Application of Nature-Based Solutions in Serbian Protected Area Management for the Attainment of Sustainable Development Goals

Healthy natural ecosystems, such as protected areas (PA), support and sustain biodiversity and human well-being by providing essential ecosystem services and health benefits. However, maintaining such ecosystems to provide these environmental benefits becomes a more and more challenging issue with climate changes, biodiversity loss, land degradation and the continued erosion of the natural capital, particularly in the developing world. The main objective of this research is to establish a methodology for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 “Life on Land”. The methodology will include the determination of heavy metals in soil and needle samples, and questioners for different stakeholders: local people, local businesses, government, civil society organizations (CSO), and the academic community. Soils are integral components of protected area ecosystems. Soil health has been defined as “the capacity of soil to function as a vital living system, within an ecosystem and land-use boundaries, to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and promote plant and animal health” [1]. This definition speaks to the importance of managing soils, so they remain sustainable for future generations. On the other hand, the conifer needles are good bioindicators of ecosystem conditions. The questioner will allow obtaining data about the social and economic benefits of the PAs. The soil and needle samples from four protected areas in Serbia (Zlatibor, Golija, Tara, Đerdap) were analyzed using Inductively coupled plasma –optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). Quantitative pollution indices were calculated (Enrichment factor (EF), Contamination factor (Cf), Geoaccumulation index (Igeo), Pollution load index (PLI), and Degree of contamination (Cd)), since they are effective tools for converting the raw environmental data into information relevant to support decision-making [2]. Results of this study provide a scientifically-based overview of the conditions of soil health and health of the forest ecosystem and help to propose nature-based solutions (NBS) for enhancing the sustainability of management, especially in the context of improving ecosystem services and climate change adaptation and mitigation. NBS provide affordable, sustainable, and feasible benefits that contribute to improving soil quality and support several ecosystem services relevant to support public health and social well-being [4]. Results of this study use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 15 “Life on Land” as a global framework for establishing the partnership between PA managers, conservationists and local authorities that would enhance health and increase environmental, social and economic benefits of the PAs

Environmental Impact Assessment of the Nuclear Reactor in Vinca, Based on the Data on Emission of Radioactivity from the Literature - a Modeling Approach

Research activities of Vinca Institite have been based on two heavy water research reactors: a 10 MW one, RA, and zero power, RB. Reactor RA was operational from 1962 to 1982. In 2010, spent fuel has been sent to the country of origin, and the reactor now is in decommissioning. During the operational phase of the reactor there were no recorded accidental releases into the environment, only operational ones. Results of the environmental impact assessment of the assumed emission of radionuclides from the ventilation of nuclear reactor RA in Vinca to the atmospheric boundary layer are presented in this paper. Evaluation was done by using the Gaussian straight-line diffusion model and taking into account characteristics of the reactor ventilation system, the assumed emission release of radioactivity (from the literature), site-specific meteorological data for six-year period and local topography around nuclear reactor, and corresponding dose factors for inventory of radionuclides. Based on the described approach, and assuming that the range of appropriate meteorological data for six year period for the application of described mathematical model is enough for this kind of analysis, it can be concluded that the nuclear reactor RA, in the course of its work from 1962 to 1982, had no influence on the surrounding environment through the air above regulatory limits

Impact of Informal Settlements on the Environment in Southeast Europe – A Review

Impact of Informal Settlements on the Environment in Southeast Europe – A Review. International scientific conference Environmental impact of illegal construction, poor planning and design IMPEDE 201

Environmental impact assessment of the nuclear reactor at Vinca, based on the data on emission of radioactivity from the literature: A modeling approach

