The pollution state and health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTE) in soil and sediment samples of the petrochemical industry and its surrounding area are evaluated in this study. The ...pseudo-total contents of Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, As, Hg, and Se were measured by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP/OES) in analyzed samples. Instead of determining total content, we performed aqua regia of the samples. The silicate matrix remained, and the quantities of elements that are within the silicate matrix do not represent an environmental danger. The soils from the chlor-alkali plant are highly polluted by Hg (the enrichment factor values were above 6000), and by Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn, while the sediment samples from the wastewater channel are polluted with Cr, Cd, and Hg. The measured element contents are used for calculating health risk criteria for a composite worker (a worker who is exposed, long-term, during the work day) and for residential people. Hg is the element that mainly contributes to non-carcinogenic risks within the petrochemical area. The highest value of total carcinogenic risk obtained in the sediment sample from the wastewater channel, and the metal that mostly contributes is Cr. The areas closest to the petrochemical industry have higher values of health risk criteria parameters and pollution indices. The areas that are located further to the north and south from the petrochemical industry are less burdened with the analyzed elements, which is significant because the closest city and village are situated in those directions.
In situ dependence of the formation and behavior of 16 United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) upon the temperature was examined ...during the experiment carried out on combustion temperatures between 930 and 998 °C in the “Nikola Tesla B” power plant, located 50 km from the Serbian capital, Belgrade. Samples of used lignite and lignite combustion byproducts were collected on a regular basis, and PAHs in collected samples were extracted using ultrasonic extraction with methylene chloride and analyzed by gas chromatography with mass selective detection (GC/MSD). Degradation and formation of PAH molecules were established. Different PAH synthesis mechanisms were noticed by correlation of obtained data, and the presence of phenyl addition/cyclization (PAC) and hydrogen abstraction/acetylene addition (HACA) mechanisms was confirmed. It was concluded that the increase of the combustion temperature has an influence on the increase of total PAH concentrations in combustion byproducts up to the threshold value, while at the same time, there are different distributions of different PAHs in ash and slag. The optimal combustion temperature, producing a minimal PAH concentration in combustion products, for Kolubara basin lignite in the “Nikola Tesla B” power plant is 930 °C.
A different single extraction procedures (CH3COOH, Na2EDTA, CaCl2, NH4NO3, deionized water), and pseudo-total digestion (aqua regia) were applied to determine major (Al, Fe, K, Mn, Na, P, S, and Si) ...and trace (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) element bioavailability in a topsoil from the experimental vineyard (“Radmilovac”, Belgrade, Serbia). For the first time, the extraction with deionized water during 16 h was tested as an alternative method for isolating bioavailable major and trace elements from the soil. Concentrations of the elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The extraction of Cu and S from the soil by deionized water during 16 h extracting, NH4NO3, and CaCl2 indicated that these elements could originate from the anthropogenic sources, such as fungicide. In addition according to the soil – plant experiment, performed as a preliminary experiment for future studies in vineyards, deionized water was recommended for isolation of bioavailable elements from grape seed and grape pulp; CH3COOH, Na2EDTA, CaCl2 and NH4NO3 for grape skin, while for assessment of leaf bioavailable elements from soil fraction, aqua regia was recommended. In addition, identification of similarities between the plant parts and the plant species were performed. Applying environmental risk assessment formulas, the most polluted vineyard parcel in the vineyard region “Radmilovac” was determined. The leaves of some grapevine species showed the high ability for accumulation some of the potentially toxic trace elements from the soil.
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•NH4NO3, CaCl2, and 16 h water extracted significantly correlated content of Cu and S.•The content of bioavailable elements in soil correlated with those in grapevine parts.•Parts of Prokupac species show no similarities between element concentrations.•The grapevine leaves indicate Zn and Cu content in the vineyard soil.
Background: Mental health disorders are a significant global disease burden, and the stigma towards people with them is the strongest obstacle to improving mental health and dealing with an enormous ...public health problem. Montenegro is a small country with a conservative society and a deeply ingrained patriarchy. The aim of this study was to determine attitudes toward mental health disorders in the general population of Montenegro and identify the influence of socio-demographic characteristics. Methods: The research was conducted as an online cross-sectional study. The questionnaire included a demographic section and a section on attitudes towards mental health as well as the CAMI scale (community attitudes toward mental health disorders). Results: The subjective opinions of the respondents showed a lack of awareness about mental health campaigns in the country. Stigma towards mental health was present in younger and more highly educated populations. Conclusions: The obtained data indicate the magnitude of the problem when it comes to the stigma towards mental health disorders in Montenegro. Furthermore, there is a need for a systematic nationwide and metacentric study, identifying and exploring a wide range of individual factors contributing to the stigma of mental health problems.
