Antimicrobial activity of metal oxide nanoparticles supported onto natural clinoptilolite

The antimicrobial activity of Cu₂O, ZnO and NiO nanoparticles supported onto natural clinoptilolite was investigated in the secondary effluent under dark conditions. After 24 h of contact the Cu₂O and ZnO nanoparticles reduced the numbers of viable bacterial cells of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in pure culture for four to six orders of magnitude and showed consistent 100% of antibacterial activity against native E. coli after 1 h of contact during 48 exposures. The antibacterial activity of NiO nanoparticles was less efficient. The Cu₂O and NiO nanoparticles showed 100% of antiprotozoan activity against Paramecium caudatum and Euplotes affinis after 1 h of contact, while ZnO nanoparticles were less efficient. The morphology and crystallinity of the nanoparticles were not affected by microorganisms. The metal oxide nanoparticles could find a novel application in the disinfection of secondary effluent and removal of pathogenic microorganisms in the tertiary stage of wastewater treatment.     

Determination of concentration factors for Cs-137 and Ra-226 in the mullet species Chelon labrosus (Mugilidae) from the South Adriatic Sea

Concentration factors for Cs-137 and Ra-226 transfer from seawater, and dried sediment or mud with detritus, have been determined for whole, fresh weight, Chelon labrosus individuals and selected organs. Cesium was detected in 5 of 22 fish individuals, and its activity ranged from 1.0 to 1.6 Bq kg⁻¹. Radium was detected in all fish, and ranged from 0.4 to 2.1 Bq kg⁻¹, with an arithmetic mean of 1.0 Bq kg⁻¹. In regards to fish organs, cesium activity concentration was highest in muscles (maximum - 3.7 Bq kg⁻¹), while radium was highest in skeletons (maximum - 25 Bq kg⁻¹). Among cesium concentration factors, those for muscles were the highest (from seawater - an average of 47, from sediment - an average of 3.3, from mud with detritus - an average of 0.8). Radium concentration factors were the highest for skeleton (from seawater - an average of 130, from sediment - an average of 1.8, from mud with detritus - an average of 1.5). Additionally, annual intake of cesium and radium by human adults consuming muscles of this fish species has been estimated to provide, in aggregate, an effective dose of about 4.1 μSv y⁻¹.     

Toxicity of abamectin and doramectin to soil invertebrates

This study aimed at determining the toxicity of avermectins to soil invertebrates in soil and in faeces from recently treated sheep. Abamectin was more toxic than doramectin. In soil, earthworms (Eisenia andrei) were most affected with LC50s of 18 and 228 mg/kg dry soil, respectively, while LC50s were 67-111 and >300 mg/kg for springtails (Folsomia candida), isopods (Porcellio scaber) and enchytraeids (Enchytraeus crypticus). EC50s for the effect on reproduction of springtails and enchytraeids were 13 and 38 mg/kg, respectively for abamectin, and 42 and 170 mg/kg for doramectin. For earthworms, NOEC was 10 and 8.4 mg/kg for abamectin and doramectin effects on body weight. When exposed in faeces, springtails and enchytraeids gave LC50s and EC50s of 1.0-1.4 and 0.94-1.1 mg/kg dry faeces for abamectin and 2.2->2.4 mg/kg for doramectin. Earthworm reproduction was not affected. This study indicates a potential risk of avermectins for soil invertebrates colonizing faeces from recently treated sheep.     

A field study of interfacial friction and entrainment in a microtidal salt-wedge estuary

Environmental Fluid Mechanics - The interfacial friction and entrainment were investigated in a microtidal salt-wedge estuary. A detailed sampling campaign was conducted in the Rječina River...     

Forests in common: Learning from diversity of community forest arrangements in Europe

Europe has a wealth of community forest arrangements. This paper aims to transcend the diversity of locally specific terms and forms, to highlight the value of considering them inclusively. Building on methods to make sense of diversity, we use reflexive grounded inquiry in fifteen cases in Italy, Scotland, Slovenia and Sweden. Within four dimensions (forest, community, relationships between them, and relationships with wider society), we identify 43 subdimensions to describe them collectively. Our approach shows how European arrangements contribute to wider discourses of collective natural resource management. Both tradition and innovation in Europe inform options for environmental governance. Arrangements challenge the distinction between ‘communities of place’ and ‘communities of interest’, with implications for social and environmental justice. They exemplify multilevel environmental governance through both vertical and horizontal connections. Emerging from long histories of political and environmental pressures, they have a role in enhancing society’s connection with nature and adaptive capacity.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13280-020-01377-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorised users.     

Assessment of multiple anthropogenic contaminants and their potential genotoxicity in the aquatic environment of Plitvice Lakes National Park,Croatia

In this study, the influence of anthropogenic pollution on the aquatic environment of Plitvice Lakes National Park (PLNP) was investigated during 2011–2012 using a combination of chemical and cytogenetic analyses. Four groups of major contaminants [(volatile organic compounds: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX); persistent organochlorine pollutants: organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); major and trace elements; anthropogenic radionuclides (⁹⁰Sr, ¹³⁴Cs, and ¹³⁷Cs)] were determined in three aquatic compartments (water, sediment, fish). Mass fractions of inorganic constituents in different compartments reflected the geological background of the area, indicating their origin from predominantly natural sources. Levels of volatile and persistent organic compounds in water and fish, respectively, were very low, at levels typical for remote pristine areas. Analysis of anthropogenic radionuclides in water and sediment revealed elevated activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs in water, and measurable ¹³⁴Cs in the upper sediment layers from April 2011, possibly as a consequence of the Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011. The potential genotoxicity of river and lake water and lake sediment was assessed under laboratory conditions using the alkaline comet assay on human peripheral blood lymphocytes, and measured levels of primary DNA damage were within acceptable boundaries. The results showed that despite the protected status of the park, anthropogenic impact exists in both its terrestrial and aquatic components. Although contaminant levels were low, further monitoring is recommended to make sure that they will not rise and cause potentially hazardous anthropogenic impacts.     

