Badewasserqualität in Der Gespanschaft Primorje-Gorski Kotar und im Bezirk Rijeka im Letzten Jahrzehnt

Obzirom da je Republika Hrvatska turistički orijentirana zemlja, kakvoća mora za kupanje od velike je javnozdravstvene važnosti. Cilj ovog rada je prikazati kakvoću mora na plažama riječkog područja u prošlom desetljeću te je usporediti s kakvoćom u Primorsko-goranskoj županiji (PGŽ), hrvatskoj obali Jadrana (HR) te Europskoj Uniji (EU). U usporedbi s prosječnom kakvoćom mora na plažama riječkog područja, PGŽ i HR tijekom desetogodišnjeg razdoblja, područje Rijeke bilježi najniži udio plaža s izvrsnom kakvoćom mora (76,4%) te najveći udio nezadovoljavajuće ocjenjenih (8,0%). Udio izvrsno ocjenjenih lokacija u PGŽ i HR je sličan (oko 95%). U PGŽ i HR je udio izvrsnih plaža za 12% veći u odnosu na EU, tijekom desetogodišnjeg razdoblja. Unatoč značajnom poboljšanju kakvoće mora na razini EU i HR, na pojedinim se lokacijama još uvijek bilježi fekalno onečišćenje. To je posebno izraženo na nekoliko lokacija u zapadnom dijelu grada Rijeke, koje predstavlja mikrobiološki najopterećenije područje u PGŽ. U cilju boljeg razumijevanja uzroka pojave onečišćenja na pojedinim lokacijama na riječkom području, analiziran je odnos mikrobioloških pokazatelja s okolišnim čimbenicima (temperatura vode i zraka, salinitet, količina oborina, jakost Sunčevog zračenja). Na takvim lokacijama potrebno je učiniti dodatne napore u cilju saniranja izvora onečišćenja.Since the Republic of Croatia is a tourism-oriented country, bathing quality of the sea has a great public-health importance. The objective of this paper is to present the quality of the sea on the beaches in the Rijeka area in the past decade and compare it with the quality of the sea in the Primorje - Gorski Kotar County (PGKC), on the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea (HR) and in the European Union (EU). A comparison of the quality of the sea on the beaches in the Rijeka area, PGKC and HR during a ten-year period shows that the Rijeka area records the lowest share of beaches with excellent quality of the sea (76.4%) and the highest share of those assessed as poor (8.0%). The share of locations assessed as excellent in the PGKC and HR is similar (around 95%). The share of beaches assessed as excellent in the PGKC and HR is higher by 12% in comparison to the EU during a ten-year period. Despite a significant improvement in the quality of the sea both at the level of EU and HR, faecal pollution is still recorded in some locations. This is particularly marked in some locations in Rijeka’s western part, which is the area with the highest microbiological load in the PGKC. In order to improve the understanding of pollution causes in some locations in the Rijeka area, we have analysed the relation between microbiological indicators and environmental indicators (water and air temperature, salinity, precipitation quantity, solar irradiance). In such locations, additional efforts should be made to remediate pollution sources.Da die Republik Kroatien touristisch orientiert ist, ist die Qualität des Meerwassers für öffentliche Gesundheit von größter Bedeutung. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Qualität des Meerwassers an Badestellen im Bezirk Rijeka im letzten Jahrzehnt darzustellen und sie mit der Wasserqualität in der Gespanschaft Primorje-Gorski Kotar, an der kroatischen Adria und in der EU vergleichen. Wenn man die durchschnittliche Qualität des Meerwassers an Badestellen des Bezirkes Rijeka, der Gespanschaft Primorje-Gorski Kotar und der kroatischen Adria im Zeitraum von zehn Jahren vergleicht, hat der Bezirk Rijeka den kleinsten Anteil an Badestellen mit sehr guten Qualität des Meerwassers (76,4%), und die meisten Badestellen wurden als unbefriedigend (8%) rangiert. Der Anteil der als sehr gut rangierten Badestellen in der Gespanschaft Primorje-Gorski Kotar und an der kroatischen Adria ist ähnlich, etwa 95%. In der Gespanschaft Primorje-Gorski Kotar und an der kroatischen Adria ist der Anteil an sehr guten Badestellen im zehnjährigen Zeitraum um 12% höher als in der EU. Trotz einer wesentlichen Erhöhung der Qualität des Meerwassers in der EU und an der kroatischen Adria wird an einzelnen Badestellen noch immer fäkale Verunreinigung beobachtet. Das ist besonders ausgeprägt an einigen Badestellen im westlichen Teil der Stadt Rijeka, der mikrobiologisch am meisten belastetes Gebiet in der Gespanschaft Primorje-Gorski Kotar ist. Mit dem Ziel, die Ursachen der Verunreinigung an einzelnen Badestellen im Bezirk Rijeka besser zu verstehen, wurde das Verhältnis zwischen den mikrobiologischen Parametern und Umgebungsparametern (Wasser- und Lufttemperatur, Salzgehalt, Niederschlagsmenge, Stärke der UV-Strahlung der Sonne) analysiert. An den verunreinigten Badestellen ist zusätzlicher Aufwand erforderlich, damit die Verunreinigungsquellen saniert werde

