Kvaliteta vode rijeke Trstionice (Bosna i Hercegovina)

The present study was conducted to investigate the water quality of the Trstionica River, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The physicochemical properties (temperature, pH, conductivity, total solids after evaporation at 105 °C), content of metals (calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn)), and anions (chloride (Cl–), and phosphate (PO43–)) were determined in water samples collected at seven locations during two sampling periods: unstable weather conditions (precipitation), and stable weather conditions (without precipitation). There was a significant difference in the content of individual parameters in the river water depending on the sampling time. For determination of metals concentrations, which were below the limit of detection, a preconcentration method using an ion-exchange resin was applied. The metals concentrations during the rainy day were in the order Ca > Mg > Na > Fe > Cu > Zn > Pb > Mn with mean values of 343, 6.03, 1.94, 0.18, 0.20, 0.03, 0.02, 0.01 mg dm–3, respectively, and during stable weather conditions: Ca > Mg > Na > Cu > Fe > Mn > Zn with mean values of 288, 7.62, 2.38, 0.11, 0.10, 0.01, 0.01 mg dm–3, respectively. Cd, Cr, and Ni concentrations were below limit of detection in both cases. Obtained values were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) regulations. The results showed that the Trstionica River in the investigated part of the stream meets most of the parameters required by the regulations. The correlation between analysed parameters was assessed, as well. Based on the calculated water quality index values, the water of Trstionica River falls into the category of excellent water. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.Ova je studija provedena kako bi se istražila kvaliteta vode rijeke Trstionice, Bosna i Hercegovina. Fizikalno-kemijska svojstva (temperatura, pH, vodljivost, ukupna kruta tvar nakon isparavanja pri 105 °C), sadržaj metala (Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb i Zn) i aniona (kloridi i fosfati) određeni su u uzorcima vode prikupljenim na sedam lokacija tijekom dva razdoblja uzorkovanja: nestabilni vremenski uvjeti (oborine) i stabilni vremenski uvjeti (bez oborina). Došlo je do značajne razlike u sadržaju pojedinih parametara u riječnoj vodi, ovisno o vremenu uzorkovanja. U slučaju metala, čije su koncentracije bile ispod granice detekcije primijenjene metode (FAAS), primijenjena je metoda predkoncentracije upotrebom ionsko-izmjenjivačke smole. Koncentracije metala tijekom kišnog dana bile su u redoslijedu Ca > Mg > Na > Fe > Cu > Zn > > Pb > Mn sa srednjim vrijednostima 343, 6,03, 1,94, 0,18, 0,20, 0,03, 0,02, 0,01 mg dm–3, odnosno za vrijeme stabilnih vremenskih uvjeta: Ca > Mg > Na > Cu > Fe > Mn > Zn sa srednjim vrijednostima od 288, 7,62, 2,38, 0,11, 0,10, 0,01, 0,01 mg dm–3. Koncentracije Cd, Cr i Ni su bile ispod granice detekcije primijenjene metode u oba slučaja. Dobivene vrijednosti uspoređene su s propisima Svjetske zdravstvene organizacije. Rezultati su pokazali da rijeka Trstionica u istraživanom dijelu toka ispunjava većinu parametara propisanih legislativom. Također su procijenjene korelacije između analiziranih parametara. Na temelju izračunatih vrijednosti indeksa kakvoće vode, Rijeka Trstionica spada u kategoriju izvrsne vode. Ovo djelo je dano na korištenje pod licencom Creative Commons Imenovanje 4.0 međunarodna

Trace elements in size-segregated urban aerosol in relation to the anthropogenic emission sources and the resuspension

Size segregated particulate samples of atmospheric aerosols in urban site of continental part of Balkans were collected during 6 months in 2008. Six stages impactor in the size ranges: Dp ≤ 0.49 μm, 0.49 < Dp ≤ 0.95 μm, 0.95 < Dp ≤ 1.5 μm, 1.5 < Dp ≤ 3.0 μm, 3.0 < Dp ≤ 7.2 μm, and 7.2 < Dp ≤ 10.0 μm was applied for sampling. ICP-MS was used to quantify elements: Al, As, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, K, Li, Na, Ni, Mg, Mn, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn. Two main groups of elements were investigated: (1) K, V, Ni, Zn, Pb, As, and Cd with high domination in nuclei mode indicating the combustion processes as a dominant sources and (2) Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, Cr, Ga, Co, and Li in coarse mode indicating mechanical processes as their main origin. The strictly crustal origin is for Mg, Fe, Ca, and Co while for As, Cd, K, V, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Zn dominates the anthropogenic influence. The PCA analysis has shown that main contribution is of resuspension (PC1, σ2 ≈ 30 %) followed by traffic (PC2, σ2 ≈ 20 %) that are together contributing around 50 % of elements in the investigated urban aerosol. The EF model shows that major origin of Cd, K, V, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn, and As in the fine mode is from the anthropogenic sources while increase of their contents in the coarse particles indicates their deposition from the atmosphere and soil contamination. This approach is useful for the assessment of the local resuspension influence on element’s contents in the aerosol and also for the evaluation of the historical pollution of soil caused by deposition of metals from the atmosphere

