Study and management of pollution source for the elaboration of recommendations for implementing to reduce the negative impact on the environment and population health

Programme

Research project within the State Program financed by the National Agency for Research and Development of the Republic of Moldova

Strategic priority

III. Environment and climate change

Strategic direction

1. The impact of biotic and abiotic factors on the environment and society

Code
ANCD/20.80009.7007.20
Duration
2020-2023
Institutions
  1. Institute of Chemistry, Centre of Ecological Chemistry and Environmental Protection, Laboratory of Physical and Chemical Methods of Research and Analysis, Laboratory of Environmental Quality Monitoring (GeoLab)
  2. State University "D. Cantemir",  Department of Chemistry, Mathematics and Informatics
  3. Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Soil Microbiology 
Project manager

Dr. habilitate, assoc. prof. Igor POVAR

Team:
 The team of the Institute of Chemistry  
Dr. SPATARU Petru CEBAN Vera
Dr. SPATARU Tudor VIȘNEVSCHI Alexandru
Dr. SHEPELI Diana CADOCINICOV Oleg
Dr. BOGDEVICI Oleg GRIGORAS Marina
RUSU Maria NICOLAU Elena
SPINU Oxana CULIGHIN Elena
PINTILIE Boris TERNAVSCAIA Tatiana
VIERU Ecaterina  
   
Abstract

Long-term deposition of pollutants in natural systems leads to their accumulation in significant quantities, transport and biotoxicity caused by their high mobility. The project will achieve the following objectives:

  • Chemical and physico-chemical analysis of the composition of the waste water and elaboration of the purification processes within the development of the technology of sediment processing from the wastewater at the biological treatment plants through the use of the combined aerobic-anaerobic process and the complete separation of the organic sediments;
  • Thermodynamic study of pollutant speciation and determination of optimum conditions for their elimination from wastewater studied in the first stage;
  • Spatial analysis of the lots contaminated with the toxic substances by using the GIS technology and determination of the pollution spectrum with the toxic substances by modern methods that will be implemented in the environmental quality monitoring system;
  • Testing the bioremediation technology and elaborating the scientific recommendations argued for the implementation of technologies for remediation of contaminated land with persistent organic pollutants (POP);
  • Inventory of air pollutants to reduce gaseous emissions that affect climate change;
  • Implementation of the stable isotope analysis technology for the evaluation of the formation of the aquatic resources and the tasks of the integral management;
  • Elaboration of the study course on modern methods of analysis of toxic substances in various objects of the environment and methods of risk assessment for the environment and population health.

The expected results are:
Deduction and use of the fundamental relationships of the formal thermodynamics for heterogeneous processes in multicomponent systems for investigating the factors that influence the stability of the soluble and insoluble pollutant species.
The optimum conditions for removing a number of pollutants from wastewater will be determined. The chemical composition of the wastewater will be analyzed and an original technology for processing the sediment from wastewater at the wastewater treatment plants (SEB) will be developed using the combined aerobic-anaerobic process and the maximum separation of organic sediments. The aerobic and anaerobic concentration of the sludge in the meso-thermophilic regime will be realized in the bioreactor designed and built within the project. The wastewater pre-treatment technology will be implemented in SEB Magdacesti.
The stage is in line with the EU Waste Water Directive and addresses the main aspects of wastewater discharges: energy consumption, sludge management, pest odors. Maps with spatial analysis of POP-contaminated lots will be made using GIS technology.The spectrum of environmental pollution will be obtained through modern methods implemented in the environmental quality monitoring system. Following the testing of the bioremediation technology, new results will be obtained for the elaboration of the scientific recommendations for the remediation of the lands contaminated by POPs.
Short-term climate pollutants and EMEP pollutants will be inventoryed for the report to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution and the proposal to reduce the negative impact on the environment and climate will be developed. The stable isotope analysis technology  for the evaluation of the formation of aquatic resources will be developed for Integrated Water Resource Management.

Results, activities

Within the project, extensive studies were conducted on the sedimentation/fixation process of organic matter on active sludge, sponge clay, and the average clay fraction from underwater sediment. These studies involved various proportions, taking into account the composition of wastewater, pre-treatment time, and quantities of adsorbents. A TEST facility was constructed and tested, providing initial results for hydrophilic and hydrophobic bacterial film carriers under increased pollution conditions. Recommendations were formulated for biological treatment stations in Magdacesti and Donduseni. Significant compaction of organic sediment was achieved through processing, and it was stabilized for use in fertilizing and improving poor soils. Laboratory facilities were assembled and operated for the thermo-stabilization of primary sediments and active sludge. Modeling processes were carried out for the processing of organic solid substances in heterogeneous biphasic systems, indicating the effectiveness of the meso-thermophilic process under certain conditions. An important aspect of the project was the development of optimized technologies for the treatment and efficient use of sludge from biological treatment plants, reducing costs, and extending the equipment lifespan. A recommendation was developed for a chemical pre-treatment technology aimed at removing floating substances from wastewater produced in the production of partially emulsified fat and milk globules in low pH conditions at ”Sandriliona” SRL. A chemical pre-treatment technology was developed for the removal of floating substances from wastewater generated by the meat processing (abattoir) process, considering the fat content and blood globules at ”Floreni” SRL.

