Correlation of main physicochemical parameters of some groundwater in northern Serbia

The geothermal waters of the first and the shallowest groundwater system of the Province of Vojvodina in northern Serbia, south part of the Pannonian Basin, are characterized by elevated temperatures (between 25 and 85 °C) and elevated gas content (above 1 Nm³/m³) with a high methane content (average about 94% of total gases). These methane-containing waters are particularly abundant in the Central part of the province between Danube and Tisa rivers. Dominant ions in these waters are sodium and bicarbonate, but the waters also contain significant amounts of calcium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, and ammonium. Components that are of balneological significance include iodine, bromine, fluorine, strontium, lithium, barium, and metasilicic and metaboric acids. Based on statistical analysis, a strong positive correlation is generally observed in about 9.2% cases. A slightly lower correlation appears in about 42.2%, and negative correlation coefficient appears in about 48.6% cases. The dendrogram of the cluster analysis built on the wells shows three main groups. There is the cluster of (Na⁺)_aq, (Cl⁻)_aq and (HCO₃⁻)_aq. The second aggregation is (NH₄⁺)_aq/(NH₃)_aq. The third group includes (Mg²⁺)_aq, (Ca²⁺)_aq, (Fe³⁺)_aq, (Sr²⁺)_aq, (Pb²⁺)_aq, and (Zn²⁺)_aq.     

Magmatism and metallogeny of the Ridanj-Krepoljin belt (eastern Serbia) and their correlation with northern and eastern analogues

In the southwestern Carpathians of SW Romania and E Serbia calc-alkaline Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene subduction related magmatic rocks occur in two main zones. The Ridanj-Krepoljin belt (E Serbia) represents the southern part of the western zone. In this belt Early Maastrichtian dacites and subordinate andesites occur, but there are indications of an unexposed granodioritic (?) magmatism about 60 Ma old. Pb-Zn-Ag and only subordinate Cu mineralization is associated with this igneous activity. The Timok magmatic complex (E Serbia) composed of Upper Cretaceous (-Paleocene?) andesites and analogue intrusives represents the eastern zone south of the Danube. Associated with this magmatism are Cu (+Au) and very subordinate Zn (±Pb) mineralization. To the north (SW Romania) in both zones mainly intrusive bodies (diorites, quartz diorites, granodiorites, monzonites) of Campanian-Paleocene age are exposed. Porphyry copper (+Mo) and in north Pb-Zn (±Cu) mineralization are related to those intrusives. The petrological and geochemical features of all these calc-alkaline rocks are very similar. It appears, however, that the associated polymetallic and the copper mineralization are both spatially and vertically separated.     

Multistage alkaline permanganate degradation of a type II kerogen

The products of a 27-step alkaline permanganate degradation of a type II kerogen from a sample of Toarcian shale, Paris Basin, have been studied. The high yield of oxidation products consisted of 1.86% neutrals and bases, 24.48% ether-soluble acids, and 45.95% precipitated, ether-insoluble acids, based on weight of original kerogen. The ether-soluble acids and the soluble products of further permanganate degradation of precipitated acids were found to consist mostly of saturated unbranched C₆–C₂₂ α,ω-dicarboxylic and C₉–C₂₅ monocarboxylic acids. Significant amounts of aromatic monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic and tricarboxylic acids were also found. Alkane tri- and tetracarboxylic acids were obtained in small concentration.     

Emission sources and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air during heating and non-heating periods in the city of Novi Sad,Serbia

The paper presents the assessment of emission sources and health risk of 16 PAHs in the city of Novi Sad, Serbia, with developed oil, food, chemical and cement industry. Although the observed region has been previously studied with regard to the occurrence of PAHs in ambient air, the sources of emission and health risk using multivariate statistical methods have never been studied before. The research was conducted during the heating and non-heating periods at three sampling sites located in industrial, residential and high-traffic area. The samples were collected by high-volume air sampler and analysed using the GC/MS system. The data were processed using the positive matrix factorization (PMF) and cluster analysis. To assess the cancer-risk of PAHs, potency equivalency factor approach was used. The results of PMF analysis have indicated that significant sources of PAH emissions are industrial processes and diesel combustion during the non-heating, and coal combustion, heating plants and diesel combustion during the heating season. Cluster analysis of experimental data has confirmed the results obtained using the PMF method. Estimated values of lifetime lung cancer risk were higher than those set by the World Health Organization and US Environmental Protection Agency which indicates that cancer risk due to exposure to PAHs in ambient air exists in both time periods on the territory of Novi Sad.     

Changes in Hydra vulgaris PALLAS (Cnidaria) Caused by the Effect of Torak EC 24 Insecticide

Within 24 h time, Torak EC 24 in 10 mg/l and 30 mg/l concentrations causes the worst damage immediately after treatment. In the treated hydras, a considerable state of contraction, a damage of tentacles and the hypostome as well as a damage of intracellular membranes and cellular organelles was observed. Besides, during the experiment, the treated hydras in both concentrations used were budding more intensely than the control.     

Content of the potentially harmful elements in soil around the major coal-fired power plant in Serbia: relation to soil characteristics,evaluation of spatial distribution and source apportionment

The concentrations and spatial distribution of nine potentially harmful elements (PHEs), namely Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, and their relation to soil properties were investigated in thirty soil profiles (0–50 cm depth) sampled around the largest Serbian coal-fired power plant (CFPP) “Nikola Tesla A.” Soil properties were determined following standard procedures, and total contents of PHEs were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer. Concentrations of Cd, Co, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn were the highest in soil profiles sampled 1 km away from the CFPP, concentrations of Ni and Cu gradually increased up to 4 km, and the highest Cr concentrations were measured in samples taken 6 km away from the CFPP. The highest concentration of PHEs analyzed, except Mn, corresponded with predominant wind directions. Depth did not show significant impact on distribution of any PHEs investigated. Among soil properties, the total organic carbon showed the closest relationship with the PHEs. Data were processed by a principal component analysis which enabled distinguishing anthropogenic from natural influences on soil properties and PHE contents. Although the impact of CFPP operations is obvious, assets of principal component analysis did not allow clear distinction of CFPP’s contribution from parent material in enrichment of PHE contents in the soil in the study area.