Eastern Part Of Romania Research Articles

Heat Waves Analysis of 2023 Summer in Eastern Part of Romania and Atmospheric Instability Events Which Succeeded Between Them

Abstract The purpose of this paper is a general climatic characterization of the 2023 summer in the region of Moldavia, in eastern part of Romania, but with focus on the analysis of the context in which the most intense tropical air advections occurred in this region. The most significant and lasting tropical air waves were in July and August. From a thermal point of view, June had only one interval in which the maximum temperatures exceeded, for 3 consecutive days, the threshold of 30ºC (between 22nd and 24th of June). Instead, in July there were three intervals in which the maximum temperature exceeded this threshold, for more than 3 days in a row (between 01st - 06th, 15th - 22nd, 24th - 26th of July), and August had the longest such intervals (between 03rd – 06th, 13th – 29th of August). Also, in August, there were four consecutive days with maximum temperatures that exceeded the heat wave threshold (26th -29th of August). Without achieving new absolute temperature records (the highest maximum temperature in this interval being 39˚C at the Iași meteorological station, on August 28th), the last heat wave was notable in terms of duration of manifestation. Considering the definition given by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 2020, according to which heat waves are considered those periods of time that are unusually warm in relation to multi-year averages and that last more than 2 consecutive days, we can frame the tropical air advection of July and August in the category of heat waves.

The Behavior of Some Alternative Crops Under the Synergic Effect of Soil Work and Climate Conditions in the Eastern Area of Romania

Water and thermal stress accentuated in the last decade, hinder farmers from obtaining rich and balanced harvests in the quality-quantity ratio. Thus, it is studied to carry out minimal soil work and to cultivate a wide range of agricultural species that have increased adaptability to climate changes. Dry farming is one of those working systems that allow the exploration of several combinations of soil works and rarely cultivated plants that can replace conventional crops. The present experiment was carried out to observe the influence of tillage on the yield of some alternative types of grassy cereals cultivated under water and thermal stress conditions in the eastern part of Romania, in the 2020-2022 agricultural years, at A.R.D.S., Braila. Rye and triticale crops were sown in three repetitions for each tillage: L1 – Plow (control), L2 – Paraplow, L3 – Scarifier, L4 – Heavy Disc, and L5 – No Tillage. The 2020-2021 agricultural year was rich in precipitation, therefore the difference in yields, for L2, L3, and L4 tillage compared to control - L1, was between -540 kg/ha and +267 kg/ha for the rye crop and between 0 - 535 kg/ha for triticale crop. Climatic conditions influenced yields, especially for triticale crops.

PUMPING PRESSURE AND FLOW RATE RELATIONSHIP TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

In the context of the current energy crisis, electricity consumption, especially by large consumers, must be reduced, rationally, without affecting the quality of services provided. Pressure pumping stations (PPS) in irrigation systems are usually equipped with 4 to 8 electric pumping sets with an installed power that can even exceed 1 MW. Since the PPS serving the irrigation plots must work mainly on demand, the required flow rate in the network can vary widely even during each day of the irrigation period. Also, due to the dependence of the pressure loss on the flow carried in the pipe network, this dependence is usually represented by an increasing quadratic function, and the variation of the required flow also leads to a variation, generally significant, of the pressure required from the PPS. To ensure the necessary flow, the PPS are automated with Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, which optimally control the configuration of the electric pumps in operation and their speed. This article presents a mathematical model and algorithm that facilitate the determination of the correlation between the pressure and flow required from the PPS ((p-Q)C), rendered by an increasing function. The implementation of (p-Q)C in the SCADA system software at PPS 2 in the Trifești-Sculeni irrigation system, in the eastern part of Romania, determined a reduction of energy consumption by up to 16%.

Geographical Distribution of Three Forest Invasive Beetle Species in Romania.

