The ecophysiological characteristics of various woody plant species and their potential for revitalising fly ash deposits at thermoelectric power plants

Revitalizacija deponija pepela zasnivanjem biljnog pokrivača predstavlja postupakkojim se najbolje može umanjiti rizik za životnu sredinu i zdravlje ljudi. Uspostavljanjebiljnog pokrivača, setvom zeljastih i sadnjom drvenastih vrsta biljaka, obezbeđuje fizičkui hemijsku stabilizaciju pepela, sprečava eroziju vetrom i smanjuje disperziju toksičnihhemijskih elemenata u životnu sredinu. Selekcija biljnih vrsta u tom smislu je važan faktorkoji determiniše efikasnost postupka revitalizacije deponije. Istraživanja koja su predmetove teze, sprovedena su na deponiji pepela termoelektrane ‘Nikola Tesla A’ uObrenovcu (‘TENT A’), koja zauzima 382 ha plodnog obradivog zemljišta, na desnojobali reke Save i to: na aktivnoj laguni (L0) u koju se mešavina pepela i vode (1:10)hidraulički doprema i na dve pasivne lagune, L1 starosti tri godine i L2 starostijedanaest godina, na kojima se sprovodi proces privremenog-kratkotrajnog biološkogobnavljanja pasivnih laguna deponije. Cilj istraživanja bio je definisanje abiotičkihfaktora koji limitiraju opstanak i rast biljaka biljaka na lagunama deponije pepelarazličite starosti, kao i ispitivanje ekofizioloških, biohemijskih i morfološkihkarakteristika i proučavanje adaptivnog odgovora drvenastih vrsta biljaka na efektemultipnog stresa. Istraživanjima su obuhvaćene dve sađene vrste, tamariks (Tamarixtetrandra Pall.) i bagrem (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) i dve spontano kolonizovane vrste,bagrenac (Amorpha fruticosa L.) i bela topola (Populus alba L.), koje su na prostordeponije dospele sa okolnih staništa. Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata procenjen je njihovkapacitet za opstanak u uslovima deponije i potencijal za sadnju u svrhu revitalizacijeovakvih staništa.Utvrđeno je da limitirajuće faktore za opstanak i rast biljaka na deponiji pepela‘TENT A’, predstavljaju nepovoljne fizičke i hemijke karakteristike pepela (peskovitmehanički sastav koji uslovljava mali sadržaj vode dostupne biljkama, fina tekstura iobrazovanje cementnih slojeva koji ometaju ukorenjavanje biljaka, povišen salinitet ialkalnost, toksičnost As, B, Cu, Mo, Se, Cr i Ni i deficit C, N, P, Mn i Zn).Deponovanje pepela u vlažnim lagunama i njegova izloženost atmosferskim prilikama(weathered ash), njegova biorekultivacija i spontano naseljavanje biljaka, pozitivno suse odrazili na promenu početnih, veoma nepovoljnih fizičkih i hemijskih karakteristika...The revitalisation of fly ash deposits through the formation of a plant cover is apractice which can best reduce the risk to the environment and human health.Establishing a plant cover through sowing herbaceous plants and planting woodyspecies ensures the physical and chemical stabilisation of the ash, prevents winderosion, and reduces the dispersal of toxic, chemical elements into the environment. Thechoice of plant species for this purpose is an important factor which determines howeffective the revitalisation of the ash deposit site will be. The research that is the subject ofthis study was carried out at the fly ash deposits at the 'Nikola Tesla A' thermoelectricpower plant in Obrenovac ('TENT A'), which covers an area of 382 ha of fertile cultivatedland on the right bank of the River Sava. More specifically, it focussed on an active lagoon(L0), into which a pulp of ash and water (1:10) is sluiced, and two passive lagoons - L1,weathered for three years, and L2, weathered for 11 years, where the process of thetemporary, short-term biological restoration of these inactive ash deposit lagoons is beingcarried out. The aim of the research was to define the abiotic factors which limit thesurvival and growth of plants at fly ash deposit lagoons weathered for different lengths oftime, as well as to investigate ecophysiological, biochemical and morphologicalcharacteristics, and to study the adaptive responses of woody plant species to the effects ofmultiple stress. The study focussed on two planted species, tamarisk (Tamarix tetrandraPall.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and two naturally colonized speciesfalse indigo (Amorpha fruticosa L.) and white poplar (Populus alba L.), whichcolonized the ash deposit sites from surrounding habitats. On the basis of the resultsobtained, these species’ capacity for survival in the conditions encountered at a fly ashdeposit site and their potential for being planted with the aim of revitalising this type ofhabitat were assessed.It was established that the limiting factors for plant survival and growth at the ‘TENTA’ fly ash deposits were the unfavourable physical and chemical characteristics of theash (its sandy composition which results in a low water content available to plants; itsfine texture and the formation of cemented layers in the ash that hinder the rooting ofplants; increased salinity and alkalinity; As, B, Cu, Mo, Se, Cr and Ni toxicity; and C,N, P, Mn and Zn deficiency)..