Water Quality of the Bosna River

Analysis of the Bosna River water samples from the spring to Kakanj city was performed with the aim of assessing the quality of the Bosna River water and comparing the obtained values with the national, EU regulations and guidelines of the World Health Organization. Samples were collected at eight selected locations, during two sampling periods: unstable weather conditions (precipitation), and stable weather conditions (without precipitation). The following parameters were analysed: pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, residue on evaporation at 105 °C, chloride and phosphate content, and metal content: Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Fe, Ni, Cd, Zn, Ca, Mg and Na. The metal content was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and atomic emission spectrometry (AES), phosphate by UV/Vis spectrophotometry, chloride by volumetric method, and evaporation residue by gravimetric method. In the case of metals, the concentrations of which were below the limit of detection of the method used (FAAS), a preconcentration method using an ion-exchange resin was applied. The results showed that the Bosna River in the investigated part of the stream meets most of the parameters required by the regulations and guidelines. In order to obtain a complete status of the impact of numerous factors on the pollution of the Bosna River water, it would be necessary to perform passive sampling, and biological and microbiological analysis of water

Sadržaj željeza u voću, povrću, ljekovitom bilju i začinima s tržišta u Sarajevu, Bosna i Hercegovina

Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the major health problems that affects cognitive performance, physical capacity, immune status, and reproductive performance. The iron content in 35 food samples (fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices) marketed in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina was determined. Тhe iron content in the fruits and vegetables was determined using FAAS spectrometry, and in the herbs and spices samples by UV/Vis spectrophotometry. Experimentally determined content was: fruits (2.91–39.27 mg kg–1), vegetables (6.33–107 mg kg–1), herbs (135–962 mg kg–1), and spices (59.00–918 mg kg–1). Daily intakes for different plant samples were also calculated. The food samples were arranged by iron concentration in the following descending order: herbs and tea > spices > vegetables > fruits. The results from this study were compared with previously published data. The obtained values are in the area of common values. The iron content and the factors that increase its bioavailability can help in the selection of proper foods to be included in the daily diet. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.Anemija zbog nedostatka željeza, jedan je od glavnih zdravstvenih problema, a utječe na kognitivne sposobnosti, fizički kapacitet, imunološki status i reproduktivnu sposobnost. Utvrđen je sadržaj željeza u ukupno 35 uzoraka hrane (voće, povrće, ljekovito bilje i začini) s tržišta u Sarajevu u Bosni i Hercegovini. Sadržaj željeza u voću i povrću određen je FAAS spektrometrijom, a u uzorcima ljekovitog bilja i začina UV/Vis spektrofotometrijom. Utvrđen je sljedeći sadržaj: voće (2,91 – 39,27 mg kg–1), povrće (6,33 – 107 mg kg–1), ljekovito bilje (135 – 962 mg kg–1) i začini (59,00 – 918 mg kg–1). Također su izračunati dnevni unosi za različite uzorke biljnog materijala. Prema koncentracijama željeza uzorci su raspoređeni u sljedećim serijama: ljekovito bilje > začini > povrće > voće. Rezultati ovog istraživanja uspoređeni su s prethodno objavljenim podatcima. Dobivene vrijednosti nalaze se u području literaturnih podataka. Sadržaj željeza i čimbenici koji povećavaju njegovu bioraspoloživost mogu pomoći u odabiru odgovarajuće hrane za svakodnevnu prehranu. Ovo djelo je dano na korištenje pod licencom Creative Commons Imenovanje 4.0 međunarodna

Carcinogenic organic content of particulate matter at urban locations with different pollution sources

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are compounds known for their adverse effects on human health. Many of them are proven carcinogens, especially those with 5 and 6 aromatic rings, which under normal tropospheric conditions are found in the particle-phase. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is often measured as their general representative. Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is among the European cities with the poorest air quality. However, in Sarajevo PAHs are neither routinely measured within the air quality monitoring network nor have been a subject of extended, continuous field studies during the most polluted cold periods of the year. The capital of Croatia, Zagreb, is located approximately 300 km air distance north-west from Sarajevo. PAH mass concentrations in Zagreb have been measured continuously since 1994 within air quality monitoring networks. During winter 2017/2018, the SAFICA project (Sarajevo Canton Winter Field Campaign 2018) was carried out in order to characterize the chemical composition of organic and inorganic aerosol in the Sarajevo Canton. This paper presents the results of PAH measurements in the cities of Sarajevo and Zagreb at one urban location per city. Daily (24 h), continuous samples of PM10 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters ≤10 μm) were collected during heating season, from December 27, 2017 to February 27, 2018. Mass concentrations of eleven particle-phase PAHs in Sarajevo and Zagreb from filter samples collected during the same period were compared. The average BaP ambient mass concentrations in Sarajevo and Zagreb were 6.93 ng m−3 and 3.11 ng m−3, respectively. The contribution of BaP to the total PAH mass concentration was similar at both locations (11%). However, much higher contributions of particle-phase fluoranthene and pyrene were found in Sarajevo. Contributions of individual PAH, diagnostic ratios and factor analysis indicate that combustion of gasoline and diesel from vehicle traffic are a potential source of PAHs at both locations, as well as combustion of other liquid fossil fuels (petroleum and fuel oil). Wood burning was occasionally indicated as a PAH emission source in Zagreb, while in Sarajevo the contribution of PAHs from wood and coal combustion was more evident. Calculated value for total carcinogenic potency (TCP) of PAHs, which was estimated using toxic equivalence factors from the literature, in PM10 samples collected in Sarajevo was more than twice higher than in Zagreb (10.6 ng m−3 and 4.7 ng m−3, respectively). BaP had the highest contribution to the TCP at both locations (69 and 67%)

