Groundwater pollution is a very common problem worldwide, as it poses a serious threat to both the environment and the economic and social development and consequently generates several types of costs. The analysis of pollution control involves a permanent comparison between pollution costs and the costs associated with various methods of pollution reduction. An environmental policy based on economic instruments is more effective than an environmental policy focused on command and control tools. In this respect, the present paper provides a case study showing how anthropogenic factors such as wastewater, industrial, agricultural, and natural factors are able to change the physical and chemical parameters of groundwater in the study area, thus endangering their quality. In order to monitor the groundwater quality in the region of Dobrudja, an analysis of physico-chemical parameters was performed. The content of heavy metals was analyzed and the health risk index was taken into account and analyzed, in order to set a better correctness of the metal content from the underground waters. Studies on groundwater quality control have shown that, in many parts of the world, water has different degrees of quality depending on the natural and anthropogenic factors acting on the pertaining environment. This is why more attention should be paid to the prevention of groundwater pollution and the immediate remediation of accidents.

Consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable foods has led to a multitude of innovative food products. The aim of the work was to monitor the physico-chemical quality parameters (color, taste, smell, infestation, granularity, humidity, gluten index, falling number, alveographic properties, ash content, hectoliter mass of wheat) for the raw material: wheat, for the flours resulting from the milling, and for different types of flours and resulting mixtures. The mixtures were made with wheat flour and carob, oats, rice, buckwheat, and coconut flour added in proportions of 5%, 10%, and 20%. Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu) were also determined for different types of flour. The metal content was determined by the atomic absorption method using a GBC Avanta PM atomic absorption spectrometer. The detection and quantification limits were evaluated using calibration curves. The degree of coloring of the flours differs depending on the degree of extraction and, therefore, also depends on the amount of ash contained. As for infestation contamination, it was not identified in any of the analyzed flour. Rheological properties indicate the quality of flours. Flour types 480 and 550 recorded exceptional values of the rheological parameters, presenting a deformation energy (W) above 200 10–4J and a curve configuration ratio (P/E) of 1.08. The metal concentrations were between the permissible limits defined by the FDA/WHO.