Residential exposure to road traffic noise in children population near major Lithuanian roads

Exposure to traffic noise is considerable in agglomerations and has been associated with health effects for adults and children. Children are vulnerable to traffic noise, especially during sensitive stages of their development and researchers are investigating their health responses. More studies have investigated school or kindergarten exposure in agglomerations. Residential exposure to traffic noise is less investigated, though children spend more time at home than at school. Moreover, nighttime exposure is very important, because traffic noise at normal urban levels has been associated with sleep disturbance and its consequencies. Residential exposure to road traffic noise in children population is less investigated than exposure to the most annoying noise type - airport noise. There is a lack of investigations of road traffic noise outside agglomerations. The study is based on the results of strategic noise mapping near major Lithuanian roads (total length of the mapped network is 750 km). NMPB-Routes-96 method and the standard XPS 31-133 were used for road traffic noise (Lden, Lnight) calculation with the specialized computer programme IMMI. Precise traffic measurements data were used as input data. GIS was applied for the analysis of noise exposure and children population. Residential exposure to road traffic noise was analysed for the years 2006, 2011 and 2016. The zone of noise negative impact is expanding due to increasing traffic intensity and the maximum allowed speed in some sections. The noise zone of Lden > 65 dBA was 109,70 km2 in 2016 near major roads. And the estimated number of people (in hundreds) and their dwellings that were exposed to the values of Lden > 65 dBA in 4 m above the ground on the most exposed facade from major road sources were 36 hundreds and 1400, respectively. In average 17 percent of the inhabitants near major roads are 0-14 year old children [...]Aplinkotyros katedraGamtos mokslų fakultetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Dependence between travel distance, individual socioeconomic and healthrelated characteristics, and the choice of the travel mode: a cross-sectional study for Kaunas, Lithuania

The aim of this study was to analyse the associations between individual socioeconomic and health-related characteristics, travel distance, and the choice of different travel modes in urban population. A cross-sectional study included 932 adults of Kaunas city, Lithuania. The choice of the travel mode and individual characteristics were self-reported by the participants, and their travel routes were calculated using the geographic information system. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the most significant factors determining the choice of a car, cycling, walking, or public transport. In total, 529 participants reported using a car, of whom 65.8% had medium or high education levels. These participants were more likely to be younger, male, married, and employed. Among bicycle users, statistically significant differences between the employment status, body mass index, and travel distance were observed. Walkers were significantly more likely to be older, those with lower incomes, unemployed, and travelling the shortest distances. The analysis of the travel distance on the choice of the travel mode revealed that men travelled longer distances with a car compared to women. The employment status was significantly associated with travel distance by car or public transport. Employed individuals travelled longer distances by public transport or by car, compared to unemployed individuals. Among bicycle users, we found that people with higher levels of education and overweight individuals cycled the longest distances. Our study emphasizes the importance of considering different individual characteristics when analysing the choice of transport modes. It provides evidence that is relevant for all urban populations on the choice of the transport mode, particularly considering active versus passive transportAplinkotyros katedraGamtos mokslų fakultetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Seasonality of physical activity and its association with socioeconomic and health factors among urban-dwelling adults of Kaunas, Lithuania

Article number: 1067Background Physical activity (PA) has been declining dramatically over time in many countries worldwide. The decrease of PA levels affects a person’s health and quality of life as it is a significant risk factor for many noncommunicable diseases. Understanding the factors that determine PA is particularly important in promoting greater PA in adults and reducing the risk of diseases associated with physical inactivity. This study investigated associations of seasonal PA levels with socioeconomic and health factors among adults. Methods A cross-sectional study included 1111 participants of Kaunas city, Lithuania who completed a questionnaire about PA and mobility behaviour, socioeconomic, health and demographic factors. Commuting PA and sufficient PA (sPA) on weekdays and weekends in the summer and winter seasons was investigated in this study. Data on daily commuting duration and forms of transportation were collected using a questionnaire survey. Daily commuting was categorized into two categories: 1) using motorized transportation or walking or cycling 0 to 29 min, 2) and walking or cycling for 30 min or more. Results Our findings showed significant seasonal impact on PA levels. The results revealed that employment status was significantly associated with PA. Unemployed individuals were 2 times more likely to engage in sPA in winter and almost 3 times in summer compared to workers. Conclusions Our findings suggest the importance of considering environmental, socioeconomic and health factors when assessing PA. Promoting PA through active commuting is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and strategies to support the implementation of health-promoting policies and practices are neededAplinkotyros katedraGamtos mokslų fakultetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Possible causes of high concentration nitrogen among riparian plant species