Simple SummaryBiological invasions in the forests of Europe are becoming more frequent, and bark- and wood-boring insects are increasingly important invasive forest pests. Global trade intensification facilitates the introduction and spread of these species across new areas, while climate change and humans contribute to their establishment and spread. If such species enter new territories, the application of appropriate management measures requires—among other things—a better knowledge of their distribution. Using traps with different attractants, we attempted to establish the current distribution in Romania of three of the beetle species that are predicted to be important forest pests: Ips duplicatus, Xylosandrus germanus and Neoclytus acuminatus.Ips duplicatus (Sahlberg, 1836), Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford, 1894) and Neoclytus acuminatus (Fabricius, 1775) are invasive species reported in Romania, but their current distribution is poorly known. The research aim was to provide new information on this issue. A survey was conducted over the period 2015–2017 in 82 locations, using flight-interception traps and bottle traps, baited with different attractants. Data obtained in our other unpublished studies were also taken into account. A total of 35,136 I. duplicatus beetles were collected in 30 survey locations. The highest captures were in the log yards of some factories processing logs of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.). Considering all known records so far, most of these are in the eastern part of Romania, where an outbreak took place during the years 2005–2014, mainly in spruce stands growing outside their natural range. During the survey, 4259 specimens of X. germanus were collected in 35 locations, but in our other studies the species was found in 13 additional places. It was collected at altitudes of 18–1200 m, and the largest catches were from beech stands, growing at 450–950 m. N. acuminatus was found in only six locations, in the western and southern parts of the country, at low altitudes, in tree stands composed of Fraxinus excelsior L., Quercus spp. and other broadleaf species, as well as in broadleaf log yards. The results suggest that I. duplicatus is established in most parts of the Norway spruce’s range, X. germanus is still spreading in the country, with some areas having quite high populations, while N. acuminatus is present only in the warmest regions of the country.

Extreme rainless periods in Pannonian Basin

AbstractThis paper analyses extreme meteorological droughts in the territory of the Pannonian Basin in central and southeastern Europe. Droughts are treated from an agricultural perspective as periods of consecutive days with very little or no rainfall at all. By using data from the historical period 1981–2010, time intervals longer than 20 days with less than 3 mm per day during the growing season April–September are examined to determine theoretical and empirical distributions of their number and durations. Related discrete stochastic process of extremes is analysed by the Zelenhasic–Todorovic (ZT) method, successfully applied in hydrology and meteorology (e.g., peak flows, low flows, meteorological droughts, etc.). The method is applied to 52 locations across Pannonia Basin. At each location, the Poisson distribution is determined for the number of droughts, exponential distribution for the duration of droughts, and double exponential distribution for the duration of the (annually) longest droughts. To validate the quality of modelling and the results obtained, standard statistical goodness of fit tests are used. Historical data from the period 1981–2010 indicate that the central and northern part of Hungary and the entire territory of Vojvodina Province in the north of Serbia experienced the longest droughts, on average 55–60 days. In statistical terms, across Pannonia Basin once in 100 years drought may occur with an average duration of 56 days. Theoretically longest 100‐year droughts could be expected in the northern part of Hungary (up to 70 days), the eastern part of Romania (up to 68 days), and Serbia (up to 69 days). The 2‐year droughts are on the average duration of 3 weeks. Generated maps of the longest droughts in the basin may help to reduce agricultural risks due to global warming and other negative impacts of climate change.

Tuberculosis and bacterial co-infections in children

Tuberculosis is a major public health problem nowadays without a change to be eliminated in many regions. The study aim was to evaluate the bacterial co-infections diagnosed in children with TB, in a hospital in the eastern part of Romania. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 37 children diagnosed with TB and various bacterial co-infections and admitted in a pediatric hospital in Galati County, Romania, between 2014 and 2017. Results: In our study group characterized by the mean age of 10.40, with a male/female report = 0.94, a predominance of children aged 12-17 (45.94%), and no cases were recorded in 0-1 year of age group, the most frequent localization of TB lesions was pulmonary TB primoinfection (45.86%), bacterial pneumonia was the main co-infection in children with TB (64.86%), then bacterial acute bronchitis (28.73%) and gastroenteritis (5.41%). Conclusions: Our study evidenced that bacterial pneumonia was the most frequently diagnosed co-infection in children with TB (64.86%). The most frequent bacterial co-infections pathogens were E. coli (32.43%), S. pneumoniae (27.03%), and K. pneumoniae (21.62%) and the length of stay between 4 days and 92 days.

