Procena ekološkog i zdravstvenog rizika od teških metala u zemljištu u okolini termoelektrane „Nikola Tesla A“

Ecological and health hazards were assessed based on the concentrations of selected heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in thirty surface soil samples taken from the sites around the largest Serbian thermal power plant. Ecological risk caused by heavy metals was estimated through pollution indices whose values indicated low to moderate ecological risks. Health hazard associated with residents’ exposure to heavy metals in soil was calculated applying the U.S. EPA model. The ingestion of soil was the most important exposure pathway. The risk assessment showed that exposure to Co, Fe, and Mn would result in an unacceptable non-carcinogenic risk for children. Cr and Pb were reported to significantly contribute to a carcinogenic risk, while total carcinogenic risk remained within the acceptable non-hazardous range.Ekološki i zdravstveni rizik su procenjeni u odnosu na koncentracije odabranih teških metala (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb i Zn) u trideset površinskih uzoraka zemljišta iz okoline najveće termoelektrane u Srbiji. Ekološki rizik je procenjen putem različitih pokazatelja zagađenja i njihove vrednosti pokazuju niski do srednji ekološki rizik. Rizik po zdravlje usled izlaganja stanovništva teškim metalima u zemljištu je izračunat primenom modela Agencije za zaštitu životne sredine Sjedinjenih Američkih Država. Ingestija zemljišta je identifikovana kao najvažniji put izlaganja. Procena rizika je pokazala da ekspozicija Co, Fe i Mn rezultuje neprihvatljivim nekancerogenim rizikom za decu. Cr i Pb su bili jedini elementi koji su doprinosili u većem obimu kancerogenom riziku, ali je ukupan kancerogeni rizik bio u granicama tolerantnog

Natural radionuclides in soil profiles surrounding the largest coal-fired power plant in Serbia

This study evaluates the influence of the largest Serbian coal-fired power plant on radionuclide concentrations in soil profiles up to 50 cm in depth. Thirty soil profiles were sampled from the plant surroundings (up to 10 km distance) and analyzed using standard methods for soil physicochemical properties and gamma ray spectrometry for specific activities of natural radionuclides (K-40, Ra-226 and Th-232) Spatial and vertical distribution of radionuclides was determined and analyzed to show the relations between the specific activities in the soil and soil properties and the most influential factors of natural radionuclide variability were identified. The radiological indices for surface soil were calculated and radiological risk assessment was performed. The measured specific activities were similar to values of BACKGROUND: levels for Serbia. The sampling depth did not show any significant influence on specific activities of natural radionuclides. The strongest predictor of specific activities of the investigated radionuclides was soil granulometry. All parameters of radiological risk assessment were below the recommended values and adopted limits. It appears that the coal-fired power plant does not have a significant impact on the spatial and vertical distribution of natural radionuclides in the area of interest, but technologically enhanced natural radioactivity as a consequence of the plant operations was identified within the first 1.5 km from the power plant

PROCENA EKOLOŠKOG I ZDRAVSTVENOG RIZIKA OD TEŠKIH METALA U ZEMLJIŠTU U OKOLINI TERMOELEKTRANE „NIKOLA TESLA A“

Ecological and health hazards were assessed based on the concentrations of selected heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in thirty surface soil samples taken from the sites around the largest Serbian thermal power plant. Ecological risk caused by heavy metals was estimated through pollution indices whose values indicated low to moderate ecological risks. Health hazard associated with residents’ exposure to heavy metals in soil was calculated applying the U.S. EPA model. The ingestion of soil was the most important exposure pathway. The risk assessment showed that exposure to Co, Fe, and Mn would result in an unacceptable non-carcinogenic risk for children. Cr and Pb were reported to significantly contribute to a carcinogenic risk, while total carcinogenic risk remained within the acceptable non-hazardous range.Ekološki i zdravstveni rizik su procenjeni u odnosu na koncentracije odabranih teških metala (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb i Zn) u trideset površinskih uzoraka zemljišta iz okoline najveće termoelektrane u Srbiji. Ekološki rizik je procenjen putem različitih pokazatelja zagađenja i njihove vrednosti pokazuju niski do srednji ekološki rizik. Rizik po zdravlje usled izlaganja stanovništva teškim metalima u zemljištu je izračunat primenom modela Agencije za zaštitu životne sredine Sjedinjenih Američkih Država. Ingestija zemljišta je identifikovana kao najvažniji put izlaganja. Procena rizika je pokazala da ekspozicija Co, Fe i Mn rezultuje neprihvatljivim nekancerogenim rizikom za decu. Cr i Pb su bili jedini elementi koji su doprinosili u većem obimu kancerogenom riziku, ali je ukupan kancerogeni rizik bio u granicama tolerantnog

