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4 pages, 483 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Preface: The 4th International Conference on Advances in Environmental Engineering

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Eng. Proc. 2023, 57(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2023057001 - 17 Nov 2023

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Abstract

The 4th International Conference on Advances in Environmental Engineering (AEE 2023) was hosted by the Faculty of Mining and Geology at the VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava in the Czech Republic, in collaboration with the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Technical University of [...] Read more.

The 4th International Conference on Advances in Environmental Engineering (AEE 2023) was hosted by the Faculty of Mining and Geology at the VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava in the Czech Republic, in collaboration with the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Technical University of Kosice in Slovakia [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 4th International Conference on Advances in Environmental Engineering)

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1 pages, 175 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Statement of Peer Review

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Eng. Proc. 2023, 57(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2023057002 - 17 Nov 2023

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In submitting conference proceedings to Engineering Proceedings, the editors certify that all papers published in this volume have been subjected to peer review by the volume editors [...] Full article

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6 pages, 641 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

The Impact of Anthropogenic Activity on the Quality of Bottom Sediments in the Watershed of the Delňa Creek

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Eng. Proc. 2023, 57(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2023057003 - 27 Nov 2023

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Abstract

This paper is focused on evaluating the quality of bottom sediments and water in the watershed of the Delňa creek, where gold, antimony and mercury were mined in the past. The results showed that the biggest source of pollution was a heap of [...] Read more.

This paper is focused on evaluating the quality of bottom sediments and water in the watershed of the Delňa creek, where gold, antimony and mercury were mined in the past. The results showed that the biggest source of pollution was a heap of mining material, where the limit values of Sb, As, Hg and Pb concentrations in the sediments were exceeded. Other sources of pollution in the river basin were the right-hand tributaries. A comparison of the dependencies of the concentrations of potentially toxic metals in the water and sediments shows that while the concentrations of pollutants in the waters react to the current state of water quality in the basin and tributaries (pH, concentration, discharge), the sediments exhibit a stable concentration character. Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 4th International Conference on Advances in Environmental Engineering)

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7 pages, 2285 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

The Influence of Acidic Mine Waters on Physico-Chemical Processes in the Aquatic Environment

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Magdalena Balintova

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Natalia Junakova

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Yelizaveta Chernysh

Eng. Proc. 2023, 57(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2023057004 - 28 Nov 2023

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Abstract

Acidic mine drainage (AMD) discharged from the abandoned Smolník mine (Pech shaft, Slovakia) contaminates surface water in the Smolník creek due to the decreasing pH and the production of heavy metals. Mixing AMD with surface waters results in an increase in pH, which [...] Read more.

Acidic mine drainage (AMD) discharged from the abandoned Smolník mine (Pech shaft, Slovakia) contaminates surface water in the Smolník creek due to the decreasing pH and the production of heavy metals. Mixing AMD with surface waters results in an increase in pH, which affects the metal precipitation. Using statistical methods, the effect of pH on the concentration of selected metals (Fe, Mn, Al, Cu and Zn) in the water of the contaminated Smolník creek is described in this work. Polynomial curves were used to identify trends in pH and metal concentration in the surface water. The analysis showed that the second-degree polynomial functions as a candidate for explaining metals’ concentration based on the measured surface water’s pH with a goodness of model fit, based on a coefficient of determination ranging from 0.4 to 0.7 depending on the determined metal concentration and location. Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 4th International Conference on Advances in Environmental Engineering)

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8 pages, 1368 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Impacts of Building Materials: Evaluating Transport-Related Factors

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Adriana Eštoková

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Martina Fabianová

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Marek Radačovský

Eng. Proc. 2023, 57(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2023057005 - 28 Nov 2023

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Abstract

The construction industry plays a significant role in resource consumption and environmental degradation, making it crucial to analyze the sustainability aspects of construction materials and their transportation processes. This paper focuses on conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis of building materials, specifically [...] Read more.

The construction industry plays a significant role in resource consumption and environmental degradation, making it crucial to analyze the sustainability aspects of construction materials and their transportation processes. This paper focuses on conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis of building materials, specifically considering the environmental impacts associated with their transportation to construction sites. By incorporating the transport phase into the assessment, a more holistic understanding of the environmental implications of construction materials can be achieved. The study aims to quantify the environmental burdens of both material production and transportation, providing valuable insights for sustainable decision making in the construction industry. The analysis revealed that transport of building materials for the studied house by diesel lorry, covering a distance of 150 km, contributed 16% to climate change and a significant 53.5% to abiotic resource depletion. Additionally, it had a 15–18% impact on acidification and photo-oxidant formation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 4th International Conference on Advances in Environmental Engineering)

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8 pages, 1166 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

Potential for Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Buildings

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Eng. Proc. 2023, 57(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2023057006 - 29 Nov 2023

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Abstract

The construction sector produces more than 35% of the total amount of waste in Europe and for around 36% of emissions. This paper deals with the life cycle analysis of three alternatives of a residential building in terms of carbon footprint. At the [...] Read more.

