The effectiveness of some chemical matrix modifiers for the determination of lead, chromium, selenium and arsenic in sediments and soils by Zeeman electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry have been evaluated. The addition of certain chemical modifiers decreases the volatility of the analyte element, preventing its loss during pyrolysis step while increasing the volatility of matrix components promoting a better separation also allows a higher pretreatment temperature for better separation between analyte and matrix. Pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, characteristic masses and detection limits of analytes in dissolved samples with and without modifiers have been compared. The method was validated by analysing certified reference lake sediment and soil materials.

In the present paper we report, a series of experimental characterization and analysis models that can be applied to industrial waste samples in order to determine the heavy metals within them. During our studies we determined that both preparation and pretreatment of the waste sample are the two most important steps in the analysis process. Therefore, an increased attention was given in using appropriate procedures and methods for preparation and pretreatment. In order to ensure a correct and secure analysis were developed experimental models based on preparation and pretreatment stages and also on organic matrix decomposition method (digestion process with acid mixture under microwave). These experimental models were tested on a series of wastes coming from processing and finishing activities of metal surfaces and other materials. Metal concentration was analyzed by AAS (atomic absorption spectrometry) and XRF (X-ray fluorescence spectrometry). The obtained results proved that the proposed experimental models are suitable for analysis of different types of industrial wastes samples.

The environmental protection issue at the national level and within organizations is very complex, due to a multitude of involved factors. To take the most appropriate decisions in normal/critical situations, a series of methods of analysis have been elaborated and implemented. The work presents the Analytical Hierarchy Process-English acronym AHP-as a multi-criteria decision instrument for modeling the preferences representations. This methodological instrument, special dedicated for environmental group decision in the field of environment, is a useful one in the process of decision taking, making it less prone to the subjectivity of value judgments by using a set of prior consensual agreed relevant criteria. The proposed decision model helps decision-makers to highlight the hazards of different planned and unplanned pollutants discharges and to assess the possible environmental risk due to the significant pollution evolution in the context of organization site conditions.

This paper continues the presentation of the case studies on waste dangerousness assessment. Due to the particularities that shows many of the waste generated in industry, in particular, each analysis represents a special case. The application of the methodology for determining the dangerousness of waste (carried out and used by our institute, still in the absence of rules for the implementation of legislation on waste management), often faces challenges regarding the estimation (with an error as low as possible) of the concentration for the potential components from the waste, necessary to establish the hazardous/non-hazardous character of the waste and, implicitly, for its correct classification in the waste list. In this respect, the case study presented is that of a waste from drilling muds.

A general scheme for the assessment of dangerousness of waste is presented taking into consideration the new European and Romanian applicable laws in order to adequately manage them (storage, elimination with specialized firms -preparation for disposal/recovery, recovery, and final disposal). Some relevant examples from current practice will be reviewed emphasizing the interest aspects in applying the current legal provisions in order to adequately manage the waste in Romania in the spirit of sustainable development and protection of environment and human health on short, medium and long term. Keywords: dangerousness, disposal, elimination, recovery, wastes IntroductionThe paper presents a general scheme for waste assessment based on current environmental and waste legislation as a methodological approach to be used in practice in order to make an appropriate waste management. Following economic development, our modern society is facing increasing amounts of wastes and consequently there is a strong necessity to adequately manage them in the spirit of sustainable development. In this respect, nowadays, any developed wastes' policies and strategies should be conceived in order to find balance between continuing economic development on one hand and decreasing natural resources consumption and wastes production in order to minimize their environment and human health negative effects on the other hand.