Effect of Si-rich substances on phosphorous adsorption by sandy soils

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The poor adsorption capacity of sandy soils is one of the primary reasons of a high level of phosphorus (P) leaching. Silicon (Si)-rich soil...     

Possibilities of kinesio taping to prevent injuries of professional dancers

A literature review of the application of kinesio taping in the prevention of professional dancers’ injuries indicated frequent dance-related and overuse injuries and a lack of organized information about this issue. This study aimed to assess the impact of kinesio taping on the musculoskeletal system of dancers, based on scientific research data from 2015–2017. The analysis revealed that kinesio taping can effectively reduce muscle spasms, rebuild muscle strength of the injured extremity, improve static and dynamic balance and ease pain, due to its ability to improve proprioception of joints and regulate muscle tone. These effects reduce muscle imbalance and joint instability, thus increasing treatment efficacy and shortening the physical load limitation. Kinesio taping significantly reduces the risk of overuse syndromes and dance-related injuries during dance training and strenuous exercises of people with chronic musculoskeletal diseases. Therefore, kinesio taping has broad utility in primary and secondary prevention of dance-related injuries.     

Malondialdehyde concentrations in the intestine and gills of Vardar chub (Squalius vardarensis Karaman) as indicator of lipid peroxidation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA), was studied in Vardar chub (Squalius vardarensis Karaman) as an indicator of oxidative stress,...     

International Environmental Agreements: Design of Optimal Transfers Under Heterogeneity

International environmental agreements (IEAs) can coordinate abatement of transboundary pollutants. This paper investigates how heterogeneous countries facing a stock pollutant might structure such an agreement. In particular, we examine how an IEA might be implemented with a set of monetary transfers. The focus is on transfers that are time invariant, linear in emissions, and consistent with budget balance. There is a range of such schemes that would induce efficient emissions. We provide a simple and intuitive characterization of these penalties and describe how specific proposals might be chosen in order to facilitate compliance and implementation. Our proposals are illustrated with a simple example. We show that heterogeneity reduces the scope for penalty schemes to jointly satisfy desirable properties.     

U and Th in some brown coals of Serbia and Montenegro and their environmental impact

GOAL, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: The objective of this paper is to determine and compare the concentrations of U and Th in soft to hard brown (lignite to sub-bituminous) coals of Serbia and Montenegro. It also presents comparison of the obtained data on U and Th concentrations with the published data on coals located in some other countries of the world. Almost the whole coal production of Serbia and Montenegro is used as feed coals for combustion in thermal power plants. METHODS: Channel samples from open pit and underground mines and core samples were collected for hard and soft brown coals. For the analysis the samples were decomposed using microwave technique. Obtained solutions containing U and Th were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) using NIST standards. RESULTS: Concentration of U from the investigated basins and the corresponding mine fields ranges within 0.60-70.10 mg/kg, 0.65-3.20 mg/kg, 0.95-6.59 mg/kg, 1.20-6.05 mg/kg, 0.80-6.66 mg/kg, 0.18-89.90 mg/kg, 0.19-4.14 mg/kg, and 0.28-3.52 mg/kg for the Kostolac, Kolubara, Krepoljin, Sjenica, Soko Banja, Bogovina East field, Senje-Resavica and Pljevlja basins, respectively. Concentration of Th ranges within 0.20-2.60 mg/kg, 0.84-6.57 mg/kg, 1.48-6.48 mg/kg, 0.12-2.71 mg/kg, 0.13-4.95 mg/kg, 0.14-3.48 mg/kg, 0.29-3.56 mg/kg, and 0.17-1.89 mg/kg for the Kostolac, Kolubara, Krepoljin, Sjenica, Soko Banja, Bogovina East field, Senje-Resavica and Pljevlja basins, respectively. DISCUSSION: Brown coal from Senje-Resavica, Kolubara, Kostolac and Pljevlja is characterized by low U concentration. Coals form the Krepoljin, Soko Banja and Sjenica basins have slightly higher U concentrations than the mentioned group. The highest concentration of U is characteristic for the coal from the Bogovina East field. Concentration of Th in coals from Serbia and Montenegro has proved to be low. Out of all investigated coal basins, only the coal from the Krepoljin and Kolubara basins has high concentration of Th. The hydrothermally altered rocks of the Timok dacite-andesite complex, representing the basement of the Bogovina basin, could be a potential source of U, especially at the bottom part of the Lower seam of the Bogovina East field. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that brown coals in Serbia and Montenegro (soft to hard brown coals or lignite to sub-bituminous) contain low levels of U (5.30 mg/kg, average value and 2.10 mg/kg geometric mean value) and Th (1.80 mg/kg, average value and 1.12 mg/kg geometric mean value). There are some obvious differences in concentration of U and Th in coals from different basins in Serbia and Montenegro. The approximate value for U and Th release mainly from power plants was 644.33 t and 983.46 t, respectively within the period 1965-2000 for the studied mines in Serbia, and 23.76 t and 15.05 t for the Potrlica mine (Montenegro) within the period 1965-1997. RECOMMENDATIONS: The coals in Serbia and Montenegro show no identifiable unfavourable impact on the surrounding environment, due to low natural radioactive concentration of U and Th, but further investigations concerning human health should be performed. PERSPECTIVES: Preliminary research revealed that in some Serbian coals (and, particularly, parts of the coal seam) U and Th content are rather high. Such coals should be carefully studied, as well as U and Th concentrations in ash, fly ash, waste disposals, nearby soil and ground water. Further studies should include determination of the radioactivity of all these products, and estimation of possible health impact.     

