Spatial and temporal distribution of antrhopogenic elements in Kastela Bay sediment : doctoral thesis

Kaštelanski zaljev je poluzatvoreni zaljev u kojem je zbog razvoja industrije u drugoj polovici XX stoljeća došlo do povećanja koncentracija različitih antropogenih elemenata. Antropogeni elementi koji su dospjeli u sediment mogu biti trajno ugrađeni u kristalnu rešetku sedimenta. Kada dođe do promjena u geokemijskom sastavu i okolnom moru, promijene se kemijski i biološki uvjeti ravnoteže i antropogeni elementi se mogu izluživati, te kao takvi mogu postati zagađivala ako prijeđu nazad u morski stupac. Ovaj rad opisuje prostornu i vremensku raspodjelu antropogenih elemenata u sedimentu Kaštelanskog zaljeva. Istraživanja su obuhvatila lokacije različite po udaljenosti od obale, dubini i vjerojatnosti prisutnosti antropogenih utjecaja. Uzorkovanja su provedena tijekom cijele godine, što je osim parametra vremena uključivalo i meteorološke parametre. Sinteza dobivenih rezultata, te zaključci o prostornoj i vremenskoj raspodjeli predstavljaju esencijalnu informaciju pri budućim promišljanjima i planiranjima ciljeva zaštite okoliša Kaštelanskog zaljeva.Kaštela Bay is semi-enclosed bay where, due to fast industrial development during second half of 20 th This work will describes spatial and temporal distribution of anthropogenic elements in Kaštela Bay sediment. The studies involve locations different by distance from coast, sea depth and pos sibility of anthropogenic influence. Samplings were conducted during the whole year including, among the time parameter, the meteorological parameters as well. The obtained results synthesis and conclusions related to spatial and temporal distribution present essential information in considering and planning of Kaštela Bay environmental protection policy. century, concentrations of anthropo genic elements in sediments are increased. Released anthropogenic elements might be permanently incorporated in crystal sediment lattice. Variations in geochemical composition of sediments and surrounding water cause changes of chemical and biological equilibrium that might initiate leaching of anthropogenic elements. These elements become pollutants if they are released back to the water column

MARINE SEDIMENTS CHARACTERISTICS IN THE SPLIT AREA

The distributions of granulometric composition, organic matter and carbonate content were determined in the sediment core at three stations and in the samples from surface sediment at eight stations in Split area (eastern Adriatic Sea). According to average values, clay and silt particles prevail in the sediment core and surface sediment. Average values of organic matter content for the three stations were 7.6 ± 0.9%, with range from 4.9 to 9.9%. In the surface sediment, average values were 6.2 ± 1.8%, with range from 3.9 to 8.9%. In the sediment core samples average values of carbonate were 45.1 ± 4.6%, with the range from 36.6 to 71.7%, while average values of carbonate in surface sediment were 52.5 ± 8.2%, with range from 41.1 to 66.5%. According to the Folk classification, the sediment type at Stations 1 and 2 is mud, and at Station 3 slightly gravelly sandy muds. In the surface sediment, at the four stations, prevailing sediment type is mud, following slightly gravelly sandy mud (at three stations), while sandy mud was determined only at one station According to the Shepard classification in sediment core prevailing sediment type is silty clay, while in surface sediment, sediment type vary from silty clay (clayey silt mixture to silt). Very poorly (2.08) to extremely poorly sorted (6.85) sediment indicated different origin of settled particles (terrigenous and biogenous). The relationship between determined parameters in the sediment was established using the regression analysis (Spearman correlation and Cluster analysis). Results of the Cluster Analysis, using all the investigated parameters (granulometric composition, organic matter and carbonate content) confirmed the granulometric composition as a leading differentiation parameter between investigated sediments

Sensitive Electrochemical Determination of Folic Acid Using ex–situ Prepared Bismuth Film Electrodes