Ima li opravdanja za proaktivan pristup kontroli bakterije Legionella u okolišu?

Research background. Legionella are Gram-negative bacteria that are ubiquitous in the natural environment. Contaminated water in man-made water systems is a potential source of transmission of legionnaires’ disease. The aim of this study is to explore the prevalence of Legionella pneumophila in the drinking water distribution system (DWDS) of Primorje-Gorski Kotar (PGK) County, Croatia, for the period 2013-2019, coupled with the incidence of legionnaires’ disease. A number of L. pneumophila-positive samples (>100 CFU/L), serogroup distribution and the degree of contamination of specific facilities (health and aged care, tourism, and sports) were assessed. Based on the obtained results, the reasoning for the implementation of a mandatory Legionella environmental surveillance program was assessed. Experimental approach. Sample testing for Legionella was carried out according to the standard method for enumeration of this bacterium. A heterotrophic plate count (HPC) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa number were analysed along with the basic physicochemical indicators of drinking water quality. The research period was divided into two parts, namely, the 2013-2018 period (before implementation of the prevention program, after the outbreak of legionnaires’ disease), and the year 2019 (proactive approach, no disease cases recorded). Results and conclusions. During the 7-year observation period in PGK County, an increase in the number of samples tested for Legionella was found. An increase in Legionella-positive samples (particularly pronounced during the warmer part of the year) was recorded, along with a growing trend in the number of reported legionnaires’ disease cases. In addition to hot water systems, the risk of Legionella colonisation also applies to cold water systems. Health and aged care facilities appear to be at highest risk. In addition to the higher proportion of positive samples and a higher degree of microbiological load in these facilities, the highest proportion of L. pneumophila SGs 2-14 was identified. Due to the diagnostic limitations of the applied tests, the number of legionnaires’ disease cases is underdiagnosed. Novelty and scientific contribution. The introduction of a mandatory preventive approach to monitoring Legionella in DWDS water samples, along with the definition of national criteria for the interpretation of the results will create the preconditions for diagnosis and adequate treatment of larger numbers of legionnaires’ disease cases.Pozadina istraživanja. Legionella spada u skupinu Gram-negativnih bakterija sveprisutnih u prirodnom okolišu. Potencijalni izvor prijenosa legionarske bolesti je onečišćena voda koja se nalazi u vodoopskrbnim sustavima. Svrha je ove studije bila istražiti raširenost bakterije Legionella pneumophila u distribucijskom sustavu vode za piće Primorsko-goranske županije, Hrvatska, u razdoblju od 2013. do 2019. godine te ispitati učestalost pojave legionarske bolesti. Određen je broj uzoraka pozitivnih na L. pneumophila (>100 CFU/L), kao i raspodjela serogrupa te stupanj onečišćenja pojedinih vrsta objekata (zdravstvene ustanove i ustanove za starije i nemoćne osobe, turistički i sportski objekti). Na osnovi dobivenih rezultata procijenjena je opravdanost provedbe obveznog programa nadzora bakterije Legionella u okolišu. Eksperimentalni pristup. Prisutnost bakterije Legionella u uzorcima ispitana je prema standardnoj metodi za brojenje ove bakterije. Analiziran je broj izraslih kolonija i broj bakterija Pseudomonas aeruginosa, zajedno s osnovnim fizikalno-kemijskim pokazateljima kakvoće vode za piće. Razdoblje istraživanja podijeljeno je u dva dijela, od 2013. do 2018. godine (prije provedbe preventivnog programa, nakon pojave legionarske bolesti) i 2019. godina (proaktivan pristup, bez zabilježenih slučajeva bolesti). Rezultati i zaključci. Tijekom sedmogodišnjeg razdoblja istraživanja je u Primorsko-goranskoj županiji utvrđeno povećanje broja uzoraka ispitanih na prisutnost bakterije Legionella. Zabilježen je porast pozitivnih uzoraka (osobito izražen tijekom toplijeg dijela godine), zajedno s rastućim trendom broja prijavljenih slučajeva legionarske bolesti. Osim sustava potrošne tople vode, rizik od kolonizacije bakterijom Legionella povezan je i sa sustavima hladne vode. Najveći rizik javlja se u zdravstvenim ustanovama i ustanovama za njegu starijih osoba. Uz veći udjel pozitivnih uzoraka i veći stupanj mikrobiološkog opterećenja, u tim objektima identificiran je i najveći udjel L. pneumophila SG 2-14. Zbog ograničenja primijenjenih dijagnostičkih testova, određeni broj slučajeva legionarske bolesti ostaje nedijagnosticiran. Novina i znanstveni doprinos. Uvođenjem obveznog preventivnog pristupa praćenja bakterije Legionella u sustavima distribucije vode za piće te definiranjem nacionalnih kriterija interpretacije rezultata stvorit će se preduvjeti za dijagnostiku i odgovarajuće liječenje većeg broja slučajeva legionarske bolesti

