s on the Siret River in 2005 – the maximum value ever recorded for Romania; 4240 m³/s on the Prut in 2008 – second maximum value recorded for Romania. The most powerful floods that took place in Romania in the last years were in 1970, 1975, 1991, 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2011. In this study four years are distinguished by particularly characteristics: 1991, 2005, 2008 and 2010. Developing geo-hydrological hazard maps and adequate analysis at an appropriate scale and as quickly as possible is extremely important from an economic and social point of view.

GIS methods for assessment of hydrogeomorphic risk and anthropogenic impact which affect the archaeological sites. Case study: Dealul Mare archaeological site, Moldavian Plateau (Romania)

On the territory of Moldova Plateau (Eastern Romania), the degradation of prehistoric archaeological sites is a major issue concerning their conservation. The intensification of soil erosion, actual geomorphological processes and human impact (agriculture, over-grazing, exploitation) are the main causes leading to their destruction. For this reason, different approaches and methods, from scientifical works, were used to assess the intensity of erosion in this region of the country, but most of them have focused only on soil degradation. This study proposes a GIS method, to evaluate not only hydrogeomorphological hazards but also human impact that affecting archaeological sites, which use multiple thematic layers quantified in a single evaluating system (Likerd-type scale). A risk map was generated on 1sqkm extend and based on geoformula, which was adapted for a case study (Dealul Mare archaeological site). In calculation of this geoformula were inserted the following parameters: slope, the occurrence frequency for landslides based on aspect classes, potential water flow erosion depending on land use, potential soil types erosion, surface and liniar erosion, landslides and slope gravitational processes and human impact. The spatial analysis use a digital terrain model (DTM) with a high precision (0.25 sqm/pixel), based on LiDAR technology. Contrary to the traditional scientifical papers, characterized by subjectivity, in this study the detailed identification of risk areas was allowed by a largescale analysis. The proposed method can be applied to all archaeological sites, in Moldova Plateau, and also can be a tool for commencement of conservation works for archaeological sites which can be at risk of being destroyed.

Physico-Chemical Parameters in Mountain Freshwater: Cuejdi River from Eastern Carpathians, Romania

Spatial and seasonal variation of physico-chemical parameters of mountain streams is influenced by anthropogenic pollution pressure. The assessment of Cuejdi river water quality from Stânişoarei Mountains through 13 parameters, was performed. 30 samples each were collected during spring and autumn of 2013/2014, measurements being made both in situ aquatic ecosystem (Multi 350i / SET WTW) and in laboratory (bench meter Hanna HI 4421, Titroline 700 SI Analytics and WTW Turb 555IR).

Sustainable Management of the Cuejdel Natural Dam Lake—Biodiversity Conservation Principles

This chapter aims to highlight the ecological features of this limnosystem that could further help to identify better solutions for the conservation of the lacustrine basin, in the context of an increasing anthropic pressure (deforestations, water pollution, uncontrolled tourist impact, etc). Cuejdel Lake was officially designated a National Natural Reserve by the Governmental Decision 2151/2004 regarding the creation of new protected areas and the conservation of natural flora and fauna habitats (IUCN IV.40 Cuejdel Lake), but this status is not enough for their protection. For this reason, it is considered that Cuejdel Lake area meets all the legislative requirements to establish a Site of Community Importance (SCI), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and/or a Special Protection Area (SPA), according to Natura 2000. The research indicates that the integration of the Cuejdel Natural Reserve and its catchment basin within the Vânători-Neamț Natural Park could be the best solution to sustainable management of this hydro-morphological site and its biodiversity. Also, the preservation of the aquatorium must represent a priority for the competent authorities and for the local population, directly involved in the conservation of the largest natural dam lake in Romania.

Vegetation and Fauna. Environmental Bioindicators from the Lacustrine Water Body

The transition from a simple river sector specific to the Eastern Carpathians to a lake basin led to an increase of biodiversity. The assessment of vegetation and fauna from Cuejdel Lake is based on interdisciplinary research in collaboration with biologists. Also, some biological data have been taken from the scientific literature. The results of research led to the determination of 11 habitats, 38 bird species, 8 amphibian species and 2 reptile species in the Cuejdel Lake Nature Reserve. Out of these, in the 2006 modified version (2006/105/CE) of the Habitats (92/43/EEC) and Birds Directives (79/409/EEC) are there is only mention of 5 habitats, 8 species of birds, 3 of amphibians and a single reptile species. The trophicity level in the aquatic environment was based on ecological bio-indices, such as: phytoplankton (50 taxons), vertebrate fauna (17 species) and invertebrate fauna (over 150 taxons). Within the category of invertebrate fauna are included insects (over 100 taxons), zooplankton (14 taxons) and benthic macroinvertebrates (7 taxons). 72 taxons with high density indicate a saprobic value based on dominant or specific valence. Also, have been identified 11 aquatic and palustrine phitocenosis that represent propitious habitats both for the existing species and the new ones. Based on ecological data collected, Cuejdel Lake acts as an oligotrophic aquatic environment with mesotrophic tendencies.

