Preliminary List of Abstracts (Alphabetical Order)

3RD INTL. SYMP. ON ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH, POLICY, LEGAL, MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL ISSUES RELATED TO METALS, MATERIALS AND MINERAL PROCESSING

Chelating resins have been widely used for separating and treating wastewater which contains heavy metal ions. The different factors affecting the metal ions adsorption of the chelating resin, such as solution pH, contact time and relation solid/ liquid were studied in batch method, using a commercial resin, Dowex M-4195 for the adsorption of cadmium, copper and zinc. The chelating resin showed a significant uptake performance towards Cu(II), Cd (II), Zn(II) ions. The sorption capacity was found to be Cu 25.06, Cd = 12.28, Zn 14.60 mg/g. The equilibrium data were analyzed using the Langmuir isotherm model. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption process were estimated. These data indicated that the adsorption process is spontaneous.

Effects of environmental chemical pollution can be observed at all levels of biological organization. At the population level, genetic structure and diversity may be affected by exposure to metal contamination. This study was conducted in Huautla, Morelos, Mexico in a mining district where the main contaminants are lead and arsenic. Peromyscus melanophrys is a small mammal species that inhabits Huautla mine tailings and has been considered as a sentinel species. Metal bioaccumulation levels were examined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and genetic analyses were performed using eight microsatellite loci in 100 P. Melanophrys individuals from three mine tailings and two control sites. The effect of metal bioaccumulation levels on genetic parameters (population and individual genetic diversity, genetic structure) was analyzed. We found a tissue concentration gradient for each metal (Al, Pb, Cu, As, Cd) and for the bioaccumulation index. The highest values of genetic differentiation (FST = 0.412 and RST = 0.628) and the lowest number of migrants per generation were registered among the exposed populations (Nm=1.0A ± 0.1), compared to the control populations (FST = 0.099 and RST = 0.183; Nm=5.7A ± 1.3). Genetic distance analyses showed that the highest values of genetic distance were registered between the most exposed population and the control sites (0.0793). Moreover, a negative and significant relationship was detected between genetic diversity (He, IR) and each metal concentration and for the bioaccumulation index in P. Melanophrys (He; R2= 0.88, P = 0.009; IR; = r2= 0.29, P=0.005). This study highlights that metal stress is a major factor affecting the distribution and genetic diversity levels of P. Melanophrys populations living inside mine tailings. We suggest the use of genetic population changes at micro-geographical scales as a population level biomarker (biomarker of permanent effects)

The art of negotiation and drafting of contracts is becoming everyday more and more a very challenging process that takes a lot of energy and is very costly. On the other hand, successful contract performance is mostly ensured by a well negotiated and designed contract, which appropriately addresses as many as possible factors that may jeopardize this process. Certainly, in order to achieve this goal, an investor should consider also a lot of other factors such as: Proper legal warranties, tax regimes features, as well as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ARD) forms. In current era, negotiating and choosing the right design and content for these types of contracts depends a lot from the country legal background, acceptance of international treaties on ARD and other specific factors. From this perspective, the main purpose of this paper would be to offer to the community of investors especially in mining and mineral processing sectors, a set of key findings and recommendations concerning contracts negotiation, design and performance in general and especially in a developing country such as Albania.

In a contaminated terrain of 432.6 ha located in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, where lead and copper smelters and an arsenic trioxide plant had operated for nearly a century, the geochemical behavior of arsenic in soils and wastes was studied and field experiments conducted in order to stabilize this element. The analyses indicated that most of the soils contained As (V), but in the soils of the surrounding area of the arsenic trioxide plant, high concentrations of arsenic (III) were detected. Field experiments were carried out to evaluate As stabilization of soils based on the encapsulation of As (III) with cement and/or chemical stabilization. The chemical process was an oxidation with a waste rich en Mn (IV) with a subsequent precipitation absorption of the As (V) formed. The stabilization treatments reduced the As soluble concentration with different efficiencies. In all cases the reduction of As solubility in most of the treated soils was significantly reduced at levels lower than the maximum permissible As soluble concentration of the NOM-147 (0.5 mg/L). Although the lowest efficiency was obtained using Mn-waste and sulfuric acid, the best environmental and economic solution is to create a safe geochemical barrier in the hazardous waste safe disposal site built in the study area. Mn-waste together with jarosite and rhyolitic materials, form an excellent control to the solubility of cationic and anionic inorganic toxic species.