The construction sector produces more than 35% of the total amount of waste in Europe and for around 36% of emissions. This paper deals with the life cycle analysis of three alternatives of a residential building in terms of carbon footprint. At the same time, the analysis focuses on the end-of-life phase and its significance for the reduction of the carbon footprint. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that variant three has the lowest CO_2eq/m² emission levels compared to those of the other two variants. Based on the overall investigation of the end-of-life phase, this study found that the reuse of brick material contributed the most to the reduction of the overall emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 4th International Conference on Advances in Environmental Engineering)

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8 pages, 1083 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

pH Variation during Bioaccumulation of Selected Toxic Metals by Newly Isolated Microscopic Fungi from the Ostramo Lagoons

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Marketa Vašinková

Eng. Proc. 2023, 57(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2023057007 - 29 Nov 2023

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Abstract

The emergence of new biotechnologies has increased interest in the study of the impact of environmental contamination on microbial communities, particularly in relation to the potential benefits that stress-adapted microorganisms offer in environmental protection, industrial ecology, and mineral and waste processing. This study [...] Read more.

The emergence of new biotechnologies has increased interest in the study of the impact of environmental contamination on microbial communities, particularly in relation to the potential benefits that stress-adapted microorganisms offer in environmental protection, industrial ecology, and mineral and waste processing. This study aimed to compare the bioaccumulation abilities of recently isolated microscopic fungi belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Phoma, Cystobasidium, Cladosporium and Exophiala. These fungi were isolated from a site contaminated with both toxic metals and organic pollutants. The study monitored the bioaccumulation of selected toxic metal ions (Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Cr(III), Pb(II)), as well as pH changes, over a 30-day of biomass growth. The medium containing Pb(II) exhibited a statistically significant pH change during the 30-day accumulation period (Mann-Whitney U Test, p < 0.05). These findings provide valuable insights for the potential industrial application of microscopic fungi in bioaccumulation processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 4th International Conference on Advances in Environmental Engineering)

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10 pages, 2092 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

The Water Quality of Revitalized Ponds in the Czech Republic Post-Mining Area

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Petra Malíková

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Jitka Chromíková

Eng. Proc. 2023, 57(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2023057008 - 29 Nov 2023

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Abstract

This study assesses the water quality of the Sušanecké Ponds in the Czech Republic post-mining area. Four monitoring profiles were chosen: the Sušanka River inflow into the Sušanecké Ponds, two ponds and the outflow of the Sušanecké Ponds to the Sušanka River. The [...] Read more.

This study assesses the water quality of the Sušanecké Ponds in the Czech Republic post-mining area. Four monitoring profiles were chosen: the Sušanka River inflow into the Sušanecké Ponds, two ponds and the outflow of the Sušanecké Ponds to the Sušanka River. The sampling took place in a 14-day interval from March to October 2022. The monitored parameters were temperature, O₂, pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, nitrate nitrogen, ammoniacal nitrogen, total phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, COD_Cr, BOD₅ and metals—Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Co, Cd, Cr. The results were evaluated in accordance with the Czech standard ČSN 75 7221 and Government Regulation No. 401/2015 Coll. Based on the evaluation data, it was found that the area of the Sušanecké Ponds does not meet the limits of the government regulation for three out of the twenty parameters. According to the standard, Sušanecké Ponds are mainly classified as highly polluted waters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 4th International Conference on Advances in Environmental Engineering)

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9 pages, 1856 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

The Evaluation of the Rapid Sand Filter Wash Interval at the Central DWTP in the Czech Republic

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Eng. Proc. 2023, 57(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2023057009 - 29 Nov 2023

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This paper evaluates the washing interval of the rapid sand filter at the central drinking water treatment plant Nová Ves—Frýdlant nad Ostravicí in the Czech Republic (DWTP Nová Ves). The aim was to conduct automated flow cytometry measurements (FCM) and find the link [...] Read more.

