Mihai Bratu

Chemical characterization of wet depositions in urban and rural area

The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition of wet depositions in two locations from urban and rural area near Bucharest from January to May 2017. For all the samples, pH, conductivity, anions, cations and heavy metals were determined. For anions (Cl, NO3 and SO4) and cations (Ca, K, Mg, Na) determination an ion chromatographic method was used. Heavy metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined using AAS with flame and graphite chamber. Results showed the presence of the interested compounds in wet depositions samples with SO4 and Ca as the dominant anion and cation. Heavy metals concentration followed the trend: Zn > Mn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Co. Analysing the results obtained the potential sources of ambient air pollution were also suggested.

Study on electromagnetic waves and their effect on the environment and population health

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are a combination of invisible electrical and magnetic fields of force. EMF is present in all places where electricity is used and surrounds every charged electric object. The impact of the electromagnetic field on the environment and peoples health has begun to awaken more and more the interest of research in this field. This is due to the widespread development of various devices that emit electromagnetic waves on different frequencies. This paper presents comparative studies on the level of electromagnetic waves. Determinations have been made both at source so as to highlight the dispersion of electromagnetic waves and their effect on the population in the studied area.

Emissions of greenhouse gases from the livestock sector

In the livestock sector, the livestock activity involves also an air pollution with greenhouse gases, the main pollutants being methane, carbon dioxide and nitrogen protoxide. Depending on the farming system, the animal breed, the food supplied to the animals, and the manure management, various concentrations of gases with greenhouse effect may appear in the gaseous emissions. Emissions of gaseous pollutants from buildings where the animals are kept can pollute the atmosphere and can also affect the health of the farm workers. The natural ventilation of the stables has a major influence on the difficulty of determining the pollutant concentrations in the gaseous emissions, due to the inhomogeneity of the gas flow and the large variations in the pollutant concentrations at different points that are caused by the speed of the air movement through the venting holes and pollutant dispersion inside the building. This study presents the results obtained in a series of measurements of the levels of greenhouse gases at a dairy farm stable with natural ventilation. The equipment used for measurement was a portable gas chromatograph, Varian CP 4900. During the measurements, all the animals have been in the stable (they have not been taken to the pasture during that time).

Characterization of the chemical composition of atmospheric deposition

Atmospheric deposition means the total mass of pollutants which is transferred from the atmosphere to surfaces (e.g. soil, vegetation, water, buildings, etc.) in a given area within a given time. Is considered to be a major process that removes pollutants from the atmosphere and an important source of nutrients and contaminants for ecosystems. Trace elements, especially toxic metals deposited on plants and into soil or water, can cause substantial damage to the environment and human health due to their transfer and accumulation in food chains. This study aimed to determine the amount and the composition of dry deposition in a residential area in Bucharest, organized in summer of 2016, according toDirective 2004/107/EC transposed into Romanian legislation by Law No. 104/2011 regarding the ambient air quality. The dry deposition samples were collected in accordance with SR EN 15841-2010 Standard. The major elements ( Ca, K, Mg) and trace metals (Zn, Fe, Al, Ni, Mn, Cr, Cu, Pb and Cd) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry equipped with a in graphite furnace and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), after acid digestion. Al and Fe were recorded as the dominant metallic elementsin dry deposition followed by Zn, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Cr. This study suggests that earth crust and anthropogenic activities such as motor vehicles were the main sources of dust fall in the study area.

MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF NOISE LEVEL IN THE WIND PARK AREA

In the actual period the environmental protection is a major problem to humanity. In most countries of the world are set to impose measures to limit pollution. International conventions were signed harmonizing these measures. Economic development entails environmental concerns in general and in particular the noise. In this paper are analyzed in terms of noise emission three wind parks in the county of Constanta. Wind energy has been used since ancient times earning a good tradition. In particular, a broader and widespread use of wind energy has many advantages for both technical nature (safe energy source to natural ecosystems, with a possible high overall efficiency, simplicity of construction and during installation) and economic (financial investment reduced operating costs and relatively low maintenance). Turbines for producing electricity are installed in areas with air currents present almost throughout the year. Also nearby wind parks are rural villages with a potential impact in terms of noise. Measurements were performed on each turbine noise wind parks belonging and the data obtained was performed mathematical modeling and drafting papers on noise dispersion in the areas studied.

RESEARCH ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN URBAN AIR POLLUTION AND NOISE LEVELS IN AREAS WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC

Despite being a less frequently considered type of environmental pollution, noise has a major negative impact on the quality of life in cities. As seen by an extensive survey of environmental noise, the commonest sources of urban noise are known to be transport, industry. Although many different types of pollution may be expected to show correlations, only a number of studies have focused on examining the relationships between street noise and ambient air quality and their combined impacts on the surrounding environment. Environmental issues are extremely complex and cover all sectors: economic, social and political. Accelerated urbanization of modern cities produced an urban environmental pollution, so that air quality can be affected. The paper presents some preliminary studies regarding the correlation between noise pollution and the concentrations specific pollutants road traffic. The measurements have been conducted at different distances from some very busy roads and crossroads in order to determine a pattern. The data have been processed with a statistical analysis program in order to establish if the noise level can be used to assess the urban air pollution generated by traffic. Most of the results indicate a good correlation between noises, specific pollutants road traffic. Noise level can be a good indicator for air pollution, especially for the situation when there is no need of a precise determination.