A new method of analyzing the alloy content in steel scrap deliveries called Random Sampling Analysis (RSA) is presented. The purpose of the RSA is to obtain better analyses of the alloy content in steel scrap deliveries at steel mills. Thereby, optimize the process by increasing the yield in the reactors and also reduce expensive ferroalloy additions. The study was performed by Optical Emission Spectroscopy analysis in two different scrap types of auto bundle and collected steel scrap in Sweden. Based on this, 3 melts were created by mixing auto bundle and collected steel scrap in the Electric arc furnace (EAF). The results from the RSA were compared to data taken from steel, slag, dust and gas analysis after scrap melting for evaluation. The results showed that RSA is close or accurate in analysis within a margin of error of 10% for the following elements; Mn, P, Cr, Ni, Ti, Nb, Co, N, Sn and Fe. The results also showed that RSA underestimates the content of different coatings and the amount of pickable pure metals. Furthermore, 100 random weights between 0,1:0,1:10 kg were simulated and applied on the RSA analysis to evaluate the margin of error due to different weight distributions in the samples. The results showed that despite of a weight distribution in the sampling, the RSA was within the range of average 6% for all elements analyzed. The RSA method was also implemented on steel scrap deliveries in China; However, with X-ray fluorescence as an analyzing instrument.

In the natural and industrial environments, pollution and corrosion are interrelated harmful processes. Many water, air and soil pollutants accelerate corrosion and corrosion products such as rust, oxides and salts pollute water bodies at fluvial and marine ports, rivers, sea coasts, shipyards, dams, waterways and canals. Both are pernicious phenomena that impact the durability of the infrastructure assets, the industry efficiency and profitability and the quality of the environment. Corrosion affects mobile and fixed marine installations and equipment made from two basic engineering materials: Steel and reinforced concrete. This situation has been aggravated in recent decades by the discharge of industrial, municipal and agricultural effluents. These may contain toxic, fouling and corrosive components and/or produce them by biological and chemical processes. Three examples of contaminated ports located either on the sea coast or near the mouth of polluted rivers are presented: Huelva, Andalucia, Spain, on the Atlantic Ocean shore; Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz State, Mexico, on the bank of Coatzacoalcos river emptying into the Gulf of Mexico and polluted by petroleum spills; And the Kishon port and river, Israel, receiving wastes from the nearby industries and municipalities. In the last case, national environmental organizations, in collaboration with port authorities, are implementing several actions. These are aimed to rehabilitate the river by dredging and cleaning its bed, to remediate the soil around it and to develop its surrounding landscape for the benefit of the general public. Health, social and legal aspects related to anthropogenic pollution and human fatal cases will be described and illustrated, based on the authors experience and knowledge.

Modern information technology found its place in agricultural production. This paper was presented to the mobile application to run. Economic problems can be divided into two main areas: Production and consumption area. Economic theory is based on the principles maximizing and minimizing or business with minimum investment required in the production of factors which are the scope and structure of production can be achieved with the lowest costs in relation to the need resources production and responses very important current issues, as a condition for people normal existence, it is important to seek solutions for the establishment of economic-ecological balance between the performance of agricultural production and preservation of the environment, solving the problems of yield depending on the investment variable factors of production, features the above, or below aspect ratio input-output relationships, production functions varying fertilization one factor and other factors unchanged amounts of the different levels use and yield without the use of nutrients from the soil.