Radionuklidi i toksični elementi u hrani za životinje i hrani animalnog porekla

Introduction. The aim of this study was to determine the content of radionuclides and toxic elements in samples feedstuffs and food of animal origin collected between 2007-2017 from two suburban areas of Belgrade, the municipalities of Palilula and Surčin, both areas with intensive agricultural production. Materials and Methods. Radionuclides (40 K and 137 Cs) and toxic elements (As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in samples of corn, hay, meat, milk and eggs, by gamma ray spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-OES, Spectro Genesis). Results and Conclusions. The obtained results showed that natural 40 K was present in all investigated samples. The average activity concentration of 40 K was 94 Bq/kg in corn, 117 Bq/kg, 108 Bq/kg and 95 Bq/kg in beef, pork and chicken meat, respectively, as well as 61 Bq/kg in cow's milk and 48 Bq/kg in eggs. Anthropogenic radionuclide 137 Cs was not detected. The trend for toxic element levels according to the average concentrations found in the studied feed samples (corn and hay) was as follows: Zn>Cu>Pb>As>Ni>Cd. Arsenic was detected in animal feed in both Belgrade municipalities, with the average concentration being 1.08 mg/kg (0.5-1.37 mg/kg), and in corn, the as content was higher than in hay samples. In food of animal origin, only Zn and Cu were detected. It is concluded that the presence of radionuclides and toxic elements in feedstuffs and foods of animal origin does not pose a health risk for either humans or animals.Uvod. U radu su prikazani rezultati određivanja sadržaja radionuklida i toksičnih elemenata u uzorcima hrane za životinje i hrani animalnog porekla prikupljanih na području grada Beograda, opštinama Palilula i Surčin, u periodu od 2007-2017. godine. Materijal i metode. U uzorcima kukuruza, sena, mesa, mleka i jaja određivani se radionuklidi (40K i 137Cs) i toksični elementi (As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb i Zn) metodama gama spektrometrije i indukovane kuplovane plazma spektrometrije (ICP-OES, Spectro Genesis). Rezultati i zaključak. Dobijeni rezultati su pokazali da je u uzrocima hrane za životinje i hrani animalnog porekla 40K bio dominantni radionuklid. Prosečan sadržaj 40K u kukuruzu je bio 94 Bq/kg, 117 Bq/kg u junećem mesu, 108 Bq/kg u svinjskom mesu, 95 Bq/kg u pilećem mesu, 61 Bq/kg u kravljem mleku i 48 Bq/kg u jajima. U hrani za životinje (kukuruz i seno) detektovani su toksični elementi u opadajućem trendu: Zn>Cu>Pb>As>Ni>Cd. Arsen je detektovan u hrani za životinje na oba ispitivana lokaliteta, prosečan sadržaj je bio 1.08 mg/kg (0.5-1.37 mg/kg), u uzroku kukuruza sadržaj arsena je bio veći nego u senu. U hrani animalnog porekla detektovani su Zn i Cu, dok je sadržaj ostalih toksičnih elemenata bio ispod praga detekcije. Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata može se zaključiti da radionuklidi i toksični elementi u hrani za životinje i hrani animalnog porekla ne predstavljaju rizik po zdravlje ljudi i životinja

Floristic and phytocoenological research of segetal plant communities in cultivated areas of southern Srem

Segetal vegetation was studied in the cultivated areas of southern Srem with the aim of analyzing its taxonomy, phytocoenology, syntaxonomy and phytogeography, as well as determining to what extent ecological factors influenced the differentiation of segetal plant communities among row crops, small grain crops and in alfalfa fields. Segetal flora was comprised of 124 plant species, classified into 38 families, of which Asteraceae (28), Fabaceae (10) and Poaceae (10) contained the greatest number of species. Three associations were selected based on phytocoenological analysis: Polygonetum convolvulo-avicularis, Consolido-Polygonetum avicularis and Lolio-Plantaginetum majoris, as well as five lower syntaxa (subassociations and facies). Crop type, moisture, habitat acidity (pH), temperature and anthropogenic factors had the greatest impact on the ecological differentiation of the studied vegetation. The significant presence of non-native species (18) was another consequence of the anthropogenic effects and geographic position of southern Srem, and these, as coenobionts of segetal plant communities and undesirable species, had a significant impact on crop yield