Equations for buffer action were derived in the investigated multicomponent heterogeneous systems. These equations facilitate the assessment of the resistance of heterogeneous systems to external disturbances, such as temperature variations or the influence of pollutants.

GIS technology was used to obtain the spatial distribution of lots contaminated with various toxic substances. The contaminated lots were characterized and mapped, providing relevant data for the implementation of remediation technologies. Additionally, an inventory of climatic pollutants was conducted and evaluated according to European standards. Another important aspect of the project was the development of bioremediation technologies for contaminated soils, including the former pesticide depot CR-Slobozia Dusca-01. Incubation experiments were conducted under field conditions, and the results indicated the effectiveness of remediation measures, highlighting the increase in the population of beneficial microorganisms.

In the educational field, programs, study plans, and curricula were developed for disciplines related to the analysis of toxic substances and the assessment of chemical and environmental risks. Educational materials were integrated into the online platform of the State University of Moldova.

Overall, the project made significant contributions to environmental protection, addressing various aspects of water purification, sludge treatment, remediation of contaminated soils, and the analysis of toxic substances.

Publications

Monograph

  1. POVAR, I., PINTILIE, B., SPINU, O. Aplicații practice la reacțiile în sisteme omogene și eterogene apoase (echilibre chimice complexe). Chişinău: CEP USM, 2021, 280 p. ISBN 978-9975-158-99-2. https://ichem.md/sites/default/files/2022-05/Monografia_Povar.pdf


Chapters in monographs

  1. VASEASHTA, A., DUCA, G., CULIGHIN, E., BOGDEVICI, O., KHUDAVERDYAN, S.; SIDORENKO, A. Smart and connected sensors network for watercontamination monitoring and situational awareness. Functional Nanostructures and Sensors for CBRN Defence and Environmental Safety and Security. Chapter 20, ed. A. Sidorenco, H, Hahn. Dordrecht, Netherlands, Springer, 2020, 365 p. ISBN13 9789402419115. https://www.bookdepository.com/Functional-Nanostructures-Sensors-for-CBRN-Defence-Environmental-Safety-Security-Anatolie-Sidorenko/9789402419115?ref=grid-view&qid=1574222042922&sr=1-634
  2. POVAR I., SPINU, O., LUPASCU, T., DUCA, Gh. Thermodynamic Stability of Natural Aqueous Systems. In: Handbook of Research on Emerging Developments and Environmental Impacts of Ecological Chemistry. IGI Global, 2020, pp. 76-108. ISBN13 9781799812418. https://doi.org/ 10.4018/978-1-7998-1241-8.ch004
  3. POVAR I., SPINU, O. Buffer properties of heterogeneous mixtures “mineral – natural waters”. In: Handbook of Research on Emerging Developments and Environmental Impacts of Ecological Chemistry. IGI Global, 2020, pp. 164-196.  ISBN13 9781799812418. https://doi.org/ 10.4018/978-1-7998-1241-8.ch008
  4. BOGDEVICH, O., DUCA, Gh., SIDOROFF, M.E., STANICA, A., PERSOIU, A., VESEASTA, A. Groundwater Resource Study by Isotope Technology in International Centre for Advanced Studies on River-Sea Systems. In: Handbook of Research on Water Sciences and Society. IGI Global, 2022, pp. 87–100. ISBN13 978-1799-873-56-3.  https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-7356-3.ch004
  5. POVAR, I., SPINU, O., SPATARU, P., SHEPEL, D., PINTILIE, B., VISNEVSCHI, A. Termodinamica proceselor chimice complexe în amestecurile de surfactanți. In: Chimie ecologică: istorie și realizări: Academicianul Gheorghe Duca, 70 ani de la naștere. Chişinău: CEP USM, 2022, pp. 268-283. ISBN 978-9975-159-05-0. https://ibn.idsi.md/sites/default/files/imag_file/268-283.pdf
  6. POVAR, I., SPINU, O., MUCCI, A. pH-Metric Determination of the Equilibrium Constants in Aqueous Heterogeneous Systems. In: Handbook of Research on Water Sciences and Society. IGI Global, 2022, pp. 222-255. ISBN13 978-1799-873-56-3. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-7356-3.ch010
  7. POVAR, I., SPINU, O., LUPASCU, T., DUCA, Gh. Thermodynamic Stability of Natural Aqueous Systems. In: Research Anthology on Ecosystem Conservation and Preserving Biodiversity. IGI Global, 2022, pp. 531-563. ISBN13 9781668456781. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-5678-1.ch028
  8. POVAR, I., SPINU, O. Thermodynamics of Redox Processes in Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Multicomponent Systems. In: Handbook of Research on Fundamental and Biomedical Aspects of Redox Processes. 2023, pp. 173-197. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-7198-2.ch008. ISBN13: 9781668471982