Natural Laboratories for the Study of CO2 Geological Storage in Romania

The study of natural laboratories for CO2 geological storage is still important as it can reveal important aspects related to environmental impacts of a potential CO2 leakage from an anthropic reservoir and can contribute to further understanding of CO2 migration pathways. Furthermore, natural laboratories are a good opportunity for testing innovative monitoring methods. Although not specified in any database of natural laboratories for the study of CO2 geological storage, Romania has many areas with natural CO2 emissions that can be used for this purpose. In the framework of a national project (financed by the Ministry of Education and Research), we have started to inventory, evaluate and make a selection of best candidate sites for further study in two zones, Banat (western part of Romania) and Harghita (eastern part of Romania). The two zones have different geological structures, and the origin of CO2 emissions in the two areas is related to the magmatic activity, the magmatism of the Eastern Carpathians in Harghita and the neogene magmatism of the Apuseni Mountains in Banat. The structural model of Banat is closely correlated with the strong tectonization of the sedimentary cover (with a maximum thickness of 5000 m). The overall picture is that of horsts and grabens. The tectonic blocks are separated by active, deep faults, confirmed by the occurrence of thermal and mineral water springs (Biled, Calacea, Timișoara, Buziaș, Pișchia, Lipova, Ivanda) and mofettes (Buziaș, Seceani), with releases of CO2, radon, helium, argon and other gases of crustal origin. Harghita zone is included in the mofettic aureola of the Eastern Carpathians. The deep geological structure of the zone is dominated by three fault systems comprising crustal, regional and local faults. These fault systems facilitate the migration and distribution of post-volcanic emissions, reaching the surface as mofettes or in mineral water springs. Based on review of existing literature and previous studies on greenhouse gases natural emissions, we made a preliminary inventory of relevant sites that can constitute natural laboratories for the study of CO2 geological storage. In order to confirm sites suitability, we conducted two field campaigns, one for each zone, in September and October 2019. Within these campaigns, apart from localization of the sites, we also made soil gas and high precision GPS measurements for the assessment of CO2 emissions. In Harghita zone, we investigated the following sites with natural CO2 emissions: Harghita Bai, Selters, Sântimbru Bai, Baile Apor, Sulphur Cave, Lazarești and Tușnad. Apart from Baile Apor (Balvanyios) and Lazarești, all the other sites presented covered mofettes, built as dry spas. It is worth mentioning that these mofettes constitute important points of touristic attraction within the spas developed over centuries around them and the carbo-gazeous springs. The CO2 concentration in these mofettes, as measured during the field campaign, exceeds 98% CO2. In Baile Apor (Balvanyios) site, the mofettes are not covered and present high CO2 concentrations, but the site is an important touristic attraction of the area and of the country and is highly frequented by tourists, therefore its use as laboratory can be problematic. The only site that we found suited as natural laboratory in Harghita is Lazarești, in the Cozmeni commune. Within this site we have localized several dry and wet mofettes, with CO2 concentrations exceeding 40%. For Banat zone, we investigated only three sites: Buziaș, Sacoșu Mare and Seceani. For Buziaș, the two mofettes are included in the spa facilities of a hotel and used for therapeutic purposes, under strict medical supervision. At Sacoșu Mare, although preliminary indicated as natural CO2 emission site, we were unable to localize any mofette. South of Seceani village (north of Timișoara city) we have identified as potential natural laboratory a partially marshy area with a large areal extent. On this area we have found several mud volcanoes and dry mofettes. The CO2 emissions are low, mainly due to the seasonal character of mud volcanoes activity which, according to previous findings, has its peak in the spring and a low in autumn, when the field measurement campaign took place. The activity of the mud volcanoes and therefore the mofettic emissions are strongly connected to the hydrological regime. In the selected natural laboratories, Lazarești for Harghita zone and Seceani for Banat zone we intend to make in the next two years a complex geological, geochemical, geophysical and environmental study. The objectives are to define the local geophysical model and improve the geological model, identifying all the migration pathways for the mofettic gases, to make an integrated environmental impact assessment and to identify early indicators for the presence of CO2.