Badewasserqualität in Der Gespanschaft Primorje-Gorski Kotar und im Bezirk Rijeka im Letzten Jahrzehnt

Obzirom da je Republika Hrvatska turistički orijentirana zemlja, kakvoća mora za kupanje od velike je javnozdravstvene važnosti. Cilj ovog rada je prikazati kakvoću mora na plažama riječkog područja u prošlom desetljeću te je usporediti s kakvoćom u Primorsko-goranskoj županiji (PGŽ), hrvatskoj obali Jadrana (HR) te Europskoj Uniji (EU). U usporedbi s prosječnom kakvoćom mora na plažama riječkog područja, PGŽ i HR tijekom desetogodišnjeg razdoblja, područje Rijeke bilježi najniži udio plaža s izvrsnom kakvoćom mora (76,4%) te najveći udio nezadovoljavajuće ocjenjenih (8,0%). Udio izvrsno ocjenjenih lokacija u PGŽ i HR je sličan (oko 95%). U PGŽ i HR je udio izvrsnih plaža za 12% veći u odnosu na EU, tijekom desetogodišnjeg razdoblja. Unatoč značajnom poboljšanju kakvoće mora na razini EU i HR, na pojedinim se lokacijama još uvijek bilježi fekalno onečišćenje. To je posebno izraženo na nekoliko lokacija u zapadnom dijelu grada Rijeke, koje predstavlja mikrobiološki najopterećenije područje u PGŽ. U cilju boljeg razumijevanja uzroka pojave onečišćenja na pojedinim lokacijama na riječkom području, analiziran je odnos mikrobioloških pokazatelja s okolišnim čimbenicima (temperatura vode i zraka, salinitet, količina oborina, jakost Sunčevog zračenja). Na takvim lokacijama potrebno je učiniti dodatne napore u cilju saniranja izvora onečišćenja.Since the Republic of Croatia is a tourism-oriented country, bathing quality of the sea has a great public-health importance. The objective of this paper is to present the quality of the sea on the beaches in the Rijeka area in the past decade and compare it with the quality of the sea in the Primorje - Gorski Kotar County (PGKC), on the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea (HR) and in the European Union (EU). A comparison of the quality of the sea on the beaches in the Rijeka area, PGKC and HR during a ten-year period shows that the Rijeka area records the lowest share of beaches with excellent quality of the sea (76.4%) and the highest share of those assessed as poor (8.0%). The share of locations assessed as excellent in the PGKC and HR is similar (around 95%). The share of beaches assessed as excellent in the PGKC and HR is higher by 12% in comparison to the EU during a ten-year period. Despite a significant improvement in the quality of the sea both at the level of EU and HR, faecal pollution is still recorded in some locations. This is particularly marked in some locations in Rijeka’s western part, which is the area with the highest microbiological load in the PGKC. In order to improve the understanding of pollution causes in some locations in the Rijeka area, we have analysed the relation between microbiological indicators and environmental indicators (water and air temperature, salinity, precipitation quantity, solar irradiance). In such locations, additional efforts should be made to remediate pollution sources.Da die Republik Kroatien touristisch orientiert ist, ist die Qualität des Meerwassers für öffentliche Gesundheit von größter Bedeutung. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Qualität des Meerwassers an Badestellen im Bezirk Rijeka im letzten Jahrzehnt darzustellen und sie mit der Wasserqualität in der Gespanschaft Primorje-Gorski Kotar, an der kroatischen Adria und in der EU vergleichen. Wenn man die durchschnittliche Qualität des Meerwassers an Badestellen des Bezirkes Rijeka, der Gespanschaft Primorje-Gorski Kotar und der kroatischen Adria im Zeitraum von zehn Jahren vergleicht, hat der Bezirk Rijeka den kleinsten Anteil an Badestellen mit sehr guten Qualität des Meerwassers (76,4%), und die meisten Badestellen wurden als unbefriedigend (8%) rangiert. Der Anteil der als sehr gut rangierten Badestellen in der Gespanschaft Primorje-Gorski Kotar und an der kroatischen Adria ist ähnlich, etwa 95%. In der Gespanschaft Primorje-Gorski Kotar und an der kroatischen Adria ist der Anteil an sehr guten Badestellen im zehnjährigen Zeitraum um 12% höher als in der EU. Trotz einer wesentlichen Erhöhung der Qualität des Meerwassers in der EU und an der kroatischen Adria wird an einzelnen Badestellen noch immer fäkale Verunreinigung beobachtet. Das ist besonders ausgeprägt an einigen Badestellen im westlichen Teil der Stadt Rijeka, der mikrobiologisch am meisten belastetes Gebiet in der Gespanschaft Primorje-Gorski Kotar ist. Mit dem Ziel, die Ursachen der Verunreinigung an einzelnen Badestellen im Bezirk Rijeka besser zu verstehen, wurde das Verhältnis zwischen den mikrobiologischen Parametern und Umgebungsparametern (Wasser- und Lufttemperatur, Salzgehalt, Niederschlagsmenge, Stärke der UV-Strahlung der Sonne) analysiert. An den verunreinigten Badestellen ist zusätzlicher Aufwand erforderlich, damit die Verunreinigungsquellen saniert werde

A baseline study of the metallothioneins content in digestive gland of the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus from Northern Adriatic Sea: Body size, season, gender and metal specific variability

Metallothioneins content was investigated in digestive gland of two wild-caught Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus populations from the Northern Adriatic Sea, in relation to body size, season and gender. Concomitant accumulation of cadmium, mercury, arsenic, lead, chromium and manganese, reactive oxygen species concentration and energy reserves in digestive gland were also assessed. While differences between genders were not recorded, metallothioneins content seasonal trends were affected by body size. Most of parameters displayed inconsistent trends across sampling sites. Significant correlation between metallothioneins content and cadmium, arsenic and mercury concentrations was recorded only for larger lobsters. A negative correlation of reactive oxygen species concentration and metallothioneins content was observed for small, but not large lobsters. Energy reserves, in particular lipids, could considerably influence biochemical and chemical parameters variations. The present results constitute the essential baseline for future studies aimed at evaluating the N. norvegicus health in relation to metal contamination of coastal sediments

