CONTENTS
H. Najdenski 3-4
I. MAN AND BIOSPHEREEarthquake simulator for behavioural education of the population
G. Mardirossian, B. Ranguelov, S. Zabunov, D. Zafirov, N. Zagorski 5-10
Energy crops – outlook for environmental future for humanity and the planet Earth
M. Kaleva 11-27
II. MICROORGANISMS AND ENVIRONMENT
Microbial contamination of three rivers crossing Sofia city
L. Dimitrova, V. Kussovski, I. Tstvetkova, H. Najdenski 24-34
III. SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
Satellite monitoring of Dragoman marsh for the period 2018-2023
I. Ivanova, T. Spasova 35-42
Portable muon telescope for cosmic ray monitoring
N. Petrov, N. Goutev, H. Protohristov, D. Tonev, G. Dimitrova 43-46
IV. RENEWABLE AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES AND BIOFUELS
Comparing the costs of long-distance compressed air energy transmission versus electrical energy transmission
L. Bakhtiari, D. Karamanev 47-53
Anaerobic co-digestion of diferent mixtures of organic wastes – our experience
I. Simeonov, V. Hubenov 54-64
V. ECOLOGICAL AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Content and export of N, P, K and Si with maize biomass depending on the fertilization on alluvial-meadow soil
I. Gerasimova, Z. Petkova, L. Nenova, A. Katsarova 65-74
Milestones on the road to optimal fertilization
A. Sadovski 75-80
EARTHQUAKE SIMULATOR FOR BEHAVIOURAL EDUCATION OF THE POPULATION
Garo Mardirossian1, Boyko
Ranguelov2, Svetoslav Zabunov1,
Dimo Zafirov1, Nikolay Zagorski1
1 Space Research and Technology Institute
– Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
2 Mining and
Geology University, Sofia, Bulgaria
Abstract: The practical
exercises on seismic simulator in conditions close to
real are irreplaceable, no matter the theoretical
training one receives. The latter appear to be the most
important prerequisite for attaining knowledge and
skills, and acquiring behavioural habits of people for
the events of strong earthquakes. Hence, physical
simulator platforms realizing scenarios of earthquakes
and the vibrations thereof have been in use for several
years in some countries. The current article discloses
the drawbacks of the existing simulators and, first and
foremost, of how these simulators reproduce oscillations
far different from the real seismic waveforms. Such
simulators do not provide the complete experience during
the training process.
The paper describes the advantages of the
presented simulator – adequate simulation of real
seismic oscillations having the correct amplitudes,
frequencies and waveforms varying in broad boundaries.
Thus efficient and effective education of children and
the seniors in effects of a strong and tangible
earthquake exhibiting various amplitudes, phases and
frequencies of the seismic waves can be made possible.
Keywords: earthquake, seismic
simulator, seismic waves, earthquake education
doi.org/10.32006/eeep.2024.1.1123
ENERGY CROPS – OUTLOOK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL FUTURE FOR HUMANITY AND THE PLANET EARTH
Mila
Dobromirova Kaleva
The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
Abstract. The
growing risk of irreversible depletion of fossil energy
sources like petrol, natural gas and coal, and the emissions
of gasses consequence from their combustion, is causing the
necessity of the introduction of energy crops for the
manufacture of energy products. These include annual or
perennial plants, fast-growing tree types –
hybrid willows, poplars and others, and water crops –
red algae, giant kelp, seaweed etc. Most
preferred in Europe and the US are Paulownia sp. (P.
elongata è P. tomentosa), giant reed (Arundo
donax), elephant grass (Miscanthus giganteus),
weeping willow (Salix babylonica) and wicker (Salix
viminalis). So far in Bulgaria are preferred
herbaceous energy crops such as corn, canola, sorghum, etc.,
but also were introduced some kind of timber. The
global development of the sector would help to address the
environmental problems associated with the release of huge
quantities of greenhouse gasses. In the processing and
utilization of energy crops, the amount of waste products is
reduced to near zero, thereby avoiding environmental
pollution.
Keywords:
energy crops, Paulownia spp., Salix spp., Arundo
donax, Miscanthus giganteus
doi.org/10.32006/eeep.2024.1.2434
MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF THREE RIVERS CROSSING SOFIA CITY
Lyudmila Dimitrova1,
Vesselin Kussovski1, Iva Tstvetkova1,
Hristo Najdenski1
The Stephan
Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of
Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
Abstract: Water is an
important factor for all living creatures. In some
organisms, it makes up 90% of body weight. In humans, its
percentage varies between 55-65%. Water covers about 71% of
the planet's surface. That is why it is necessary to protect
it from various types of pollution with physical, chemical
and biological substances. Rivers are the main sources
because they provide water for drinking-domestic water
supply, industry, animal husbandry, agriculture, etc. Attention should be
paid to the quality of surface waters, an adequate
assessment of microbiological contamination and their
sanitary condition should be made. However,
antimicrobial resistance is constantly increasing. The
number of deaths is expected to rise from 700,000 in 2014 to
10 million by 2025.
This
is the first report of the microbial contamination of three
rivers crossing Sofia city – Darvenishka River, Vladayska
River (before the Wastewater
Treatment
Plant (WWTP) near Kubratovo) and Iskar River (after WWTP
Kubratovo). According the REGULATION
¹12
from 18.06.2002 and the number of colony forming units in
100 ml the waters of the Darvenishka
River belong to Category 2 according
to the contents of fecal streptococci
and Category 3 –
according to the contents of E.
coli and
coliforms. The
waters of the Vladayska River fall into Category 2. The
waters of the Iskar River at the sampling point are
classified as Category 3 according to the total coliform and
Category 2 according to the fecal streptococci content. We isolated 12 single
bacterial cultures from water and sludge of Darvenishka
River and characterized theme biochemically by BD Phoenix
M50. According the EUCAST cut-off values we determined their susceptibility
against 8 groups of antibiotics and most of them were
multiresistant.