Ecophysiological and biochemical traits of three herbaceous plants growing on the disposed coal combustion fly ash of different weathering stage

The ecophysiological and biochemical traits of Calamagrostis epigejos (Roth.) Festuca rubra L. and Oenothera biennis L. growing on two fly ash lagoons of different weathering stage (L1-3 years and L2-11 years) of the “Nikola Tesla- A” thermoelectric plant (Obrenovac, Serbia) were studied. Species-dependent variations were observed at the L1 lagoon; the greatest vitality (Fv/Fm and Fm/Fo) followed by higher photopigment and total phenolic contents were measured in O. biennis in relation to C. epigejos (p<0.001) and F. rubra (p<0.001). At the L2 site, higher vitality was found in O. biennis (p<0.001) and F. rubra (p<0.01) compared to C. epigejos. O. biennis had the highest photosynthetic capacity. The results obtained in this study indicate that all examined species maintained a level of photosynthesis that allowed them to survive and grow under the stressful conditions in ash lagoons, albeit with lower than optimal success. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173018

Analysis of benzoic and cinnamic acid derivatives of some medicinal plants in Serbia

Natural phenolics, which are ubiquitously distributed in plants, have been reported as functional factors in phytotherapy. We have examined phenolic compounds in the leaves and inflorescences of five significant medicinal plants of different plant families: Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceae); Achillea clypeolata (Asteraceae); Nymphaea alba (Nymphaeaceae); Rumex acetosella (Polygonaceae) and Allium ursinum (Alliaceae). The examined species were rich in total phenolics (up to 30.88 mg/g dry weight). According to their total phenolics contents, the plants can be arranged in the following order: A. clypeolata>N. alba>S. officinalis>R. acetosella>A. ursinum. Free phenolics prevailed in all species in comparison to the bound forms (63.72-82.68% of total phenolics). The highest content of total free phenolics was measured in the tissues of A. clypeolata and N. alba, and the lowest in A. ursinum. Five phenolic acids were isolated and measured. p-Coumaric and ferulic acids as derivatives of cinnamic acid prevailed in the leaves of R. acetosella and A. ursinum (up to 4.81%).Projekat ministarstva br. 17301

Radionuclides and heavy metals in soil, vegetables, and medicinal plants in suburban areas of the cities of Belgrade and Pancevo, Serbia

The content of radionuclides (K-40 , U-238 , Ra-226 , Th-232, and Cs-137) and heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, and Pb) was determined in samples of soil, vegetables and medicinal plants collected in the period 2007-2017, from two suburban areas of Belgrade - the municipalities of Palilula and Surcin, and Pancevo - the Dr Josif Pancic Institute for the Study of Medicinal Herbs. During the research period, activity concentration of Cs-137 in soil decreased from 16 Bqkg(-1) to 3.9 Bqkg(-1) (Palilula, Belgrade) and from 18 Bqkg(-1) to 12 Bqkg(-1) (Surcin, Belgrade). Mean activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in the soil were higher than the global average. lkend for heavy metal levels, according to the average concentrations found in the soil, were as follows: Cu >Pb >As >Cd for Palilula, Pb >Cu >As >Cd for Surcin and Dr Josif Pancic Institute, Pancevo. The obtained results indicate that the industrial pollution has no impact on food production in the study area and that the main anthropogenic source of radionuclides and heavy metals in soil are mineral phosphorous fertilizers, often used in agricultural fields

Ecophysiological and biochemical traits of three herbaceous plants growing on the disposed coal combustion fly ash of different weathering stage

