This paper presents some results of an experimental investigation of the possibility of using an “in-foam UV/air oxidation” process for the degradation of anionic surfactants. In this process, only the foam generated by bubbling air through the surfactant solution is exposed to the UV-C light, followed by recirculation to solution using a positive displacement pump. The developed process, tested for sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and sodium dodecylsulfate 0.3-0.5 mM aqueous solutions seems to be promising, even compared with advanced oxidation processes such as UV/H2O2 , depending on photosensitizer dose. Based on the analysis presented in this article the “in-foam UV/air oxidation” process has surprisingly good performances related to both surfactant concentration (primary degradation) and chemical demand (mineralization), but is limited by the lowest useful foaming concentration. The foam acts as a support for photochemical reactions, as it concentrates the surfactant to a high area interface, where it is exposed to the UV light and oxygen. By contrast, when only the solution is exposed to UV light, the “in-solution UV/air oxidation” process, the efficiency is low and, as expected, higher for the UV-absorbing aromatic compound sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate. The “in-foam UV/air oxidation” process can be used as a pretreatment before biological aerobic treatment of clear waste water containing surfactants and is also an interesting research alternative for the oxidation of other organic compounds. This process can be refined by adding phosensitizers.

The scientifically researches have show that the pharmaceutical ingredients are frequently present in the environment aquatic component (surface water). For some pharmaceutical effects on aquatic organisms have been investigated in acute toxicity assays. The chronic toxicity and potential effects are least known. Whiting this context and according with REACH Regulation, the present work assessed the aquatic acute (LC50 / EC50) and chronic toxicity (the maximum allowable concentrations in water - MATC) for the 4 most abundantly used human pharmaceuticals: diclophenac, ketoprophen, indometacin and carbamazepine. The toxicity biotests were conducted on fresh water fish (Cyprinus carpio sp. – a common species from Romanian surface waters) and crustacean (Daphnia magna sp.). To comply the OECD/ISO methodology, the testing procedure have followed the biological parameters: mortality, behavior and physiological modifications (for fish); immobilization and reproduction inhibition (for crustacean); inhibition and stimulation (for luminescent bacteria). Analytical control of test solutions concentrations was performed through HPLC-UV method – ECOIND metodology.

In ultimele decenii,mai multe activitati antropice,cum at fi:lucrari hidrotehnice, deversarea apelor reziduale industrial si municipale, agricultura, introducerea de specii exotice au afectat integritatea ecologica a sistemelor lotice din intreaga lume, inclusiv a Dunarii si Deltei Dunarii .Directiva Cadru Apa (DCA,2000/60/CE)a introdus noi abordari, atat la nivel conceptual, cat si managerial. Pentru a avea o imagine complete a calitatii apei, s-au utilizat ca instrumente de lucru “elementebiologice” :macronevertebrate bentonice si sisteme de calcul informatic. In acest studio sau stability unsprezece statii de prelevare apartinand a doua“corpuri de apa”(Dunare si Delta Dunarii), din Ecoregiunea Pontic–delimitate pe baza caracteristicilor ecologice si distributiei geografice a faunei acvatice.

The scientifically researches have show that the pharmaceutical ingredients are frequently present in the environment aquatic component (surface water). This result has conducted at a regulatory mobility and scientific concerns for potentially environment impact assessment of active biologically pharmaceutical compounds. Within this context and according with REACH Regulation, the present work assessed the aquatic acute toxicity (LC50 / EC50) for the most abundantly used pharmaceuticals from the class of analgesics (ibuprophen, diclophenac, acetaminophen, naproxen, ketoprophen and indometacin), carbamazepine and caffeine. The acute toxicity biotests were conducted on fresh water fish (Cyprinus carpio sp. – a common species from Romanian surface waters), crustacean (Daphnia magna sp.) and luminescent bacteria (Vibrio ficheri sp.). To comply the OECD/ISO methodology, the testing procedure have followed the biological parameters: mortality, behavior and physiological modifications (for fish); immobilization and reproduction inhibition (for crustacean); inhibition and stimulation (for luminescent bacteria). Analytical control of test solutions concentrations was performed through HPLC-UV method – ECOIND metodology.

A continuous increase of human population has been associated to a rapid agricultural expansion and crop production efficacy. Since around 30% of agricultural crop is lost to pests, the use of pesticides becomes essential in agriculture. Unfortunately, the adaptation of microorganisms to pesticide toxicity increased tremendously the amount and chemical diversity of toxic compounds released into environment. So, the increased crop production is counterbalanced by an often irremediable toxic damage of pesticides to the environment due to their low water solubility, environmental and food chain persistence inducing a harmful effect to organisms. Correlation between the toxic effects of pesticides to the environment and their toxic concentrations to humans is not very easy to establish, so it is imperative to find more simple biological models to follow the pesticide toxic effects and biodegradability. In this study, we used a bacterial model as biosensors for detecting the harmful effect of pesticides as well as decontaminates of pesticide-infested environment.