ORGANOCHLORINE CONTAMINATION IN SEDIMENTS COLLECTED FROM A RURAL-, URBAN- AND INDUSTRIAL-IMPACTED AQUATIC SYSTEM (DANUBE, SERBIA)

The spatial distribution of various organochlorinated compounds (PCBs and ОCPs (DDTs, HCB, and HCHs)) were investigated in sediments of Serbia\u27s stretch of the Danube River. The obtained concentrations appeared to be relatively low in comparison with other river sediments worldwide. The results demonstrated a wide range of concentrations (µg/kg dry weight) with the following decreasing order: Σ6DDTs (0.70 - 16.65) > Σ 7PCBs (0.25 - 3.54) > Σ 5HCH (0.04 - 2.28) > HCB (0.06 - 0.62), with a dominance of o,p’ -DDT. Relatively higher ΣDDT concentrations and high DDT/DDE + DDD ratios in two sampling locations near the industrial cities indicates a current DDT usage, probably linked to public health concerns. Compositional analyses indicated that hexa- and hepta-PCBs were dominant for PCBs. Our results indicated that the contamination with PCBs came from nonpoint deposition, such as atmospheric contribution and surface runoff, for lightly chlorinated congeners and point source deposition, such as the industrial sources along river flow, for highly chlorinated congeners, whereas OCPs originate mainly from old residues and new usage of pesticides in agriculture and aquaculture. These results contribute to the sparse regional database for organochlorinated compounds in the Danube basin

Exploring new horizons and sustainable technologies for highly efficient wastewater remediation and decontamination: Multifunctional biochar

The occurrence of different toxic organic and inorganic contaminants in water is an environmental issue that must be addressed to avoid damage to ecosystems and human health. Inspired by this current issue, in this work, we have fabricated multifunctional biochar and activated carbons capable for highly efficient capture, identification and removal of toxic metals, radionuclides, emerging, priority and hazardous priority substances from water samples. To find facile, eco friendly and cost-effective routes for developing multifunctional materials, which have the capability to resolve many of the challenges associated with wastewater problem, here, we report: The novel design and synthesis details of multifunctional biochar and activated carbons which precursors were lignocellulosic raw materials (sweet/sour cherry, apricot and plum kernels) as fruit processing industry waste [1]; Characterization of multifunctional materials performed by elemental analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Brunauer, Emmett and Taller technique [2]; Detailed evaluation of their capability for highly efficient separation of heavy metals ions (Pb2+, Cd2+, Ni2+), chlorophenols, pharmaceutical compounds (sulfamethoxazole, carbamazepine, diclofenac, naproxen, ketoprofen and ibuprofen) and radionuclides; The batch studies performed by varying different process conditions: the initial pH of the water solution, adsorbent dosage, contact time, temperature and initial adsorbate concentrations; The time dependant adsorption results fitted to four diffusion and four reaction kinetic models; Equilibrium data fitted to three isotherm models (for better insight into the adsorption process); Calculated thermodynamic parameters of the process: Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy; The best conditions for achieving maximum efficiency of biochar, a carbonrich low-cost by-product of naturally abundant waste biomass, which exhibits heterogeneous surface chemistry and strong binding affinity via oxygen-containing group on the surface [3]; Desorption and regeneration study results; Two-stage CSTR reactor design for the real samples treatment; Eco-design of the multifunctional materials production process [4]; Life cycle assessment, comparative adsorption study and cost analysis of the process [4]. Performed study showed encouraging results that are highly beneficial for the development of alternative wastewater management technologies, as well as for modern organic waste disposal solution. Fabricated multifunctional biochar and activated carbons were found to be a promising low-cost and eco-friendly solution for the removal of wide range of micropollutants from aqueous waste as part of sustainable technology involving slurry reactors

Water for all : Proceedings of the 7th international scientific and professional conference Water for all

The 7th International Scientific and Professional Conference Water for all is organized to honour the World Water Day by the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG), Danube Parks, Croatian Food Agency, Croatian Water, Faculty of Food Technology Osijek, Faculty of Agriculture in Osijek, Faculty of Civil Engineering Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek Department of Chemistry, Nature Park “Kopački rit”, Osijek- Baranja County, Public Health Institute of the Osijek- Baranja County and „Vodovod-Osijek“ -water supply company in Osijek. The topic of World Water Day 2017 was "Wastewater" emphasizing the importance and influence of wastewater treatments on global environment. The international scientific and professional conference Water for all is a gathering of scientists and experts in the field of water management, including chemists, biologists, civil and agriculture engineers, with a goal to remind people about the significance of fresh water and to promote an interdisciplinary approach and sustainability for fresh water resource management. The Conference has been held since 2011. About 300 scientists and engineers submitted 95 abstracts to the 7th International Scientific and Professional Conference Water for all, out of which 33 was presented orally and 62 as posters. 47 full papers were accepted by the Scientific Committee. 38 full papers became the part of the this Proceedings while 9 papers were accepted for publication in Croatian Journal of Food Science and Technology and Electronic Journal of the Faculty of Civil Engineering Osijek - e-GFOS

