2026 Edition Photos
First pages Full text
Contents Full text
Gheorghe ȘERBAN – World Water Day – March 22, 2026
pp: VII-VIII | Full text
Iulian-Horia HOLOBÂCĂ – World Meteorological Day – March 23, 2026
pp: IX-XI | Full text
I. Climatic and Hydrological Hazards
Raul-Marian STOICA , Maria-Luiza PIEPTENARU, Raul-Cristian CIOC
Synoptic and mesoscale analysis of the severe convective episode – Praid, May 28, 2025.
pp: 1-10 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2026_01 | Full text
This paper presents the severe weather situation recorded on May 28, 2025, in eastern Transylvania, an event that generated historic flash floods in the Târnava Mică river basin, severely affecting the locality of Praid and leading to the flooding of the Praid Salt Mine complex. The sea level pressure and 500 hPa geopotential height map indicates the presence of a cut-off low positioned directly over Romania, which blocked the zonal circulation and sustained ascending motions. This configuration was reinforced in the lower layers of the troposphere (925 hPa) by pronounced moisture convergence, with relative humidity values exceeding 90–95% in the Eastern Carpathians region, a fact that fueled the convective systems with a massive amount of water vapor. Against the background of this atmospheric blocking and the specific orography of the Praid-Sovata depression, quasi-stationary cloud systems with a high precipitation rate developed, with rainfall amounts exceeding 60–80 mm (l/sqm) in a short time interval (1–2 hours). These caused torrential runoff from the slopes and a rapid increase in flow rates on Corund Creek and its tributaries. The resulting flash flood exceeded the transit capacity of the riverbed, with overflowing waters uncontrollably entering the galleries of the Praid Salt Mine and causing major material damage to the tourism and mining infrastructure. To determine the atmospheric conditions under which the mesoscale convective systems formed, outputs from global scale models (ECMWF and GFS) and mesoscale models (ALARO) data from the S-band weather radar at Bobohalma (Mureș County).
Răzvan BĂTINAŞ, Ionel Sorin RÎNDAȘU-BEURAN, Bogdan Gabriel PITICARI, Cristiana Georgiana ZANFIR, Ionela DĂNILĂ (Vâzdoagă), Silvia RĂVDAN (Oprea), Simion NACU, Andrei Dan ENACHE
Flood events in Suceava and Neamț counties – Romania, from July 24–28, 2025: A spatio-temporal investigation
pp: 11-23 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2026_02 | Full text
In July 2025, extreme hydrometeorological conditions triggered a series of flash flood events along the Bistrița River, generating severe impacts on regional infrastructure and local communities. Characterized by high-intensity, short-duration rainfall superimposed on already saturated catchment conditions, these flash floods evolved within hours, exceeding historical discharge thresholds and overwhelming existing flood protection systems. The resulting hydrological response was marked by abrupt peak flows, accelerated channel dynamics, and extensive overbank inundation across multiple sectors of the basin. The floods have produced substantial damages to critical infrastructure, including transportation networks, hydraulic structures, energy distribution systems, and water management facilities. Several roads’ segments were rendered inoperable due to embankment erosion and bridge scour, while protective dikes and bank stabilization works experienced structural failure under extreme hydraulic loading. In addition to direct physical destruction, cascading effects disrupted economic activities and essential public services, amplifying the overall socio-economic footprint of the event. Given the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation episodes in Eastern Europe under projected climate variability, the July 2025 Bistrița River floods represent a significant case study for understanding rapid flood generation mechanisms in mid-sized mountainous catchments. This article aims to (i) analyze the meteorological and hydrological drivers of the event, (ii) quantify peak discharge and spatial inundation patterns, and (iii) assess the structural vulnerability of affected infrastructure.