Articles in international journals

  1. POVAR, I., ZINICOVSCAIA, I., UBALDINI, S., SPINU, O., PINTILIE, B., LUPASCU, T., DUCA, Gh. Thermodynamic analyzing of heavy metals precipitation for recovery from industrial wastewaters. In: Environmental Engineering and Management Journal. 2020, vol. 19, nr. 2, pp. 281-288. Print ISSN: 1582-9596. (IF 0.858)
  2. NAGAVCIUC, V., PERSOIU, A., BĂDĂLUTĂ, C. A., BOGDEVICH, O., BĂNICĂ, S., BÎRSAN, M. V., BOENGIU, S., ONACA, A., IONIȚA, M. Precipitation Stable Isotope Framework in the Wider Carpathian Region. In: Water. 2022, vol. 14, 2547. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14162547 (IF 3.53)
  3. POVAR, I., SPINU, O. Thermodynamics of complex chemical equilibria in surfactant mixtures. In: Tenside Surfactants Detergents. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1515/tsd-2022-2473 (IF 1.058)
  4. SPATARU, P. Influence of organic ammonium derivatives on the equilibria between NH4+, NO2− and NO3− ions in the Nistru River water. In: Scientific Reports. 2022, vol. 12, 13505. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-17568-3 (IF  5.516)
  5. POSTOLACHI, O., RASTIMESINA, I., VORONA, V., NICOLAU, E., CULIGHIN, E., BOGDEVICI, O. Dynamics of microbial population in the soil during bioremediation. In: Analele Universităţii din Oradea, Fascicula Biologie. 2023, 30(2). pp. 180-186. Print-ISSN: 1224-5119. https://www.bioresearch.ro/2023-2/180-186-AUOFB.30.2.2023-POSTOLACHI.O.-Dynamics.of.microbial.population.pdf (IF 0.5).
  6. POVAR, I., SPINU, O., PINTILIE, B. Graphical and computational methods for determining the stability constants of mono- and polynuclear complexes with a common intersection point of the family of formation curves. In: Romanian Journal of Ecology & Environmental Chemistry. 2020, vol. 2, nr. 2, pp. 70-77.  ISSN-L: 2668-5418. https://doi.org/10.21698/rjeec.2020.210
  7. Rastimesina, I., Postolachi, O., Josan, V. Bioremediation and phytoremediation of pesticide contaminated soil: microbiological study. In: Lucrări Științifice. Seria Horticultură. Ed.:“Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iași. 2020, vol. 63, nr 1, pp. 179-188. ISSN–L=1454-7376. https://www.uaiasi.ro/revista_horti/files/Nr1_2020/vol%2063_1_2020%20(29).pdf
  8. TEODOROF, L., BURADA, A., DESPINA, C., SECELEANU-ODOR, D., SPIRIDON, C., TIGANUS, M., TUDOR, I. M., TUDOR, M., ENE, A., ZUBCOV, E., SPANOS, T., BOGDEVICH, O. Sediments quality assessment in terms of single and integrated indices from Romanian MONITOX network (2019 – 2020). In: Annals Dunarea de Jos Univ. Galati, Fasc. II. Mathematics, Physics, Theoretical Mechanics. 2020, vol. 43, nr. 2, pp. 175-183. ISSN 1221-4531
  9. POVAR, I., SPINU, O., PINTILIE, B. pH-metric method for determining the solubility and solubility products of slightly soluble hydroxides and acids. In: Romanian Journal of Ecology & Environmental Chemistry. 2021, vol 3, nr. 2, pp. 32-41. ISSN-L: 2668-5418. https://doi.org/10.21698/rjeec.2021.204. http://www.dspace.incdecoind.ro/bitstream/123456789/1769/1/Articol%2004%20Proceedings.pdf
  10. POVAR, I., SPINU, O., PINTILIE, B. pH-metric method determining the solubility and solubility products of slightly soluble salts of arbitrary composition. In: Romanian Journal of Ecology & Environmental Chemistry. 2021 vol 3, nr. 2, pp. 61-70.  ISSN-L: 2668-5418. https://doi.org/10.21698/rjeec.2021.208. http://www.dspace.incdecoind.ro/bitstream/123456789/1774/1/Articol%2008%20Proceedings.pdf
  11. Rastimesina, I., Postolachi, O., Josan, V., BOGDEVICI, O. Microbiological characteristics of long-term contaminated soil with organochlorine pesticides. In: Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies. 2021, vol. XXV, nr 2, pp. 109-114. ISSN 2285-1364, ISSN Online 2285-1372. http://biotechnologyjournal.usamv.ro/pdf/2021/issue_2/vol2021_2.pdf
  12. SPANOS, T., MITTAS, N., CHATZICHRISTOU, C., DERMENTZIS, K., TOPI, V., SPANOU, D. S., ENE, A., TEODOROF, L., ZUBCOV, E., BOGDEVICH, O. Evaluation of Potable Groundwater Quality Using Environmetrics. The case of Nestos and Strymon River Regions, Northern Greece. In: Journal of Engineering Science and Technology Review. 2021, vol. 14, nr. 1, pp. 114 – 118. ISSN 17912377