Analysis of PM[sub](10), Pb, Cd, and Ni atmospheric concentrations during domestic heating season in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 2010 to 2019

This paper examines atmospheric concentrations of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 μm (PM10) and related particle-phase toxic heavy metals Cd, Ni, and Pb during domestic heating seasons from 2010 to 2019 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. In total, 242 daily PM10 samples were collected using medium and high volume air samplers. The mean daily PM10 mass concentration for all measurements is 75.16 μg/m3 (with the range of 28.77–149.00 μg/m3). Variation of ambient PM10 was observed throughout the study in different years. Hourly values for PM10 measurements during two heating seasons are also presented. Metal concentrations in PM10 were analyzed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Quantities of atmospheric mass concentrations of studied trace metals were observed in the following order: Pb > Ni > Cd. The mean concentrations of metals varied with Pb showing the highest concentration (ranging from 1.38 to 234.00 ng/m3), Ni ranging from 0.87 to 42.43 ng/m3, and Cd showing the lowest concentration ranging from 0.26 to 10.09 ng/m3. The concentration of Pb and Cd in PM10 was strongly correlated, suggesting a common source or dependence of these metals in PM10 in Sarajevo. Bioaccessibility of metals in the synthetic gastric juice was also estimated. The quantities of average bioaccessible metal fractions in PM10 samples showed the following trend: Cd > Pb > Ni. The health risk assessment shows that the population of Sarajevo is at increased lifetime risk of experiencing cancer because of exposure to these Cd concentrations in PM10. In addition, parallel PM10 sampling on two samplers showed that obtained results are highly comparable

Sarajevo Canton Winter Field Campaign 2018

Nowadays, urban centres in countries of the Western Balkan region (including Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H)) are experiencing some of the poorest European and global air quality due to the extensive use of solid fuels (e.g., wood, coal) and old vehicle fleet. Western Balkan countries lack state-of-the-art atmospheric sciences research despite high levels of ambient pollution, which makes the efforts to understand the mechanisms of their air pollution imperative. The city of Sarajevo, the capital of B&H, is situated in a basin surrounded by mountains. Particularly during the winter months, topography and meteorology cause significant pollution episodes. The Sarajevo Canton Winter Field Campaign 2018 (SAFICA) took place from Dec 04, 2017 to Mar 15, 2018 with on-line aerosol measurements and collection of daily, continuous filter PM10 samples for off-line laboratory analyses. SAFICA aimed to give the first detailed characterization of the Western Balkans aerosol composition including organic aerosol (OA) to elucidate aerosol emission sources and atmospheric processing and to estimate the adverse health effects. PM10 samples (ntotal=180) were collected at four sites in the Sarajevo Canton: a) Bjelave and b) Pofalići (urban background)c) Otoka (urban)d) Ivan Sedlo (remote). The urban sites were distributed along the city basin to study the pollutants’ urban evolution and the remote site was chosen to compare urban to background air masses. SAFICA PM10 samples underwent different off-line laboratory chemical analyses: 1) Bulk chemical composition of the total filter-collected water-soluble inorganic and OA by a high-resolution Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS). The measured AMS OA spectra were further analysed by Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) using the graphical user interface SoFi (Source Finder) to separate OA into subtypes characteristic for OA sources and atmospheric processes. 2) Organic and elemental carbon (OC/EC), water-soluble organic carbon, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, levoglucosan, and 14C content of total carbon to evaluate OA chemical composition. 3) Major inorganic anions and cations to evaluate aerosol inorganic species. 4) Metal content in aerosol determined by two analytical techniques (AAS and ICP-MS). SAFICA on-line measurements of black carbon (Aethalometer) and the particle number concentration (Condensation Particle Counter and Optical Particle Sizer) enabled the insights into the daily evolution of primary pollutants and an assessment of aerosol size and number distribution. The combined SAFICA results for on- and off-line measurements will be presented. Our results show that the carbon-containing species make ~2/3 of PM10 mass and the majority are oxygenated, water-soluble OA species with an average OM/OC = 1.9 (Fig.1). Urban air pollution crises in the Western Balkan will be put in the context of local, regional and global air quality. Finally, we will present the scientific questions opened by SAFICA, including the advantages and limitations of SAFICA data set, and give the recommendations for future studies