Survey of the Use of the System for Separate Collection of Household Waste from Packaging in the Municipality of Stara Zagora

Separate waste collection and recycling are at the basis of today’s wastemanagement. This helps the reduction of landfilled waste, which aims to reduce soil, water, and airpollution, on the one hand, and to cut down on the depletion of resources for new production, on theother. A large portion of household waste comes from the so-called “widespread waste”, whichincludes packaging waste. Legislation at European and national levels sets specific goals toovercome this problem. Separate waste collection is carried out by municipalities via wasterecycling companies, which set up and operate systems for separate collection. Citizens are at theheart of the efficient functioning of these systems. A separate waste collection system of this kindhas been established in the municipality of Stara Zagora in Bulgaria. The objective of this paper isto present the results of a questionnaire survey of the system’s users to establish their awareness andattitudes regarding the process of separate waste collection. The results can be used to improve thesystem.

Antibacterial Effect of Disinfectants and Antiseptics

Disinfectants and antiseptics are substances or solvents which play a key role inthe control of infections. Their wide functionality is applied in almost all human activities. Theseagents can have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal effects. Disinfectants are synthetic agents thebiocidal effect of which destroys microorganisms in the environment, while antiseptics are appliedlocally, primarily on skin and/or mucosae. The morphological differences between Gram (+) andGram (–) bacteria raise questions regarding the biocidal effects of antibacterial agents againstdifferent types of infectious agents. The aim of our study is to evaluate the biocidal effect ofdisinfectants and antiseptics available on the market. The study uses a reference strain ofEscherichia coli and a laboratory isolate of Staphylococcus aureus. The analysis was conductedusing the agar well diffusion method. Results show that sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxideH2O2 and mouthwashing water demonstrate strong bactericidal effect on both Gram (+) and Gram(–) bacteria. The bath cleaner gel, which is considered effective against Escherichia coli,demonstrated effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus instead. The dishwashing gel,ethacridine lactate, silver water and lavandula water show intermediate or zero effect againstEscherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Successful Completion of an International Project of the Department of Natural Sciences at New Bulgarian University

The paper presents the results of a successfully completed international project of the Department of Natural Sciences titled “Monitoring and identification of the entomopathogenic fungus Entomophaga maimaiga in Lymantria dispar populations” and funded by the National Research Fund in 2017-2019. Investigating the distribution of E. maimaiga in Austria and Bulgaria in 2018-2019 shows that the pathogen has expanded its range to the west and reached Lower Austria. E. maimaiga has been identified in Bulgaria as well and has become part of the natural enemy complex of L. dispar.

25 years of Scientific and Educational Cooperation between the Department of Natural Sciences at New Bulgarian University and the Space Research and Technology Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

The paper presents the results of the scientific and educational cooperation in the field of earth sciences and ecology between the Department of Natural Sciences at New Bulgarian University (NBU) and the Space Research and Technology Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (SRTI-BAS) for the period 1996-2021.

Innovation: Complex Geophysics in the Field of Archaeology (South Bulgarian Black Sea Coastline)

The study examines the results of complex geophysical research of threearchaeological sites located near the southern part of the Black Sea coastline in Bulgaria:Propadnalata Voda, Atiya, and Alepu. The authors discuss the use of complex geophysical methodsin archaeology depending on the objectives of archaeological research, on the one hand, and thelikely properties of the archaeological sites, on the other. As known, the methods of appliedgeophysics involve reverse geophysical problems, which do not have definitive solutions. Toovercome potential ambiguities in this regard, the study demonstrates how the complementary useof different methods makes the interpretation of the final results easier.

Archaeological and Geological Approaches in the Work on the Project “Materiality and ancient environmental knowledge reconstruction trough archaeological chemistry analytical techniques (RE:MATRIARCHES)”

The study discusses new approaches designed for the purposeful selection of archeological and geological sites and sample collection for analysis via archaeological chemistry techniques. The approaches discussed provide opportunities for coherent interpretation of analytical data in view of the project’s objectives: gaining fundamental knowledge of material culture in different archaeological periods as well as of people’s knowledge of the environment in ancient times.

Archaeological and Geological Research for the Reconstruction of Settlement and Habitation Models along Hadzhiyska River and the Southern Slopes of Eminska Mountain, Bulgaria

The main objective of this paper is to present the fieldwork results ofarchaeological and geological investigations in the area of Hadjiyska river and the southern slopesof Eminska Stara Planina in Bulgaria. The area of interest is home to a large number ofarcheological findings dating back from the Late Antiquity (4-6th c.) and the Middle Ages (7-18thc.), and fewer from older periods (prehistorical, Thracian and Roman periods). Geologicalobservations show presence of alluvial, prolluvial-delluvial, and prolluvial hollocen sediments.Combining the results of archaeological and geological research allowed for (i) the verification ofthe hypothesis that older archaeological objects are covered by accumulated sediments, and (ii) anattempt to look into the livelihood in the area.

Ecological Tourism Opportunities in the Area of Ognyanovo Dam

The dam of Ognyanovo is located in the Eastern Sofia Plain, only 40 km awayfrom the capital of Bulgaria. It is one of the country’s most beautiful places – full of biodiversity,especially as regards avifauna species. An important factor which makes the dam a special object ofscientific and tourist interest is its location on one of the main bird migration routes: the ViaAristotelis.For three consecutive years, the area’s fauna potential has been studied andsignificant biodiversity has been identified.This study aims to explore the opportunities for ecotourism development there.

Comparative analysis of Aquaponics and Hydroponic systems

This article presents an analysis of the Aquaponics and Hydroponic systems. The principles of action have been known since the Middle Ages, but in present times they have developed due to an increase in the planet’s population, food and water scarcity, arable land, and environmental pollution. The Hydroponic system is groundless cultivation of food crops, mainly vegetables in a controlled environment. In Aquaponic system the nutrients circulates while combining the life cycle of suitable plants and aquatic fishes. This ensures the functioning of a system that resembles the circles of biogenic chemical elements in nature. Both systems are highly efficient and ecological cleaning, making them particularly suitable for use in urban environments.

Option of training for sustainable development and environment througt examples of problem – situation methods

In a rapidly changing social and natural environment, higher education is called upon to play a very complex and multi-faceted role in the process of sustainable development.The purpose of the article is to share a training option for sustainable development and the environment through examples of problem – situation methods.