The territory of the Balkan Peninsula in SE Europe is reviewed, from the point of gemmology, as the cradle of gem and decorative minerals and metals in European prehistory. During the local Neolithic period (end of 7 ...The territory of the Balkan Peninsula in SE Europe is reviewed, from the point of gemmology, as the cradle of gem and decorative minerals and metals in European prehistory. During the local Neolithic period (end of 7 th -6 th millennium BC), as material for tools or for beads, nephrite (with the earliest known Balkan nephrite culture), jadeite-omphacite and quartz (different varieties) were introduced to make pendants and idols. Large quantities of copper and gold artifacts are known since the Chalcolithic period (5 th millennium BC)(unique for the region;the largest in number of gold artifacts is the Varna I Chalcolithic necropolis in Bulgaria). The gemmological materials in the Balkans are known for malachite, antigorite serpentinite, turquoise, rock crystal, carnelian, jasper, jet and obsidian. In the Varna I necropolis (mid 5 th millennium BC) are recorded the first known complex faceted carnelian beads with 32 facets, as well as some of the most important gemmological techniques and procedures such as faceting, tumbling, annealing, miniaturization and standardization. As pigments for pottery, cinnabar, graphite and gold were used in different prehistoric sites. The earliest salt production in the Balkans is known from sites in Romania and Bulgaria, and because of its trade, salt is positively linked to a population rich with prestigious goods. The introduced possible Chalcolithic weight unit “van”(2 carats) is supposed to be the earliest known in prehistoric times.展开更多
The results of palynological studies on the late Miocene freshwater deposits of the Tundzha Basin(Southeast Bulgaria, SE Europe) are presented. The basin is relatively well known in terms of geology and palaeogeograph...The results of palynological studies on the late Miocene freshwater deposits of the Tundzha Basin(Southeast Bulgaria, SE Europe) are presented. The basin is relatively well known in terms of geology and palaeogeography.The age of sediments in the Tundzha Basin ranges between the late Miocene to the Pliocene, based on mammal and diatom fossils. We carried out a palynological analysis of clayey sediments interlayered with coal beds from four cores and from one outcrop, aiming to obtain information about the composition and the structure of fossil vegetation. The ratios between the main floristic elements and the composition of the fossil flora are analysed and discussed from a palaeoecological point of view. Several main vegetation palaeocommunities were recorded:swamp forests, mixed mesophytic, communities of aquatic plants, and herbaceous palaeocoenoses. The changes in vegetation and in plant diversity are identified. The palaeoclimate analysis indicates a warm temperature climate with high rainfall and mild winter temperatures, without seasonal drier conditions. The early Pontian climate was about 3–4 ℃ warmer than today, with rainfalls per year at least 300 mm higher than today. The results of palaeoecological analysis of the flora and of the quantitative palaeoclimate data show that the climate in the Southeast Bulgaria indicates a climate change towards slight cooling and some drying. This event is consistent with the period of accumulation of the upper, undivided part of the Elhovo Formation.展开更多
Probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA) takes into account as much data as possible for defining the initial seismic source zone model. In response to this, an algorithm has been developed for integration of ge...Probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA) takes into account as much data as possible for defining the initial seismic source zone model. In response to this, an algorithm has been developed for integration of geological, geophysical and seismological data through a spatial index showing the presence or absence of a potential seismic source feature in the input data. The spatial matching index (SMI) is calculated to define the coincidence of independent data showing any indications for existence of a fault structure. It is applied for hazard assessment of Bulgaria through quantification of the seismic potential of 416 square blocks, 20 × 20 km in size covering the entire territory of Bulgaria and extended by 20 km outside of the country borders. All operations are carried out in GIS environment using its capabilities to work with different types of georeferenced spatial data. Results show that the highest seismic potential (largest SMI) is observed in 56 block elements (13% of the territory) clearly delineating cores of the source zones. Partial match is registered in 98 block elements when one of the features is missing. Not any evidence for earthquake occurrence is predicted by our calculation in 117 elements, comprising 28% of the examined area. The quantitative parameter for spatial data integration which is obtained in the present research may be used to analyze information regardless of its type and purpose.展开更多
Basic haematological parameters were studied in adult, sexually mature individuals of colour morphs (striata and maculata) in the populations of Pelophylax ridibundus living in biotopes with various degrees of anthrop...Basic haematological parameters were studied in adult, sexually mature individuals of colour morphs (striata and maculata) in the populations of Pelophylax ridibundus living in biotopes with various degrees of anthropogenic pollution (control, domestic sewage pollution and heavy metal pollution) in Southern Bulgaria. We found that in the polluted biotopes in individuals of both morphs of P. ridibundus the blood parameters: erythrocyte (RBC) and leukocyte (WBS) count, haemoglobin concentration (Hb), haematocrit (PCV) were statistically reliably higher, the number of lymphocytes (Ly) decreased, and the parameters: mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean cell volume (MCV) and differential blood formula changed considerably in comparison with the control group. In terms of anthropogenic pollution, the average values of RBC and Hb were higher in P. ridibundus of striata morph.展开更多
