Impact of climate change on the Adriatic sea

Klima se na Zemlji oduvijek mijenjala, no zbog antropogenog utjecaja klimatske se promjene ubrzavaju, a njihove su posljedice sve izraženije. Zbog velike emisije stakleničkih plinova došlo je do globalnog zatopljenja. U proteklih nekoliko desetljeća zabilježen je sve veći utjecaj klimatskih promjena na dinamiku i ekosustav Jadranskog mora. Opaženo je povećanje temperature, posebno izraženo u površinskom sloju do 20 m dubine. Zbog povećane količine antropogeno nastalih plinova (CO2, dušikovi i sumporni oksidi) te njihovog otapanja u moru došlo je do procesa zakiseljavanja. Ono, zajedno sa povećanjem temperature djeluje na sesilne organizme u moru, a posebno su izloženi koralji kod kojih dolazi do izbjeljivanja. Jadran sve više privlači različite termofilne vrste, poput riba, algi, bakterija i želatinoznih organizama. Dolazi i do promjene areala rasprostranjenosti vrsta unutar samog Jadrana te do promjena u dotoku vode i hranjivih tvari rijekama te posljedično do povećanja saliniteta. Sve se češće i ranije pojavljuju cvjetanja fitoplanktona, došlo je do povećanja razine mora, a mijenja se i cirkulacija vode u samom Jadranu. Brojne su druge posljedice koje će se u narednim godinama povećavati ukoliko se klimatske promjene nastave odvijati istim tempom.The Earth“s climate has always changed, but due to the anthropogenic impact it is changing faster. Global warming is an aspect of climate change and it is caused by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases. Adriatic Sea during the last few decades has been influenced by climate change. It has been observed an increasing of water temperature, especially expressed in the surface layer up to 20 m. Another change is an acidification of water due to the increase of atmospheric carbon, nitrogen and sulfur oxides. This, together with the increase of temperature, has an effect on sessile organisms. Coral reefs are especially vulnerable to climate change and they are affected by bleaching. The increasing seawater temperature facilitated the spreading of thermophilic species such fish, algae, bacteria and gelatinous organisms. There is also the change in the migration patterns of species that are native to the Adriatic Sea. A marked decrease of the freshwater outflow that caused a rise of surface salinity was observed during the last few decades. Phytoplankton blooms have been occurring more and more frequently. The sea level and the circulation of the Adriatic Sea is also changing. There are many other consequences that will be magnified in the coming years if temperatures continue to rise at the same rate

Impact of climate change on the Adriatic sea

Klima se na Zemlji oduvijek mijenjala, no zbog antropogenog utjecaja klimatske se promjene ubrzavaju, a njihove su posljedice sve izraženije. Zbog velike emisije stakleničkih plinova došlo je do globalnog zatopljenja. U proteklih nekoliko desetljeća zabilježen je sve veći utjecaj klimatskih promjena na dinamiku i ekosustav Jadranskog mora. Opaženo je povećanje temperature, posebno izraženo u površinskom sloju do 20 m dubine. Zbog povećane količine antropogeno nastalih plinova (CO2, dušikovi i sumporni oksidi) te njihovog otapanja u moru došlo je do procesa zakiseljavanja. Ono, zajedno sa povećanjem temperature djeluje na sesilne organizme u moru, a posebno su izloženi koralji kod kojih dolazi do izbjeljivanja. Jadran sve više privlači različite termofilne vrste, poput riba, algi, bakterija i želatinoznih organizama. Dolazi i do promjene areala rasprostranjenosti vrsta unutar samog Jadrana te do promjena u dotoku vode i hranjivih tvari rijekama te posljedično do povećanja saliniteta. Sve se češće i ranije pojavljuju cvjetanja fitoplanktona, došlo je do povećanja razine mora, a mijenja se i cirkulacija vode u samom Jadranu. Brojne su druge posljedice koje će se u narednim godinama povećavati ukoliko se klimatske promjene nastave odvijati istim tempom.The Earth“s climate has always changed, but due to the anthropogenic impact it is changing faster. Global warming is an aspect of climate change and it is caused by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases. Adriatic Sea during the last few decades has been influenced by climate change. It has been observed an increasing of water temperature, especially expressed in the surface layer up to 20 m. Another change is an acidification of water due to the increase of atmospheric carbon, nitrogen and sulfur oxides. This, together with the increase of temperature, has an effect on sessile organisms. Coral reefs are especially vulnerable to climate change and they are affected by bleaching. The increasing seawater temperature facilitated the spreading of thermophilic species such fish, algae, bacteria and gelatinous organisms. There is also the change in the migration patterns of species that are native to the Adriatic Sea. A marked decrease of the freshwater outflow that caused a rise of surface salinity was observed during the last few decades. Phytoplankton blooms have been occurring more and more frequently. The sea level and the circulation of the Adriatic Sea is also changing. There are many other consequences that will be magnified in the coming years if temperatures continue to rise at the same rate

