Non-dioxin-like PCBs in ten different fish species from the Danube river in Serbia

This work has been developed to examine the level of non-dioxin-like (ndl) PCBs (28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180) in (a) ten different freshwater fish species from the Danube river, (b) two sampling points: up and downstream of the industrial zone of the city of Pancevo (ecological hot spot in Serbia) and (c) two time points i.e., in 2001 and 2006. Obtained results would serve to analyse spatial, temporal and congener profile characteristics of ndl PCBs cumulated in fish tissues due to environmental pollution. Sixty-four samples of the following species were collected: wels (Silirus glanus), pike (Esox lucius), bream (Abramis brama), crucian carp (Carassius carassius), pike pearch (Stizostedion lucioperca), barbel (Barbus barbus), tench (Tinca tinca), sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus L.), common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis). Gas chromatography coupled with electron capture detector was used for analysis of ndl PCBs. Total ndl PCBs content in upstream samples ranged from 2.7 to 98.1 ng/g and from 4.9 to 68.3 ng/g in 2001 and 2006, respectively. During the 5 years, ndl PCBs content increased significantly in downstream samples i.e., ndl PCBs varied from 13.7 to 46.1 ng/g and from 14.4 to 107.2 ng/g in 2001 and 2006, respectively. PCBs 138 and 180 were predominant congeners in 2001, while in 2006 the most abundant PCB congeners were 138 and 153. In 2006, the presence of PCB 28 and PCB 52 has indicated a recent contamination event. Data on continual monitoring of PCBs in all relevant environmental compartments together with appropriate biomonitoring data are expected to give comprehensive insight into the fate and behaviour profile of these contaminants.     

Implications of oxidative stress in occupational exposure to lead on a cellular level

The aim of this study was to determine oxidative alterations leading to cellular dysfunctions in Pb-exposed subjects by evaluating damage to all major classes of biomolecules in the cell, lipid peroxidation, protein and DNA damage and determine relationships between parameters of Pb toxicity and specific biomarkers of oxidative damage.

Analysis was conducted of smelter workers with high blood Pb and urine aminolevulinic acid levels and slightly elevated values of coproporphyrin and erythrocyte protoporphyrin IX. Significant decreases of thiol groups and increases in carbonyl groups as protein degradation end products, and of nitrite were detected. Elevated rates of lipid peroxidation and rises in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes Cu–Zn superoxide dismutase and catalase were also observed. Both enzymes showed positive correlations with the blood lead levels and urine coproporphyrin, while thiol groups correlated negatively with the same indices. The genotoxic potential of lead was manifested through an increased number of DNA-damaged cells. Increased activities of serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes indicated cellular damage in the lungs, kidneys, and liver. These lead-induced impairments should be taken into consideration in the assessment of Pb-related health hazards.     

Characterization of dioxin-like contamination in soil and sediments from the ��hot spot�� area of petrochemical plant in Pancevo (Serbia)

Purpose

Combinatorial bio/chemical approach was applied to investigate dioxin-like contamination of soil and sediment at the petrochemical and organochlorine plant in Pancevo, Serbia, after the destruction of manufacturing facilities that occurred in the spring of 1999 and subsequent remediation actions.

Materials and methods

Soil samples were analyzed for indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by gas chromatography/electron capture detection (GC/ECD). Prioritized soil sample and sediment samples from the waste water channel were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) by high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Microethoxyresorufin o-deethylase (Micro-EROD) and H4IIE?Cluciferase bioassays were used for monitoring of dioxin-like compounds (DLC) and for better characterization of dioxin-like activity of soil samples.

Results

Bioanalytical results indicated high dioxin-like activity in one localized soil sample, while the chemical analysis confirmed the presence of large quantities of DLC: 3.0?×?10⁵ ng/g d.w. of seven-key PCBs, 8.2 ng/g d.w. of PCDD/Fs, and 3.0?×?10⁵ ng/g d.w. of planar and mono-ortho PCBs. In the sediment, contaminant concentrations were in the range 2?C8 ng/g d.w. of PCDD/Fs and 9?C20 ng/g d.w. of PCBs.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the utility of combined application of bioassays and instrumental analysis, especially for developing and transition country which do not have capacity of the expensive instrumental analysis. The results indicate the high contamination of soil in the area of petrochemical plant, and PCDD/Fs contamination of the sediment from the waste water channel originating from the ethylene dichloride production.     