Alexandru-Ionut BĂNESCU, Elena GRIGORE, Florina TATU, Simona Elena PARASCHIVA
New interpretations targeting European atmospheric circulation patterns and their association with climate-related hazard events in Romania.
pp: 24 – 34 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2026_03 | Full text
Atmospheric circulation exerts a dominant influence on the occurrence, intensity, and spatial distribution of climate-related hazards in Romania. This study investigates the relationship between major European synoptic-scale circulation patterns, such as the Icelandic Low, Azores High, Atlantic Ridge, Scandinavian High, Greenland High, Eastern European High, and Saharan High; and the frequency and characteristics of high-impact weather events affecting Romania. Using a combination of reanalysis datasets, synoptic composites, and event catalogues, we identify the circulation configurations most commonly associated with heatwaves, severe convection (hailstorms, downbursts, tornadoes), heavy precipitation episodes, cold spells, and windstorms. Results highlight several robust linkages: for example, a persistent Icelandic Low centred near the British Isles frequently promotes south-westerly advection and heatwave development over Romania, while blocking patterns such as the Scandinavian High or Greenland High often favours cold-air intrusions and enhanced cyclogenesis over the Mediterranean and Black Sea region. By integrating circulation-type analysis with reported hazard events, this study provides an updated framework for understanding Romania’s exposure to climate risks, while raising the awareness that the atmospheric processes are developing at larger scales than national boundaries, making severe weather events strongly linked to the broader circulation.
Robert-Daniel MUNUNAR, Narcis MAIER
Urban heat island and severe weather: tracking storm evolution in Cluj-Napoca.
pp: 35 – 46 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2026_04 | Full text
The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the complex influence of the Urban Heat Island on the initiation and intensification of convective storms within the Cluj-Napoca municipality. The study employs a comprehensive multi-methodological framework, combining meteorological radar data [CMAX (Column Maximum Reflectivity), VIL (Vertical Integrated Liquid), EHT (Echo Top Height), HAILSZ (Hail Size)] from the Bobohalma radar station with Landsat 8 satellite imagery for Land Surface Temperature (LST) analysis and GIS modeling of urban morphology. Complementing the remote sensing analysis, the research integrates in situ meteorological observations, meticulously examining 10 minute variations in air temperature, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure, as well as precipitation and/or hail confirmation at the station level during the passage of storms. Three distinct convective episodes from the summer of 2025 were analyzed to track the evolution of storm severity parameters across the urban landscape. The observational results suggest a spatial correspondence between urban "hot spots" and the intensification of convective cells, manifested through intensified updrafts and increased hail potential. Ultimately, this study suggests the urban environment drives storm evolution in two ways: providing thermodynamic heat and acting as a physical, dynamic obstacle. This dual effect emphasizes why short-term forecasting and risk management must account for urban microclimates.
II. Air and Water Environment Monitoring
Daniela STAN
Some considerations regarding water erosion under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors in the Eșelnița watershed river
pp: 47-57 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2026_05 | Full text
The Eșelnița river springs from under the eastern slopes of Cocaiul Mountain (1104.2 m), located east of the Svinecea Mare peak – 1224 m), being a tributary of the Danube river, which flows into the Iron Gates I reservoir. The analysed basin overlaps for the most part, over the Almaj Mountains subunit of the Banat Mountains (1990, Complex research group "Iron Gates", monographic series, SOILS).
The drained area, which contributes to the formation of runoff in the Eșelnița hydrographic basin, is 77 km2 from which only on an area of 8.24 km2, it is in the Orșova Depression. The Danube valley has a great influence on the geomorphological processes in the lower course of the Eșelnița hydrographic basin, as a result of its favorable environment, through the level fluctuations of its waters.
