scholarly journals Contamination of the Soil–Groundwater–Crop System: Environmental Risk and Opportunities

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 775
Author(s):  
Maria Economou-Eliopoulos ◽  
Ifigeneia Megremi
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Toxic Metal ◽  
Industrial Wastes ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Contamination Sources ◽  
Coastal Groundwater ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Crop System

The increasing development of industries, resulting in a large volume of mining, smelting, and combustion wastes, and intense agricultural activities, due to demand for food and energy, have caused environmental hazards for food quality and ecosystems. This is a review on the contamination of the soil–groundwater–crop system and a potential reduction of the contamination by a gradual shift towards green economy within the European Union and on a worldwide scale. Available mineralogical and geochemical features from contaminated Neogene basins have shown a diversity in the contamination sources for soil and groundwater, and highlighted the need to define the contamination sources, hot spots, degree/extent of contamination, and provide ways to restrict the transfer of heavy metals/metalloids into the food chain, without the reduction of the agricultural and industrial production. Among harmful elements for human health and ecosystems, the contamination of groundwater (thousands of μg/L Cr(VI)) by industrial activities in many European countries is of particular attention. Although Cr(VI) can be reduced to Cr(III) and be completely attenuated in nature under appropriate pH and Eh conditions, the contamination by Cr(VI) of coastal groundwater affected by the intrusion of seawater often remains at the hundreds μg/L level. A positive trend between B and Cr(VI) may provide insights on the role of the borate [B(OH)4]− ions, a potential buffer, on the stability of Cr(VI) in coastal groundwater. Efforts are needed towards reducing toxic metal(loids) from the industrial wastewaters prior to their discharge into receptors, as well as the transformation of hazardous mining/industrial wastes to new products and applications to the optimization of agricultural management strategies.

scholarly journals The Cr(VI) Stability in Contaminated Coastal Groundwater: Salinity as a Driving Force

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Ioannis-Porfyrios D. Eliopoulos ◽  
George D. Eliopoulos ◽  
Maria Economou-Eliopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Natural Attenuation ◽  
Coastal Aquifers ◽  
Driving Force ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Groundwater Salinity ◽  
Geochemical Mapping ◽  
Coastal Groundwater ◽  
The Stability

Chromium concentrations in seawater are less than 0.5 μg/L, but the Cr(VI) in contaminated coastal groundwater affected by Cr-bearing rocks/ores and/or human activities, coupled with the intrusion of seawater may reach values of hundreds of μg/L. A potential explanation for the stability of the harmful Cr(VI) in contaminated coastal aquifers is still unexplored. The present study is an overview of new and literature data on the composition of coastal groundwater and seawater, aiming to provide potential relationships between Cr(VI) with major components in seawater and explain the elevated Cr(VI) concentrations. It is known that the oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) and the subsequent back-reduction of Cr(VI) processes, during the transport of the mobilized Cr(VI) in various aquifers, facilitate the natural attenuation process of Cr(VI). Moreover, the presented positive trend between B and Cr(VI) and negative trend between δ53Cr values and B concentration may suggest that seawater components significantly inhibit the Cr(VI) reduction into Cr(III), and provide insights on the role of the borate, [B(OH)4]− ions, a potential buffer, on the stability of Cr(VI) in coastal groundwater. Therefore, efforts are needed toward the prevention and/or minimization of the contamination by Cr(VI) of in coastal aquifers, which are influenced by the intrusion of seawater and are threatened by changes in sea level, due to climate change. The knowledge of the contamination sources, hotspots and monitoring of water salinization processes (geochemical mapping) for every coastal country may contribute to the optimization of agricultural management strategies.