Assessment of radiation exposure around abandoned uranium mining area of Stara planina Mt., Serbia

The aim of this work was to estimate the health and radiation hazard due to external irradiation from terrestrial radionuclides in the Stara planina Mt. region, which is important because of past uranium mining activities on the mountain. Soil samples were collected inside the flotation processing facilities, their surroundings and more distant locations, i.e. from areas considered certainly affected, potentially affected, and unaffected by former mining and uranium ore processing activities. The radiological and health risk assessments were done by calculating the six main parameters, based on the activity concentration of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in soil samples as determined by gamma-ray spectrometry. Increased values of the risk parameters were observed only for sites where uranium ore was processed, while the location surrounding these compounds showed values that are usual for this mountain or slightly above them. Calculations of the risk parameters for the background area showed no radiation risk for the local and seasonal population. The presence of U and Th was detected in all water samples from creeks surrounding the facilities, but only in the water from the facility drainage pipe did their concentration exceed the limits given for the uranium content in drinking water. In conclusion, the results obtained in this study fall within the range of values in similar studies conducted worldwide and are below the values which can cause a significant radiation hazard. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III43009 i br. III41005

Occurrence, Source Apportionment, and Health Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soil of Urban Parks in a Mid-Sized City

Public parks and open playgrounds are the most important compartments of the urban environment due to their role in sustaining the well-being of city residents, primarily through relaxation and recreation. To determine the occurrence, levels, and sources of 16 US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and consequent human health risk, soil samples from 18 parks and playgrounds from Kruševac, a mid-sized city in Serbia, were collected and analyzed. The concentrations of PAHs were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The total concentration of selected PAHs ranged from 14 to 121 µg kg−1, with a mean of 55 µg kg−1. The measured concentrations of individual PAHs were well below limits set by national legislation and were much lower than reported values for cities worldwide. Principal component analyses and positive matrix factorization were employed to identify possible PAH sources. Traffic emissions and coal, firewood, and natural gas combustion were identified as the main sources of PAHs in the analyzed soil. The most polluted soil samples were found in parks and playgrounds near busy roads and in the most densely populated city districts. A risk assessment procedure established by the US EPA showed no significant risk, either carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic, associated with exposure to PAHs in the soil for adults and children who use parks and open playgrounds for recreational purposes

Functional nano-silver decorated textiles for wearable electronics and electromagnetic interference shielding

The presented research focused on the metallization of polyester, cotton, and polyamide 6.6 fabrics using the silver conductive complex to allow electric conductivity through the fabric's surface and enhance the fabric's mechanical properties. The method used for the metallization of studied fabrics does not require the use of expensive toxic chemicals or electricity, making the process more economically acceptable. The signal attenuation was measured in frequency ranges of 1–4 and 5–12 GHz. After five cycles of metallization, the polyester fabric has higher EMI effectiveness, in a lower range was 45.44 and 57.25 dB. X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FT-IR) characterize the modified tissues. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersion spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) was used to determine layers' morphology and elemental composition. Also, the water and air permeability of modified textiles was determined

Content of the potentially harmful elements in soil around the major coal-fired power plant in Serbia: relation to soil characteristics, evaluation of spatial distribution and source apportionment

The concentrations and spatial distribution of nine potentially harmful elements (PHEs), namely Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, and their relation to soil properties were investigated in thirty soil profiles (0-50 cm depth) sampled around the largest Serbian coal-fired power plant (CFPP) "Nikola Tesla A." Soil properties were determined following standard procedures, and total contents of PHEs were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer. Concentrations of Cd, Co, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn were the highest in soil profiles sampled 1 km away from the CFPP, concentrations of Ni and Cu gradually increased up to 4 km, and the highest Cr concentrations were measured in samples taken 6 km away from the CFPP. The highest concentration of PHEs analyzed, except Mn, corresponded with predominant wind directions. Depth did not show significant impact on distribution of any PHEs investigated. Among soil properties, the total organic carbon showed the closest relationship with the PHEs. Data were processed by a principal component analysis which enabled distinguishing anthropogenic from natural influences on soil properties and PHE contents. Although the impact of CFPP operations is obvious, assets of principal component analysis did not allow clear distinction of CFPP's contribution from parent material in enrichment of PHE contents in the soil in the study area