Impact of climate change on the Adriatic sea

Klima se na Zemlji oduvijek mijenjala, no zbog antropogenog utjecaja klimatske se promjene ubrzavaju, a njihove su posljedice sve izraženije. Zbog velike emisije stakleničkih plinova došlo je do globalnog zatopljenja. U proteklih nekoliko desetljeća zabilježen je sve veći utjecaj klimatskih promjena na dinamiku i ekosustav Jadranskog mora. Opaženo je povećanje temperature, posebno izraženo u površinskom sloju do 20 m dubine. Zbog povećane količine antropogeno nastalih plinova (CO2, dušikovi i sumporni oksidi) te njihovog otapanja u moru došlo je do procesa zakiseljavanja. Ono, zajedno sa povećanjem temperature djeluje na sesilne organizme u moru, a posebno su izloženi koralji kod kojih dolazi do izbjeljivanja. Jadran sve više privlači različite termofilne vrste, poput riba, algi, bakterija i želatinoznih organizama. Dolazi i do promjene areala rasprostranjenosti vrsta unutar samog Jadrana te do promjena u dotoku vode i hranjivih tvari rijekama te posljedično do povećanja saliniteta. Sve se češće i ranije pojavljuju cvjetanja fitoplanktona, došlo je do povećanja razine mora, a mijenja se i cirkulacija vode u samom Jadranu. Brojne su druge posljedice koje će se u narednim godinama povećavati ukoliko se klimatske promjene nastave odvijati istim tempom.The Earth“s climate has always changed, but due to the anthropogenic impact it is changing faster. Global warming is an aspect of climate change and it is caused by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases. Adriatic Sea during the last few decades has been influenced by climate change. It has been observed an increasing of water temperature, especially expressed in the surface layer up to 20 m. Another change is an acidification of water due to the increase of atmospheric carbon, nitrogen and sulfur oxides. This, together with the increase of temperature, has an effect on sessile organisms. Coral reefs are especially vulnerable to climate change and they are affected by bleaching. The increasing seawater temperature facilitated the spreading of thermophilic species such fish, algae, bacteria and gelatinous organisms. There is also the change in the migration patterns of species that are native to the Adriatic Sea. A marked decrease of the freshwater outflow that caused a rise of surface salinity was observed during the last few decades. Phytoplankton blooms have been occurring more and more frequently. The sea level and the circulation of the Adriatic Sea is also changing. There are many other consequences that will be magnified in the coming years if temperatures continue to rise at the same rate

POVIŠENE RAZINE OPASNIH ELEMENATA U TRAGOVIMA (CD, CU, PB, SE, ZN) U TKIVIMA PTICA U KONTEKSTU RAŠKIM UGLJENOM ONEČIŠĆENA OKOLIŠA

The mining and burning of Croatian Raša coal had resulted in release of various contaminants into the local environment. They have remained in the local soil, water, and plants, and became available to animals through their consumption. In this study, tissue samples from a total of 12 birds from the Raša area and 8 birds from a control area were subjected to multi-element analysis (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Pb) by ICP-MS. The obtained results showed increased Se and Cd concentrations in some bird tissue samples compared to the control area. The highest concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Se were found in the liver, while the highest concentrations of Cd and Pb were found in the kidneys. Although some hazardous trace elements were elevated in the tissues of game species, the risk of consuming meat and offal of such species has been found to be very low.Rudarske i industrijske aktivnosti povezane s raškim ugljenom rezultirale su ispuštanjem raznih onečišćujućih tvari u lokalni okoliš. Te tvari i dalje su prisutne u lokalnome tlu, vodi i biljkama te su dostupne životinjama unosom hrane. U ovome istraživanju uzorci tkiva ukupno 12 ptica iz područja Raše te 8 ptica iz kontrolnoga područja podvrgnuti su multielementnoj (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Pb) analizi s pomoću metode ICP-MS. Dobiveni rezultati pokazali su povišene koncentracije Se i Cd u nekim uzorcima tkiva ptica u usporedbi s kontrolnim područjem. Najveće koncentracije Cu, Zn i Se nađene su u uzorcima jetre, dok su najviše koncentracije Cd i Pb nađene u bubrezima. Iako su neki opasni elementi u tragovima povišeni u tkivima prikupljenih divljih ptica, analizom podataka utvrđeno je da je rizik od prehrambena unosa (meso i iznutrice) tih vrsta vrlo nizak