Depleted uranium mobility and fractionation in contaminated soil (Southern Serbia)

GOAL, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: During the Balkan conflict in 1999, soil in contaminated areas was enriched in depleted uranium (DU) isotopic signature, relative to the in-situ natural uranium present. After the military activities, most of kinetic DU penetrators or their fragments remained buried in the ground in certain geomorphological and geochemical environments exposed to local weathering conditions. The contamination distribution, mobility and/or fixation of DU in the contaminated soil profile at one hot spot were the subject of our study. The results should disclose what happened with released DU corrosion products in three years elapsed, given the scope of their geochemical fractionation, and mark out the most probable host substrates in investigated soil type. METHODS: Gamma-spectrometric analysis of soil samples taken in the DU penetrator impact-zone was done to obtain present contamination levels. Set of samples is subjected to five-step and three-step sequential extraction procedures, specifically selective to different physical/chemical associations in soil. The stable elements are determined in extracts by the atomic absorption spectroscopy. After the ion-exchange based uranium separation procedure, alpha-spectrometric analysis of obtained fractions was done and DU distribution in five extraction phases found from 235U/238U and 234U/238U isotopic ratios. RESULTS: Depleted uranium concentration falls down to the 1% of the initial value, at approximately 150 mm distance to the source. Carbonates and iron/manganese hydrous oxides are indicated as the most probable substrates for depleted uranium in the characterized soil type. Therefore, in the highly contaminated soil samples, depleted uranium is still weakly bonded and easy exchangeable. The significant levels of organic-bonded depleted uranium are found in surface soil only. DISCUSSION: Dependence of the fractionation on the contamination levels is evident. Samples with higher DU contents have shown a longer maintenance in the exchangeable phases, probably because adsorption/desorption mass transfer through the medium was not very fast. Organic-bonded, depleted uranium is present in surface soil samples due to its higher humus content. Considering geochemical composition of investigated soil, the indicating chemical associations as substrates are in agreement with some considerations based on the results for low-level waste unsaturated zones. CONCLUSIONS: The soil contamination with depleted uranium in investigated area is still 'spot' type and not widespread. Dependence of the fractionation on the contamination levels and presence of weakly bonded, depleted uranium in the hot spots areas is evident. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: A detailed study may be undertaken with suitable extractive reagents to define a bio-available fraction of depleted uranium in soil. The comparison of results for different soil types investigated by the same methodology may be useful. An applied combination of physical/chemical procedures and analysis may help in the decision making on the remediation strategy for sites contaminated with depleted uranium used in military operations.     

Radionuclides and heavy metals in Borovac,Southern Serbia

BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE: The paper presents the complex approach to the assessment of the state of the environment in Southern Serbia, surroundings of Bujanovac, the region which is of great concern as being exposed to contamination by depleted uranium (DU) ammunition during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) attacks in 1999. It includes studies on concentrations of radionuclides and heavy metals in different environmental samples 5 years after the military actions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In October 2004, samples of soil, grass, lichen, moss, honey, and water were collected at two sites, in the immediate vicinity of the targeted area and 5 km away from it. Radionuclide ((7)Be, (40)K, (137)Cs, (210)Pb, (226)Ra, (232)Th, (235)U, (238)U) activities in solid samples were determined by standard gamma spectrometry and total alpha and beta activity in water was determined by proportional alpha-beta counting. Concentrations of 35 elements were determined in the samples of soil, moss, grass, and lichen by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). RESULTS: The results are discussed in the context of a possible contamination by DU that reached the environment during the attacks as well as in the context of an environmental pollution by radionuclides and heavy metals in Southern Serbia. The results are compared to the state of environment in the region and other parts of the country both prior to and following the attacks. DISCUSSION: This is the first comprehensive study of the contents of radionuclides and heavy metals in Southern Serbia and consequently highly important for the assessment of the state of environment in this part of the country concerning possible effects of DU ammunition on the environment, as well as anthropogenic source of pollution by radionuclides and heavy metals and other elements. Also, the highly sensitive method of INAA was used for the first time to analyze the environmental samples from this area. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study of radionuclides in the samples of soils, leaves, grass, moss, lichen, honey, and water in Southern Serbia (Bujanovac) gave no evidence of the DU contamination of the environment 5 years after the military actions in 1999. Activities of radionuclides in soils were within the range of the values obtained in the other parts of the country and within the global average. The ratio of uranium isotopes confirmed the natural origin of uranium. In general, concentrations of heavy metals in the samples of soils, plant leaves, mosses, and lichen are found to be less or in the lower range of values found in other parts of the country, in spite of the differences in plant and moss species or soil characteristics. Possible sources of heavy metal contamination were identified as a power coal plant in the vicinity of the sampling sites and wood and waste burning processes. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: The collected data should provide a base for the health risk assessments on animals and humans in the near future. It should be emphasized that the sampling was carried out 5 years after the military action and that the number of samples was limited; therefore, the conclusions should be accepted only as observed tendencies and a detailed study should be recommended in the future.     

Mercury levels in dental surgeries and dental personnel in Slovenia

The level of mercury exposure in Slovenian dental practice was studied by measurement of air mercury levels in 63 surgeries and by analysis of the mercury content in blood and urine samples of professionally exposed and control groups (total of 77 participants).

The mean ambiental mercury concentration for all investigated surgeries was 2.8 ug Hg/m³ (range: 0.4–8.2), which is considerably below the health-based occupational exposure limit of 25 ug/m³. No significant relationships between age or type of surgeries, or the time during the working day and the air mercury levels were found.