The electrochemical behavior of folic acid (FA), at the electrochemically prepared ex situ bismuth film (BiF) on glassy carbon electrode, clearly indicates electrocatalytic nature of the prepared film toward FA reduction (at –0.55 V). Scanning electron microscopy is used for morphological characterization of the prepared BiF. Accordingly, we establishing an electrochemical procedure based on square wave cathodic stripping voltammetry, preceded by accumulation of FA on the BiF electrode (BiFE). This analytical method is optimized and its analytical performance is presented. This electrode displays a two linear response range: 0.1 to 1.0 μmol L–1 and 1.0–10.0 μmol L–1 with sensitivity of 20.10 μA μmol–1 L and 2.28 μA μmol–1 L, respectively. Developed method was validated in compliance with spectrophotometric method. Excellent recovery and standard deviation obtained with BiFE revealed great analytical potential of the proposed method which was applied for the determination of FA in pharmaceuticals formulation. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Monthly and Seasonal Variations of NO2, SO2 and Black-smoke Located Within the Sport District in Urban Area, City of Split, Croatia

This paper represents, for the first time, scientific data as a part of monitoring air quality in the city of Split. The city has a problem with the air pollution mostly caused by anthropogenic activities and partly by natural origin activities. This study presents results of monthly and seasonal variations of NO2, SO2 and black-smoke as well as the influence of meteorological parameters on observed concentration levels. Average seasonal values for SO2 ranged from 22.54 to 54.81 g m–3, for NO2 from 48.24 to 56.38 g m–3 and for black-smoke from 4.15 to 5.64 g m–3. The results obtained for SO2 and black-smoke were below, while for NO2 were above the limit value of pollutants in the air recommended by Croatian Government (Air Protection Act (OG 178/04); Regulation on limit values of pollutants in air (OG 133/05)). As the result of stable meteorological conditions (high temperatures and drought), the increase in SO2 concentration was significant in summer period, while the concentrations of NO2 and black-smoke were not significantly changed during year and did not depend on other parameters. (doi: 10.5562/cca1966

Društveno-korisno učenje kao inovativan alat u poučavanju rješavanja okolišnih problema – što smo naučili u 10 godina?

Service-learning represents an innovative pedagogy that integrates academic learning with community service to address environmental issues based on experiential learning principles. This innovative pedagogy enhances higher education learning outcomes by fostering active engagement, real-world context, interdisciplinary insight, skills development, and civic engagement among students. The merging of service-learning contributes to a profound understanding of the subject matter, its practical applications, and personal and professional growth. This paper provides an overview of the implementation of service-learning in the STEM field, with a primary focus on the decade-long involvement of the Faculty of Chemistry and Technology in environmental protection projects. Through collaboration with the non-governmental organisation Sunce and partners from the University of Split, this initiative, led by environmental experts, has introduced a novel approach to higher education, facilitating knowledge expansion, skill improvement, and expertise development for both students and academic staff. The impact has been substantial, with the University of Split attaining the 21st position globally on the “World Universities with Real Impact” list for ethics in 2021, largely attributable to these service-learning projects. Service-learning has been integrated into the SEA-EU initiative, furthering its development at the University of Split, and establishing it as a pioneer in this field. Institutionalising service-learning in higher education requires the establishment of dedicated courses, integration into existing programmes, and the allocation of resources for academic staff, community partners, and students. Successful implementation requires a collaborative, iterative process involving careful planning, preparation, and assessment, ensuring that students benefit from meaningful opportunities to apply course content to real-world challenges while positively impacting the community.Društveno-korisno učenje (DKU) je obrazovni pristup koji spaja akademsko učenje s korisnim radom u zajednici da bi se riješili problemi okoliša utemeljeni na principima iskustvenog učenja. Taj inovativni pristup poboljšava ishode učenja u visokom obrazovanju nudeći studentima aktivan angažman, kontekst stvarnog svijeta, interdisciplinarne uvide, razvoj vještina i uključenost građana. Uključivanje DKU-a potiče dublje razumijevanje materijala kolegija, njegove praktične primjene te osobni i profesionalni rast. Ovaj rad daje pregled implementacije DKU učenja u STEM području, uglavnom se fokusirajući na desetljetnu uključenost Kemijsko-tehnološkog fakulteta u projekte zaštite okoliša. Suradnjom Udruge za zaštitu prirode i okoliša Sunce s partnerima sa Sveučilišta u Splitu, ova inicijativa, koju vode stručnjaci za okoliš, uvela je nov pristup visokom obrazovanju. Omogućila je studentima, nastavnicima i suradnicima da prošire svoja znanja, unaprijede svoje vještine i razviju stručnost. Utjecaj je bio znatan, a Sveučilište u Splitu zauzelo je 21. mjesto u svijetu na popisu “Svjetska sveučilišta sa stvarnim utjecajem” u kategoriji etike u 2021., uglavnom zahvaljujući DKU projektima. DKU je integriran u inicijativu SEA-EU i nastavlja se razvijati na Sveučilištu u Splitu, postavši predvodnik u tom području. Institucionalizacija DKU-a unutar visokog obrazovanja zahtijeva razvijanje DKU kolegija, integraciju DKU-a u postojeće programe i osiguravanje resursa za nastavno osoblje, partnere u zajednici i studente. Uspješna implementacija zahtijeva kolaborativni, iterativni proces koji uključuje pažljivo planiranje, pripremu i evaluaciju. Taj pristup osigurava studentima smislene prilike za primjenu sadržaja kolegija na izazove iz stvarnog svijeta, a istodobno pozitivno utječu na zajednicu

