Innovation policy and present state of the public works of urban water management in Hungary

The National Water Technology Platform leaded by BME has the primary aim to develop a long-term strategic research agenda for the urban water management sector. As the result of the Platform’s activity in 2009, Strategic Research Agenda was prepared. This paper presents its findings concerning the public works in water sector. Based on the SWOT analysis of this sector, problems and future challenges have been assessed of the drinking water supply and sewer networks. The Agenda evaluated the Hungarian R&D&I activity in the field of public works of urban water management made projections on the time horizon beyond 2035

Use of nanotechnologically constructed micro-reactors in MBR system

In biological wastewater treatment technologies the majority of the systems are based on activated sludge technology. In these systems the population structure and dynamics of the activated sludge microbial community is largely governed by indirect regulatory mechanisms, such as the aerated/non-aerated reactors, reactor configurations and sludge recycling ratios. The development of polymer gels provides opportunities to fabricate microscopic size bioreactors for wastewater treatment. PVA-PAS (polyvinyl alcohol- polyacrylic acid copolymer) polymers proved to be effective. The primary object of our analyses is to study the nanotechnologically constructed micro-reactors in MBR systems. In this paper a case study is presented where the operational problems of artificial flocs in an MBR system were investigated

Implementation of a monitoring system on the ecological effects of anthropogenic interventions on the Danube morphology for the Gemenc-Béda-Karapancsa floodplain

Assessing wetland state through monitoring is the condition of their protection. Wetland resources support healthy environments; communities, and economies, effective watershed management should include conservation and restoration of wetlands and their functions. This study focuses on the development and implementation of a monitoring system for one of the greatest floodplain area: Gemenc-Béda-Karapancsa in accordance with the Water Framework Directive requirements which measures the environmental effects of changing environmental conditions in the Danube’s main river channel due to certain rehabilitation works, via monitoring of surface and groundwater hydrology, water and sediment chemistry and ecological state of the aquatic ecosystem elements

Short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids: environmental concerns and a regulatory strategy under REACH

Abstract Background Short-chain PFASs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are widely used as alternatives to long-chain PFASs. Long-chain PFASs become gradually regulated under REACH (EC No. 1907/2006) and other international regulations, due to having persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties and/or being toxic for reproduction. The increasingly used short-chain PFASs are assumed to have a lower bioaccumulation potential. Nonetheless, they have other properties of concern and are already widely distributed in the environment, also in remote regions. The REACH Regulation does not directly address these emerging properties of concern, complicating the implementation of regulatory measures. Therefore, this study illustrates these environmental concerns and provides a strategy for a regulation of short-chain PFASs within REACH. Results Short-chain PFASs have a high mobility in soil and water, and final degradation products are extremely persistent. This results in a fast distribution to water resources, and consequently, also to a contamination of drinking water resources. Once emitted, short-chain PFASs remain in the environment. A lack of appropriate water treatment technologies results in everlasting background concentrations in the environment, and thus, organisms are permanently and poorly reversibly exposed. Considering such permanent exposure, it is very difficult to estimate long-term adverse effects in organisms. Short-chain PFASs enrich in edible parts of plants and the accumulation in food chains is unknown. Regarding these concerns and uncertainties, especially with respect to the precautionary principle, short-chain PFASs are of equivalent concern to PBT substances. Therefore, they should be identified as substances of very high concern (SVHC) under REACH. The SVHC identification should be followed by a restriction under REACH, which is the most efficient way to minimize the environmental and human exposure of short-chain PFASs in the European Union. Conclusion Due to an increasing use of short-chain PFASs, an effective regulation is urgently needed. The concerns of short-chain PFASs do not match the “classical” concerns as defined under REACH, but are not of minor concern. Therefore, it is of advantage to clearly define the concerns of short-chain PFASs. This might facilitate the following restriction process under REACH

Knotting nets. Molecular junctions of interconnecting endocrine axes identified by application of the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) concept

In order to be defined as endocrine disruptor, a substance has to meet several criteria, including the induction of specific adverse effects, specific endocrine mode-of-action and a plausible link between both. Especially the latter criterion might not always be unequivocally determined, particularly as the endocrine system consists of diverse endocrine axes. The axes closely interact with each other, and manipulation of one triggers effects on the other. This review aimed at identifying some of the many interconnections between these axes. This study focusses on fish, but also considers data obtained in studies on amphibians and mammals if these assist in closing data gaps, as most of the endocrine mechanisms are evolutionary conserved. The review comprises data of ecotoxicological studies, as well as data on physiological processes. The gathered information delivers data on hormone/hormone receptor interactions or gene transcription regulation. The identified key events (KE) and KE relationships (KER) provide explanations for unexpected effects on one axis, exerted by substances suspected to act specifically on another axis. Based on these data, several adverse outcome pathway (AOP) segments were identified, describing connections between the HPG- and HPT-axes, the HPG- and HPA/I-axes, and the HPT- and HPA/I-axes. Central KEs identified across axes were altered aromatase activity, and altered expression and function of the proteins 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) and steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein. Substance classes, which act on more than one endocrine axis were for example goitrogens or aromatase inhibitors. Despite the wealth of gathered information, it only provides a small insight into the molecular nets of endocrine axes, demonstrating the complexity of the interconnections between endocrine axes