Biana G. Simeonova’s research while affiliated with Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and other places

The present chapter provides a description of the objectives of the Danube Regional Pesticide Study Project, initiated during 1995-1997 under the frame of the Danube Applied Research Programme, which is managed by the Danube Programme Coordination Unit in Vienna. The ultimate goal of the project was to achieve an agreement between the Danube countries on the list of pesticides that are allowed, conditions under which pesticides may be applied especially related to protection of ground and surface water, criteria for allowance of pesticide use with regard to ecotoxicological aspects. The tasks of the project were defined to cover: inventory of pesticide application, production, formulation and distribution, and emission sources; real and estimated concentrations in Danube river water; identification of the authorities responsible for pesticide regulation and criteria used; ecotoxicological and toxicological risk assessment of the identified agents; action plan to ensure the protection of the key functions of surface water in the Danube basin and proposal of documents for harmonization of the policy. This chapter is made with educational purposes to generally assist young scientific researchers, who intend to formulate future project applications in the field of environmental sciences.

The chapter is a continuation of the previous chapter in this book and provides a description of the objectives in respect to the synthesis of the results of the Danube Regional Pesticide Study Project, initiated during 1995-1997 under the frame of the Danube Applied Research Programme, which is managed by the Danube Programme Coordination Unit in Vienna. The ultimate goal of the project was to achieve an agreement between the Danube countries on the list of pesticides that are allowed, conditions under which pesticides may be applied especially related to protection of ground and surface water, criteria for allowance of pesticide use with regard to ecotoxicological aspects. The main issues under discussion include: Qualitative and quantitative inventory of pesticide application, transport, and storage; Inventory of pesticide production, formulation, import, export, and supply; Responsible authorities for pesticide regulation and laws; Economic parameters underlying the use of pesticides; Current legislative procedures and criteria related to pesticide registration; Overview of the most significant emission routes; Soil resources in the Danube river catchment area and problems of pesticide pollution; Inventory of existing laboratory data for pesticide concentrations in Danube and tributaries; Overview of existing and proposed international water quality standards for pesticides; National water quality standards of pesticides in Danube river countries; Estimating environmental concentrations of pesticides, using exposure models. This chapter is made with educational purposes to generally assist young scientific researchers, who intend to formulate future project applications in the field of environmental sciences.

The identification and measurement of heavy metals in samples of environmental origin as soil, water, ambient air or from biological objects, is performed at present by different analytical methods and techniques normally in special laboratory conditions. In cases when an express in-field chemical analysis and interpretation of the results is needed, the usual procedures, which assure the quality control of measurement and data collection, are time limited and simplified. The aim is to develop and introduce in general practice reliable methods and techniques for express elemental and isotopic analysis of the envi ronmental media pollution, which would fulfill the measurements at acceptable quality level and would not sacrifice the quality objectives of the analysis because of compromises reasons. A presentation is made here of a small and portable laser mass-spectrometer, whose analytical capabilities are believed to fulfill the requirements for in-field chemical analysis of environmental pollution with heavy metals. KeywordsHeavy metals-environmental pollution-in-field analysis-laser mass spectrometry

Presented are results of applicability tests of a miniature and portable time-of-flight laser mass-analyzer with water solutions. Discussed are the analytical possibilities of the laser time-of-flight mass spectrometry to produce express and stable elemental and isotopic mass spectra of environmental aqueous samples directly in-situ of the places of sample collection and several related problems as sample preparation, multielement chemical analysis and reliability of analytical results. A description of a simple methodic for preparation of laser targets from water solutions with different concentrations of the metals Na, Mg, Fe, Ni, Cd and Hg is presented. In a descending row from 1,000 to 62.5 ppb and in quantities of a 0.25 ml each, the solutions were carefully evaporated on glass holders and the produced sedimentation residues were investigated with the laser mass analyzer. The data presented below showed a deviation within 16% from the expected values, which is a proof of quite satisfactory sample homogeneity. The possible areas and cases of the proposed methodic for express target preparation are also discussed. KeywordsHeavy metals-elemental and isotopic analysis-laser mass spectrometry-environmental chemical analysis-in-situ analysis

Heavy metals can be emitted into environment by both natural and anthropogenic sources, mainly mining and industrial activity. Human exposure occurs through all environmental media. Infants are more susceptible to the adverse effects of exposure. Recently more attention is paid to the mental development of children exposed to heavy metals. The purpose of the Advanced Research Workshop was to evaluate the existing knowledge in this field, to recommend a strategy for countries and regions in risk to protect today’s children and future generations from exposure to heavy metals, and to propose the necessary coordinated studies. This paper is a draft of the findings, conclusions and recommendations, formulated as a result of the presentations of the key-speakers; of the work of two round-table discussions: one on the need for studies of the health effects of environmental pollution on children’s mental development and the second on prevention strategies; and of the finalizing working groups to summarize the output scientific value of the ARW meeting. KeywordsEnvironmental pollution-heavy metals-child-mental development-risk assessment-prevention strategy-discussion and conclusions-recommendations

The paper is related generally to the problematic of environmental analysis. Presented are laboratory results, obtained in the process of adaptation for earth application of a miniature laser time-of-flight analyzer, originally created for the purposes of space research on board of a lander. The earth-based version of the instrument is intended to serve as a core analyzer of a universal and multi-purpose transportable mass spectrometric complex for express environmental analysis. The general conclusions about the environmental applicability of the instrument, which analytical performance is qualitative and semi-quantitative, is that the laser spectrometer is acceptable to perform an express mass analysis of environmental samples.

The first in-field phytoremediation trial in Bulgaria was initiated in the summer of 1998 at two highly polluted heavy-metal sites within the industrial region of Kremikovtzi Steel Works, near the capital town of Sofia. The experiment targeted phytoextraction of lead, according to the selection of Brassica juncea seed material and technology, generously provided by Phytotech, Inc. The metal concentrations in soil samples were measured before planting and after harvest. Leaf and stem plant samples were investigated by laser mass spectrometry in search of metal accumulation depots. The results of the one-planting experiment show a very uneven decrease between 0 and 25.9 percent of the initial lead concentration at various sample locations. The trial, which was initially planned for three consecutive years, was unfortunately terminated in the second year because the Steel Works entered a privatization procedure. Nevertheless, the experimental data obtained confirmed the general applicability of phytoremediation to treat soil polluted with heavy metals. The experiment was further successful, because it confirmed the proposal to clean the three-kilometer ecological zone around the Steel Works with two plantings per year in two years to levels below the maximum permissible level for lead of 25 to 80 g/t for pH 4, according to the Bulgarian Environmental Standards. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This paper deals with some specific problems of the procedure of planning and execution of a pilot phytoremediation experiment. Phytoremediation is environmentally-safe and -friendly technology, introduced to clean soils, contaminated anthropogenically with heavy metals, organics and radionuclides. The material is based on the experience from the first phytoremediation experiment in Bulgaria, carried in 1998 at the industrial site of Kremikovtzi Steel Works within a bilaterally initiated project with Phytotech, Inc. and using the genuine proprietary technology, developed by the company.