Genesis of the Cuejdel Lake and the Evolution of the Morphometric and Morpho-Bathymetric Parameters

The present lacustrine basin of Cuejdel Lake has been forming in the upper basin of Cuejdiu river at about 1.5 km upstream Cuejdel brook. Its origin is based on a large landslide that produced the rock displacement during the summer of 1991. The morphometric parameters for landslide were extracted from digital terrain model (DTM) and orthophoto plans (Ed. 2012, 2010 and 2006) using GIS software (ArcGIS, Global Mapper and TNTMips). In order to determine the morpho-bathymetric parameters of the lake basin, direct methods were used: Dual Frequency Echo Sounder for bathymetric survey and Leica System 1200 (TCR 1201 and GPS 1200) for aquatic surfaces and shorelines. From measurements made over the entire surface of the lake between 2011 and 2014, approx. 45,000 bathymetric levels resulted, on which several digital elevation models were conducted of the lacustrine depression with 0.25 m/pixel resolution (DEM 2011 and DEM 2014). The bathymetric maps results were used to determine the morphometric (aquatic surface or water mirror surface, length and width of the lake, lake major axis and minor axis, and perimeter or length of shoreline) and bathymetric parameters (actual shape of lacustrine basin, average and maximum depth, average slope of the lake bottom, water volume expressed as the total or partial volumes).

The Seasonal Variation of Physical-Chemical Parameters and Water Quality Assessment (WQI)

The physico-chemical analysis of Cuejdi hydrographic basin and the Cuejdel lake basin was realized based on a monitoring program which consisted of analysing the seasonal variation of main physico-chemical parameters, with major implications in establishing the degree of trophicity in which the lacustrine ecosystem is located and also regarding the qualitative identification of the biotic component. The scientific approach consisted of two distinct methods: measurements in situ and sampling evidences for laboratory research. In situ, the measurements were made with a portable multi-parameter (Hach Lange device) to collect physico-chemical data. Based on this, Cuejdel Lake acts as a dimictic reservoir with direct thermal stratification during the summer, spring and autumn, and reverse stratification during the winter. At the lowest depths, the temperature is constant all year (5 °C). The surface water is influenced by the air temperature. The water is slightly alkaline with values that oscillate around 8. The alkalinity of the water is caused by the elements that are transported in the water as the hydrographic basin drains. The water in the upper section of the lake is very rich in oxygen. Below 10–11 m, dissolved oxygen is not present. The assessment of water quality from Cuejdi River was performed through 13 parameters. 30 samples were collected during spring and autumn, measurements being made both in situ aquatic ecosystem (Multi 350i/SET WTW) and in the laboratory (bench meter Hanna HI 4421, Titroline 700 SI Analytics and WTW Turb 555IR). The main fact is that a water quality parameter has no equal contribution to the final stage of water quality in all seasons; they can be different from both natural and anthropogenic causes. The analysis, especially the spatial distribution of the nitrate levels, revealed an important degradation of the water quality owed to the anthropogenic pressure. Furthermore, the findings confirm that the natural contamination of the Cuejdi River is less harmful than the contamination with compounds resulted from anthropogenic activities.

Geographic Location and Boundaries of Study Area

The natural dam lake Cuejdel is situated in the Central Group of the Eastern Carpathians (NE Romania), within Stânișoarei Mountains, part of the Moldavian–Transylvanian Carpathians group. They correspond to the eastern sector of the External Marginal Syncline, with a median position in the flysch chain. The southern subunit of the Stânișoarei Mountains—Neamț Mountains is positioned between Bistrița Valley in the west and Cracău-Bistrița Depression in the east (Moldavian Subcarpathians). The lake was formed in 1991, in the upper hydrographic basin of Cuejdiu, one of the left tributaries of the Bistrița River. The name Cuejdel Lake was given after the hydronym of the brook on which it formed. Etymologically, this word comes from Slavonic (Chivejdi), which means “dry valley” or “river stone”. It is also known as the Cross Lake (in Romanian—Crucii Lake). The most important tributaries are the Pârâul Rotund, Cuejdel, Glodu and Făgetu brooks. The major orographic milestones from the lake basin catchment are Muncelului Peak (1077 m), Tarnițelor Peak—Gârcina Massif (1081 m) and Mătieș Summit (986 m).

Physical-Geographical Conditions of the Cuejdiu Valley and Their Importance in the Formation of Cuejdel Lake

It is necessary to integrate the Cuejdel Brook and the catchment areas of Cuejdel Lake as a part of the hydrographic basin of Cuejdiu River. The analysis of physical-geographical conditions from the Cuejdel Valley and their role in the formation of Cujdel Lake emphasize a number of factors that led to the destabilization of the versants and generated the slide complex. It is important to mention the role of: geological factors (flysch layers with clay and argillaceous-marl deposits and compact sandstones), relief (relief energy >300 m, declivity 30°–50°), rainfall regime (cumulated pp. 05–07. 1991—741.4 mm), hydrography (Order IV—Horton Strahler classification) and the structure of valleys (transversal/longitudinal on the general direction of lithologic layers), bioedaphic cover (deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests—96.2%), and last but not least, the anthropic factor (the density of forest exploitation road network 10.67 km/km2). The list of factors that led to landslides can be completed by the earthquake from 1990 (5.4° Richter).