Political aspects of security of the European Union Member States

2020 ◽  
pp. 97-105
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Kusztykiewicz-Fedurek
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Political Security ◽  
New Institutions ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
The Eu

Political security is very often considered through the prism of individual states. In the scholar literature in-depth analyses of this kind of security are rarely encountered in the context of international entities that these countries integrate. The purpose of this article is to draw attention to key aspects of political security in the European Union (EU) Member States. The EU as a supranational organisation, gathering Member States first, ensures the stability of the EU as a whole, and secondly, it ensures that Member States respect common values and principles. Additionally, the EU institutions focus on ensuring the proper functioning of the Eurozone (also called officially “euro area” in EU regulations). Actions that may have a negative impact on the level of the EU’s political security include the boycott of establishing new institutions conducive to the peaceful coexistence and development of states. These threats seem to have a significant impact on the situation in the EU in the face of the proposed (and not accepted by Member States not belonging to the Eurogroup) Eurozone reforms concerning, inter alia, appointment of the Minister of Economy and Finance and the creation of a new institution - the European Monetary Fund.

Acute de novo Leukemia in Estonia and Western Sweden 1982-2006: Positive Trend in the Survival of Acute Leukemia over 25 Years

2016 ◽  
Vol 136 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Hulegårdh ◽  
Mari Punab ◽  
Erik Holmberg ◽  
Katrin Palk ◽  
Edward Laane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Leukemia ◽  
Cancer Survival ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Relative Survival ◽  
West Germany ◽  
Eastern Bloc ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem

This study focuses on the incidence, treatment, and survival of de novo acute leukemia in a 25-year perspective in western Sweden and Estonia. At the beginning of our study, Estonia was a part of the Eastern bloc with planned economy, but since 1991 it is a member of the European Union and transforming into a market economy. Survival rates have steadily increased in both countries. However, a gap between their survival curves remains. Based on our data, it is difficult to explain the big difference in the 5-year relative survival in favor of western Sweden (55 vs. 22%). In Germany, there was a big difference in overall cancer survival between East and West Germany after the fall of the iron curtain, but today no difference is seen. Differences in survival are probably due to a higher proportion of intense chemotherapy regimens and a higher rate of hematopoietic stem cell transplantations in Sweden. Other important factors might be better supportive care and diagnostics as well as better adjuvant therapy. Better staff training and conditions in wards are also factors that might play an essential role.

Pig breeding development and analysis of the modern pork market in Russia

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (7) ◽  
pp. 51-57
Author(s):  
S. Yu. Zaytsev ◽  
◽  
N. V. Bogolyubova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Live Weight ◽  
Development Trend ◽  
The United States ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Pork Production ◽  
Investment Projects ◽  
Total Meat

Pig breeding is one of the key areas for the development of livestock meat production both in Russia and in the world. According to forecasts of various agro-industrial companies and information and analytical agencies, by the end of 2020, pork production was predicted to grow similar to that in 2019, which was 5,1% (or more than 192,6 thousand tons, in slaughter weight, compared to 2018). This would represent more than a third of the total meat production in Russia, which was estimated at 11,04–11,22 million tons (as compared to 10,9 million tons in 2019). According to preliminary data from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation (dated February 4, 2021), pork production increased "at 8.9% by 2019, which in live weight is +446 thousand tons", while the total meat production in Russia in 2020 reached 15,6 million tons, an increase of 3,1% (+472 thousand tons) more than in 2019. These indicators significantly exceed the forecasts indicated above, which is associated with the implementation of investment projects (primarily with state participation) in this direction and "expansion of export opportunities for Russian suppliers" in 2020. Despite the sanctions, coronavirus and other global challenges to the Russian economy, pork has been the "main driver" for the growth of meat production in Russia in recent years. Now our country is on the 4th line in the ranking according to the pig numbers (46.5 million heads in 2019) after China, the European Union and the United States of America. Agricultural enterprises in Russia account for 83,4% of pigs, 14,6% – on personal subsidiary plots, 2,0% – on farms. According to experts, the long-term development trend is an increase in the number of pigs in 5 years by 27,7%, in 10 years – by 36,1%, and the annual increase in pork production is planned at about 5%. Thus, in recent years, pork production has determined a positive trend in all domestic livestock farming in terms of the volume and quality of meat produced in Russia.