The high-arsenic dust is produced from the lead-antimony mine in pyrometallurgical process and it contains a large amount of valuable metals, such as lead, antimony and indium. Since the composition is complex and there is a high arsenic content in high-arsenic dust along with the strict environmental protection, the current main processing ways are stockpiling. This paper studies the arsenic extraction from high-arsenic dust by clean wet extraction. The hydrometallurgy process of producing arsenic trioxide is composed of five steps: Circulating alkaline leaching, cooling crystallization, deposition inversion, reduction leaching and concentration crystallization. The purity obtained As2O3 is more than 99.5% and the content of arsenic can be reduced to below 0.5% in leaching residue, which achieves effective separation of arsenic and other metals, such as antimony and lead. Open environmental protection and security way for arsenic were found; Therefore, a new idea for the high arsenic materials processing was put forward.

Concession contracts are a legal tool suitable especially in developing countries where governments do not have the necessary economic capability to construct public works or offer necessary services to the public. At the same time, concessions may be used also for promoting economic development and making the country more accessible to foreign investments. In case of Albania, mining and mineral processing industry are among the sectors that would benefit more from concessions contracts by being more attractive to strategic investors, since the current stage of mining and mineral processing in Albania does not represent a strong competitor towards other countries having similar natural resources capacities. However, if such practices are not properly regulated by the legal framework, the public interest and fair competition might be harmed and in consequence the concession might be turned into a serious barrier for the development of these sectors. Thus, the current legal framework in Albania on concessions should be revised with the primary scope to better preserve public interest and increase the country attractiveness towards strategic investors in mining and mineral processing sectors.

Industrial Complex Trepca and especially Mitrovica region is surrounded by many tailings from industrial waste deposited in the past. These tailings are still causing air, water and soil pollution and in the same time disorder in biodiversity with huge impact on the health of population.Mitrovica Industrial Park tailings contain four types of industrial waste: Phosphate gypsum, jarosite, waste created from the process of pyrite and pyrotine roasting and the industrial waste created from the leaching process of zinc concentrate known as EIMCO tailing. This tailing extends over an area of 34.62 hectares and it is estimated that the total quantity of these residues is 1.520.000tons. These industrial wastes contain different heavy metals witch are toxic. Unfortunately this tailing is not maintained, it is open and unstable. The area around the tailings area is populated and it is only 0.5 km from the city center.The results obtained in 30 cases for the period from May to June 2012 show that the amount of lead in the blood among residents near the tailings is higher than allowed. The area with impact from historical industrial waste, which needs to be rehabilitated with protective measure from further pollution, is about 160km2.According to analysis the situation is even more difficult after the sale of certain quantity of industrial waste-EIMCO tailing, because considerable amount of dust is still present in the air and is expected further sedimentation in soil layers. In order to determine the environmental effects of these tailings, certain analysis with different parameters have been done with modern instruments and methods with equipment for environment analysis NITON XRF 700(EPA 6200).Based on the results obtained we concluded the industrial waste treatment will be a significant generator for new jobs and revenue that could be used for the rehabilitation of contaminated areas.

As contaminated drinking water is a well-known problem that affects millions worldwide, many biomarkers of exposure have been developed in the last years, such as total urinary arsenic and hair and toenail arsenic. However, few studies have investigated total arsenic blood levels as a biomarker of internal dose in non-occupationally exposed individuals and its relationship with different genotoxic endpoints. Huautla, Morelos, Mexico, is known for its mining activity and its natural arsenic content. The aims of this study were: A) To examine As concentration in drinking water and in whole blood samples from the individuals residing in Huautla, B) To evaluate DNA damage levels in whole blood lymphocytes from the exposed individuals and C) To assess if there is a correlation between DNA damage induction and total As blood levels. Arsenic was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and genotoxic damage was evaluated using the alkaline comet assay, the frequency of chromosome aberrations and the percentage of micronucleus in buccal epithelial cells. Our results demonstrate that drinking water is contaminated with arsenic and that these concentrations are above the national and international standards (0.24A ± 0.037A μ g/ml). Total arsenic levels in whole blood samples from the exposed individuals corroborate this exposure (60A ± 9A μ g/L). Arsenic was capable of inducing single strand breaks, chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus in exposed individuals and they were positively and significantly correlated with arsenic concentrations in whole blood samples, supporting the idea that total blood arsenic concentrations are a useful biomarker of internal exposure. Finally, as chromosomal aberration is the most accepted technique when estimating risks of human exposures, we can conclude that Huautla settlers are at risk of developing arsenic-related diseases and cancer, being this study the first report of arsenic contamination and human health hazard in this region, a fact that urgently needs further evaluation.

