Bioavailability and geochemical characteristics of recent marine sediment of Makirina Bay (Northern Dalmatia, Republic of Croatia)

The primary purpose of the dissertation is to estimate the pollution status of Makirina Bay, situated in Northern Dalmatia. Within the research framework, a detailed analysis of recent marine sediments (peloid), seawater and marine biota (flora and fauna) of Makirina Bay has been carried out. Grain size distribution, mineral, elemental and microbiological composition of peloid have been determined, as well as its organic carbon content, PTE (Potentially Toxic Elements) and REE (Rare Earth Elements) mobility. PTE and REE concentrations were also identified in seawater and biota of Makirina Bay. The concentrations of most PTE in the peloid do not exceed the PEL (Probable Effect Level) value and permissible levels for soils in Slovenia and Croatia. Moreover, the contents are comparable to their respective concentrations in peloids already used in various wellness centers around the world. The results of the sequential extraction method showed that PTE in recent marine sediment are bound to different factions. The major proportion of most PTE is bound to the residual. The PTE in residual are retained within the crystal lattices of minerals, and thus the PTE bound to this component are regarded as stable and are not susceptible to remobilization in normal environmental conditions. Among non-residual fractions, the oxidative fraction is the most important, wherein the PTE are associated with organic matter and/or sulfides. The calculated RAC (Risk Assessment Code) value indicated that the PTE (except Cd and Mo) pose a low to medium risk to the aquatic environment. The sequential extraction method results coincide partly with the findings gained with the BSAF (Biota-Sediment Accumulation Factor) calculation. Distribution of the PTE in seawater is similar to the PTE distribution in recent marine sediment. According to the comparison, only the Cr concentrations stand out. The concentrations of Cr are among the highest in recent marine sediment, while in seawater below detection limit. For some PTE concentrations in recent marine sediments and seawater the impact of anthropogenic activity cannot be completely excluded. Therefore, an environmental policy is advisable for the Makirina Bay and its surroundings

Geochemical characteristics and distribution of rare earth elements in makirina bay sediments (n. Dalmatia, Republic of Croatia)

The research focuses on determination of geochemical characteristics and distribution of Rareearth elements (REEs) in Makirina Bay sediments. The overall REEs concentrations in Makirina Bay sediments samplesdetected during study ranged from 123.94 ppm to 188.74 ppm. REEs content showed a gradual increase towardsthe depth of sediments. The average UCC-normalized REEs pattern pointed out negative δCe values and positive δEuvalues, indicating reductive conditions prevailing in Makirina Bay sediments. Calculated enrichment factor values arein the range of natural variability with no addition of different anthropogenic components. According to sequentialextraction procedure results, the studied fractions can be followed from highest to lowest percentage of REEs as: oxidizable> exchangeable > reducible+residual > reducible > water soluble fraction. The calculated transfer factor valuesgenerally confirmed the sequential extraction procedure results. The concentrations of all studied REEs are higherin above-ground than in below-ground biomass of seagrass Cymodocea nodosa

Geochemical characterization and environmental status of Makirina Bay sediments (northern Dalmatia, Republic of Croatia)

This research focuses on determination of the mineralogical composition, geochemical characteristics and evaluationof pollution status of the Makirina Bay sediments. Calculated enrichment factor (EF) values show no enrichment ( Cd > Pb > Ni > Zn > Cu > As. Principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis confirmed the PTE distribution depends mainly on thegeogenic mineral components and anthropogenic activities in the areas surrounding the bay. Calculated transfer factor(TF) values from sediment to seagrass Cymodocea nodosa (C. nodosa) were < 1, showing that despite the results of thesequential extraction procedure, PTE transfer from sediment to roots was not effective.</p

Transnational water resource management in the Karawanken/Karavanke UNESCO Global Geopark

PURPOSE: The management of cross-border natural resources has been the focus of re-search in different disciplines. Nonetheless, beyond theoretical insights, empirical evidence of successful cross-border management or governance of natural resources is still limited, even in the European Union (EU), where a range of instruments are provided to foster cross-border cooperation between its Member States. This is where our paper departs, providing evidence from an example of cross-border cooperation between two Member States of the EU, Austria, and Slovenia, adding to the analytical framework to identify the drivers of successful cross-border cooperation. METHODOLOGY: Drawing from the example of the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) Geopark Karawanken we evaluate the success factors and limits for transboundary cooperation encompassing different forms of cooperation. Furthermore, based on empirical evidence of workshops with local, regional, and national stakeholders, we investigate the potential of the EGTC organizational framework to provide for the successful cross-border management of water resources within the Geopark area

Lower Cretaceous Fossil Site near Leše: First Heteromorphic Ammonoid Site in Slovenia and Karawanken/Karavanke UNESCO Global Geopark

The cross-border Geopark Karawanken/ Karavanke was established in 2011 to reflect the diverse geological composition and varied and rich natural and cultural heritage of the area. The wealth of geological heritage is reflected in numerous, already existing geosites, exceptional and unique on a global level, as well as in newly determined mineral and fossil sites. An example of the latter is the fossil site with rare Valanginian-Hauterivian heteromorphic ammonites, located in the SE part of the Karawanken/ Karavanke UNESCO Global Geopark, near Leše village above Prevalje. It is the first and newly discovered locality of heteromorphic ammonites Himantoceras trinodosum Thieuloy, 1964 and Crioceratites cf. nolani Kilian, 1910 in Slovenia. We explore the importance and potential of good cooperation between the local community, paleontologists and other geoscientists, geoheritage (paleontological heritage) conservation and UNESCO Global Geoparks