Minimization of blank values of the miniature silica gel column

Several methods involving silica gel separations of polychlorinated biphenyls from chlorinated insecticides are already described in literature. Our intention was to find a system of solvent and silica gel of the lowest blank values. The first step was to find a solvent mixture which will keep the homogenity of a silica gel column. PCBs elution was performed with pentane, while the chlorinated insecticides eluated with diethylether, acetone, methanol, and benzene. The elution of pesticides gave the best results for the following solvent systems: diethylether + hexane (1:1), acetone + hexane (1:4), methanole + pentane (1:8) and benzene.Separation of pesticides from polychlorinated biphenyls found in a synthetic mixture was also examined. It was found that all solvent systems used gave similar results of separation. However, only if benzene is used as eluant, the silica gel column can be used for four successive separations after the “on column” regeneration. In order to obtain the lowest blank values silica gel was cleaned with several solvents. The eluates after the silica gel separation were also cleaned up by means of deactivation alumina and concentrated sulphuric acid.     

Analysing Seasonal Differences between a Soil Water Balance Model and in Situ Soil Moisture Measurementsat Nine Locations Across Europe

We compared soil moisture from the soil water balance model for European Water Accounting (swbEWA) with in situ observations from nine locations in three European climatic zones (continental, Mediterranean and maritime temperate), for different periods between 2003 and 2011. Despite the simplicity of the swbEWA model, the patterns of temporal changes in soil moisture content are well represented at all locations. Annual averages show that the model overestimates the soil moisture content, and that overestimations are the smallest when measurements are obtained from more than one depth. These results suggest that the relationship between simulated and observed soil moisture also depends on the number of measurements and the depth over which they are taken. In the continental climate, where snow cover and frozen soil influence soil moisture, we observe higher root mean square error values in winter months. However, in the Mediterranean and maritime temperate climates, we do not observe clear common seasonal patterns in the soil moisture profile, which makes it difficult to relate the model’s accuracy to climate. With the percentage of correctness and probability of detection measures, we tested the model performance in simulating dry versus non-dry events. The percentage of the correctly classified dry and non-dry events is higher than 84 % at all locations, whereas the probability to detect dry events is significantly lower, exceeding 50 % at only four out of nine stations. The frequency distribution of consecutive days with dry soil (CDDS) confirms the model performance: higher number of short dry periods (with less than 20 days of soil moisture near wilting point) are reproduced and observed in continental climates, whereas long dry periods (longer than 50 days) are noted in the Mediterranean climate. Overall, the statistical measures suggest that the model produces the highest accuracy in summer months at the stations in continental climates, whereas in the Mediterranean climate, the accuracy is slightly higher in the colder seasons.     

Preliminary assessment of total dissolved trace metal concentrations in Sava River water

This study provides the preliminary data set for total dissolved trace metal concentrations in the surface water of the Sava River in Croatia and the assessment of Sava River water quality status. The highest levels of total dissolved metals were observed for Fe, Mn, and Zn (12.6 +/- 7.8 mirog L(-1), 3.44 +/- 3.95 mirog L(-1), and 2.27 +/- 1.53 mirog L(-1), respectively), the intermediate concentrations for Ni, Cu, and Cr (0.59 +/- 0.14 mirog L(-1), 0.54 +/- 0.14 mirog L(-1), and 0.32 +/- 0.06 mirog L(-1), respectively), and the lowest levels for Co, Pb, and Cd (0.064 +/- 0.022 mirog L(-1), 0.055 +/- 0.051 mirog L(-1), and 0.011 +/- 0.004 mirog L(-1), respectively). The results refer to the grab water samples taken at five sites in the period from March to June, 2006. For four trace metals (Mn, Pb, Zn, and Fe), the high temporal variability within one season was observed. It can present a problem for reliable evaluation of total dissolved concentrations of these metals in the river water, if the assessment is based on the occasional grab water sampling. The comparison of results obtained in this study with previously reported data for several unpolluted rivers indicated that Sava River water reflects a certain anthropogenic impact. However, according to the levels proposed by European regulations, it still can be classified as water containing total dissolved trace metals in concentrations not significantly above the natural level.     

Radiocaesium Activity Concentrations in Wheat Grains in the Republic of Croatia for 1965–2003 and Dose Assessment

Results of systematic, long-term measurements of ¹³⁷Cs activities in wheat for the period 1965–2003 are summarized. Radiocaesum fallout activities affect wheat activity concentrations, the coefficient of correlation being 0.91. In the observed period, the highest activity of ¹³⁷Cs deposited by fallout, 6321 Bq m⁻², was recorded in 1986, i.e., in the year of Chernobyl accident, causing peak ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in wheat of 38.0 ± 13.0 Bq kg⁻¹. After the Chernobyl nuclear accident the ¹³⁴Cs:¹³⁷Cs activity ratio in wheat was ≈0.5, and did not differ from the value found in other environmental samples. The transfer coefficient from ¹³⁷Cs fallout deposition to wheat was calculated to be 8.6 × 10⁻³ Bq y kg⁻¹ per Bq m⁻², indicating the low transfer of radiocaesium from fallout to wheat. The upper limit for the collective effective dose for the Croatian population due to ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs ingestion by wheat and wheat products consumption for period 1965–2003 was estimated to be 665 person-Sv, the upper limit for the annual collective effective dose in 2003 being only about 0.061 person-Sv.