This article assesses the surface water quality of the Strîmtori-Firiza reservoir by analyzing 14 physicochemical parameters among 9 metals in 18 sampling points. A series of possible reservoir pollutants were identified, depending on the nature of the pollutants and their loading. The novelty of the paper consists in the broad spectrum of investigations that includes spatial distribution cluster analysis and mathematical modeling. This article presents an innovative method of assessing the distributions of the metal loads as maps of metal distribution that are in accordance with the developed mathematical models that aim to present the pollutant distribution and the degree of correlation between the physicochemical indicators. The clusters were generated using Ward's and Nearest Neighbor methods that are less used in the studies concerning the analysis of water quality. Measures for maintaining the quality of the water reservoir are proposed considering the importance of the reservoir as source for drinking/industrial water.

The Sediment Assessment Tool for Effective Erosion Control (SATEEC) acts as an extension for ArcView GIS 3, with easy to use commands. The erosion assessment is divided into two modules that consist of Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) for sheet/rill erosion and the nLS/USPED modeling for gully head erosion. The SATEEC erosion modules can be successfully implemented for areas where sheet, rill and gully erosion occurs, such as the Prislop Catchment. The enhanced SATEEC system does not require experienced GIS users to operate the system therefore it is suitable for local authorities and/or students not so familiar with erosion modeling.

The GIS database containing the topographic and land use information was made in 2012, followed by field measurements surveys in 2013 and 2014. A number of 11 cross-sections were topographically apprised in the valley along the 11 km river reach. The geometric data requirements for the modeling software were prepared in ESRI’s ArcGIS™ 9.2 software using the HEC-GeoRAS extension. The steady flow data was edited in the HEC-RAS one-dimensional flow modeling software. Four scenarios were used for the river discharge, from normal to overflow. The results come in different forms, from tabular output, to stage hydrograph, to velocity distribution or 3D diagrams, all of which give a clear vision on the overflow high risk areas. The results were exported back to the GIS extension for additional spatial operations. Flow velocity maps were generated for each discharge scenario. Although the scenarios included very high discharge values, the flood impact on people assets is minimal. The reasons for this are the high slope of the riverbed and the proper placement in the floodplain, due mainly to the flood management works that took place after the 1970 flood.

The research was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of natural (β-carotene and ascorbic acid) antioxidants on the oxidative stability of alimentary chicken fat in order to improve its safety and extend the shelf life. Peroxide value was significantly influenced by the storage time (p < 0.001) in chicken fat and 0.01% additivated fat. In control was found the highest level of peroxide value followed by 0.01% and 0.05% additivated fat. Regardless of the type of fat, the highest peroxide index level was found at 180 days of storage. Saturated fatty acids content increased, but monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids content decreased during refrigerated storage. Storage time showed to be most correlated with monounsaturated fatty acids for control (r = 0.93), followed by 0.01% additivated fat (r = 0.87) and 0.05% additivated fat (r = 0.76). The development of rancidity in chicken fat was significantly (p < 0.01) reduced by the addition of β-carotene and ascorbic acid in concentration of 0.05%.