Dušik-15 signali antropogenoga opterećenja hranjivim tvarima u Anemonia sulcata kao mogući indikator utjecaja komunalnoga otpada na morske obalne ekosustave: ispitivanje u Pirovačkome zaljevu i Murterskome moru (Središnji Jadran)

The results of the present research study indicate that the isotopic composition of nitrogen in the sea anemone Anemonia sulcata may be an excellent parameter for detecting and monitoring human sewage input into the marine coastal ecosystems of the Adriatic Sea if caution is used in selecting unpolluted reference sites. The 15N signal of Anemonia sulcata tissue was significantly higher at more or less polluted sites of the semi-enclosed Pirovac Bay and in the coastal part of the Murter Sea (Central Adriatic) than in the reference location. 15N enrichment was as high as 7.7 ‰ and is larger that would be expected from natural variation alone. Furthermore, the results also enabled us to create a map of δ 15N values, which could be useful in monitoring the influence of human sewage impacts in marine coastal ecosystems.Rezultati ove studije pokazuju da izotopni sastav dušika u morskoj anemoni Anemonia sulcata može biti izvrstan parametar za detekciju i praćenje unosa komunalnoga otpada u morske obalne ekosustave Jadranskoga mora, ako se pažljivo odaberu referentna nezagađena mjesta. Signal 15N u tkivu Anemonia sulcata bio je značajno viši kod više ili manje zagađenih mjesta u poluzatvorenome Pirova~kome zaljevu i obalnome dijelu Murterskoga mora (središnji Jadran) nego na referentnim lokacijama. 15N obogaćenje bilo je i do 7,7 ‰, što je veće nego očekivane prirodne varijacije. Rezultati su omogućili da se napravi mapa δ 15N vrijednosti, koja bi se mogla rabiti za praćenje utjecaja komunalnoga otpada na morske obalne ekosustave

Dušik-15 signali antropogenoga opterećenja hranjivim tvarima u Anemonia sulcata kao mogući indikator utjecaja komunalnoga otpada na morske obalne ekosustave: ispitivanje u Pirovačkome zaljevu i Murterskome moru (Središnji Jadran)

The results of the present research study indicate that the isotopic composition of nitrogen in the sea anemone Anemonia sulcata may be an excellent parameter for detecting and monitoring human sewage input into the marine coastal ecosystems of the Adriatic Sea if caution is used in selecting unpolluted reference sites. The 15N signal of Anemonia sulcata tissue was significantly higher at more or less polluted sites of the semi-enclosed Pirovac Bay and in the coastal part of the Murter Sea (Central Adriatic) than in the reference location. 15N enrichment was as high as 7.7 ‰ and is larger that would be expected from natural variation alone. Furthermore, the results also enabled us to create a map of δ 15N values, which could be useful in monitoring the influence of human sewage impacts in marine coastal ecosystems.Rezultati ove studije pokazuju da izotopni sastav dušika u morskoj anemoni Anemonia sulcata može biti izvrstan parametar za detekciju i praćenje unosa komunalnoga otpada u morske obalne ekosustave Jadranskoga mora, ako se pažljivo odaberu referentna nezagađena mjesta. Signal 15N u tkivu Anemonia sulcata bio je značajno viši kod više ili manje zagađenih mjesta u poluzatvorenome Pirova~kome zaljevu i obalnome dijelu Murterskoga mora (središnji Jadran) nego na referentnim lokacijama. 15N obogaćenje bilo je i do 7,7 ‰, što je veće nego očekivane prirodne varijacije. Rezultati su omogućili da se napravi mapa δ 15N vrijednosti, koja bi se mogla rabiti za praćenje utjecaja komunalnoga otpada na morske obalne ekosustave

Distribution and mobility of heavy metals in paddy soils of the Kočani Field in Macedonia

Contamination of soils with heavy metals is widespread and poses a long-term risk to ecosystem health. Abandoned and active mining sites contain residues from ore-processing operations that are characterised by high concentrations of heavy metals. The distribution and mobility characteristics of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in paddy soil samples from Kocˇani Field (Macedonia) using ICP-EAS and a sequential extraction procedure was evaluated. The results indicate that highly elevated concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were detected in the paddy soil sample from location VII-2 in the vicinity of Zletovo mine and Zletovska river in the western part of Kocˇani Field, which drains the untreated acid mine waters and mine wastes from the active Zletovo mine. The degree of contamination based on index of geoaccumulation (Igeo) from strong to weak in the paddy soils samples is Pb[As[Cd[Zn[Cu. The mobility potential of heavy metals in all paddy soil samples increases in the order As\Cu\Pb\Zn\Cd. According to the results of the anthropogenic impact on the paddy soils, a further study on the heavy metal concentrations in rice and other edible crops, the remediation process of the paddy soils and a dietary study of the local population are needed