Kućna predobrada biootpada primjenom Bokashi metode

Approximately one-third of municipal solid waste is biodegradable waste, necessitating its urgent processing into compost or biogas. Indoor composting of biowaste has recently received increased attention due to its economic, environmental, and social benefits, offering a significant contribution to sustainable waste management and circular economy. Instead of disposing of biowaste in landfills, compost is produced as a useful organic soil improver, fertiliser or bio-based product. This study analyses the physicochemical parameters of biowaste and the obtained pre-compost during the Bokashi treatment, considering the effects of different inoculants, occasional mixing of biowaste, and exposure to air. The pretreatment of biowaste was compared based on pH, electrical conductivity, temperature and height of the compost mass, moisture, dry matter, volatile matter, carbon and nitrogen content, and C/N ratio. Collected leakages were analysed for volume, pH, electrical conductivity, and turbidity. In addition, the obtained pre-composts underwent further maturation in two soil types, and the same physicochemical parameters were monitored. Finally, FTIR spectroscopy was employed to analyse the initial biowaste, final pre-compost masses, and the collected leakages. There is no significant difference between the pre-composts and also between the leakages. The results indicate that Bokashi treatment of biowaste with Inoculant 1 efficiently yielded a higher carbon and nitrogen content in the final pre-compost, and produced a lower volume of compost leakage. This paper highlights the Bokashi method’s efficiency in facilitating indoor biowaste treatment.Gotovo trećina proizvedenog krutog komunalnog otpada pripada biorazgradivom otpadu, te je njegova daljnja prerada u kompost ili bioplin prijeko potrebna. U posljednje vrijeme kućno kompostiranje biootpada dobiva sve veću pozornost zbog ekonomskih, ekoloških i društvenih koristi. Kućno kompostiranje može dati značajan doprinos u postizanju održivog gospodarenja otpadom i kružnog gospodarstva. Umjesto odlaganja biootpada na odlagalištima, proizvodi se kompost kao koristan organski dodatak tlu, gnojivo ili bioproizvod. U ovom radu ispitani su fizikalno-kemijski parametri biootpada i dobivenog pretkomposta tijekom Bokashi metode obrade, kao i učinak dodavanja druge vrste inokulanta, povremenog miješanja biootpada i izloženosti zraku na sam proces. Procesi predobrade biootpada uspoređeni su preko pH, električne vodljivosti, temperature i visine kompostne mase, sadržaja vlage, suhe tvari, hlapljive tvari, sadržaja ugljika i dušika te C/N omjera. Procjedne vode su prikupljene i analizirane na volumen procjedne vode, pH, električnu vodljivost i mutnoću. Osim toga, dobiveni pretkomposti proslijeđeni su na daljnje sazrijevanje u dva tipa tla, a praćeni su isti fizikalno-kemijski parametri. Početni biootpad, konačna pretkompostna masa i sakupljena procjedna voda analizirani su i FTIR spektroskopijom. Uočeno je da nema značajne razlike između analiziranih pretkomposta kao ni između procjednih voda. Rezultati pokazuju da Bokashi obrada biootpada s Inokulantom 1 osigurava veći sadržaj ugljika i dušika u konačnom pretkompostu te proizvodi manji volumen procjedne vode. Ovaj rad naglašava da Bokashi metoda može učinkovito olakšati provedbu kućne predobrade biootpada