Reconstructed Malacothermometer July Paleotemperatures from the Last Nine Glacials over the South-Eastern Carpathian Basin (Serbia)

In this study, the compiled malacological record of the two most important loess–palaeosol sequences (LPS) in Serbia was used to reconstruct the Malacothermometer July Paleotemperature (MTJP) of the last nine glacials. The sieved loess samples yielded shells of 11 terrestrial gastropod species that were used to estimate the MTJP. Veliki Surduk (covering the last three glacial cycles) and Stari Slankamen (covering the last fourth to ninth glacial cycle) LPSs previously lacked the malacological investigations. After the sieving, a total of 66,871 shells were found, from which 48,459 shells were used for the estimation of the MTJP. Through the studied period, the reconstructed MTJP was ranging from 14.4 °C to 21.5 °C. The lowest temperature was recorded during the formation of the loess unit L5, equivalent to the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 12. The second-coldest summers were occurring during the MIS 16 glacial. Although the warmest glacial was L8 (MIS 20) according to MTJP, these July temperatures might be overestimated due to only two samples from the poorly preserved L8 unit. The malacological material derived from the loess units at Veliki Surduk and Stari Slankamen LPSs showed great potential for July temperature reconstruction, as the comparison with other regional records showed similar climate changes. Further work is necessary to validate the age scale of the oldest samples, and a higher resolution sampling could lead to more detailed July temperature fluctuations, as was shown for the youngest glacial in this study. Likewise, estimating the July temperature using different proxies (e.g., pollen) from the same LPSs could be used to confirm the observed climate trends

Geomorphological and hydrological heritage of Mt. Stara Planina in SE Serbia: From river protection initiative to potential geotouristic destination

Mt. Stara Planina is located in the eastern part of the Republic of Serbia and represents the westernmost part of the large mountain massif of the Balkans. Both endogenous and exogenous forces created interesting geomorphological and hydrological features for geotourism development in this area. This article proposes a preliminary list of geomorphological and hydrological sites and analyses them to reveal which geosite possesses geotourism potential. This research was carried out by applying the modified geosite assessment model. In this article, ten geosites were singled out based on the degree of their attractiveness for geotourism development. The results reveal information about the key fields of improvement for each evaluated geosite, and identify which areas require more attention and better management in the upcoming period for Mt. Stara Planina to become a well-known geotourism destination that would attract a large number of tourists in the future

Introducing the loess pyramid: An unusual landform in the thick loess deposits of Vojvodina, Serbia

In this paper we introduce the term 'loess pyramid' for an unusual form of relief in thick loess deposits. From a distance, the loess pyramid resembles a haystack; this is why it is known as 'the haystack' by the local residents. Its erosional origin is conditional, occurring only where loess deposits are thick and gully erosion changes direction significantly. We describe a loess pyramid on a thick loess section near the Tisa (Tisza) River in Titel province, Serbia. The pyramid has a maximum altitude of 111.6 m, a width of 82 m and a length of 52 m. It is framed by two smaller gullies that belong to one hydrological system, but each has different morphological properties. The gullies output directly to the floodplain of the Tisa River, which cut the escarpment that the pyramid is set within. Given the relatively small number of references from the international and geomorphological literature on such landforms, this study represents an interesting contribution to the geomorphology of loess landscapes

Results of the modernization of the electrostatic precipitator at unit B1 of the Thermal Power Plant Kostolac B