https://bioleagues.com/conference/gogreensummit/about.phpNitrogen deposition data together with inland water parameters provide message that nitrogen load is big enough to cause marked changes of vegetation in Baltic States. There is much concern about eutrophication of the rivers, although information about riparian plant species is still poor. Various macrophyte strategies (abundance, architecture) might be developed. Plant productivity firstly depends on processes ongoing in the leaves. Data about plant leaf saturation with nitrogen remains poor. Usually studies refer on Ellenberg indicatory values or other indirect parametrs. Present study aimed at comparison of nitrogen concentration among populations of riparian plant species of Lithuania (project sponsored by Lithuania Research Cuncil; SIT-02/2015). Around 250 populations were sampled along main river basins in Lithuania: Nemunas, Venta, Lielupė, Seafront. Median values (N % d. m.) of nitrogen concentration for the species were as followed: Echinocystis lobata - 4,2; Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm. - 4,1; Phragmites australis - 4,0; Phalaris arundinacea - 3.6; Bidens frondosa - 3.6; Stuckenia pectinata - 3.1; Lythrum salicaria - 3,0. Species nitrogen data was related to land cover types of neighbouring areas, empoying 2-level hierarchcial Corine classification system. Among the tested plants the highest concentration was detected for invasive in Lithuania species Echinocystis lobata., at the same time, among the tested populations the highest concentrations of nitrogen were characteristic for populations growing near Curonian Spit. The highest amounts of nitrogen were determined for the most spread riparian species of Lithuania. It could be concluded that present level of nitrogen amounts, entering riparian ecosystems is big enough to cause spread of nitrophilous speciesBiologijos katedraGamtos mokslų fakultetasGamtos tyrimų centrasVilniaus universitetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Is nitrogen in excess among plant species of Nemunas and other Lithuanian river basins

Project sponsored by Lithuania Research Council; SIT-02/2015Nitrogen deposition data together with inland water parameters provide indirect message that nitrogen load might have effects on vegetation of Baltic States. There is much concern about eutrophication of the rivers, although information about riparian plant species, their physiology and genetic parameters is still poor. Reacting to elevated nitrogen in the environment, various macrophyte strategies (abundance-, architecture-related) might be developed. Plant productivity finally depends on processes ongoing in the leaves. Data about plant leaf saturation with nitrogen remains poor. Usually studies refer on Ellenberg indicatory values or other indirect parametrs. Present study is aimed at comparison of nitrogen concentration among populations of some riparian and river plant species of Lithuania (project sponsored by Lithuania Research Council; SIT-02/2015). Around 250 populations of riparian and water macrophytes were sampled along main river basins in Lithuania: Nemunas, Venta, Lielupė, Seafront. Very high levels of nitrogen were determined for the most spread riparian plants of Lithuania. Among the tested species the highest concentration was characteristic for Echinocystis lobata. Comparing populations within each species, in most cases the highest concentrations of nitrogen were documented for sites neighbouring Curonian Spit. Relations between population nitrogen data and genetic diversity also some environmental factos such as river regulation is discussed. Species nitrogen concentrations were related to land cover types of neighbouring areas, empoying 2-level hierarchcial Corine classification system. Based on plant nitrogen concentrations it could be assumed that present quantities of this element, entering riparian ecosystems are big enough to cause the spread of native and invasive nitrophilous speciesBiologijos katedraGamtos mokslų fakultetasGamtos tyrimų centrasVilniaus universitetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Vandens augalų rūšių azoto koncentracijų sąsajos su žemės dangos tipu ir kitais aplinkos veiksniais