Principal component analysis for soil contamination with organochlorine compounds

In order to investigate the distribution pattern of individual organochlorine compounds in soil samples collected from the sites (Canary Island – Spain, China, Germany, India, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Swiss, UK) affected by industrial activities to the more remote areas, principal component analysis was performed on the data taken from literature. Loading plots pointed out the strong correlation among the variables. Score plots revealed similar PCB- and OCP-soil patterns for majority of the investigated sites. Nevertheless, the temporal differences of PCB-soil loads have been identified: the late 1990s and early 2000s concentrations are similar to those of the early 1940s, and they are below the levels existed in 1980. The most pronounced PCB concentrations characterized the soil from 1966. For OCPs the influence of sites location on the detected concentration has been revealed: China and India were characterized by comparably higher loads of DDX (DDT and its metabolites) and of HCH-isomers, respectively.     

Elimination of endocrine disrupting chemicals nonylphenol and bisphenol A and personal care product ingredient triclosan using enzyme preparation from the white rot fungus Coriolopsis polyzona

The biocatalytic elimination of the endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) nonylphenol (NP) and bisphenol A (BPA) and the personal care product ingredient triclosan (TCS) by the enzyme preparation from the white rot fungus Coriolopsis polyzona was investigated. Analysis of variance methodology showed that the pH and the temperature are statistically significant factors in the removal of NP, BPA and TCS. The elimination of NP and TCS was best at a temperature of 50 degrees C and the disappearance of BPA at 40 degrees C, whereas the most suitable pH for all three micropollutants was 5. After a 4-h treatment of the three target compounds at concentrations of 5 mg l(-1) all of the NP and BPA were eliminated. In the case of TCS, 65% was removed after either a 4 or an 8-h treatment. The utilisation of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) in the laccase/mediator system significantly increased the efficiency of the enzymatic treatment. The elimination of NP and BPA was directly associated with the disappearance of the estrogenic activity. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that the enzymatic treatment produced high molecular weight metabolites through a radical polymerization mechanism of NP, BPA and TCS. These oligomers were produced through the formation of C-C or C-O bonds. The polymerization of NP produced dimers, trimers, tetramers and pentamers which had molecular weights of 438, 656, 874 and 1092 amu respectively. The polymerization of BPA produced dimers, trimers and tetramers which had molecular weights of 454, 680 and 906 amu. Finally, the polymerization of TCS produced dimers, trimers and tetramers which had molecular weights of 574, 859 and 1146 amu.     

Interval-Parameter Conditional Value-at-Risk Two-Stage Stochastic Programming Model for Management of End-of-Life Vehicles

The management of end-of-life vehicles conserves natural resources, provides economic benefits, and reduces water, air, and soil pollution. Sound management of end-of-life vehicles is vitally important worldwide thus requiring sophisticated decision-making tools for optimizing its efficiency and reducing system risk. This paper proposes an interval-parameter conditional value-at-risk two-stage stochastic programming model for management of end-of-life vehicles. A case study is conducted in order to demonstrate the usefulness of the developed model. The model is able to provide the trade-offs between the expected profit and system risk. It can effectively control risk at extremely disadvantageous availability levels of end-of-life vehicles. The formulated model can produce optimal solutions under predetermined decision-making risk preferences and confidence levels. It can simultaneously determine the optimal long-term allocation targets of end-of-life vehicles and reusable parts as well as capital investment, production planning, and logistics management decisions within a multi-period planning horizon. The proposed model can efficiently handle uncertainties expressed as interval values and probability distributions. It is able to provide valuable insights into the effects of uncertainties. Compared to the available models, the resulting solutions are far more robust.