Anthropic activities are characterised by benefits and drawbacks for the human being and the environment. In the last few centuries of the humankind, the industrial activity has increased exponentially due to massive industrialisation process. This evolution has augmented the use of land for industrial purposes, which in turn affected the quality of soil by polluting it with high levels of chemical contaminants. On the other hand, intensive agricultural activities involve the use of pesticides and fertilisers, which at the end of the day, also contribute to the contamination of the agricultural land. Soil may be contaminated as well by accidents which occur due to human activity. The land quality is essential to preserve the environment, and it is required to maintain the level of pollution within legal limits. If contaminant levels are above the legal limits, then a soil remediation action plan should take place. Very high costs are usually associated with soil remediation, and the best strategies should be adopted to optimise resources and costs. A methodology to derive remedial targets has been successfully used in the USA and adopted and adapted in various countries inclusive in the EU. Currently, Romania has started to follow specific steps to align with international practices regarding the management of contaminated land. Although this methodology is extensively used in western countries, its application in Romania is in its inception phase. Therefore, this paper intends to present the current situation in Romania regarding the contaminated sites and potentially contaminated sites, the risk assessment approach that should be followed and the related soil remediation strategies that could be implemented.

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Travertines are susceptible to fracturing/ cracking, making it difficult to extract large uncracked blocks of significant commercial value. In our study, we used the GPR – Ground Penetrating Radar and other geophysical methods (resistivity and seismic methods) to evaluate the degree of fracturing. Following the interpretation of the longitudinal and transversal GPR profiles, corroborated with the resistivities minima, led us to identify fractures and highly fracturing areas in the Carpinis quarry. In addition, using these combined methodologies and corroborating geophysical, geological, tectonic and geomorphological information creates the premises for an effective investigation of Carpinis quarry, which assists with optimising the mining process.

The consequences of contaminated groundwater can seriously affect sustainable development; present and future generations being seriously affected by inadequate drinking water quality, loss of water supply, degraded surface water systems, high remediation costs, more expenses for other water supplies, and likely health issues. Therefore, an effective way to protect groundwater resources is by assessing the risk of groundwater contamination. An assessment of groundwater pollution should be performed to determine the level of risk posed by soil and groundwater contamination and establish if remediation strategies are required to protect controlled waters from site-derived contamination. Furthermore, if remediation is deemed necessary, site-specific remedial targets should be derived. A case study is presented, where a Conceptual Site Model was derived based on a “Source-Pathway-Receptor” exposure mechanism using historical information. Primary sources of contamination at the site are residual contamination within the soil and groundwater, and samples were collected from the site and tested in the laboratory; the concentration of water samples was compared to Romanian Drinking Water Standards. The following potential migration pathways have been identified: Leaching from soil and Migration of contaminated groundwater. The Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessment (DQRA) has modelled the leaching of contaminants from the site via infiltration and vertical migration to the groundwater and subsequent lateral groundwater migration, with dilution and attenuation process active, to the compliance point, using Ogata-Banks equation. The results of this assessment indicate that the concentration of contaminants does not represent a significant risk to controlled waters.

One way to solve environmental problems is through modelling. Humankind developed a series of models, from mental models, physical models to computer simulation models. Building a model assumes abstraction, simplifying the natural system by considering only the essential details and discarding irrelevant ones. Mapping the real worlds to the world of models is done by choosing an abstraction level and the corresponding modelling tool. The right abstraction level is paramount for any modelling project, depending on the real problem being analysed. In modern simulation modelling, there are three methods, each having a particular range of abstraction levels: system dynamics, discrete event (process-centric modelling) and agent-based models. Ecosystems and generally any environmental problems (real world) are complex dynamics that challenge our comprehension. Understanding the significant environmental challenges is vital to adopt adequate policies for a sustainable environment through modelling and simulation. Since our cognitive abilities are limited, we need a simulation of the environmental systems to see the dynamic patterns and how humans interact with the environment. Environmental modelling helps us understand complex systems by building mathematical models and running simulations using a high abstraction level. The system dynamics method of modelling and simulation is used to clarify the representation of the stocks and flows and the feedback process that control the flows and describe the dynamic behaviour (growth, decay, or oscillations) of complex systems over time. Modelling for prediction, understanding across time and spatial scales, and environmental systems disciplines is key for a sustainable future.