This paper evaluates the washing interval of the rapid sand filter at the central drinking water treatment plant Nová Ves—Frýdlant nad Ostravicí in the Czech Republic (DWTP Nová Ves). The aim was to conduct automated flow cytometry measurements (FCM) and find the link between FCM and turbidity. The monitor parameters were the length of the wash cycle in hours, the flow rate of the filter and the production, the pumping of the recirculating wash water, and the physico-chemical and microbial analysis of the water samples. The focus of this paper is the detailed characteristics of the filtration mode evaluated during the summer and winter periods. During the measurements, it was confirmed that turbidity replicated the FCM data measured by the FC BactoSense instrument. Turbidity can be identified as one of the key features that can be related to the measurements made. Turbidity and the cell count itself are influenced, among other things, by the pumping of the return water, whereby an increase in the cell count can be observed after the pumping has stopped but gradually stabilizes at the values measured before pumping. Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 4th International Conference on Advances in Environmental Engineering)

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5 pages, 1071 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

The Activity of Two Different Solutions against Selected Fungal Phyto-Pathogens

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Sanja Nosalj

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Alexandra Šimonovičová

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Elena Pieckova

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Domenico Pangallo

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Bruno Gabel

Eng. Proc. 2023, 57(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2023057010 - 30 Nov 2023

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Abstract

Two different solutions differing in their composition were tested against the following fungal phyto-pathogens: Cladosporium cladosporioides, Alternaria infectoria, Botrytis cinerea, Monilia fructigena, Aspergillus clavatus and Penicillium digitatum. The two different solutions were a fatty acid-based DPB solution and [...] Read more.

Two different solutions differing in their composition were tested against the following fungal phyto-pathogens: Cladosporium cladosporioides, Alternaria infectoria, Botrytis cinerea, Monilia fructigena, Aspergillus clavatus and Penicillium digitatum. The two different solutions were a fatty acid-based DPB solution and the development batch of a substance labeled M-decanocide. The tested species of fungal phyto-pathogens, namely Penicillium digitatum, Aspergillus clavatus and Cladosporium cladosporioides, grew rapidly and sporulated heavily on the agar plates with the product M-decanocide applied. In Aspergillus clavatus and Cladosporium cladosporioides cases, growth-free zones were formed around the cuts when the tested solution was applied, which confirmed its positive antifungal effect. The fungicidal effect of the tested DPB solution was not confirmed for the selected fungal phyto-pathogens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 4th International Conference on Advances in Environmental Engineering)

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10 pages, 827 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

Occurrence of ¹³⁷Cs in Soil and Agricultural and Forest Products of the Contaminated Northeastern Part of the Czech Republic

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Eng. Proc. 2023, 57(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2023057011 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2023

Abstract

In the more contaminated northeastern region of the Czech Republic (Moravian-Silesian Region) in 2018 and 2019, soil samples and selected agricultural and forestry products were collected. The contamination of the environment was caused by radioactive cesium ¹³⁷Cs from the nuclear Chernobyl disaster, [...] Read more.

In the more contaminated northeastern region of the Czech Republic (Moravian-Silesian Region) in 2018 and 2019, soil samples and selected agricultural and forestry products were collected. The contamination of the environment was caused by radioactive cesium ¹³⁷Cs from the nuclear Chernobyl disaster, and the activity concentration of ¹³⁷Cs was determined in all soil samples taken, ranging from 0.177 Bq kg⁻¹ dry matter (dm) to up to 299 Bq kg⁻¹ dm, with an arithmetic mean of 38.4 Bq kg⁻¹ dm. The activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs of agricultural and forestry products ranged from <0.02 Bq kg⁻¹ to 1390 Bq kg⁻¹ dm, and the transfer factors calculated based on these varied from 0.011 to 31 with an arithmetic mean of 3.4, with the highest values found in forest ecosystem products. The transfer factors and annual committed effective dose was calculated. It was statistically proven that the level of soil contamination with ¹³⁷Cs is related to the altitude and intensity of the precipitation in April and May of 1986, after the Chernobyl NPP accident. Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 4th International Conference on Advances in Environmental Engineering)

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7 pages, 1107 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

Pulp and Paper Mill Sludge Utilization by Biological Methods

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Eng. Proc. 2023, 57(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2023057012 - 30 Nov 2023

Abstract

The aim of our contribution is to evaluate the possibilities for the biochemical utilization of paper wastes. We tested aerobic and anaerobic degradation of paper waste sludges from a plant that processes recycled paper. Testing included the assessment of phytotoxicity. We can conclude [...] Read more.

The aim of our contribution is to evaluate the possibilities for the biochemical utilization of paper wastes. We tested aerobic and anaerobic degradation of paper waste sludges from a plant that processes recycled paper. Testing included the assessment of phytotoxicity. We can conclude that the concentration of paper sludges did not have toxic effects on the bacterial consortium of the anaerobic or aerobic conditions. However, the leachate of paper sludges and water from sludge dewatering had a slightly negative effect on the germination of cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and lettuce (Lepidium sativum L.) seeds where the germination ranged from 83.3% to 100% but the mass yield was higher. Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 4th International Conference on Advances in Environmental Engineering)

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