Catálogo de publicaciones - libros

This paper deals with the choice of detector for organic pollution in wastewater. The AOX detector is characterized and explained in detail. These mobile analytical measuring tube systems were used during the inspection of wastewater treatment plants in a particular region and the results are compared with methodology based on microcalorimetry.

Nowadays, more than 100 constructed wetlands are in operation in Poland. Most of them are one-stage wetland systems with horizontal subsurface flows. Such constructed wetlands ensure efficient removal of organic matter (BOD, COD) and suspended solids, but the efficiency of removal of nitrogen compounds in many cases is insufficient. In the period from 1995 to 2003, measurements of removal of contaminations in 11 household pilot units and 4 community plants equipped with one-stage horizontal flow beds, as well as in 4 community plants equipped with hybrid reed wetland systems composed of HF-CW (constructed wetlands with horizontal flow) and VF-CW (constructed wetlands with vertical flow) filters, were carried out. It was found that sufficient removal of organic matter (70–90 %) took place in the HF filters. The removal of nitrogen took place in VF beds and HF beds (denitrification) applied as a second and third stage of primary hybrid treatment. The removal of nitrogen was limited by the efficiency of the nitrification process in VF beds in wetland systems.

Limited capacity for renewal of ground and surface water and increasing demands from agriculture, industry and domestic users affect the quantity and quality of water resources. The links between the provision of clean water, sanitation and good health are so strong that protection and management of water becomes an indirect primary health protection issue. To prevent and overcome the variety of water-related health risks, implementation of various activities that include general environmental protection, development of water management systems, permanent water quality monitoring and control, and improvement of standards and legislature, are needed. Croatia has a long history of legislation that controls the quality of water. Both drinking water and surface waters are constantly monitored according to the existing laws and regulations. The legislation and implementation of various mechanisms of water protection as a tool for health protection are described.

Bulgaria is among the Central and East European countries applying for membership in the European Union. One of the priority objectives of the country is getting into compliance with the EU legislation within the shortest possible time. This paper is focused on water protection and water quality management. The description of the current status on the discharge and treatment of urban and industrial wastewater is based on information from the inventory of urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and the sewage network prepared for implementation of the EU Directive 91/271/EEC concerning urban wastewater treatment. The total amount of wastewater discharged into water bodies is 878,555,000 m per year. The population connected to the urban collection system is 66.8%. The public sewerage discharges treated in urban wastewater treatment plants are 76%. There are 61 operational WWTP in Bulgaria. Some of them are completed, and others need additional measures for extension, reconstruction and modernization, since they operate below their designed capacity. In 1999, the National Program for priority construction of urban WWTP for settlements with over 10,000 equivalent inhabitants in Bulgaria was developed. The objective of the programme is to establish the priorities for construction of urban WWTP for all populated areas in the country with over 10,000 equivalent inhabitants, as well as the national short-term priorities until the year 2006. In 2003, the Implementation Programme for Directive 91/271/EEC concerning urban wastewater treatment has been developed. Identification of “sensitive areas” was conducted for all rivers in Bulgaria. Criteria for the construction of collection systems and WWTP are presented.

After more than 40 years of communist rule, Romania experienced a major regime change in 1989. Since it began its economic transition in 1990, Romania has taken a hesitant approach to reforms, and sought to protect vested interests and minimize the social costs associated with the transformation to a market economy. This strategy failed to produce sustainable gains in either economic or social conditions, and the costs have been higher than if a bolder approach to structural transformation had been adopted at the outset. Romania continued to face deepening economic recession, rising unemployment, and mounting problems stemming from lack of sufficient restructuring. In the first years of transition to a market economy, many industrial plants in Romania strongly diminished their production, this reduction ranging from 30 up to 80 %. The surviving plants will increase their production in the future. From an ecological point of view, the reduction of industrial production levels lead to a smaller number of pollution sources and smaller quantities of emitted pollutants. The transition period has represented, for the environment in Romania, a break in its fight with industrial pollution. This truce will be ended soon, and the only help for the environment will remain pollution prevention.

The emergent water plants and are studied as phytoremediants in constructed wetlands. Degradation of some toxic organic pollutants in the rhizosphere of plants may be followed by biochemical shifts in the surface lipids formation and change in their functions. The total fatty acid composition of surface lipids of these species was studied. An unusual composition of fatty acids and typical heavy isotopic discrimination for C-plants have been detected. The possible role of some lipid components in the protective functions of plant organism is discussed.