Mineralogical and geochemical study of Lake Dojran sediments (Republic of Macedonia)

In this study the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of Lake Dojran surficial (0–5, 5–10, 10–15 cm) sediments were studied in order to determine their suitability for use as potential raw material in balneotherapeutic treatments. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses were performed, and thereupon chemical index of alteration (CIA) and enrichment factor (EF) values were calculated. The XRD results revealed close association of sediment mineralogy with the prevailing metamorphic, volcanic and igneous rocks of the region surrounding Lake Dojran. CIA values of around 67% suggest a moderate degree of weathering in the lake catchment area. According to the EF value results, surficial Lake Dojran sediments are little enriched with Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn, moderately enriched with Au, Ni and Sb, moderately severely enriched with Au, severely enriched with Sb and very severely enriched with As. This elemental enrichment likely originates fromvarious different geogenic (geological background and polymetallic mineralization) and anthropogenic (tourism, traffic, coatings, untreated wastewater discharge and agrochemicals) sources. The abundances of the major elements, trace elements and rare earth elements (REEs) were almost constant, changing very little throughout the surficial (0–5, 5–10, 10– 15 cm) sediments. Comparison of sediment trace element concentrations with consensus-based threshold effect concentration (TEC) and probable effect concentration (PEC) values showed that lake biota may be under threat of contamination with As, Cu and Ni. Given the present results, we cannot recommend/confirm the application of Lake Dojran dark mud sediment in balneotherapeutic treatments

Physico-chemical and geochemical characterization of Makirina Bay peloid mud and its evaluation for potential use in balneotherapy (N Dalmatia, Republic of Croatia)

5-12Makirina Bay peloid mud was analysed in the interest of determining its physico-chemical and geochemical characteristics in order to assess the suitability of peloid mud use for cosmetic and/or therapeutic purposes as material for mud wraps or baths. The properties of Makirina Bay peloid mud were compared with various raw geological materials (Dead Sea mud, the mud of ‘Capetta’, Lo Pagán lagoon sediments, and peloid mud from Morinje Bay) already applied or with potential to be used in various spa centres. Makirina Bay peloid mud is represented mostly by sandy silt and has a relatively high Corg content (5%) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) value (63.82 meq/100g). The mineral composition of peloid mud is dominated by dolomite and quartz, followed by illite/muscovite, aragonite, halite, calcite, and pyrite. The calculated contamination factor (CF) and index of geoaccumulation (Igeo) values for the majority of heavy metals showed that the peloid mud had a low contamination status. The highest CF and Igeo values were for lead, at 2.2 and 0.5 respectively, but the pollution load index value was < 1, indicating that no heavy metal contamination of the peloid mud exists. Geochemical analyses have shown the adequate comparability of Makirina Bay peloid mud with raw materials already successfully used in purposes related to wellness and therapy

Makirina bay peloid (N Dalmatia, Republic of Croatia) – its potential use in balneotherapy

Recent marine sediments from Makirina bay are according to their organoleptic properties, treated as peloid or healing mud, already frequently used by local people and tourists as pomades. The application of peloids in balneotherapy is mainly intended for therapeutic treatment generally related to muscle-bone skin pathologies and purposes of wellness and relaxation. Recent studies point out that one of the main factors determining the final characteristics of peloids are grain size distribution, mineralogy, cation exchange capacity (CEC), elemental and microbiological composition of initial »geological material«. As reported by previous studies Makirina Bay peloid is represented mostly by sandy silt with relatively high CEC value (63.82 meq/100g). Peloid mineral composition is dominated by dolomite and quartz, followed by illite/muscovite, aragonite, halite, calcite, and pyrite. The average concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTE) in Makirina bay peloid determined in this research are: As (17.6 mg/kg), Cr (92.09 mg/kg), Cu (44.5 mg/ kg), Mo (31.8 mg/kg), Pb (28.9 mg/kg) and Zn (69.2 mg/kg) and are comparable to previous results. PTE contents in benthic algae Codium bursa (C. bursa) are: As (8.8 mg/kg), Cr (15.7 mg/kg), Cu (5.6 mg/kg), Mo (0.7 mg/kg), Pb (3.6 mg/ kg) and Zn (16.3 mg/kg). Calculated Transfer factors (TF) from surficial peloid (0-5 cm) to benthic algae C. bursa are <1 for all analysed PTE, indicating no PTE transfer or bioaccumulation of PTE in C. bursa. Results of microbiological research correspond to previous studies and showed no coliforms and E. coli presence in Makirina bay peloid. Our studies have shown the adequate comparability of Makirina Bay peloid with peloids already successfully used in various spa centres around the world in purposes related to wellness and therapy, but additional researches (determination of Cr and Mo mobilities) are necessary before potential use of Makirina bay peloid