The electrostatic precipitator system of the lignite fired 350 MWe unit B1 of Thermal Power Plant Kostolac B has been modernized during 2014. The results of complex in site measurements, performed in the frame of performance control test at the beginning of the exploitation period of the upgraded electrostatic precipitator proved that, under normal and guarantee working conditions of the boiler and precipitator, the emission of particulate matter do not exceed limiting value. After the period of precipitator further adjustments, five series of measurements in the frame of acceptance test were performed in accordance with relevant standards. This paper presents results of the investigation of particulate matter concentration, laboratory analysis of the lignite, fly and bottom ash samples, working parameters of the unit and upgraded electrostatic precipitator as well as results of the calculations. The averaged mean particulate concentration at the exit of upgraded electrostatic precipitator of the unit B1 during Acceptance test was below guaranteed value. It is confirmed that adjustments of electrostatic precipitator electrical parameters have improved electrostatic precipitator efficiency, as well that electrostatic precipitator could work highly efficiently in energy save mode with lower power consumption. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III42010 Reduction of Air Pollution from Thermal Power Plants of the PE Electric Power Industry of Serbia and Grant no. TR33050

Synthesis, characterization and antitumor activity of novel N-substituted alpha-amino acids containing ferrocenyl pyrazole-moiety

A series of new N-[(3-ferrocenyl-1-phenylpyrazol-4-yl)methyl] alpha-amino acids were prepared and characterized by a range of spectroscopic techniques and cyclic voltammetry. The in vitro antitumor activity of all synthesized compounds was investigated against cervix adenocarcinoma HeLa, melanoma Fem-x and myelogenous leukemia K562 cell lines using the MTT method. Tryptophan derivative 11 exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity in the cell growth inhibition of all three types of cell lines. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Local Differentiation in the Loess Deposition as a Function of Dust Source: Key Study Novo Orahovo Loess Paleosol Sequence (Vojvodina, Serbia)

Typical patterns of the Late Pleistocene loess–paleosol units are preserved in the Novo Orahovo brickyard, Northern Serbia. Presented preliminary luminescence chronology supports the chronostratigraphic interpretations of global isotopic marine climate reconstructions. Magnetic susceptibility and sedimentological evidence exhibit general similarities with the marine oxygen-isotope stratigraphy. These records provide new insights into the dust accumulation regimes over the eastern side of the Bačka loess plateau and offer new paleoenvironmental information for the region. They represent an important step forward towards the establishment of a catena from the thin loess-like sediments of the Banat foothills in the east towards the thicker and seemingly more complete loess sections of the southeastern and central Carpathian Basin. Grain-size data from the loess record of Nova Orahovo explain the regional differentiation in dust deposition

The relationship between the loess stratigraphy in the Vojvodina region of northern Serbia and the Saalian and Rissian Stage glaciations – a review

Publication status: PublishedThe regional loess stratigraphy in the Vojvodina region, in the southeastern Carpathian Basin, has often been successfully correlated to the global palaeoclimate. This is a quasi‐continuous sedimentary record that provides detailed environmental reconstruction during the last four glacial/interglacial cycles. In this study, we present a standardized loess stratigraphy and illustrate how it correlates with the marine oxygen isotope and Chinese loess stratigraphical records. We argue that the loess stratigraphy in Vojvodina region is an important link in the integration of European terrestrial stratigraphical schemes and the deep‐sea stratigraphical model. We highlight how the loess record can better illustrate terrestrial environmental change through multiple glacial cycles than other records, such as glacial records. The investigated loess record enables direct links to be made between the loess sediments and their glacial sources. This reveals evidence of glaciations during every glacial cycle of the Saalian Stage complex, equivalent to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 10, 8 and 6. Therefore, Serbian loess has the potential to provide a direct link between terrestrial glaciations and wider records of global climate change, which is an enigma for many other continental records. These loess records display a strong relationship with the intensity of European glaciations during different glacial cycles. Loess sedimentation rates are highest in the most intensive European glaciation of the Saalian complex (MIS 6) and much lower during the weaker ‘missing’ glaciations equivalent to MIS 8 and 10. A key observation from the Vojvodina loess is the gradual increase in interglacial aridity through the late Middle Pleistocene. The explanation for the progressively increasing aridity in the investigated region at this time is still unclear. However, this trend is consistent with the idea of the Saalian complex as representing a 400 ka mega glacial cycle modulated by shorter classic 100 ka glacial cycles.</jats:p