Morphology of extrafloral nectaries of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Simaroubaceae)

Background and Purpose: Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Tree of Heaven) is a highly invasive, widespread, and widely investigated plant species native to the broader area of China. Extrafloral nectaries are major components of the A. altissima secretory system, but the knowledge of their morphology and role in the tree\u27s physiology is limited. This research aims to explore the morphology of extrafloral nectaries, compare it to previous findings, and discuss their possible role and function. Materials and Methods: Extrafloral nectaries on leaves have been monitored through different phases of leaf development, from June to August 2015 and 2022. The nectaries\u27 morphology was investigated using Zeiss Axioscope 5 and BOECO BSZ-405 light microscopes, and FEG QUANTA 250 FEI scanning electron microscope, operating at 7 kV and pressure of 60–100 Pa, without samples pretreatment. Results: Our investigation revealed the absence of earlier reported pores or ducts on the top of the glands. However, it supports one of the first, systematical investigations of A. altissima extrafloral nectaries conducted in Croatia a century ago, which was until recently forgotten by history. We evaluated our findings against prior theories and assessed the nectaries\u27 potential role and purpose in disposing surplus sugars. Conclusions: The nectar in A. altissima is not secreted via an opening on the leaves but rather through epidermal tissue tearing

Levels of selenium and trace metals in animal tissues in the context of environmental pollution by Raša coal

Višestoljetnim rudarenjem i izgaranjem raškog ugljena oslobođeni su različiti kontaminanti koji su se zadržali u okolnom tlu, vodi i zraku te postali dostupni životinjama i biljkama tog područja. Prikupljeni uzorci tkiva ukupno 12 ptica s područja Raše i 8 ptica s kontrolnog područja podvrgnuti su multielementnoj analizi. Primjenom tehnike spektrometrije masa uz induktivno spregnutu plazmu (ICP-MS) određene su koncentracije elemenata u tragovima u tkivima ptica. Svi su uzorci analizirani na 13 elemenata (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Pb). Rezultati upućuju na povećane koncentracije Se i Cd u pojedinim tkivima ptica s područja Raše u odnosu na kontrolno područje. Najveće koncentracije Cu, Zn i Se izmjerene su u jetri, dok su najveće koncentracije Cd i Pb izmjerene u bubrezima ptica. Iako su neki toksični elementi povišeni u tkivima lovnih vrsta, utvrđeno je da je rizik od konzumiranja mesa i iznutrica takvih vrsta vrlo nizak.Mining and combustion of Raša coal over the centuries resulted in release of various contaminants into the local environment. They remained in the surrounding soil, water and air and became available to animals and plants of the area. Collected tissue samples from a total of 12 birds from the Raša area and 8 birds from the control area were subjected to multi-element analysis. Total trace element concentrations in the bird tissues were determined by ICP-MS. All samples were analysed for 13 elements (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Pb). The obtained results indicate increased Se and Cd concentrations in some bird tissue samples compared to the control area. The highest concentrations of Cu, Zn and Se were measured in the liver, while the highest concentrations of Cd and Pb were measured in the kidneys of birds. Although some toxic elements are elevated in the tissues of game species, the risk of consuming meat and offal of such species has been found to be very low

Catalogue of super-trees in Istria (Croatia) created as a result of the citizen science action

Large and monumental trees are important elements of the ecosystem and represent valuable ecological, environmental, and historical heritage. Different countries have different strategies to protect such trees; most often, through the creation and reference to catalogues of the most valuable, old, big, or monumental trees on the territory. In Croatia, such an inventory has not yet been implemented. In order to create a database and catalogue of super-trees on the territory of Istria, in 2022, we launched a citizen science action to find out the locations of large, old, and valuable trees in Istria with the help of the public. The result of the action is a geo-referenced census of 64 ʻsuper-treesʼ in Istria in the form of an online Catalogue created in ArcGIS StoryMaps application. We proved that it is possible to efficiently and quickly create a catalogue that will serve to protect monumental trees. This Catalogue is the first step in creating a regional or national register