Monitoring of potentially toxic elements in agricultural soil represents the first measure of caution regarding food safety, while research into element bioavailability should be a step forward in ...understanding the element transportation chain. This study was conducted in the grapevine growing area (“Oplenac Wine Route”) for investigating element bioavailability in the soil–grapevine system accompanied by an assessment of the ecological implications and human health risk. Single extraction procedures (CH3COOH, Na2EDTA, CaCl2, NH4NO3 and deionised H2O) and digestion were performed to estimate the bioavailability of 22 elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, V and Zn) from the topsoil (0–30 cm) and subsoil (30–60 cm) to the grapevine parts (leaf, skin, pulp and seed) and wine. The extractants were effective comparing to the pseudo-total concentrations in following order Na2EDTA ˃ CH3COOH ˃ NH4NO3 ˃ CaCl2, H2O 2 h and 16 h. The most suitable extractants for assessing the bioavailability of the elements from the soil to the grapevine parts were CaCl2, NH4NO3 and Na2EDTA, but deionised H2O could be suitable, as well. The results showed that Ba was the most bioavailable element in the soil–grapevine system. Contamination factor implied a moderate contamination (1 < CF < 3) of the soil. The concentrations of Cr, Ni and Cd in the soil were above the maximum allowed concentrations. According to the biological accumulation coefficient (BAC), the grape seeds and grapevine leaves mostly accumulated Cu and Zn from the soil, respectively. Based on ratio factor (RF > 1), the influence of atmospheric deposition on the aerial grapevine parts (leaves and grape skin) was observed. Nevertheless, low adverse health risk effects (HI < 1 and R ≤ 1 × 10−6) were estimated for farmers and grape and wine consumers.
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•Bioavailability of the toxic element for grapevines and consumers was considered.•Element concentrations were measured in soil and different grapevine parts.•Six single extraction procedures isolated different portion of elements from soil.•Ba was easy bioavailable; Cu and Zn were mostly accumulated in seed and leaf, respectively.•Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were low for workers and grape consumers.
This study was performed in organic vineyard to assess integrated pollution in soil–plant–air system by potentially toxic elements (PTE). Concentrations of 26 PTE were determined in soil, grapevine, ...and air biomonitors (moss bags) using ICP-OES and ICP-MS. Environmental implication assessment of soil did not show pollution by PTE, except for B in samples collected in the middle of grapevine season (July). Despite low total Cd concentrations in soil, it has the highest influence on increase of environmental risk. Based on biological accumulation concentration (BAC), grapevine is not hyperaccumulator of PTE from soil. Advanced classification algorithm, Kohonen self-organizing map (SOM), was applied to compare environmental implications in organic with conventional vineyards. PTE concentrations were significantly lower in organic than conventional grapevine. PTE concentrations were higher in the outer (leaf and petiole) than in the inner grapevine parts (skin, pulp, and seed). Some airborne elements have an influence on outer grapevine parts, especially on leaves (ratio factor—RF > 1). Moss bag technique testified about lower enrichment of airborne elements compared with the conventional vineyard and urban microenvironments. Environmental and health risk assessments confirmed that organic production is harmless for field workers and grape consumers.
Constructing languages and tools for modeling is an intellectual effort that addresses challenges related to linguistic theory. It requires a high level of creativity and understanding between ...software engineers and language and domain experts. It is important to consider the context of language application, or the main goal of the work, at the beginning of the language construction process. A new language is not created instantaneously, but rather through a process of iteratively refining the definition of its elements in interaction with the real-world context in which it will be applied. From a pragmatic standpoint, the best way to ensure the correctness of a language’s semantics is to verify it using a reference implementation, although different approaches may be used to describe the semantics of the language. In this paper, we share our experience in developing new and extending the existing functionalities of tools for visual domain-specific modeling to simplify reference implementation. We demonstrate how the code generator language, with minor extensions, can be used for it. Visual modeling tools in MDSD and DSM pay more attention to the graphical representation of objects, and less to relations, roles, and properties. In our platform, objects, roles, and relations are all derived from the same base class, which allows us to distinguish between fifteen different model representation types, ranging from view on the model topology to complex 3D views.