Heavy metal contamination of paddy soils and rice (Oryza sativa L.) from Kočani Field (Macedonia)

This research focuses on the heavy metal contamination of the paddy soils and rice from Kočani Field (eastern Macedonia) resulting from irrigation by riverine water impacted by past and present base-metal mining activities and acid mine drainage. Very high concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were found in the paddy soils (47.6, 6.4, 99, 983 and 1,245 μg g-1) and the rice (0.53, 0.31, 5.8, 0.5 and 67 μg g-1) in the western part of Kočani Field, close to the Zletovska River, which drains the mining facilities of the Pb–Zn mine in Zletovo. In terms of health risk, the observed highest concentrations of these elements in the rice could have an effect on human health and should be the subject of further investigations

Pottery Firing in the Early Iron Age in Western Slovenia

The article discusses the possible use of kilns for the firing of pottery in western Slovenia during the Early Iron Age. In the absence of archaeologically attested kilns, their use in this area is studied based on indirect factors, i.e. the analysis of the vessel firing technique, and with the help of experiments from the field of experimental archaeology. The article strives to determine the reasons for the poor state of preservation of the kilns in the area in question. Samples from archaeological experiments and archaeological pottery were subjected to AMS measurements, petrographic and mineralogical analyses (X-ray diffraction), which revealed the importance of considering the soaking time as a criterion for observing the firing processes and use of single-chamber kilns for the firing of pottery, even if they have not yet been discovered

Acid mine drainage systems and metal pollution around the active polymetallic mines in the Eastern Macedonia

The study of acid mine waters and drainage systems of certain poiymctallic and active mines in the Eastern Macedonia have shown that pH values are in the range 4.0 - 7.8 in the Bucim porphyry Cu-deposit, 4.8 - 5.1 in Pb-Zn mines Sasa and Toranica, and 3.4 - 5.1 in the Zletovo Pb-Zn mine. Both the underground and open pit mines drainage systems on a vertical scale are of several hundreds of meters (from surface to depth) and are affecting the adjacent waters with heavy metals. Determined metal concentrations in the polluted mine waters from the Pb-Zn mines in Macedonia were in the range: 10+1340 μg/1 Pb, 40 - 70070 μg/l Zn, 1 - 240 μg/l Cd. Also, increased concentrations were determined for Ag, Fe, Al, Ca, Bi, Sb etc. In the copper mine waters were determined heavily increased concentrations of 4 - 509838 μg/l Cu, 25 - 300 μg/1 Ag, 4 - 4890 μg/1 Co and increased concentrations of Fe, Ni, Cr, As, etc. In general, metal concentrations decreased downstream from the source due to dilution from other rivers and co-precipitation of metals on other mineral phases

Use of Stable Nitrogen Isotope Signatures of Anthropogenic Organic Matter in the Coastal Environment: The Case Study of the Kosirina Bay (Murter Island, Croatia)

In this study stable nitrogen isotope ratios of particulate matter POM, zooplankton and selected biota such as Mytilus galloprovincialis were used to assess the impact of anthropogenically derived organic matter from the untreated domestic sewage, municipal and industrial effluents on the coastal ecosystem of the Kosirina Bay (Murter Island). The differences in δ15N values observed in POM and organisms collected in Kosirina Bay as compared to POM and biota sampled at unaffected sites from the southern part of the Kornati Island and highly impacted Pirovac Bay revealed only a very minor effects of anthropogenic inputs of nutrients and organic matter which is most probably derived from a sewage outfall south of the Tužbina Island

Shellfish as biological indicators of environmental pollution in costal ecosystems

Shellfish are filter feeders, able to accumulate different contaminants present in seawater (microorganisms, metals, pesticides, etc.) within its tissue. Consequently, they act as bio indicators of the environmental status of coastal ecosystems. On the other hand, the collection of wild populations and farming of shellfish in coastal areas and theirs consumption, (whether cooked or raw), are widely distributed around the globe. During 2015 and 2016, we monitored the presence and amount of aerobic mesophilic bacteria and the Enterococcus spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli bacteria on three commercial shellfish farms and at one finfish farm in the Middle Adriatic. The results revealed that mussels cultured at all sites are completely safe for human consumption according to the Croatian national legislation of food standards. During 2016, we determined the geochemical and isotopic characteristics of noble pen shell Pinna nobilis tissues (Linne, 1758) collected at different locations of Kornati National Park. The obtained results showed differences in the amounts of PTE (Potentially Toxic Elements), REE (Rare Earth Elements), PGE (Platinum Group Elements), δ13CORG and δ15N between zones with different protection and management regimes. Coastal ecosystems are considered to be the most productive areas on earth but are also the most exposed to anthropogenic influences. Monitoring of the microbiological status of shellfish from these areas, as well as the levels of different metals in their tissues, is important from the perspective of monitoring environmental pollution but also from the perspective of food safety

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