Exploring the Park–People Relation: Collection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vaccinium Myrtillus</Emphasis> L. by Local People From Kopaonik National Park in Serbia

Exploitation of certain resources within a protected area on a sustainable basis could contribute to higher living standards of rural people, particularly those in poor countries, and decrease conflicts between these populations and park authorities. This article presents data from a case study of Kopaonik National Park (NP), Serbia, which is a park with natural resources, most notably bilberries, which have always been relied on by local people. Vaccinium myrtillus traditionally has been collected for decades in Kopaonik NP and used by local people. However, little is known about the socioeconomic and ecological relations that affect the collection and use of this species. The aim of the present study was to understand how local people collect bilberries in Kopaonik NP and what their attitudes toward the park are. Household questionnaire data were used to examine how local people collect bilberries and how to improve the relations between local people and NP authorities. The survey questionnaire included 52 households from 7 local communities, and we applied a purposive sampling strategy. In addition, expert interviews were conducted, and from these data we obtained a broader understanding of the relation between local people and NP authorities. The results indicate that in Kopaonik NP, there is a conflict between pickers and NP authorities. Sustainable management should be directed toward the protection of bilberries. Education of local people is a key element in the sustainable collection and protection of natural resources.     

Exposure of microplastics to organic matter in waters enhances microplastic encapsulation into calcium carbonate

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Plastic pollution in water ecosystems is threatening the survival of wildlife. In particular, microplastics may be encapsulated into calcium carbonate, a crucial...     

Effects of metal ions on Mg2+-ATPase activity in plasma membranes isolated from the rat uterus

In this study, we investigated the in vitro effects of metal ions on Mg²⁺-ATPase activity in isolated membranes from rat uterus. The effects of increasing concentrations of metal salts (CrCl₂, CuSO₄, HgCl₂ and ZnSO₄) show sigmoidal and almost complete inhibition relative to the control enzyme activity. According to the IC₅₀, the ATPase possesses greater sensibility to $ {\text{Zn}}^{{{\text{2}} + }} > {\text{Cu}}^{{{\text{2}} + }} \cong {\text{Cr}}^{{{\text{3}} + }} \cong {\text{Hg}}^{{{\text{2}} + }} ,$ {\text{Zn}}^{{{\text{2}} + }} > {\text{Cu}}^{{{\text{2}} + }} \cong {\text{Cr}}^{{{\text{3}} + }} \cong {\text{Hg}}^{{{\text{2}} + }} , while other metal salts exhibit the following inhibition: CdCl₂ 55%, CsCl 64.5% and SrCl₂ 58%. Here we demonstrated that the physico-chemical properties of these metals are of importance in defining possible mechanisms of binding and decrease of enzyme activity.     

Active biomonitoring with wet and dry moss: a case study in an urban area

Active biomonitoring of the air quality in Belgrade, Serbia, was performed using the moss Sphagnum girgensohnii. Moss bags were exposed in parallel with and without irrigation for 3 and 6 months, respectively, at three different sites. Twenty-nine elements were determined in the exposed moss samples by INAA. For all exposure periods, higher uptake in the irrigated moss bags was evident for Al, Cr, Fe, Zn and Sr. Elements such as Cl, K, Rb and Cs were depleted in the moss tissue during the time of exposure. For most of the elements the accumulation after 6 months exceeded that observed after 3 months.     

Environmental tritium of the Danube basin in Yugoslavia

An overview of environmental distribution of tritium in the Danube basin in Yugoslavia during the period 1976-1990 is presented. Temporal and regional variations of environmental tritium in the Danube along its flow (1425-847 km from the confluence) and its tributaries (the Sava, the Tisa, the Velika Morava and the Timok) at various locations, as well as in alluvial groundwaters, are given. In Belgrade, monthly values of tritium in rainfall ranged from 1.1 to 18.3 Bq litre(-1), with a maximum in the late spring and early summer months. The half-life for decline in concentration was estimated as 8.3+/-1.0 years. The total amount of tritium deposited in the first 6 months during 1976-90 was 35% larger than in the second 6 months for the same period. Seasonal variations were noticeable in rivers and groundwaters, but these were greatly attenuated and smoothed for the latter. Tritium content in the monthly composite samples from the river in the Belgrade region varied between 2.5 and 18.2 Bq litre(-1) for the Danube and from 1.5 to 16.8 Bq litre(-1) for the Sava. The yearly mean values along the Danube and its tributaries ranged from 2.4 to 15.9 Bq litre(-1) with individual measurements 1.0-30.2 Bq litre(-1). The half-lives were between 6.9+/-1.7 for the Velika Morava and 9.4+/-0.9 for the Danube. Groundwaters, particularly ones in the Ranney wells, followed changes of tritium content in the rivers with a time lag from a few days to a month. During the period of observation, tritium content decreased in alluvial waters with half-lives from 9.9+/-1.6 (Belgrade area) to 7.3+/-1.8 (the Velika Morava).     

Kinetic sodium analyses in the crab Carcinus mediterraneus

Kinetic analyses were made of the stable sodium and radioactive sodium (²²Na) in some tissues of the crab Carcinus mediterraneus CSRN. Fast ²²Na outflux constant is increased in gills, hepatopancreas, hemolymph, digestive tract and muscles. In the reproductive organs the values of the sodium outflux constant are lower. The values of the fast outflux rates (t=20°C) of sodium amount, in the whole animal, to 22.5 M Na/g/h, in the hemolymph, to 69.3 M Na/g/h; the slow outflux rates have much lower values (0.02 to 0.13 M Na/g/h). Moulting crabs show a rate of sodium outflux 6 times greater than that of intermoulting individuals.