An integrative passive sampler consisting of a C18 Empore® disk receiving phase saturated with n-octanol and fitted with low-density polyethylene diffusion membrane was calibrated for the measurement of time-weighted average concentrations of hydrophobic micropollutants, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine pesticides, in water. The effect of temperature and water turbulence on kinetic and thermodynamic parameters characterising the exchange of analytes between the sampler and water was studied in a flow-through system under controlled conditions. It was found that the absorption of test analytes from water to the sampler is related to their desorption to water. This allows for the in situ calibration of the uptake of pollutants using offload kinetics of performance reference compounds. The sampling kinetics are dependent on temperature, and for most of the tested analytes also on the flow velocity. Sampler–water partition coefficients did not significantly change with temperature.

The effects of two different biological treatments on hydrocarbon degradation and on soil biological activities were determined during a 100-d incubation period. An evaluation of soil biological activities as a monitoring instrument for the decontamination process of diesel-oil contaminated soil was made using measurements of organic carbon content, soil microbial respiration, soil ATP and dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, lipase enzyme activities. Five samples were used: S (control, uncontaminated soil), CS (contaminated soil), SCS (sterilized contaminated soil), CFS (contaminated soil plus N and P), CCS (contaminated soil plus compost). The relationships between soil parameters and the levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) residues were investigated. Results showed that inorganic nutrients NP and compost stimulated hydrocarbon biodegradation but not all biological activities to a significant extent. The residual hydrocarbon trend was positively related with that of the organic C content, microbial respiration and with β-glucosydase activity, while both soil lipase and dehydrogenase activities were negatively related with the hydrocarbon trend. Lipase activity was found to be the most useful parameter for testing hydrocarbon degradation in soil.

Oil spill phenomena occur very often in the Boka Aquatorium. By studying the occurrence of oil stain on the sea surface the analyses of the Boka Bay pollution is represented in this document. Also represented is an evaluation or stimulation of expert opinion in a case of oil spill occurrence, in relation to the air temperature with the obvious consequences of carbon hydrogen appearance/presence.