Articles in national journals

  1. POVAR, I. The stoichiometric uniqueness of multiple chemical reaction systems in chemical thermodynamics, kinetics and catalysis – contributions of professor Ilie Fishtik. In: Chemistry Journal of Moldova. 2020, vol. 15, nr. 2, pp. 7-28. ISSN (p): 1857-1727. http://dx.doi.org/10.19261/cjm.2020.803
  2. UBALDINI, S., POVAR, I., LUPASCU, T., SPINU, O., TRAPASSO, F., PASSERI, D., CARLONI, S., GUGLIETTA, D. Application of innovative processes for gold recovery from romanian mining wastes. In: Chemistry Journal of Moldova. 2020. ISSN 1857-1727 (print). http://dx.doi.org/10.19261/cjm.2020.718
  3. PINTILIE, B., SPINU, O., POVAR, I. Sugestii metodologice de predare a solubilităţii compuşilor puţin solubili. In: Didactica Pro. 2020, vol. 1, nr. 119, pp. 37-42. ISSN 1810-6455. CZU 378.016:546.1. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3695371.
  4. POVAR, I., PINTILIE, B., SPĂTARU, T. Definiția și exemple de sinergism chimic. In: Didactica Pro. 2021, nr. 4-5, pp. 19-24. ISSN 1810-6455. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5597087
  5. POVAR, I., PINTILIE, B., SPINU, O.  Dozarea cronovoltametrică indirectă a metalelor alcalino-pământoase. Contribuția savantului chimist Ion Vatamanu la dezvoltarea metodelor electrochimice de analiză. In: Akademos. 2022, vol. 1, pp. 70-80. ISSN 1857-0461. https://doi.org/10.52673/18570461.22.1-64.10. https://ibn.idsi.md/sites/default/files/imag_file/70-80_7.pdf
  6. GUȚU, N., POSTOLACHI, O., ZARICIUC, E. Enterobacteria from the genera Salmonella and Shigella with an etiological role in acute diarrheal diseases. In: Acta et Commentationes, the Exact and Natural Sciences series. 2023, nr. 1(15), pp. 51-58. ISSN 2537-6284, ISSNe 2587-3644. https://doi.org/10.36120/2587-3644.v15i1.51-58


Patents

  1. LUPASCU, T., MITINA, T., GOREACIOC, T., CULIGHIN, E., CIBOTARU, S., POVAR, I., DEMCHENCKO, P., KOZLOV, K., VOITKO, O. Procedeu de oxidare a pectinei. Positive decision no. 9675 din 2020.12.11. Nr. de depozit: a 2020 0031, data depozit: 2020.04.08.
  2. SPĂTARU, P., MAFTULEAC, A., POVAR, I., PINTILIE, B., SPÎNU, O. Procedeu de tratare biologica a sedimentelor din apele reziduale. Patent MD 4702 C1 2021.02.28.
  3. LUPAŞCU, Tudor; MITINA, Tatiana; GOREACIOC, Tatiana;  CULIGHIN, Elena; CIBOTARU, Silvia;  POVAR, Igor;  DEMCHENKO, Pavlo; KOZLOV, Kostiantyn; VOITKO, Oleksandr.  Procedeu de oxidare a pectinelor. Patent MD 9675 from 12.11.2020.
  4. SPĂTARU, P.; MAFTULEAC, A.; POVAR, I.; PINTILIE, B.; SPÎNU, O. Procedeu de tratare biologica a sedimentelor din apele reziduale. Patent MD 4702 C1 from 2021.02.28.