Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic organic compounds that were widely used in industrial applications throughout the 20th century. Due to their chemical stability, resistance to degradation and ability to bioaccumulate and biomagnify through food chains, PCBs pose long-term environmental and health risks. Due to these characteristics, PCBs have been globally regulated as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), despite being banned from production in most countries decades ago. This study investigates temporal trends in PCB contamination in urban soils of Bucharest over a 20-year period (2002–2022), focusing on six principal congeners (PCB 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) sampled from 13 locations, including roadsides and urban parks. Gas chromatography and spatial analysis using inverse distance weighting (IDW) revealed a marked reduction in Σ6PCB concentrations, declining from 0.0159 mg/kg in 2002 to 0.0065 mg/kg in 2022, with statistically significant differences confirmed by Kruskal–Wallis analysis (p < 0.05). This decline is primarily attributed to reduced emissions, source control measures, and natural attenuation. However, the persistence of PCBs in localized hotspots is influenced by secondary dispersion mechanisms, such as atmospheric deposition and surface runoff, which redistribute contaminants rather than eliminate them. Health risk assessments via ingestion, dermal absorption, and inhalation routes confirmed negligible carcinogenic risk for both adults and children. Although measurable progress has been achieved, the persistence of localized contamination underscores the need for targeted remediation strategies and sustained environmental monitoring to protect vulnerable urban areas from recontamination.

The aim of this study was to perform a morphometric analysis of Prussian carp individuals collected from the Moara Domnească pond in Ilfov County, Romania. This was accompanied by a physico-chemical characterization of the water, which was sampled from the same location. Consequently, we analyzed a total of 60 Prussian carp individuals that were caught in April (N = 32) and May 2023 (N = 28). For the Carassius gibelio in the study site, we provided, for the first time, data on the weight–length relationships (WLRs), the Fulton K condition factor and the biometric features, including the total length (TL), standard length (SL), head length (HL), snout length (SNL), body depth (BD), girth and ratios for the TL/HL, as well for the TL/BD and TL/SL. A negative growth type was estimated for both the samples of C. gibelio. Based on other studies and fishing reports, besides C. gibelio, there are another 11 species that belong to the Cypriniformes order, and there are two teleost members of the Perciformes order (Lepomis gibbosus and Perca fluviatilis)—these were also associated with this habitat. Water samples were collected from 12 sampling points (SP), which were subjected to physico-chemical characterizations that consisted of an assessment of the turbidity (T), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), chloride (Cl⁻), total hardness (TH), oxygen regime parameters, phosphate phosphorus (P-PO₄³⁻), nitrate nitrogen (N-NO₃⁻), nitrite nitrogen (N-NO₂⁻) and ammonium nitrogen (N-NH₄⁺) levels. In addition, considering their characteristics (high toxicity, non-biodegradability, long-range atmospheric transport and bioaccumulation potential), a number of organochlorine pollutants (OCPs) were identified. The total hardness values presented a very significant correlation with conductivity (r = 0.5974 ***) and with pH (r = 0.5854 ***). The results allowed for the water samples to be placed into the quality classes established by legislation, and they were also discussed in relation to the fishes’ requirements.

This study presents the results of experiments with induced pollution, carried out in the greenhouse, which aimed at the accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu) in Dactylis glomerata L. plants. The soil material used for the experiments was harvested from an unpolluted area in the Copșa Mică area. The soil has a fine texture, with a weak alkaline reaction, a medium humus content, a medium nitrogen and potassium supply and a high phosphorus content. The heavy metal contents fall within the normal limits according to Order 756/1997 on the assessment of environmental pollution. To carry out the experiments with induced pollution, the soil material was treated with the appropriate amounts of metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) from their soluble salts (acetate), and for each element 6 experimental variants were established depending on the metal content in the soil.The results obtained were used to parameterize stochastic models that can be used to estimate the accumulation of heavy metals in Dactylis glomerata L. plants depending on the total and mobile (DTPA) content of metals in the soil. The logarithmic plots for the power regression curves estimating the stochastic dependence between the total and mobile content in the soil and aerial part of Dactylis Glomerata L. plants are distinctly statistically significant.

The agrochemical study carried out on some agricultural land for assessing soil fertility state and certain pollutants loading degree in order to convert towards organic agriculture highlighted a good soil fertility state consisting of neutral – slightly alkaline reaction, generally favorable for agricultural crops, organic matter and total nitrogen contents from low to high, C/N ratios that suggest a good quality organic matter, good and very good available phosphorus and potassium supply. No risks were ascertained for nitrates, heavy metals, and organochlorinated insecticides or triazine herbicides. Punctual incipient salinization situations were also noticed. The study concluded that there are conditions for converting to organic agriculture and made recommendations to this end as regards fertilization technologies and soil fertility properties conservation, preventing damage caused by vermin, diseases, and weeds, using organically obtained seeds and breeding materials, and mitigating and monitoring salinization phenomena even when they are weak.

Soil acidity is one of the main factors limiting wheat yield and grain quality, as it significantly impacts nutrient solubility, availability, root development, and nutrient uptake by plants. Understanding how fertilization practices interact with soil acidity is essential for sustainable crop production. This study aimed to investigate the influence of increasing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization rates on the micro- and macronutrient contents of wheat grain grown on an acidic soil. The experiment was conducted under field conditions using a bifactorial design with five levels of nitrogen (0, 40, 80, 120, 160 kg/ha) and five levels of phosphorus (0, 40, 80, 120, 160 kg/ha). After harvest, the grain samples were processed and analyzed for their macronutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) contents. The results revealed that increasing N and P fertilization rates significantly influenced the mineral composition of wheat grain. Higher nitrogen rates (120 and 160 kg/ha) increased grain nitrogen content and enhanced zinc and manganese concentrations, indicating an overall improvement in nutritional quality. When P levels are high, it is common to observe a decrease in Cu uptake, suggesting that there are antagonistic interactions between phosphorus and copper when phosphorus levels are high. Phosphorus fertilization favored the accumulation of P and Mg in the grains, with higher phosphorus application rates leading to statistically significant increases compared to the control. These findings highlight the importance of balanced nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization in optimizing both yield and nutrient composition of wheat grain under acidic soil conditions. Proper nutrient management contributes not only to maintaining long-term soil fertility but also to enhancing the nutritional value and quality of wheat as a staple food crop.