Neutralization of sludge and purification of wastewater from Sindos industrial area of Thessaloniki (Greece) using natural zeolite

Η ανάμειξη λάσπης από τη βιομηχανική ζώνη Σίνδου Θεσσαλονίκης με υψηλής ποιό- τητας φυσικό ζεόλιθο τύπου-HEU (τόφφος με 86 %κ.β. κλινοπτιλόλιθο-ευλανδίτη) σε ίσες ποσότητες, έδωσαν άοσμη και συνεκτική ζεολάσπη. Επίσης, η κατεργασία υγρών αποβλήτων pH 7,8 από την ίδια βιομηχανική ζώνη με υψηλής ποιότητας φυσικό ζεό- λιθο τύπου-HEU (88 %κ.β. κλινοπτιλόλιθο-ευλανδίτη), έδωσε διαυγές νερό pH 7,3, ελεύθερο από οσμές και βελτιωμένες τις ποιοτικές παραμέτρους κατά 60% για τα NO3 -, 76% για το χημικά απαιτούμενο οξυγόνο (COD), 100% για τα P2O5 και το Cr. Ταυτόχρονα, προέκυψε άοσμη και συνεκτική ζεολάσπη ως ίζημα. Η άοσμη και συνε- κτική ζεολάσπη που προέκυψε είτε από την ανάμειξη της λάσπης με τον φυσικό ζεόλι- θο, είτε ως ίζημα από την κατεργασία των βιομηχανικών υγρών αποβλήτων με φυσικό ζεόλιθο και κροκιδωτικά, είναι κατάλληλη για ασφαλή απόθεση, επειδή η καθήλωση των επιβλαβών συστατικών στους μίκρο/νάνο-πόρους του ζεόλιθου τύπου-HEU κα- θώς και στους μέσο- και μάκρο-πόρους του φυσικού ζεόλιθου, αποτρέπει την έκπλυσή τους από το νερό της βροχής, προστατεύοντας έτσι την ποιότητα των εδαφών, επιφανειακών και υπόγειων υδάτων.The commixture of sludge from Sindos industrial area of Thessaloniki with high quality HEU-type natural zeolite (tuff with 86 wt.% clinoptilolite-heulandite) in equal proportions, resulted in odourless and cohesive zeosludge. Also, the treatment of wastewater of pH 7.8 from the same area with high quality HEU-type natural zeolite (88 wt.% clinoptilolite-heulandite) resulted in production of clear water of pH 7.3, free of odours and improved quality parameters by 60% for the NO3 - content, 76% for the chemical oxygen demand (COD), 100% for P2O5 and Cr contents. Simultaneously, a precipitate of odourless and cohesive zeosludge was produced. The odourless and cohesive zeosludge produced either by the commixture of sludge with the natural zeolite or as precipitate from the treatment of industrial wastewater with the natural zeolite and coagulants, is suitable for safe deposition, since the fixation of the hazardous components in the micro/nano-pores of the HEU-type zeolite, as well as the meso- and macro-porous of natural zeolite, prevents their leaching by the rain water, protecting thus the quality of soils, surface and ground waters

Trends and correlates of the public’s perception of the healthcare system in the European Union: a multi-level analysis of Eurobarometer survey data from 2009 to 2013

Objective The aim of the study is to assess trends in public perceptions of health systems in 27 European Union (EU) member states following the financial crisis (2009–2013), in order to discuss observed changes in the context of the financial crisis. Design Repeated cross-sectional studies. Setting 27 EU countries. Participants EU citizens aged 15 years and older. Methods The study mainly uses the Eurobarometer Social Climate Survey, conducted annually between 2009 and 2013, thereby analysing 116 706 observations. A multilevel logistic regression was carried out to analyse trends over time and the factors associated with citizens’ perceptions of their healthcare systems. Results Europeans generally exhibit positive perceptions of their national healthcare systems, 64.0% (95% CI 63.6% to 64.4%). However, we observed a significant drop in positive perceptions in the years following the crisis, especially within countries most affected by the crisis. Concerning fiscal characteristics, wealthier countries and those dedicating higher proportion of their national income to health were more likely to maintain positive perceptions. At the individual level, perceptions of healthcare systems were significantly associated with respondents’ self-perceptions of their social status, financial capacity and overall satisfaction in life. Conclusions Our finding confirms previous observations that citizens’ perceptions of their healthcare systems may reflect their overall prospects within the broader socioeconomic systems they live in; which have in turn been affected by the financial crisis and the policy measures instituted in response