Foreign exchange earnings of the countries of the world from international trade in fruit and berry products

2021 ◽  
pp. 45-56
Author(s):  
Rafail R. Mukhametzyanov ◽  
◽  
Nikolay G. Platonovskiy ◽  
Akhmed M. Khezhev ◽  
Tatiyana V. Ostapchuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Trade ◽  
Foreign Exchange ◽  
Import Substitution ◽  
World Order ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The World ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Processed Products ◽  
The Stability

In the context of the modern global financial world order, an important element of the stability of the national monetary unit of the overwhelming majority of countries in the world, especially developing countries, is foreign exchange earnings. For some countries with favorable natural and climatic conditions, the production, processing and export of agricultural products plays a significant role in the overall structure of foreign exchange earnings in the country. The constantly increasing demand from consumers for fruits, berries, nuts and their processed products allows economic entities of national fruit and berry subcomplexes to increase the volume of growing and exporting these types of products. This study analyzes the change in the volume of exports and imports of fruit and berry products in value terms for the period 2010-2019. It is revealed that some states, being the largest exporters of fruits, berries, nuts and products of their processing, occupy significant positions in the import of these types of products from abroad. Based on the author’s calculations, the top 30 countries of the world have been compiled in terms of net foreign exchange earnings from international trade in this type of product. According to this indicator, the first line with a level of $ 7.506 billion was occupied by Spain, while it increased it by $ 1.675 billion over 10 years. As for Russia, despite the counter-sanctions against the countries of the European Union and some other countries of the world, as well as the ongoing policy of import substitution, including in domestic gardening, it continues to be one of the main importers of fruits, berries, nuts and their processing products in the world. Thus, our country supports both foreign producers and other commercial structures that carry out the processes of commodity circulation of fruit and berry products, and the receipt of foreign exchange earnings in these powers.

THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITALY RELATIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF SUPRANATIONAL FISCAL REGULATION

2021 ◽  
pp. 208-221
Author(s):  
Dmitrii О. Mikhalev ◽  
◽  
Egor’ A. Sergeev ◽  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Budget Deficit ◽  
Stability And Growth Pact ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Internal Factors ◽  
Growth Pact ◽  
Discretionary Fiscal Policy ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Eu

The article presents a retrospective analysis of relations between the government of Italy and the European Union institutions in the context of supranational fiscal regulation in 2002–2019. The authors analyze the influence of external and internal factors on the state of public finance in Italy, note the reasons that made it difficult to meet the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact, study the main issues on the agenda in the EU-Italy relations and their evolution. The authors also come to conclusion that unlike the earlier discussions about correcting budget deficit in Italy, current focus of supranational fiscal governance is shifted to preventing it, what challenges the economic sovereignty of Italy and country’s opportunities to conduct a discretionary fiscal policy.

Removal of Toxic Metal Ions from Solutions Using Industrial Solid Byproducts

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 83-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. I. Zouboulis ◽  
K. A. Kydros ◽  
K. A. Matis
Keyword(s):  
Toxic Metals ◽  
Toxic Metal ◽  
Industrial Wastes ◽  
Mineral Particles ◽  
Solid Adsorbent ◽  
Metals Removal ◽  
Environmental Considerations ◽  
Solid Liquid ◽  
Solid Liquid Separation ◽  
By Products

Nowadays the problem of industrial wastes handling and disposal is increasing continuously, as more strict environmental considerations have to be taken into account. In this paper, selected experimental results are presented from our current research in toxic metals removal (e.g. Cu, Pb, As), related to the applications of mineral particles as by-products (red mud, pyrite, dolomite, etc.) for the induced removal of toxic metals from aqueous solutions. These by-products, existing in finely divided form and considered rather as solid industrial wastes, have been used as a cheap solid adsorbent or substrate. Appropriate methods for the subsequent solid/liquid separation were examined, among them flotation. Different parameters were tested and high removals of toxic metals were achieved. In this way, a useful application may be realized for the waste mineral particles.

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