The mean value for mercury in blood was 3.0 ng Hg/g (range: 0.9–7.7), which can be considered as the normal range for the general population. The occupational profile of the workers, years in the profession, as well as sex, showed a nonsignificant effect on blood mercury.

Urinary mercury levels were also low. Only 3 of 44 values exceeded 15 ng Hg/g. No influence of sex or occupational profile was found; however, a significant negative linear relationship (r=−0.473; P=0.0012) was observed between the concentration of mercury in urine and years in the profession.

The data indicate good mercury hygiene in Slovenian dentistry.     

Elimination of ammonia interference in acidimetric determination of sulphur dioxide

Ammonia interference in acidimetric determination of sulphur dioxide can be eliminated by separate determination of ammonia in the same sample and by correction of results. However, with this addition the procedure is no longer simple.To avoid two separate determinations a selective absorption of ammonia from the air stream before it enters the absorbent solution for SO₂ has been considered. Several absorbents used to remove or to collect ammonia for subsequent determination were tested in the laboratory. Whatman No. 1 (or 41) filter papers impregnated with 3% oxalic acid solution in ethanol proved to be the most efficient for ammonia retention without an effect on SO₂. In a comparative testing over 52 days at a permanent sampling station no statistically significant difference was observed between two trains with impregnated filters and a third train where correction for ammonia, separately determined in the same sample, was performed.Regression analysis, however, showed that the results obtained in the third train are more dispersed due to accumulated errors in two analyses at low concentration levels further aggravated by conversion of ammonia to equivalent SO₂ concentrations. The removal of ammonia with impregnated filters gives better precision with less inconvenience and is therefore preferable.     

Evaluation of the levels and sources of trace elements in urban particulate matter

An assessment of air quality of Belgrade, Serbia, was performed by determining the trace element content in airborne daily PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 samples collected from a central urban area. The ambient concentrations of Zn were the highest in PM_2.5 (1,998.0 ng m⁻³). Multivariate receptor modelling (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) has been applied to determine the contribution of different sources of specific metallic components in airborne particles. The obtained results showed that vehicle traffic and fossil fuel combustion in stationary objects were the main sources of trace metals in Belgrade urban aerosols.     

Modeling of policies for reduction of GHG emissions in energy sector using ANN: case study—Croatia (EU)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study describes the development of tool for testing different policies for reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in energy sector using...     

First assessment of the PM<Subscript>10</Subscript> and PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> particulate level in the ambient air of belgrade city

INTENTION, GOAL, SCOPE, BACKGROUND: As the strong negative health effect of exposure to the inhalable particulate matter PM10 in the urban environment has been confirmed, the study of the mass concentrations, physico-chemical characteristics, sources, as well as spatial and temporal variation of atmospheric aerosol particles becomes very important. OBJECTIVE: This work is a pilot study to assess the concentration level of ambient suspended particulate matter, with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 microm, in the Belgrade central urban area. Average daily concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 have been measured at three representative points in the city between June 2002 and December 2002. The influence of meteorological parameters on PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations was analyzed, and possible pollution sources were identified. METHODS: Suspended particles were collected on Pure Teflon filters by using a Mini-Vol low-volume air sampler (Airmetrics Co., Inc.; 5 l min(-1) flow rate). Particle mass was determined gravimetrically after 48 h of conditioning in a desiccator, in a Class 100 clean room at the temperature T = 20 degrees C and at about 50% constant relative humidity (RH). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Analysis of the PM10 data indicated a marked difference between season without heating--(summer; mean value 56 microg m(-3)) and heating season--(winter; mean value 96 microg m3); 62% of samples exceeded the level of 50 microg m(-3). The impact of meteorological factors on PM concentrations was not immediately apparent, but there was a significant negative correlation with the wind speed. CONCLUSIONS: The PM10 and PM2.5 mass concentrations in the Belgrade urban area had high average values (77 microg m(-3) and 61 microg m(-3)) in comparison with other European cities. The main sources of particulate matter were traffic emission, road dust resuspension, and individual heating emissions. When the air masses are coming from the SW direction, the contribution from the Obrenovac power plants is evident. During days of exceptionally severe pollution, in both summer and winter periods, high production of secondary aerosols occurred, as can be seen from an increase in PM2.5 in respect to PM10 mass concentration. RECOMMENDATION AND OUTLOOK: The results obtained gave us the first impression of the concentration level of particulate matter, with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 microm, in the Belgrade ambient air. Due to measured high PM mass concentrations, it is obvious that it would be very difficult to meet the EU standards (EEC 1999) by 2010. It is necessary to continue with PM10 and PM2.5 sampling; and after comprehensive analysis which includes the results of chemical and physical characterization of particles, we will be able to recommend effective control measures in order to improve air quality in Belgrade.