Research activities of Vinca Institite have been based on two heavy water research reactors: 10 MW one, RA and zero power RB. Reactor RA was operational from 1962 to 1982. In 2010, spent fuel have been sent to the country of origin, and reactor now is in decommissioning. During operational phase of the reactor there were no recorded accidental releases into the environment just operational ones. Results of the environmental impact assessment, of the assumed emission of radionuclides, from the ventilation of nuclear reactor "RA" in Vinca, to the atmospheric boundary layer are presented in this paper. Evaluation was done by using the Gaussian straight-line diffusion model and taking into account characteristics of the reactor ventilation system, the assumed emission release of radioactivity (from the literature), site-specific meteorological data for six-year period and local topography around nuclear reactor, and corresponding dose factors for inventory of radionuclides. Based on the described approach, and assuming that the range of appropriate meteorological data for six year period for the application of described mathematical model is enough for this kind of analysis, it can be concluded that the nuclear reactor "RA", in the course of its work from 1962 to 1982, had no influence on the surrounding environment through the air above regulatory limits. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 45003

Mathematical modeling of total dose to a hypothetical resident in the environment of nuclear facility by contamination through the atmosphere

This paper presents an algorithm for the calculation of internal and external doses, which is an integral part of the mathematical model of atmospheric dispersion. Results of modeling were compared with values from an IAEA publication for a given scenario of radionuclide emission to the atmospheric boundary layer. Due to small differences in the results, compared to the IAEA recommended model, model presented in the paper can be used as a basis for this type of analysis. In order to illustrate the application of this mathematical model (atmospheric dispersion + module for the calculation of radiation doses), using data of the hypothetical emission of radionuclides,, ventilation parameters, then 3D topography and meteorological data, field of total annual dose received by a hypothetical resident in the vicinity of the reactor, during its routine operation over one-year period is presented

Mathematical modeling of total dose to a hypothetical resident in the environment of nuclear facility by contamination through the atmosphere

This paper presents an algorithm for the calculation of internal and external doses, which is an integral part of the mathematical model of atmospheric dispersion. Results of modeling were compared with values from an IAEA publication for a given scenario of radionuclide emission to the atmospheric boundary layer. Due to small differences in the results, compared to the IAEA recommended model, model presented in the paper can be used as a basis for this type of analysis. In order to illustrate the application of this mathematical model (atmospheric dispersion + module for the calculation of radiation doses), using data of the hypothetical emission of radionuclides,, ventilation parameters, then 3D topography and meteorological data, field of total annual dose received by a hypothetical resident in the vicinity of the reactor, during its routine operation over one-year period is presented

Amendment Type and Dose Effects onto Coexisting Copper, Lead, and Nickel Ions Distribution in Soil

The use of soil additives for toxic metals chemical stabilization aims to decrease in situ the pollutants' mobility and availability. In this study, the effectiveness of rinsed red mud (RBRM) and annealed animal bones (B400) was compared in terms of Cu, Pb and Ni stabilization in two contaminated soils with contrasting properties Dystric Cambisol (CM dy) and Rendzic Leptosol (LP rz). The mobility of metals in unamended soil samples (control) and samples amended with 1% and 5% of selected additives were compared using sequential extraction protocol. The relative content of metals in readily and potentially available fractions was higher in CM dy (62% Pb, 13% Cu, and 31% Ni in exchangeable fraction) than in LP rz ( lt 5% of Pb, Cu, Ni in exchangeable fraction). In CM dy, both additives have caused a decrease in metal mobility with an increase of their doses. The effect of 5% sorbent addition was most pronounced related to Pb immobilization, provoking decrease of exchangeable Pb content to lt 10%. Furthermore, B400 addition has redistributed investigated metals from the exchangeable to the residual phase more effectively than RBRM, and its effect on metal mobility decreased in the order Pb gt Cu gt Ni. Amending of LP rz soil had limited effects with no apparent decrease in exchangeable metal content. The effects of soil type variation, the type of additive and the additive dose onto metal mobility were compared according to ANOVA results. The content of readily and potentially available forms of metals was found to be (i) significantly correlated with all investigated variables for Pb, (ii) significantly correlated with soil type for Cu, and (iii) not in significant correlation with selected variables for Ni. Complex impacts of soil properties and treatment conditions on the mobility of co-contaminants emphasize the need for an individual approach to each case of contamination