Groundwater Resources from Eastern Romania under Human and Climatic Pressure

Groundwater resources from a region may be subject to complex human and climatic pressure. The present study tries to analyze the human and climatic pressure on the groundwater resources from the eastern part of Romania, between 1983 and 2017, for seven groundwater bodies. Two parameters, the groundwater exploitation index (GWEI) and the Standardized Groundwater Index (SGI) for identifying hydrogeological droughts, were used to assess human and climatic pressure. The high values of GWEI show a significant increase in human pressure on water resources in recent decades, in lower and more populated areas, from the south and north part of de region, amid increasing investment in agriculture. In the case of climate pressure, the SGI values show significant values for the years 1983, 2000, 2007, and 2012. However, the overlap of hydrogeological droughts with an increase in human pressure can have a significant impact on the groundwater resources from this region, with negative effects in the mid and long term, under the growing effects of the regional climate changes.

CLIMATE SEASONALITY AND ITS RELEVANCE FOR SOIL EROSION DURING SUMMER IN EXTRA-CARPATHIAN MOLDOVA

Rainfall erosivity is one of the most important topics, linking geomorphological and climatological studies. Rainwater plays an important role in triggering soil erosion. Thus, the impact of raindrops during significant torrential episodes causes the destabilization of soil aggregates and leads to erosion. Romania is a country where dry periods alternate with the rainy ones and studying rainfall erosivity is essential due to its importance for agriculture. The highest intensity of erosion occurs during violent rainfall episodes in the summer months, this being triggered by the energy of the torrential rains, but also by the liquid runoff. The extra-Carpathian Moldova is located in the northeastern and eastern part of Romania. In this study, The Suceava Plateau, The Moldavian Plain, The Moldavian Subcarpathians and The Bârlad Plateau were considered as part of the extra-Carpathian Moldova. Four indices were used to assess the climate seasonality on a general level with focus on the summer climate conditions: De Martonne Aridity Index (IdM), Lang Factor (L), Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) and Angot Index (K). Our results indicate moderate seasonality in precipitation concentration along the year which underlines that the region cannot be considered climaticaly prone to massive soil erosion induced by rainfall erosivity.

Relationship between Environmental Features and Bird Assemblages in the Wetlands of Eastern Romania

Abstract The avian habitats in Eastern Europe are poorly managed in last decades. It is of highly noteworthy influence importance to obtain more information regarding the link between birds’ presence and environmental features in wetlands to improve this poorly managed system. In our study we investigated the effects of the various habitat, landscape fragmentation and weather variables on the bird assemblages in Eastern Romania, described by diversity, species richness and abundance of non-passerine birds in wetlands. Poisson regression modelling revealed wetland area, wetland heterogeneity, proportion of open-water, density of patches and habitats, landscape shape and temperature conditions have a noteworthy influence on the bird assemblages (p<0,05). Our results suggest that the link between environmental features and birds’ assemblage, in our study areas could be dependent on the presence of the emergent vegetation (shelter / reproduction zones), the balance between open-water area (feeding / nesting zones) and also other variables, as the temperature, the presence of the human living facilities and/or intensive fish nurseries in the neighboring zones. Waterbird distribution and abundance in eastern part of Romania are driven by similar factors to other part of the world and this study could be one of the first published on the topic in a region where It is a lack of information on waterbirds ecology. Such studies would bring valuable information about the ecologic factors influencing the lives of the birds, in the areas that were not stueid before, resulting in better conservation efforts and wetland protection, in estern part of Europe.

REHABILITATION OF HYDROTECHNICAL STRUCTURES IN THE ACTUAL CONDITIONS OF CLIMATE AND ANTHROPIC CHANGES

In the eastern part of Romania, there are a lot of reservoirs of water whose age exceeds 30-40 years. They were built taking into account the existing norms and the specific environmental conditions at that time. Over time, there have been numerous changes in the parameters that define how these water reservoirs are exploited, which have questioned their safety in operation. The deforestation that has taken place over the last 30 years in Romania and the climate change have led to the emergence of extreme weather and hydrological phenomena that have put hydrotechnical structures to a challenging test. Lately, securing the ability to transit the floods through medium and small hydrotechnical arrangements safely has become a stringent problem that requires finding solutions. The fact that the hydrotechnical structures are unique and the solutions adopted in a situation cannot be adopted altogether and in another work, leads to difficulties in the safety of these types of structures. The more the problem becomes worse when the initial use of the work needs to be changed.