European Union citizens’ views on development assistance for developing countries, during the recent migrant crisis in Europe

Background: Development assistance from governments of high income countries represents the vast majority of international funding for global health. Recent stagnation of this important source of funding may affect attainment of major global health goals. The financial crisis is widely accredited as denting governments’ outlay for development aid, as well as citizen’s support for aid. Europe has also recently experienced record levels of migration; the so called ‘European migration crisis’. This study aims to analyse trends in public attitudes towards development aid in European Union (EU) countries, in the context of the European migrant crisis. Methods: Eurobarometer survey data from 2011 (prior to the migrant crisis) and 2015 (at the peak of the crisis) was analysed for 27 EU countries. The outcome variables related to people’s levels of support to three statements around the importance of supporting people in developing countries, increasing countries’ commitments to aid and willingness to pay extra for products from developing countries. EU Member States were categorised as ‘arrival’ or ‘destination’ countries in view of migration routes and numbers of asylum applications per 100,000 population, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed, adjusting for countries’ economic status (gross domestic product per capita). Results: In general, support for development aid has increased from 2011 to 2015, but was largely unaffected by migration status when applying the regression model. In 2015, the belief that development assistance is ‘very important’ was significantly higher in countries where migrants first arrived compared to other EU Member States, with a trend towards this association also apparent in 2011. Conclusions: The positive trends in public support for development aid are encouraging in an age where economic hardships at home, as well as the tone of national political discourses and rising right wing populism appear to suggest otherwise

Geology and geochemistry of the Eocene zeolite bearing volcaniclastic sediments of Metaxades, Thrace, Greece

The Eocene zeolite-bearing volcaniclastic sediments (Ca-rich clinoptilolite 51 % on average) of Metaxades, Thrace, Greece, are studied in terms of geology and chemical composition. The alternating formations along a vertical profile in the Metaxades main quarry face are: Discrete horizons of zeolite-bearing volcaniclastic tuffs, zeolite-bearing volcaniclastic tuffs including pebbles, zeolite-bearing volcaniclastic tuffs including thin silica-rich layers, and a calc-clayey horizon. A positive correlation is observed between MgO and CaO in the volcaniclastic tuffs including silica-rich layers. Sr, Rb and Ba are the most abundant trace elements in alllayers; among them, Sr is found to correlate positively with zeolite. The enrichment of sorne trace elements is mainly attributed to mineral abundances, mineral chemistry or leaching processes. The zeolite-bearing volcaniclastic sediments of Metaxades represent an inhomogeneous sequence, which was deposited in a shallow marine environment under turbulent to quiet sedimentary conditions.Los sedimentos eocenos volcanoclásticos con zeolita (51% de media de clinoptilolita rica en Ca) de Metaxades, Tracia, Grecia, se estudian desde el punto de vista geológico y de su composición química. Las formaciones alternantes que se pueden observar en un corte vertical en la cantera principal de Metaxades son: horizontes aislados de tufos volcanoclásticos con zeolita y con delgadas capas ricas en sílice, y un horizonte calco-arcilloso. Se observa una correlación positiva entre MgO y CaO en los tufss volcanoclásticos que presentan capas ricas en sílice. El Sr, el Rb y el Ba son los elementos traza más abundantes en todos los horizontes. Entre ellos, el Sr presenta una correlación positiva con la zeolita. El enriquecimiento en algunos elementos traza se atribuye esencialmente a las abundancias de los minerales, la química mineral, o a fenómenos de lixivinción. Los sedimentos volcanoclásticos con zeolita de Metaxades representan una secuencia inhomogénea, que fue depositada en un ambiente marino somero, bajo condiciones desde turbulentas hasta tranquilas