Controlling and reducing water pollution is a major problem for the society. Biosorption technology, based on the ability of certain organisms to capture metal species from aqueous solutions, has received particular attention because of its potential for treating wastewater. The aim of this study was to determine copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) biosorption in the anthropogenic origin effluent, using Escherichia coli. The effluent waters polluted with heavy metals were collected (The concentrations of metals in the discharge were: Cu 10, Fe 350, Mn 35 and Zn 55 mg/L), and Escherichia coli was isolated and tested with heavy metals biosorption batch system. Toxicity tests (IC50) and the kinetics study of heavy metals biosorption were conducted with synthetic solutions of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. The results of the IC50 for Escherichia coli were: Cu 28, Fe 70, Mn 210 and Zn 40 mg/L. The removal of heavy metals in batch system using Escherichia coli was very favorable since Cu 7.4, Fe 123, Mn 20 and Zn 35 mg/L were removed. Fitting the data to Langmuir, we obtained the maximum adsorption constant qo: Cu 200, Fe 166, Mn 333.3 and Zn 83.3 mg/g. This study presents a remedial alternative to traditional processes, which may allow the development of methodologies and strategies related to the cleanup of sites contaminated with various metals.

It is well known that the technogenic civilization entered a new stage when the humanistic orientation and the "precautionary principle" affect in to define the research strategy and assess the environmental effects the use of scientific and technical achievements. A vital necessity and an essential prerequisite for the development of post-non-classic science is the inclusion of moral value factors of science, a high level of ethical culture of the researcher. A scientist must be aware of their responsibility for the destiny of mankind, for the quality of the natural environment. Environmental policy is one of the strategic objectives and an important indicator of development in the Russian Federation. In a situation where the dominant development strategies of Russia are the socio-economic transformation and innovation in all areas of production, of particular significance are the issues of environmental safety and protection of the environment, processes of forming mechanisms for environmentally oriented management. These transformations are forced to join the efforts of science, real production and civil society in the process of developing a system for monitoring and management of environmental processes, tools for improving the effectiveness of environmental management and the formation of ecological culture. This problem is particularly acute in the Urals. The industrial region introduces social practices and ecologically oriented management mechanisms. As a form of social audit of environmental impacts of scientific and production activity, the social and humanitarian expertise is a tool to generate arguments for adoption, monitoring implementation and adjustment of management decisions in the environmental sphere, in accordance with the priorities of environmental policy, environmental partnership requirements.

The phosphate rock resources in Israel are estimated at 2 billion tons, but a large part of these resources is located where mining is prohibited, such as in nature reserves or close to residential areas. Other phosphate resources are not economically viable due to mining depth or technological constraints of industrial processes appropriate to the quality and type of raw material. The presence of various pollutants found naturally in phosphorite, especially organic matter content, is a limiting factor in the enrichment process of phosphate rock and phosphoric acid production.A committee was mandated by the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Energy and Water Resources to review current status of phosphate exploitation in sight of securing Israel's long-term national phosphate supply needs. The committee made the following recommendations:1. Promoting of planning process for mining prioritized high quality proven reserves, facilitating a competitive market of phosphate rock supply to the industry.2. Decreasing export of enriched phosphate rock and increasing local processing of end-products. 3. Limiting the annual mining rate of high quality phosphates to its current level. However, a 3% growth rate mining low-quality reserves will be allowed, and exploitation of resources currently defined as non-economic will be excluded from the mining quota. 4. Developing technologies for exploitation of non-economic phosphates by establishing an R & D framework with the industry.5. Using royalties to support governmental policy targets, such as exploiting non-economic phosphate rocks, increasing resource efficiency, boosting local production and clean production.

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