The ecophysiological and biochemical traits of Calamagrostis epigejos (Roth.) Festuca rubra L. and Oenothera biennis L. growing on two fly ash lagoons of different weathering stage (L1-3 years and L2-11 years) of the 'Nikola Tesla- A' thermoelectric plant (Obrenovac, Serbia) were studied. Species-dependent variations were observed at the L1 lagoon; the greatest vitality (Fv/Fm and Fm/Fo) followed by higher photopigment and total phenolic contents were measured in O. biennis in relation to C. epigejos (p<0.001) and F. rubra (p<0.001). At the L2 site, higher vitality was found in O. biennis (p<0.001) and F. rubra (p<0.01) compared to C. epigejos. O. biennis had the highest photosynthetic capacity. The results obtained in this study indicate that all examined species maintained a level of photosynthesis that allowed them to survive and grow under the stressful conditions in ash lagoons, albeit with lower than optimal success.Projekat ministarstva br. 17301

The potential of four woody species for the revegetation of fly ash deposits from the 'Nikola Tesla-a' thermoelectric plant (Obrenovac, Serbia)

Four woody species, Tamarix tentandra Pallas, Populus alba L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. (planted) and Amorpha fruticosa L. (naturally colonized) were studied at two fly ash deposit lagoons, weathered 3 (L1) and 11 years (L2). All species were assessed in terms of their invasive ability, photosynthetic efficiency, photosynthetic pigments and damage symptoms, while the characteristics of the habitat were assessed in terms of trace element content and the pH and EC of the ash. A reduced vitality of all populations growing on the ash was observed, except for the naturally colonized A. fruticosa. High vitality on all sites, except at L2, increased chlorophyll content and absence of damage symptoms indicates a tolerance in relation to the uptake of toxic elements from the ash. Therefore, the characteristics of naturally colonized species can be used for modeling future actions of biological restoration of fly ash deposits.Projekat ministarstva br. 17301

Ecological Potential of Plants for Phytoremediation and Ecorestoration of Fly Ash Deposits and Mine Wastes

Fly ash generates as the result of coal combustion in thermoelectric power stations whereas ore mining activities produce mine waste-rock and tailings worldwide. High concentrations of metal(loid)s and organic pollutants in fly ash and mine wastes are released into soil, air, and water presenting a global threat to the surrounding environment and human health. The environmentally sound management of fly ash and mine waste–rock and tailings includes monitoring stability of the dam construction and seepage flowrate, prevention of water erosion and dust spreading, reducing the footprint of the management facilities and successful restoration/revegetation. Harsh conditions prevailing on fly ash and mine deposits are unfavorable mechanical composition and pH, high concentrations of soluble salts, lack of nitrogen and phosphorous, reduced number of microorganisms and fungus, toxic concentrations of As, Au, Ag, B, Cu, Cd, Cr, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Zn, and the presence of PAHs and PCBs. The review addresses phystostabilization, phytoextraction, rhizodegradation, and phytodegradation as main phytoremediation green technologies which use plants to clean up the contaminated area to safe levels. Establishment of the self–sustaining vegetative cover on fly ash and mine deposits is crucial for recovering ecosystem health, stability, and resilience. Therefore, here we have discussed the essential role of native plants in the ecorestoration process on waste deposits. Additional emphasis is given to the evaluation of plant adaptive response to pollution stress. This review presents a current knowledge in phytomanagement of fly ash deposits, mine waste-rock and tailings. Also, it provides a new frontier in restoration physiology where physiological and biochemical tools can be used to predict plant response to stressors and success of restoration projects

Characteristics, outcome and predictors of one year mortality rate in patients with acute heart failure

Background/Aim. Acute heart failure (AHF) is one of the most common diseases in emergency medicine, associated with poor prognosis and high in-hospital and longterm mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate characteristics, outcomes and one year mortality of patients with AHF in the local population. Methods. This prospective study consisted of 64 consecutive unselected patients treated in the Coronary Care Unit of the Emergency Centre (Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade) and were followed for one year after the discharge. Results. Mean age of the patients was 63.6 ± 12.6 years and 59.4% were males. Acute congestion (43.8%) and pulmonary edema (39.1%) were the most common presentations of AHF. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 39.7% ± 9.25%, while 44.4% of the patients had LVEF ≥ 50%. At discharge, 55.9% of the patients received therapy with β-blockers, 94.9% diuretics, out of which 47.7% spironolactone, 94.9% patients were given ACE-inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blokcers (ARB). The 12-month all-cause mortality was 26.5%. Independent predictors of one year mortality were previous hospitalization due to heart disease, reduced LVEF, reduced fraction of shortening (FS) and a higher tricuspid velocity. Conclusion. One year mortality of our patients with AHF was high, similar to the known European studies. Independent predictors of one year mortality were previous hospitalization due to heart disease, reduced LVEF and LVFS and a higher tricuspid velocity