Assessment of the Romanian onshore and offshore wind energy potential

A general assessment of the wind energy potential from the eastern part of Romania was carried out in this work by taking into account onshore and offshore wind conditions. First, a perspective of the importance of the renewable resources into the Romanian electricity system was provided, from which was noticed that the wind production cover almost 15% from the demand (reported to 2017). From the analysis of the wind data significant differences were noticed between the onshore and offshore regions, the last one presenting more important wind resources, that significantly increase during the winter time (with almost 22%). According to the performance reported by an offshore wind turbine (rated at 3 MW), such generator will operate at full capacity in a maximum 9% from the time, if we consider a hub height of 119 m.

THE INFLUENCE OF FIRES ON THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF FOREST SOILS IN VRANCEA, ROMANIA

Soils are influenced by stand composition and hydrological regime as well as by stress abiotic factors, including forest fires. As such, this study analyzed three stands affected by fires of different severities. Soil samples were gathered during the spring of 2017 from three sample areas in Vrancea County, eastern part of Romania. For each area studied, soil profiles were studied in 3 areas affected by fires and in control areas located close to each other. The soil respiration was determined by monitoring CO2 fluxes with an EGMEnvironmental Gas Monitor, PP systems. The microbial measures (mesophilic heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and nitrogen fixing bacteria from genus Azotobacter) were achieved through the plate count method. The results were statistically interpreted with the ANOVA classical- univariate analysis. The fires affected the humus and total nitrogen quantities at a certain time interval from their apparition, but only for the first 10 centimetres of the soil depth and in the case of low intensity fires. The correlation between high temperatures and CO2 fluxes was also established. The fires also affected the abundance of fungi. After six years from their apparition, the unseen effects of fires on forest soils characteristics are still detected, such as the decrease of soil respiration and bacteria amount, a pH increase and a decrease of humus and total nitrogen.

Characterization of site conditions for selected seismic stations in eastern part of Romania

Strong motion data are essential for seismic hazard assessment. To correctly understand and use this kind of data is necessary to have a good knowledge of local site conditions. Romania has one of the largest strong motion networks in Europe with 134 real-time stations. In this work, we aim to do a comprehensive site characterization for eight of these stations located in the eastern part of Romania. We make use of a various seismological dataset and we perform ambient noise and earthquake-based investigations to estimate the background noise level, the resonance frequencies and amplification of each site. We also derive the Vs30 parameter from the surface shear-wave velocity profiles obtained through the inversion of the Rayleigh waves recorded in active seismic measurements. Our analyses indicate similar results for seven stations: high noise levels for frequencies larger than 1 Hz, well defined fundamental resonance at low frequencies (0.15–0.29 Hz), moderate amplification levels (up to 4 units) for frequencies between 0.15 and 5–7 Hz and same soil class (type C) according to the estimated Vs30 and Eurocode 8. In contrast, the eighth station for which the soil class is evaluated of type B exhibits a very good noise level for a wide range of frequencies (0.01–20 Hz), a broader fundamental resonance at high frequencies (~ 8 Hz) and a flat amplification curve between 0.1 and 3–4 Hz.

Analysis of decisional factors that influences the university training for candidates at physical therapy faculty in Eastern part of Romania

An important component of a person's life is making decision to train in a profession conditioned by and linked to certain factors with various degrees of importance for each individual, according to the possibilities, social conjuncture or aspirations. This research aimed at analysing the importance of factors that influenced the decision of 298 candidates who choose to be trained professionally as physical therapists at the universities in Eastern Romania, during Summer 2016. The subjects with their voluntary involvement were inquired by a 12-item questionnaire before the admission examination. The results present tendencies that do not allow any generalisation, but emphasis on certain factors considered when choosing the profession. To conclude in Eastern Romania, for 2016 main admission, the determining factors were living near the university, the advice of friends and family and the desire to help people. For these three categories, the statistical analysis has shown high values. Keywords: University, physical therapist, decision, factors.