The need for further research into potentially toxic elements in Serbian rivers led to an investigation of distributions, sources, and ecological risks in a sample base of sediments from 15 rivers. ...The analyses were carried out through both experimental and theoretical methods. Geochemical fractionation of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, As, V, and Zn in sediments was studied using a sequential extraction procedure. Both a Håkanson risk index (RI) and a Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) were used in order to estimate ecological risk, applying the probability distribution of RI values instead of single-point calculations. In order to both further the development of the used method and include additional processes, software for the simulations was developed instead of using proprietary solutions. Metal fractionation showed high percentage recoveries of Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, and V in residual fractions. The high content of Pb, Mn, and Zn in mobile fractions might cause serious environmental concerns. In some localities, Cu and Cd could be problematic elements, since their mobility was high. An environmental assessment based on the described criteria provided risk levels varying from low to median (mainly contributed by Cd and Cu).
Breastfeeding provides numerous health benefits for both infants and mothers, promoting optimal growth and development while offering protection against various illnesses and diseases. This study ...investigated the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), organochlorine pesticides (OCP) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in human milk sampled in Zadar (Croatia). The primary objectives were twofold: firstly, to evaluate the individual impact of each compound on the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) value, and secondly, to assess associated health risks. Notably, this study presents pioneering and preliminary insights into PAH levels in Croatian human milk, contributing to the limited research on PAH in breast milk worldwide. PCB and OCP levels in Croatian human milk were found to be relatively lower compared to worldwide data. Conversely, PAH levels were comparatively higher, albeit with lower detection frequencies. A negative correlation was established between organic contaminant levels and antioxidative capacity, suggesting a potential link between higher antioxidative potential and lower organic contaminant levels. Diagnostic ratio pointed towards traffic emissions as the primary source of the detected PAH. The presence of PAH suggests potential health risk, underscoring the need for further in-depth investigation.
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•The first data on PAH levels and TAC in Croatian human milk•Croatian human milk shows lower PCB and OCP levels than global data.•8 out of 1000 infants may face a cancer risk due to exposure to PAH.•Traffic emissions identified as main PAH source through diagnostic ratio.•Negative correlation found between organic contaminants and antioxidative capacity
Benefits and risks of the fish consumption should be assessed to balance the ingestion of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and adverse chemicals. Persistent organic pollutants-POPs (organochlorine ...pesticides-OCPs and polychlorinated biphenyls-PCB), macro- and micro-elements and fatty acid contents were determined in six fish species from the Adriatic Sea to assess health risks for consumers (worst-case scenario, diseases development risks and benefit-risk). 16 element, 24 POPs and 14 fatty acid contents were determined in six pelagic species which can be used in human diet. Element concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), POPs by high-resolution gas chromatography and fatty acid content by gas–liquid chromatography. Diet based on chub mackerel and round sardinella showed lower daily intake (DI) of POPs and highest DI of essential omega-3 fatty acids than other investigated species. Lower ingestion of toxic elements can be observed by consuming anchovy and round sardinella. Based on POP concentrations, there was not observed non-carcinogenic (HI) nor carcinogenic (CR) risks for consumers. Based on element concentrations, there was low HI (0.1 ≥ HI ≥ 1), while the maximum HIs and outlier values (horse mackerel and anchovy samples) implied the presence of HI (HI > 1). The most significant contributor to total non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks was inorganic arsenic (inorganic As). Acceptable CR for consumers was assessed, but maximum CR for consumers of horse mackerel and anchovy (CR ≥ 1 × 10–6) showed adverse effects on human health. There were low HIs for developing cardiovascular, nervous, and reproductive diseases, and maximum HIs were higher than 1. Acceptable (1 × 10−4≥CR ≥ 1 × 10−6) risks were observed for developing cancer of nervous system and reproductive organs. Among investigated fish samples, those with higher ƩBR (benefit-risks) and BR for arsenic (As) than median value have a higher risk than benefits in the human diet.
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•Consumers' risk and benefits were assessed based on chemicals and omega-3 in fishes.•POPs and omega-3 daily intake-DI indicated c. mackerel and r. sardinella as the most safe.•DI of toxic elements were the lowest by consuming anchovy and round sardinella.•Horse mackerel and chub mackerel had the lowest total risk.•Samples with BR for As higher than median have more risk than benefit for consumers.
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