The paper carries out an analysis of erosional processes within the Eșelnița hydrographic basin in order to identify the causes which can be natural - geographical position, geology, climate, the fragmentation of the relief with steep slopes or anthropogenic – mining activity, extraction of construction materials, logging. In order to obtain the results to be presented, the quantitative assessment of the relief through the analysis of geomorphological parameters, the spatio-temporal analysis of slope and riverbed dynamics in relation to the human component and the identification of areas vulnerable to erosion can be mentioned. To obtain the erosion maps, the basic formula for calculating soil, especially the hydrological one, the USLE model (Universal Soil Loss Equation) was applied within the Digital Terrain Model (Strugariu et al., 2024). Information received from local authorities or provided by Corine Land Cover (2009, 2018) on land use, Digital elevation model (2021), Topographical map, scale 1:25.000 (1976-1977) as well as field observations, is also added. In this context, the current modelling of the relief in the Eșelnița watershed river acts through erosional processes but also through physico-chemical and gravitational processes that determine the appearance of relief forms varied in both type and extent.
Theodor PINTILIE, Robert STRECHE, Andrei DANILA, Cristina DOBRE, George SUCIU
Assessing the impact of climate variability on agriculture through smart environmental monitoring systems
pp: 58-67 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2026_06 | Full text
Climate variability increasingly affects agricultural systems, intensifying the need for high-resolution and continuous environmental monitoring. This paper proposes an innovative IoT-based architecture designed to capture climate-driven variability through integrated multi-parameter sensing, hybrid low-power communication and data processing. Unlike existing solutions that focus on isolated measurements or controlled environments, the system combines atmospheric and soil parameters into a unified data pipeline and computes a real-time composite climate-stress index. The architecture incorporates long-range wireless communication for field-scale deployments, a cloud-based ingestion and storage workflow optimized for environmental time-series, and interactive dashboards for real-time exploration. Experimental validation across two agricultural sites over a six-month period demonstrates the system’s ability to detect compound climatic anomalies such as sustained high humidity and reduced radiation, highlighting its utility for climate-aware agricultural decision-making. The integrated design and real-time risk modelling differentiate the proposed system from existing monitoring platforms and enhance its relevance for climate agricultural management.
Marián DOBRANSKÝ, Martina ZELEŇÁKOVÁ, Patrik NAGY, Pavol PURCZ
Integration of deep learning land-cover segmentation into flood inundation modelling for water resource management
pp: 68-76 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2025_07 | Full text
The preparation of spatially distributed roughness maps represents a critical step in flood inundation modelling and water resource management. High-resolution orthophoto mosaics enable detailed land-cover representation, yet their direct use for hydraulic roughness parameterization remains challenging due to the relevance and interpretability of segmented features.
This study presents the integration of deep learning–based land-cover segmentation into the preparation and calibration of roughness maps for two-dimensional hydrodynamic models. Segmentation outputs derived from orthophoto data were used to generate initial roughness distributions for inundation areas, while riverbed roughness was parameterized using bathymetric surveys and expert knowledge. The workflow was applied and validated within a large-scale floodplain environment.
The results demonstrate that automated segmentation can significantly support roughness map preparation; however, not all correctly segmented features are hydraulically relevant. The study explicitly identifies which land-cover elements are suitable for roughness parameterization, which can be ignored, and where expert intervention is required to ensure physically meaningful model inputs.
The proposed workflow improves the efficiency and consistency of roughness calibration while preserving expert-driven control, providing a practical approach for flood inundation modelling in water resource management applications.
Hakan VARÇIN, Mustafa DEMIRCI , Onur BÖLÜK
Image-based water depth measurement in open-channel flows using OpenCV
pp: 77-84 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2026_08 | Full text
This study evaluates the accuracy of image-based water depth measurements in open-channel flows by comparing experimental data with results obtained using OpenCV-based image processing algorithms. A physical spillway model was constructed at a 1:200 scale in accordance with Froude similarity. Water depths were measured experimentally and computed from video recordings by tracking a floating tracer using a background subtraction algorithm developed in Python. Image-based computations were compared with experimental measurements at twelve predefined locations along the chute. The analysis demonstrates that image-based methods provide a reliable, non-intrusive, and cost-effective approach for determining water depths in open-channel hydrodynamic studies.