Baltijos šalių azoto (N) iškritų duomenys kartu su sausumos vandenų rodikliais rodo, kad azoto apkrova gali lemti augmenijos pokyčius. Nors upių eutrofikacija yra plačiai analizuojama, vis dar trūksta informacijos apie pakrantės augalų rūšių fiziologinius rodiklius. Tyrimo tikslas – palyginti Lietuvos vandens pakrančių augalų rūšių populiacijų lapų azoto koncentracijų duomenis, juos susiejant su tyrimo vietoms pagal gretimų žemių dangos tipu ir naudojimo paskirtimi, taikant aplinkos informacijos koordinuotos sistemą (CORINE), upių būkle bei dydžiu, žemės ūkio intensyvumu 1991–1996 metais ir upių vagų keitimu. Tyrimo medžiagą surinkus per 2015 m. rugpjūčio mėn. pirmąjį dešimtadienį iš pagrindinių Lietuvos upių 241 vietos, buvo įvertintos plačiai paplitusių penkių pakrančių ir dviejų vandens augalų (natūralių ir invazinių) azoto koncentracijos. Analizėms naudoti augalų lapai, kurių azoto koncentracijos buvo nustatytos Kjeldalio metodu. Didžiausi (1,7 karto, p < 0,05) lapų azoto koncentracijos skirtumai tarp populiacijų nustatyti Lythrum salicaria. Pagal populiacijų lapų azoto koncentracijų (N % sausos masės, SM) vidutines vertes, tirtų rūšių augalai išdėstė taip: Lythrum salicaria (3,0) < Stuckenia pectinata (3,1) < Phalaris arundinacea (3,5) < Bidens frondosa (3,8) < Phragmites australis (4,0) < Nuphar lutea (4,1) < Echinocystis lobata (4,2). Iš esmės didesnės (p < 0,05) lapų azoto koncentracijos buvo nustatytos Lythrum salicaria populiacijų, augančių šalia mažų upių (3,4 % N SM) nei augančių šalia didelių upių (2,8 % N SM). Skirtingomis savybėmis pasižyminčiose upių vietose rinkti vandens augalai reikšmingai nesiskyrė pagal lapų azoto koncentracijas. [...]Nitrogen (N) deposition data, together with inland water parameters, provide evidence that N load may affect the vegetation of Baltic States. There is much concern about eutrophication of the rivers, although information about physiological parameters of riparian plant species is still poor. The present study is aimed at comparison of leaf N concentration among populations of aquatic plant species of Lithuania, relating N concentration data to the type of land cover (classification system of COoRdinate Information on the Environment, CORINE) in the neighbouring areas, river state and size, intensity of agriculture in 1991–1996, and natural vice versa regulated fragments of the riverbed. The leaf N concentrations of widely spread native and invasive species (5 riparian and 2 water plants) were estimated for 241 sites (collection time 1st ten-day period of August, 2015) of the main river catchments of Lithuania. Only leaf blades were used for analyses and N concentrations were determined by the Kjeldahl method. The biggest (1.7 times) variation (p < 0.05) in leaf N concentration among populations was documented for Lythrum salicaria. According to the mean values (N % of dry mass, DM) of the leaf N concentration, species could be arranged into following order: Lythrum salicaria (3.0) < Stuckenia pectinata (3.1) < Phalaris arundinacea(3.5) < Bidens frondosa (3.8) < Phragmites australis (4.0) < Nuphar lutea (4.1) < Echinocystis lobata (4.2). Significantly higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of leaf N were found for L. salicaria populations growing near the small rivers (3.4% N DM) compared to the large ones (2.8% N DM). Other selected river and its environment parameters in most cases did not have significant effect on leaf N concentrations of aquatic plants of Lithuania. [...]Aplinkos tyrimų centrasBiologijos katedraGamtos mokslų fakultetasGamtos tyrimų centrasMatematikos ir statistikos katedraVilniaus Gedimino technikos universitetasVilniaus universitetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta