The Black Sea sturgeons are anadromous fish species [1], which migrate upstream on the Danube River for breeding. The distance traveled in the migration process varies depending on each species, from tens to hundreds of kilometers [2]. After breeding, the anadromous sturgeons return to the Black Sea and go back to the Danube after a time that varies depending on the species between 3 and 5 years [3]. All sturgeon species that migrate in the Danube basin are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [4]. Considering that sturgeon migration is a condition of the existence of species [5], INCDPM developed in 2011-2017 extensive research studies of their behavior. Using ultrasonic telemetry, unique information volumes have been obtained on the behavior during sturgeon migration in different hydrodynamic conditions and under the pressures caused by anthropogenic activities. The intensity of poaching was also analyzed, resulting in that this pressure represents a real threat to the existence of sturgeon species. Over 70% of the total specimens monitored in research studies, developed by INCDPM during the over 7 years of research, were poached. The research was conducted in Ml compliance with the provisions of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 [6], which aims to conserve endangered habitats and species, including by reducing and eliminating by-catches.

This paper concerns to the air and soil pollution in the area of tailings ponds in Moldova Nouă, situated on Danube bank, near the Romania-Serbia border. The tailings ponds resulted from mining operations since the previous century, represent now a source of historical pollution in the area, especially on air quality, through dispersal of tailings dust on large surfaces. Depending on weather conditions, especially in case of drought periods, the wind of various intensities raises the dust and disperses it, affecting land surfaces: urban, tourist, agricultural, protected areas of community interest, like RAMSAR Iron Gates Natural Park-Divici-Pojejena Wetland. The dispersion has a direct effect on human health because of its chemical composition, which may contain SiO2 and heavy metals like Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, etc. Results were obtained following several field measurements of dust particles concentrations at various critical points, in corroboration with laboratory analyses of their content. For the study of the pollutants dispersion, the Breeze AERMOD model was used for obtaining cross-border pollution maps, respectively of the historical pollution by the accumulation of heavy metals in the soil from the immediate vicinity of the analysed area.

The hydrotechnical works (bottom sills, banks protections, and guiding wall) performed during 2011 -2017 period on the Danube river, between Calarasi and Braila (km 375-175), aimed to improve the fluvial navigation, and have imposed a continuous monitoring of biotic and abiotic environmental factors. The aim of these hydraulic works is to identify the possible negative effects which might appear and find the alternative solutions to eliminate the risks. The sturgeons, which are migratory species protected by Romanian law and closely monitored by international organizations, can be affected by these works, in the sense that the newly constructed bottom sills would prevent the migration to the breeding habitats. For the migration monitoring, ultrasonic receiver stations and ultrasonic transmitters developed by the Vemco Canada Company were used. The novelty of this work is attributed to the characteristics and efficiency of two monitoring systems developed and patented by the National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection and applied along the Danube River.

In big cities, certain meteorological phenomena can affect air quality even in cases where the main sources of pollution such as traffic have low intensity. The air pollution varies greatly, depending on the emission source and the type of pollutant. In addition, the dispersion of air pollutants is influenced by weather conditions, as well as other factors such as the type of pollutant and regional and local topography. The air quality is one of the targets of the 11th goal of the UN 2030 AGENDA for sustainable development, also adopted at the national level. This study aims to correlate temperature and humidity with atmospheric pollutants, like PM10. The data were obtained by continuous monitoring for a period of 9 days (5 days when precipitation was recorded and 4 days when precipitation was absent) in which the relative humidity varying between 32-104% while the concentration of PM10 between 13-118 µg/m3. The measurements on air quality parameters were performed in the central area of Bucharest city, near an important boulevard with intensive vehicle traffic and sometimes traffic jams. During daytime period, it was observed that the temperature inversion could be the cause the accumulation of high PM10 levels near the road surface for some hours of the monitoring period.

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