Fatih ÜNEŞ, Yunus Ziya KAYA, Samed GÖÇMEN, Bestami TAŞAR
Evaluation of precipitation using CMIP6 multi-model mean approach: a case study of Eastern Mediterranean
pp: 85-95 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2026_09 | Full text
Precipitation is one of the fundamental components of the hydrological cycle. Especially in regions sensitive to climate change, precipitation has a critical impact on the continuity of water resources and flood risk. Hydrological changes and increasing temperatures due to climate change directly affect precipitation regimes. This situation causes uncertainties in the regional water balance. In this study, precipitation changes were evaluated using CMIP6 climate model projections for Hatay, located in the Eastern Mediterranean. Multi-Model Mean, (MMM) obtained from the 2015–2099 period data of EC-Earth3, GFDL-ESM4, IPSL-CM6A-LR, NorESM2-MM and ACCESS-ESM1-5 models was used in the analyses. Evaluations were carried out under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 carbon emission scenarios. Model outputs were compared with monthly average observation data obtained from Hatay meteorological stations. Performance evaluations were made using Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency coefficient (NSE), Mean Square Error (MSE), and Taylor Diagram. The findings showed that the multi-model mean approach balanced the differences in the models, which helps to obtain more stable results. As expected, precipitation decreases were observed to be more significant under the SSP5-8.5 scenario. Considering the future rainfall data of CMIP6 projections, a decrease in the amount of precipitation is expected until 2099. It has been understood that Hatay province, located in the easternmost part of the Mediterranean region, may be seriously affected by these precipitation changes in the future. It is recommended that these expected changes in precipitation in the future be taken into consideration in terms of water management, flood control, and agricultural planning in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Fatih ÜNEŞ, Yunus Ziya KAYA, Samed GÖÇMEN
Performance analysis of individual climate models for evapotranspiration projections over Hatay Province
pp: 96-106 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2026_10 | Full text
Evapotranspiration, one of the basic components of hydrology, can cause significant decreases in water levels. Especially in regions sensitive to climate change, evapotranspiration is of critical importance in terms of water structures planning and water management. Increasing temperatures due to climate change directly affect evapotranspiration amounts and change the regional water balance. In this study, evapotranspiration projections were evaluated using CMIP6 climate model outputs for Hatay province of Turkey. Evapotranspiration data for the period 2015–2099 from EC-Earth3, GFDL-ESM4, IPSL-CM6A-LR, NorESM2-MM and ACCESS-ESM1-5 models were used in the analyses. Evaluations were carried out under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 carbon emission scenarios. Model outputs were compared with monthly average observation data obtained from meteorological stations throughout Hatay province. The performance of the models was analyzed with the help of Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency coefficient (NSE), Mean Square Error (MSE), and Taylor Diagram. Findings showed significant performance differences between CMIP6 individual models. However, it is thought that evapotranspiration projections for Hatay province show a higher degree of conformity with observational data for some models. All the models used were evaluated statistically among themselves. In general, as expected, evapotranspiration increases were observed to be more significant under the SSP5-8.5 scenario. Considering the future evapotranspiration data of CMIP6 projections, water management planning is of critical importance for agricultural sustainability in Hatay, one of the important agricultural cities of Turkey.
Bestami TASAR, Mustafa DEMIRCI, Onur BÖLÜK
Prediction of groundwater level using artificial intelligence techniques and multiple regression analysis
pp: 107-116 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2026_11 | Full text
Groundwater level estimation is a crucial step in water resource management and planning. In this study, various artificial intelligence models were developed to predict groundwater levels using meteorological data and groundwater levels from previous days. Support Vector Machines (SVM), M5 Tree, and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) models were used to predict groundwater levels, and the model results were compared with each other. Performance metrics, including Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Correlation Coefficient (R) served as comparative benchmarks. Model results showed that M5 Tree model produced the best results
III. Water Resource Management
Ana JELEAPOV , Adrian CIBOTARI
Assessment of actual state of hydromorphological conditions and hydrological characteristics of the Cahul River.