Keywords: surface waters and
sludge, bacterial contamination, antimicrobial resistance
doi.org/10.32006/eeep.2024.1.3542
SATELLITE MONITORING OF DRAGOMAN MARSH FOR THE PERIOD 2018-2023
Iva Ivanova, Temenuzhka Spasova
Space Research and Technology
Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Science
Abstract: In this
study, monitoring of the Dragoman Marsh was conducted for
the period 2018-2023. The Dragoman Marsh is distinguished as
the largest natural karst wetland area in Bulgaria.
Monitoring of this natural formation is essential for
studying its dynamic processes and ensuring its protection.
The use of satellite data represents a key tool in this
context. The data from the Sentinel 2 satellite being
utilized for this purpose. Following appropriate processing
of this data, classification of the object by years and
seasons - spring and summer-autumn - was performed, using
indices such as NDVI, NDWI, and TCT based index - NDGI. The
obtained results contribute to a better understanding of the
development of the wetland area and provide guidance for its
conservation and management.
Keywords:
wetlands, satellite data, indices, monitoring
PORTABLE MUON TELESCOPE FOR COSMIC RAY MONITORING
Nikolay N. Petrov, Nikolay Goutev, Hristo
Protohristov, Dimitar Tonev, Galina Dimitrova
Abstract. A portable muon telescope for monitoring of cosmic rays has been developed, based on GM counters shielded with lead adsorbers. The triple coincidence mode of operation results in a relatively good spatial resolution allowing to measure the cosmic ray flux, its east-west anomaly and also to detect the consequences of the special theory of relativity. The apparatus is suitable for long term observations of the cosmic ray flux and due to its simple and robust construction can also be used also for educational purposes.
Keywords: muon telescope, cosmic rays, monitoring.
doi.org/10.32006/eeep.2024.1.4753
COMPARING THE COSTS OF LONG-DISTANCE COMPRESSED AIR ENERGY TRANSMISSION VERSUS ELECTRICAL ENERGY TRANSMISSION
Leila Bakhtiari,
Dimitre Karamanev
Department of
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering,
The University
of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
Abstract. This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis
of the construction cost associated with long-distance,
large-scale Compressed Air Energy transmission via pipelines
compared to electricity as a main energy carrier. The study
indicates notable disparities in terms of compressed air
energy transmission costs versus electrical transmission. The lower
cost emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of Compressed Air Energy as a
promising and economical method for energy transmission over
varying distances. Another advantage of transmitting energy
through compressed air pipelines is that it provides an
opportunity to integrate the intermittent renewable energy
sources such as solar and wind power more effectively. It
puts a spotlight on Compressed Air Energy pipelines as a key
topic for discussion and further investigation.
Keywords: compressed air
energy pipelines, energy cost, electrical energy
doi.org/10.32006/eeep.2024.1.5464
ANAEROBIC CO-DIGESTION OF DIFFERENT MIXTURES OF ORGANIC WASTES – OUR EXPERIENCE
Ivan
Simeonov, Venelin Hubenov
The
Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian
Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
Abstract. Anaerobic digestion is a biotechnological method of
biogas generation from organic wastes. Anaerobic
co-digestion can be considered as the instantaneous
anaerobic digestion of two or more substrate and
co-substrate mixtures. Anaerobic co-digestion is a pragmatic
method to resolve the difficulties related to substrate
properties and system optimization in single-substrate
anaerobic digestion. During the last two decades our
multidisciplinary team performed a lot of experiments of
anaerobic co-digestion of different organic wastes activated
sludge, cattle manure, swine manure, milk whey, wasted
fruits and vegetables etc. Different ratios of mixtures of
these organic wastes, in binary and triple mixtures, have
been investigated in view to maximize the obtained energy
(methane) production. The time for reaching of the process
steady state in laboratory anaerobic digesters have been
determined to be ten days’ period. Results obtained have
shown that some binary mixtures are more perspective in
regards to biogas production optimization. It has been found
that the addition of 3rd substrate to some binary
mixtures could lead to decrease of bioprocess effectiveness.
Key
words:
anaerobic digestion, complex mixtures, wasted activated
sludge, cattle manure, milk whey, laboratory experiments,
biogas production, two-stage anaerobic digestion
doi.org/10.32006/eeep.2024.1.6574
CONTENT AND EXPORT OF N, P, K AND SI WITH MAIZE BIOMASS DEPENDING ON THE FERTILIZATION ON ALLUVIAL-MEADOW SOIL
Iliyana Gerasimova, Zdravka Petkova, Lyuba Nenova, Ana Katsarova
Institute of Soil
Science, Agrotechnologies and Plant Protection “Nikola
Poushkarov”, Agricultural
Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria
Keywords: export, fertilization, maize, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, silicon
doi.org/10.32006/eeep.2024.1.7580
MILESTONES ON THE ROAD TO OPTIMAL FERTILIZATION
Alexander Sadovski
Abstract: This report aims to trace the development of research and achievements in optimizing the fertilization of agricultural crops. Optimized fertilizer usage leads to saving costs and reducing the environmental impact. The significant stages in the development of these studies and applications are presented in chronological order, as well as the results obtained. Literary sources describing the methods and algorithms that are the basis of an automated agrochemical service system are presented. The technical means for implementing the system are described.
Keywords: agrochemical service, computers, fertilization, optimization