The Significance of Motor Skills Development in Disadvantaged Pupils

The aim of the study presented in this paper was to determine the relationship between disadvantaged children’s academic performance and development of their motor skills. First-graders were in the focus of this research, the aim of which was to shed light on the unequal opportunities that children have from the very first day of primary school. The differences in the level of physical development and motor performance between disadvantaged children and other children were compared and analysed. The aim of the research was also to determine, if statistically significant differences were identified, how much the disadvantaged children lagged behind the majority children. Data collection was performed among 15 first-graders attending a primary school in Horgoš who were categorised as disadvantaged by the school psychologist and the pedagogue. The control group measurement was conducted on 18 randomly selected first-graders who were not categorised as disadvantaged. Based on the research results, the quality of physical education, its frequency and adequate content prove to be of high importance for the disadvantaged children. It can be concluded that the development of motor skills contributes not only to the optimal development of basic competences needed for a successful performance at school, but also to the development of the social competences

Exploring new horizons and sustainable technologies for highly efficient wastewater remediation and decontamination: Multifunctional biochar

The occurrence of different toxic organic and inorganic contaminants in water is an environmental issue that must be addressed to avoid damage to ecosystems and human health. Inspired by this current issue, in this work, we have fabricated multifunctional biochar and activated carbons capable for highly efficient capture, identification and removal of toxic metals, radionuclides, emerging, priority and hazardous priority substances from water samples. To find facile, eco friendly and cost-effective routes for developing multifunctional materials, which have the capability to resolve many of the challenges associated with wastewater problem, here, we report: The novel design and synthesis details of multifunctional biochar and activated carbons which precursors were lignocellulosic raw materials (sweet/sour cherry, apricot and plum kernels) as fruit processing industry waste [1]; Characterization of multifunctional materials performed by elemental analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Brunauer, Emmett and Taller technique [2]; Detailed evaluation of their capability for highly efficient separation of heavy metals ions (Pb2+, Cd2+, Ni2+), chlorophenols, pharmaceutical compounds (sulfamethoxazole, carbamazepine, diclofenac, naproxen, ketoprofen and ibuprofen) and radionuclides; The batch studies performed by varying different process conditions: the initial pH of the water solution, adsorbent dosage, contact time, temperature and initial adsorbate concentrations; The time dependant adsorption results fitted to four diffusion and four reaction kinetic models; Equilibrium data fitted to three isotherm models (for better insight into the adsorption process); Calculated thermodynamic parameters of the process: Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy; The best conditions for achieving maximum efficiency of biochar, a carbonrich low-cost by-product of naturally abundant waste biomass, which exhibits heterogeneous surface chemistry and strong binding affinity via oxygen-containing group on the surface [3]; Desorption and regeneration study results; Two-stage CSTR reactor design for the real samples treatment; Eco-design of the multifunctional materials production process [4]; Life cycle assessment, comparative adsorption study and cost analysis of the process [4]. Performed study showed encouraging results that are highly beneficial for the development of alternative wastewater management technologies, as well as for modern organic waste disposal solution. Fabricated multifunctional biochar and activated carbons were found to be a promising low-cost and eco-friendly solution for the removal of wide range of micropollutants from aqueous waste as part of sustainable technology involving slurry reactors

Removal of benzotriazole derivatives by biochar

Benzotriazole and its derivatives (BTAs) are commonly present in wastewater due to their extensive use in industrial processes, yet their removal is still unexplored. Here, we test the removal of these pollutants using two functionalised biochars, synthesised from wild plum (WpOH) and apricot (AsPhA) kernels. The aim of this work was to optimise the adsorption process against various BTAs (i.e., benzotriazole (BTZ), 4-hydroxy-1H-benzotriazole (OHBZ), 4-methyl-1H-benzotriazole (4 MBZ), 5-methyl-1H-benzotriazole (5 MBZ), 5-chloro-1H-benzotriazole (ClBZ), 5,6-dimethyl-1H-benzotriazole (DMBZ)), and determine the adsorption mechanisms at play, using real wastewater matrices. Batch studies showed that the optimal adsorption pH ranged between 4 and 6 for WpOH and AsPhA, respectively, and equilibrium was reached after 240 min. The kinetic models that best described the adsorption process were in the following order: Elovich model > pseudo-second order model > pseudo-first order model. The equilibrium data showed the highest correlation with the Freundlich isotherm, indicating multilayer adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained in mixtures was 379 mg/g on WpOH and 526 mg/g on AsPhA. The mechanistic work revealed that the BTAs became bound to the biochar primarily through H-bonding, n-π and π-π EDA interactions. In wastewater, obtained before and after conventional treatment, the concentration of OHBZ and BTZ was reduced by >40%, while the concentration of the other compounds studied fell below the detection limit (∼2.0–90 ng/L). Finally, using a Vibrio fischeri assay, we showed that adsorption onto AsPhA significantly reduced the relative toxicity of both raw and treated wastewater