pp: 117-130 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2026_12 | Full text
The impact of climate change and human activity on the water bodies of the Republic of Moldova is intensifying. Despite the fact that the southern region of the country remains the most vulnerable to the mentioned impact, internal rivers flow is not monitored. Among others, EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) requires monitoring of hydromorphological characteristics, however, the country's legislative framework was populated with methodologies for assessing the anthropogenic impact and hydromorphological status of water bodies only in 2024 (G.D. 709/2024, 657/2024). In this regard, present research is dedicated to evaluation of hydromorphological conditions and reconstruction of hydrological time series of the Cahul river situated in the southern part of the Republic of Moldova. The river was divided in three water bodies with length varying from 19 km to 24 km (G.D. 444/2022). Hydromorphological field research allowed assessment of flow, river continuity, river shape and structure, connectivity with floodplain and riparian zones. All water bodies were evaluated as heavily modified due to agricultural activities, river training, dams and reservoirs, flood protections dykes’ impact. Measured flow by field survey (2025) was about 0.035-0.4 m3/s, however, larges parts of water bodies form upper and lower course were dry. Continuous time series, identified in the archive of the State Hydrometeorological Service of the Republic of Moldova, are present only for 1952-1968. Basing on these data, methodology from national normative document (CP D.01.05-2012) and hydrological information from surrounding rivers, the reconstruction of the Cahul river flow was performed till current period. The reconstructed average runoff 28 mm, flow is 0.16 m3/s, water volume - about 5.1 mil.m3. Main water resources are formed in spring and summer (about 30-37% each season), followed by winter - 22% and autumn - 11%. Urgent restoration measures are needed to improve the river health.
Viorica ANGHELUȚA, Iradion JECHIU, Daniela BURDUJA
The impact of natural and anthropogenic factors on land use and water resources within the Danube – Black Sea hydrographic area (Republic of Moldova sector)
pp: 131-145 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2026_13 | Full text
The study aims to explore how natural factors and human activities influence land use and water resource management within the Danube–Black Sea hydrographic area on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. The primary objective of the research is to understand how natural elements, such as relief, climate, soils, and geology, interact with anthropogenic pressures generated by agricultural expansion and urban development, thereby affecting water availability and land use patterns. The study area covers 6545,6 km² and includes major sub-basins such as Ialpug, Cahul, and Cogâlnic, with a total hydrographic network length of 1180,7 km. For data analysis, detailed cartographic resources and Copernicus 2023 satellite imagery were used, complemented by Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). These datasets were processed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to assess the interactions between natural and anthropogenic factors in the region. The results indicate that agricultural activities and urbanization exert a considerable impact on both water resources and land use, while climate change further intensifies these effects. The key conclusion of the study is that ensuring effective and sustainable natural resource management in the region requires an integrated approach to land and water management.
V. Pollution and protection of air and water environment
Irina CEBAN, Oleg PETUHOV, Mihaela BUGA, Eugenia MORARU, Daniel PODGORNII
Generating activated carbon from local waste for removing pollutants from water.
pp: 146-152 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2026_14 | Full text
The walnut sector in the Republic of Moldova generates considerable amounts of walnut shells, an underutilized agricultural by-product despite their potential as a precursor for producing activated carbon. This study investigates the transformation of Chandler walnut shells into activated carbon through chemical activation with citric acid, an environmentally friendly agent capable of favorably modifying the structure of the raw material. The biomass was collected from the village of Tîrșiței, Telenești district, ground to 0.8–2.0 mm, and impregnated with 30%, 50%, and 70% citric acid solutions, followed by carbonization at 350°C and 450°C for two hours. Thermal behavior and structural changes were analyzed using TG/DTA/DTG and X-ray diffraction.