Staphylococcus aureus—An Additional Parameter of Bathing Water Quality for Crowded Urban Beaches

During the last years, the report of the occurrence of waterborne disease symptoms related to non-enteric pathogens has increased, without any record of higher levels of indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci). Therefore, the use of current indicators is not always adequate when assessing the overall potential health risk and the inclusion of additional parameters needs to be examined. This paper reports on the incidence and levels of Staphylococcus aureus at 258 locations in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County (Croatia) recorded by official bathing water quality monitoring, as well as supplemental monitoring carried out at the two most frequented beaches in the City of Rijeka. The number of bathers was found to be the main factor affecting S. aureus levels (r = 0.321, p < 0.05). The share of S. aureus positive samples from the official monitoring was significantly lower, when compared to the share of samples from supplemental monitoring (2.2% and 36.3%, respectively ; p < 0.01). Besides the number of bathers, one of the main reasons is likely the higher sampling frequency. No correlation was found between S. aureus levels and the indicator bacteria. The results indicate that the determination of S. aureus and increased sampling frequency is recommended for overcrowded beaches

Inland and coastal bathing water quality in the last decade (2011–2020): Croatia vs. region vs. EU

Europe is one of the leading tourist destinations where tourism is one of the key economic sectors. The quality of bathing waters is a very important factor when choosing a vacation destination. Croatia recognized this early and was one of the first Mediterranean countries to start systematic monitoring of bathing waters. On the other hand, monitoring of inland bathing waters is relatively new and includes a much smaller number of sites (41) compared to coastal waters (894). The aim of this paper was to summarize and analyze the water quality of inland and coastal bathing sites of Croatia, closer regions (non-EU Member States) and in the EU for the last decade. The share of excellent water quality in EU Member States increased by 10.1% and 6.6% for inland and coastal waters, respectively (2011–2020). Germany recorded the highest proportion of excellent water quality for inland waters (92.2%) and Cyprus for coastal waters (99.3%). Looking at the 10-year average of the proportion of bathing waters with excellent quality, the proportion of coastal bathing sites exceeds that of inland waters by 7.1%. It is clear that additional efforts should be made to improve the management and monitoring of inland waters

Occurrence of P. aeruginosa in Water Intended for Human Consumption and in Swimming Pool Water

Considering the fact that water is a basic need of every living being, it is important to ensure its safety. In this work, the data on the presence of the opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa in drinking water (n = 4171) as well as in pool water (n = 5059) in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County in Croatia in the five-year period (2016–2020) were analysed. In addition, the national criteria were compared with those of neighboring countries and worldwide. The proportion of P. aerugino-sa- positive samples was similar for drinking water (3.9%) and pool water (4.6%). The prevalence of this bacterium was most pronounced in the warmer season. P. aeruginosa-positive drinking water samples were mostly collected during building commissioning, while pool samples were from entertainment and spa/hydromassage pools. Outdoor pools showed a higher percentage of positive samples than indoor pools, as well as the pools filled with freshwater rather than sea-water. The highest P. aeruginosa load was found in rehabilitation pools. Cro

Status of faecal pollution in ports: A basin-wide investigation in the Adriatic Sea

Ports are subject to a variety of anthropogenic impacts, and there is mounting evidence of faecal contamination through several routes. Yet, little is known about pollution in ports by faecal indicator bacteria (FIB). FIB spatio-temporal dynamics were assessed in 12 ports of the Adriatic Sea, a semi-enclosed basin under strong anthropogenic pressure, and their relationships with environmental variables were explored to gain insight into pollution sources. FIB were abundant in ports, often more so than in adjacent areas ; their abundance patterns were related to salinity, oxygen, and nutrient levels. In addition, a molecular method, quantitative (q)PCR, was used to quantify FIB. qPCR enabled faster FIB determination and water quality monitoring that culture-based methods. These data provide robust baseline evidence of faecal contamination in ports and can be used to improve the management of routine port activities (dredging and ballast water exchange), having potential to spread pathogens in the sea