New Pumped Storage Plants as Renewable Energy Sources in Romania

AbstractIn Romania, there are no pumped storage plants (PSPs) significant from the point of view of the National Power System (NPS). For more than 30 years, one site is expected to achieve 1000 MW PSP, using the existing reservoir Tarnita, on Somes river, as the lower reservoir. Recently, Hidroelectrica launched a study identifying new potential sites for PSPs in the Eastern part of Romania, where there is a huge development for wind farms and where Cernavoda nuclear power plant is located, with 2 units of 700 MW each in operation and other 2 units to be built until 2035. These PSPs will cover the ancillary services and, according to a new Government Ordinance, will enable a better integration of the existing RES into the NPS, and will increase the generation of electricity from RES by their own production of electricity.

Outbreaks of a H1N1 Virus Infection During Two Influenza Consecutive Seasonal Epidemics in Children From South Eastern Part of Romania: 2014-2016

Outbreaks of a H1N1 Virus Infection During Two Influenza Consecutive Seasonal Epidemics in Children From South Eastern Part of Romania: 2014-2016

The first record of Pyxidium tardigradum Van der Land, 1964 (Ciliophora)in Romania.

In three lichen samples collected from eastern part of Romania, three populations of Ramazzottius cf. oberhaeuseri (Doyère, 1840) infested by Pyxidium tardigradum Van der Land 1964 were found. In this short correspondence we present a first record of P. tardigradum in Romania and infestation rates in studied populations according to the different life stages.

Piese de harnașament din Bronzul târziu. Despre două psalii de corn din Moldova

Harness Pieces from the Late Bronze Age. Notes on Two Antler Cheek-Pieces from MoldaviaThe present study focuses on two antler cheek-pieces recently discovered in the eastern part of Romania (Moldavia). The first piece was discovered in the village Hârtoape (Iași County), and the second on the site at Negrilești (Galați County) during the archaeological diggings. Both pieces are made of deer antler and present oval perforations that allow attachment to the bridle. The piece from Negrilești presents, on the lower part, a simple, incised decoration.Although there are several typologies for this type of object we will refer to the latest, by N. Boroffka; according to this typology the two pieces can be ascribed to the a and b2 versions of type II. Since the piece from Negrilești was discovered in an archaeological level ascribed to the LBA and the specimen from Hârtoape comes from an area rich in similar archaeological finds, we consider the harness accessories as pieces belonging to the Noua culture; chronologically speaking they may belong to the 16th-12th centuries BC.The two pieces have close analogies in the north-western Pontic area, in contemporary archaeological cultures such as Sabatinovka and Coslogeni; horses played an important part in the economy of those communities, not only for consumption, but also for traction and riding.In order to present a complete image of the frequency of the antler cheek-pieces in Moldavia during Late Bronze Age, a list of all the discoveries known so far was attached at the end of the article.Keywords: Harness, cheek-pieces, Late Bronze Age, Moldavia.

Characterization and source of Cucuteni black pigment (Romania): vibrational spectrometry and XRD study

A multi-technique characterization and a provenance study of the black pigment used in Cucuteni pottery painting (Neolithic age, Romania) were carried out. 127 Cucuteni shards were analyzed by Raman spectrometry. The main components of this pigment are pyrolusite and/or jacobsite. Hematite and quartz are frequent minor components and Ti oxides were seldom found. The manganiferous corpuscles discovered at Neamţ county (eastern part of Romania) were the raw material of the Cucuteni black pigment. The Mn corpuscles were studied using XRD, Raman, FT-IR and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The main components are birnessite, goethite and frequently, quartz. Raw material was subjected to a temperature of 750 °C for 6 h and,once cooled, analyzed through Raman and FT-IR spectrometry. Pyrolusite, hematite and quartz were found in the heated powder sample.