Laboratory for Environmental Research

Laboratory for environmental research conducts basic and applied reseach in different areas of environmental sciences.

Basic research

In the area of basic research the activities of the Laboratory are directed to the following topics:

• investigation of photochemical and microbial degradation, transformations, as well as the transport of pollutants in the environment, where our experiments are focused on the application of TiO₂ thin films as the catalyst for degradation of substituted phenols, textile and other dyes, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals under simulated (UV light) and environmental conditions,
• development of laser-based methods for identification and determination of toxic compounds and their effects in the environment, which we combine with bioanalytical techniques (acetylcholinesterase - AChE biosensors), flow injection analysis (FIA) and liquid chromatography
• development of new techniques for degradation of pollutants in waste and drinking waters by laser light, ionising radiation and advanced oxidation techniques
• investigation of the toxicity of organophosphorus and neonicotinoide pesticides to terrestrial invertebrates (Isopoda), and their application to assess the extent of environmental pollution by pesticides
• investigation of the transport of antioxidants across cellular membrane, the function of associated transport proteins, and assessment of antioxidants such as carotenoids and polyphenols in foodstuffs, fruits and vegetables such as grapes, sweet cherries, tomato, olive oil, vegetable oils and fruit juices
• studies on ecological energetic properties of terrestrial ecosystems and evaluation of sustainable management based on systems ecology approach
• preparation and characterisation of new materials, which have potential application in environmental friendly systems, such as membranes for fuel cells and utilisation of alternative energy from biomass.

Applied research

The activity of the Laboratory in the field of applied research is oriented primarily towards the application of photothermal and bioanalytical techniques for food quality control. In this regard, the newly developed analytical methods are applied to determine the characteristic carotenoids, which serve as indicators of quality and origin of olive and other vegetable oils, and fruit juices. AChE based photothermal biosensors are being presently tested for large scale application in fruit juice production, where they will be used as a rapid and low cost screening method for presence of organophosphate pesticides.

Expertise

Since the establishment of the Laboratory, its expertise in the area of Environmental Impact Assessment has been frequently requested by the public and private sector. Recently this resulted in the engagement of our experts in the assessment of the new facility for the reduction of flue gas emissions from the plant for production of phtalic acid anhydride. This included the evaluation and determination of the best available technologies, the assessment of the present status of the environment near the plant and methods of monitoring pollution, and consulting related to formalities demanded by national standards and regulations. In a similar way, we are involved in the activities related to the establishment of new facilities for solid waste treatment, exploitation of landfill gas, and cleaning of leachate and wastewaters at municipal waste disposal sites.