Catálogo de publicaciones - libros

This paper relates the occurrences of Harmful Algae Blooms episodes in Western Mediterranean countries. This phenomenon appears to have increased in frequency, intensity and geographic distribution. The impacts of such events have reached whole countries maritime borderers’ in this region, by the proliferation of numerous harmful algae species producing various type of marine biotoxins and probably the azaspiracid (AZP) that start to make one’s appearance in Ireland the last few years.

Analysis of the pollution sources and levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Bulgaria and other countries is performed. Acceptable limits in different media are compared with the existing levels. At present PCBs are a problem more as by-products of different combustion processes. The need for additional studies is underlined concerning the environmental and health long term effects.

Water quality in Czech watercourses has improved significantly in the last decade.

Water management and impact of water related hazards on health were investigated. Although some aspects of water quality and supply have improved over the last decade, progress has been variable. Anthropogenic pressure on water resources affect health and water born diseases occur throughout country. The rural and socially excluded populations are especially vulnerable to water related hazards. To improve the situation with regard to water resources, the following issues need to be addressed: (a) the overall poor quality of water resources, (b) the supply of drinking water to the rural population in accordance with established standards and (c) watershed protection.

Morocco faces a serious challenge in terms of water resources management over the near- and medium-terms, both in terms of quantity and quality. The quality of superficial and groundwater resources are currently affected by i.) pollution from rejected domestic and industrial wastewater, ii.) leakage of fertilizers and phytosanitary products and iii.) soils erosion and transport of sediments. A new water law has been promulgated in 1995. It provides a comprehensive framework for integrated water management. This new law constitutes an efficient juridical tool to develop more considerable efforts for water use and mobilization in order to make them compatible with aspirations of socio-economic development of Morocco in the 21 century.

In Romania, the specificity of water resources, namely, the fact that not all the quantity used in the production processes is actually consumed, results in the return of an important part to the source, with damaged quality parameters, which in its turn is the water source for downstream users. The management of industrial and urban wastewaters is far from satisfactory, and require rehabilitation and development measures, while less than 50% of the population is connected to the public sewage system.

Recently acts of terrorism are directed against the peace population, and for this purpose are used explosive, poison gases, there was more accessible a biological and chemical weapon. This problem to become more actual in conditions of the terrorism connected to an opportunity of use for these drinking of water sources. Especially vulnerable group are pregnant women. In conditions falling of birth rate and high death rate in Russia the problem of protection of reproductive health of the population is the major direction of the state policy determining national safety.

Although for practical reasons, terrorist attacks on water systems are considered less likely than on other targets, threats to drinking water cannot be ignored. A large-scale chemical sabotage of drinking water, even insufficient to cause casualties, could still have disastrous socio-economical consequences. There is therefore a need to maintain a high-level of security around water treatment and distribution facilities, especially those supplying critical infrastructures, and to develop emergency preparedness programs at both the local and national levels.

The Drought in the period 1982-1994 had its natural influence on the amount of water resources in Bulgaria. The negative consequences of this process influenced all spheres of the social and economical life in the country, including those important for the Public Health, especially drinking water supply. Bulgaria is a country with limited water resources, which requires a clever management and balance of the available water reserve. The lack of professional management approach during the dry period, led to an abrupt and large-scaled collapse in the water supply system in the country.

The development of sustainable agricultural systems characterised by technologies and strategies of crop protection able to safeguard the groundwater resources and aquatic ecosystems has become one of the themes of the modern agriculture.