Water for all : Proceedings of the 7th international scientific and professional conference Water for all

The 7th International Scientific and Professional Conference Water for all is organized to honour the World Water Day by the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG), Danube Parks, Croatian Food Agency, Croatian Water, Faculty of Food Technology Osijek, Faculty of Agriculture in Osijek, Faculty of Civil Engineering Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek Department of Chemistry, Nature Park “Kopački rit”, Osijek- Baranja County, Public Health Institute of the Osijek- Baranja County and „Vodovod-Osijek“ -water supply company in Osijek. The topic of World Water Day 2017 was "Wastewater" emphasizing the importance and influence of wastewater treatments on global environment. The international scientific and professional conference Water for all is a gathering of scientists and experts in the field of water management, including chemists, biologists, civil and agriculture engineers, with a goal to remind people about the significance of fresh water and to promote an interdisciplinary approach and sustainability for fresh water resource management. The Conference has been held since 2011. About 300 scientists and engineers submitted 95 abstracts to the 7th International Scientific and Professional Conference Water for all, out of which 33 was presented orally and 62 as posters. 47 full papers were accepted by the Scientific Committee. 38 full papers became the part of the this Proceedings while 9 papers were accepted for publication in Croatian Journal of Food Science and Technology and Electronic Journal of the Faculty of Civil Engineering Osijek - e-GFOS

Biological response of natural populations of the lobster Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758), in the northern Adriatic sea to toxic metals

Biološki odgovor prirodnih populacija sjevernojadranskog škampa Nephrops norvegicus na akumulirane teške metale (arsen, krom, mangan, kadmij, olovo, živa) istraživan je na 144 jedinke oba spola u 3 veličinske kategorije i 6 organa, na dvije lokacije i sezone. Akumulacija metala ovisi o samom metalu te je tkivno i veličinski specifična te ovisi o sezoni i lokaciji. Sadržaj metalotioneina i reaktivnih kisikovih vrsta mora prelaziti graničnu vrijednost (200 µg/g metalotioneina, 40 µM/mg ROS) u više od 15% istraživane populacije ukoliko se želi utvrditi prisustvo zagađenja. Aktivnost acetilkolinesteraze mora biti manja od granične vrijednosti (1.8 nmol/min/mg proteina). Povećan je rizik od izloženosti škampa arsenu i živi zbog njegove velike akumulacijske sposobnosti ta dva metala. Preporuča se praćenje količine arsena i žive u konzumnim jedinkama. Osnovna razina žive u prirodnoj, zdravoj populaciji škampa prelazi dozvoljenu količinu (PTWI/WHO, 2007). Međutim, konzumiranjem 10 škampa tjedno ukupan unos žive u ljudski organizam ne predstavlja rizik za konzumenta.In this study the biological response to bioaccumulated heavy metals (arsenic, chromium, manganese, cadmium, lead, mercury) has been investigated in the population of shrimp Nephrops norvegicus sampled from a pristine site. Data were collected from 144 specimens of both sexes and induced 3 shrimp sizes. The biological response has been investigated in 6 organs. Shrimps were collected at two location during two seasons. Metal accumulation is tissue and size specific depending on metal itself, season and location. In order to assess the pollution metallothionein and reactive oxygen species content should be above limits of 200 µg/g and 40 µm/mg ROS respectively, in more than 15% investigated population. Acetylcholinesterase activity should be less than 1,8 nmol/min/mg prot. Accumulation capacity for arsenic and mercury increase risk to shrimp and continuous monitoring is recommended. Mercury baseline in natural shrimp population is above recommended value (PTWI/WHO, 2007). However, consummation of 10 shrimps per meal is bellow provisional tolerable weekly intake