The results showed that citric acid impregnation induced significant chemical transformations, influencing carbonization yield and the formation of functional groups. Samples carbonized at 350 °C exhibited higher yields (18–40%) compared to those treated at 450 °C (9–29%), highlighting the impact of temperature on sample stability. XRD analyses confirmed the presence of citric acid in the samples, particularly in sample CN-6, which displayed distinct peaks in the 15–40° range.
The study demonstrates that walnut shells chemically activated with citric acid represent a sustainable resource for producing activated carbon, with enhanced potential for water purification and other ecological applications.
Boglárka Timea CZELLECZ, Tamás KOVÁCS, Noémi Mária SZOPOS
Groundwater quality along the upper course of the Târnava Mare River, Romania
pp: 153-167 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2026_15 | Full text
Large areas in Europe face water scarcity caused by excessive abstraction and climate change, as well as water quality deterioration mainly due to agricultural activities. In Romania, groundwater bodies are generally in good chemical status; in 2024, 92.9% of the monitored wells were classified as having good chemical status. However, one of the main contaminants of Romanian groundwater bodies is nitrate, with concentrations exceeding the 50 mg/l threshold in approximately 11% of cases consistently over recent years.
This study focuses on the upper course of the Târnava Mare River, where the national groundwater monitoring network has no wells. Shallow groundwater was investigated in fourteen traditional dug wells and one drilled well along the river (from Vărșag to Mugeni, Harghita County) on three occasions during the spring of 2025. Overall, the groundwater was in good chemical condition; however, nitrogen-related compounds showed elevated concentrations in five cases and were predominantly observed in the lower sector of the study area. The highest nitrate concentration (132 mg/l NO3-) was attributed to point-source pollution originating from livestock wastewater. The water samples were highly mineralized in the lower sector (electrical conductivity up to 1802 µS/cm), with slightly acidic pH values in the upper sector and slightly alkaline values in the lower sector. Further investigations are needed to identify additional point-source pollution sources.
Alexandru TEIȘANU , Dumitru MIHĂILĂ
Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Thermal Discomfort in Romanian Moldavia: A Comparative Assessment Using the Temperature–Humidity Index (THI).
pp: 168-179 | DOI: 10.24193/AWC2026_16 | Full text
Thermal discomfort represents an essential component of the urban climate, resulting from the interaction between air temperature and relative humidity, with direct implications for public health and urban environmental quality. The present study aims to provide a comparative assessment of thermal discomfort in the main cities of Romanian Moldavia, using the Temperature–Humidity Index (THI) as a synthetic indicator of heat stress. The analysis is based on hourly meteorological data series recorded at automatic air quality monitoring stations located in the municipalities of Suceava, Botoșani, Iași, Piatra Neamț, Bacău, Vaslui, Focșani, and Galați, covering the period 2009–2025. The results reveal a non-uniform spatial and temporal distribution of thermal discomfort, determined by regional and local geographical factors such as relief, altitude, degree of continentality, and urban environmental characteristics. Cities in the Eastern part of the region, particularly Iași and Galați, record the highest THI values and the largest number of days with severe discomfort, reflecting increased exposure to continental warm air masses and the influence of extensive built-up surfaces. In contrast, sub-Carpathian cities such as Piatra Neamț and Suceava exhibit a more moderate regime due to higher altitude and the influence of relief on local air circulation. The analysis of the monthly and diurnal regimes indicates a pronounced concentration of thermal discomfort during the summer season, with peak values in July and August and within the time interval 12:00–18:00. Although no linear increasing trend in annual mean THI values is identified, interannual variability highlights the influence of extreme heat episodes on the urban environment. The findings emphasize the decisive role of geographical factors in controlling the distribution of thermal discomfort and demonstrate the existence of significant internal climatic differentiation within the analyzed region. This study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between the urban environment and local climate and provides a scientific basis for the development of heat adaptation strategies in the cities of Moldavia.
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