The paper aims to present a concise overview of the current status of the national spatial data infrastructures(SDI)of the European Union(EU)member states combined with specific peculiarities for Bulgaria.Some major c...The paper aims to present a concise overview of the current status of the national spatial data infrastructures(SDI)of the European Union(EU)member states combined with specific peculiarities for Bulgaria.Some major challenges within the progress of the EU SDIs establishing,which is regulated by the European Directive INSPIRE(Infrastructure for spatial information in Europe)toward establishment of a SDI for environmental policies and activities,are marked out.Available comparative analyses of the main indicators for metadata,data-sets,and data services provided by EU member states are briefly discussed as a special attention is given to the Bulgarian progress.Recent achievements on accelerating the process of implementing the recommendations of the INSPIRE Directive in Bulgaria are outlined.展开更多
文摘The territory of the Balkan Peninsula in SE Europe is reviewed, from the point of gemmology, as the cradle of gem and decorative minerals and metals in European prehistory. During the local Neolithic period (end of 7 th -6 th millennium BC), as material for tools or for beads, nephrite (with the earliest known Balkan nephrite culture), jadeite-omphacite and quartz (different varieties) were introduced to make pendants and idols. Large quantities of copper and gold artifacts are known since the Chalcolithic period (5 th millennium BC)(unique for the region;the largest in number of gold artifacts is the Varna I Chalcolithic necropolis in Bulgaria). The gemmological materials in the Balkans are known for malachite, antigorite serpentinite, turquoise, rock crystal, carnelian, jasper, jet and obsidian. In the Varna I necropolis (mid 5 th millennium BC) are recorded the first known complex faceted carnelian beads with 32 facets, as well as some of the most important gemmological techniques and procedures such as faceting, tumbling, annealing, miniaturization and standardization. As pigments for pottery, cinnabar, graphite and gold were used in different prehistoric sites. The earliest salt production in the Balkans is known from sites in Romania and Bulgaria, and because of its trade, salt is positively linked to a population rich with prestigious goods. The introduced possible Chalcolithic weight unit “van”(2 carats) is supposed to be the earliest known in prehistoric times.
文摘The results of palynological studies on the late Miocene freshwater deposits of the Tundzha Basin(Southeast Bulgaria, SE Europe) are presented. The basin is relatively well known in terms of geology and palaeogeography.The age of sediments in the Tundzha Basin ranges between the late Miocene to the Pliocene, based on mammal and diatom fossils. We carried out a palynological analysis of clayey sediments interlayered with coal beds from four cores and from one outcrop, aiming to obtain information about the composition and the structure of fossil vegetation. The ratios between the main floristic elements and the composition of the fossil flora are analysed and discussed from a palaeoecological point of view. Several main vegetation palaeocommunities were recorded:swamp forests, mixed mesophytic, communities of aquatic plants, and herbaceous palaeocoenoses. The changes in vegetation and in plant diversity are identified. The palaeoclimate analysis indicates a warm temperature climate with high rainfall and mild winter temperatures, without seasonal drier conditions. The early Pontian climate was about 3–4 ℃ warmer than today, with rainfalls per year at least 300 mm higher than today. The results of palaeoecological analysis of the flora and of the quantitative palaeoclimate data show that the climate in the Southeast Bulgaria indicates a climate change towards slight cooling and some drying. This event is consistent with the period of accumulation of the upper, undivided part of the Elhovo Formation.
文摘Probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA) takes into account as much data as possible for defining the initial seismic source zone model. In response to this, an algorithm has been developed for integration of geological, geophysical and seismological data through a spatial index showing the presence or absence of a potential seismic source feature in the input data. The spatial matching index (SMI) is calculated to define the coincidence of independent data showing any indications for existence of a fault structure. It is applied for hazard assessment of Bulgaria through quantification of the seismic potential of 416 square blocks, 20 × 20 km in size covering the entire territory of Bulgaria and extended by 20 km outside of the country borders. All operations are carried out in GIS environment using its capabilities to work with different types of georeferenced spatial data. Results show that the highest seismic potential (largest SMI) is observed in 56 block elements (13% of the territory) clearly delineating cores of the source zones. Partial match is registered in 98 block elements when one of the features is missing. Not any evidence for earthquake occurrence is predicted by our calculation in 117 elements, comprising 28% of the examined area. The quantitative parameter for spatial data integration which is obtained in the present research may be used to analyze information regardless of its type and purpose.
文摘Basic haematological parameters were studied in adult, sexually mature individuals of colour morphs (striata and maculata) in the populations of Pelophylax ridibundus living in biotopes with various degrees of anthropogenic pollution (control, domestic sewage pollution and heavy metal pollution) in Southern Bulgaria. We found that in the polluted biotopes in individuals of both morphs of P. ridibundus the blood parameters: erythrocyte (RBC) and leukocyte (WBS) count, haemoglobin concentration (Hb), haematocrit (PCV) were statistically reliably higher, the number of lymphocytes (Ly) decreased, and the parameters: mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean cell volume (MCV) and differential blood formula changed considerably in comparison with the control group. In terms of anthropogenic pollution, the average values of RBC and Hb were higher in P. ridibundus of striata morph.
文摘The paper aims to present a concise overview of the current status of the national spatial data infrastructures(SDI)of the European Union(EU)member states combined with specific peculiarities for Bulgaria.Some major challenges within the progress of the EU SDIs establishing,which is regulated by the European Directive INSPIRE(Infrastructure for spatial information in Europe)toward establishment of a SDI for environmental policies and activities,are marked out.Available comparative analyses of the main indicators for metadata,data-sets,and data services provided by EU member states are briefly discussed as a special attention is given to the Bulgarian progress.Recent achievements on accelerating the process of implementing the recommendations of the INSPIRE Directive in Bulgaria are outlined.
