1. Exploring the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of innovative bioabsorbable Zn-Mg-(Si) alloys fabricated via powder metallurgy techniquesDavid Nečas, Vojtěch Hybášek, Jan Pinc, Andrea Školáková, Ilona Voňavková, Klára Hosová, Martin Zlámal, Anna Boukalová, Jan Pokorný, Drahomír Dvorský, Črtomir Donik, Dalibor Vojtěch, Jiří Kubásek, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Zinc alloys belong to the widely studied materials for applications like medical devices, however, they often
encounter an inappropriate combination of mechanical/corrosion/biological properties. In this respect, we
produced the Zn–1Mg and Zn–1Mg–1Si containing biologically friendly elements with potential strengthening
effects on zinc matrix by powder metallurgy methods including mechanical alloying, spark plasma sintering, and
extrusion further enabling the formation of materials with unique extremely fine-grained microstructures. The
systematic study of these materials showed the possibility of reaching homogeneous nano-grain microstructure
and high strength values exceeding 450 MPa in tension. Selected chemical composition and processing methods
led also to slightly decreased wear and corrosion rates and rather uniform corrosion.
Keywords: zinc, mechanical alloying, biodegradable metals, composite, spark plasma sintering, extrusion, powder metallurgy
Published in DiRROS: 23.07.2024; Views: 35; Downloads: 13
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2. Heavy metals in the Adriatic-Ionian Seas : a case study to illustrate the challenges in data management when dealing with regional datasetsMaria-Eugenia Molina Jack, Rigers Bakiu, Ana Castelli, Branko Čermelj, Maja Fafanđel, Christina Georgopoulou, Giordano Giorgi, Athanassia Iona, Damir Ivankovic, Martina Kralj, Elena Partescano, Alice Rotini, Melita Velikonja, Marina Lipizer, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Harmonization of monitoring protocols and analytical methods is a crucial issue for transnational marine environmental status assessment, yet not the only one. Coherent data management and quality control become very relevant when environmental status is assessed at regional or subregional scale (e.g., for the Mediterranean or the Adriatic Sea), thus requiring data from different sources. Heavy metals are among the main targets of monitoring activities. Significant efforts have been dedicated to share best practices for monitoring and assessment of ecosystem status and to strengthen the network of national, regional and European large data infrastructures in order to facilitate the access to data among countries. Data comparability and interoperability depend not only on sampling and analytical protocols but also on how data and metadata are managed, quality controlled and made accessible. Interoperability is guaranteed by using common metadata and data formats, and standard vocabularies to assure homogeneous syntax and semantics. Data management of contaminants is complex and challenging due to the high number of information required on sampling and analytical procedures, high heterogeneity in matrix characteristics, but also to the large and increasing number of pollutants. Procedures for quality control on heterogeneous datasets provided by multiple sources are not yet uniform and consolidated. Additional knowledge and reliable long time-series of data are needed to evaluate typical ranges of contaminant concentration. The analysis of a coherent and harmonized regional dataset can provide the basis for a multi-step quality control procedure, which can be further improved as knowledge increases during data validation process.
Keywords: contaminants, data management, harmonization, Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea, pollution, assessment, heavy metals
Published in DiRROS: 22.07.2024; Views: 39; Downloads: 11
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3. Challenges in harmonized assessment of heavy metals in the Adriatic and Ionian SeasDaniela Berto, Margherita Malgorzata Formalewicz, Giordano Giorgi, Federico Rampazzo, Claudia Gion, Benedetta Trabucco, Michele Giani, Marina Lipizer, Slavica Matijević, Helen Kaberi, Christina Zeri, Oliver Bajt, Nevenka Mikac, Danijela Joksimović, Andriana Aravantinou, Mateja Poje, Magdalena Cara, Loredana Manfra, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: The Adriatic-Ionian region (ADRION Region) shows strong development in terms of urban expansion in coastal and inland areas as well as increasing maritime traffic and offshore hydrocarbon extraction activities. A serious risk of pollution arises from hazardous substances requiring reliable and coherent monitoring and assessment programs. EU Directives (WFD – Water Framework Directive, MSFD – Marine Strategy Framework Directive) and Barcelona Convention protocols, aim to assess the level of pollution with the objective to implement measures to prevent and/or mitigate impacts on the marine environment. This high level integration process has to be based on common and agreed protocols for monitoring of contaminants. Aiming to share best practices to encourage a harmonized implementation of monitoring and assessment of contaminants, an extensive review of monitoring and analytical protocols adopted by six EU and non-EU countries along the Adriatic and Ionian seas was carried out in the framework of the Interreg Adrion project HarmoNIA (Interreg V-B Adriatic-Ionian (ADRION), 2018–2020). This paper presents a methodological proposal to define a common protocol for the evaluation of the metal contamination of seawater, sediment and biota. Contaminants have been chosen following preliminary consultations among countries of the ADRION area, considering objectives of WFD and MSFD, as well as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures for offshore platforms. Information was gathered relative to matrix characteristics and quality assurance/quality control of the analytical performance (sample preservation, analytical methodology, reference materials, limit of detection, and limit of quantification, accuracy, reproducibility, etc.). The comparison of information provided by laboratories of nine institutions highlighted the request for harmonization in terms of sampling procedures, matrix characterization, preservation procedures, analytical methods and LOQ values. Although appropriate environmental quality standards for biota and sediment matrices should be established at national level and also through regional and sub-regional cooperation, as required by the WFD and MSFD, the proposed LOQ values, even if challenging, represent a benchmark and a stimulus to optimize analytical performance, to ensure the best level of protection to the coastal and offshore environment in the ADRION Region.
Keywords: hazardous substances, harmonized protocols, integrated approach, monitoring, assessment of contaminants, heavy metals, Adriatic-Ionian Sea region
Published in DiRROS: 22.07.2024; Views: 32; Downloads: 18
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4. Supporting dataset and methods for body sizes and concentrations of chemical elements measured in elytra and abdomens of Stag Beetles Lucanus cervusGrzegorz Orłowski, Lucyna Mróz, Marcin Kadej, Adrian Smolis, Dariusz Tarnawski, Jerzy Karg, Alessandro Campanaro, Marco Bardiani, Deborah J. Harvey, Marcos Méndez, Arno Thomaes, Al Vrezec, Krzysztof Ziomek, Andrzej L. Rudecki, Detlef Mader, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: The dataset presented in this data paper supports “Breaking down insect stoichiometry into chitin-based and internal elemental traits: Patterns and correlates of continent-wide intraspecific variation in the largest European saproxylic beetle” (Orłowski et al. 2020). Here we present the supplementary data and description of methods on the following: (1) mass of elytra and abdomens across 28 local Stag Beetle Lucanus cervus populations in Europe. (2) Population origin and coverage of six major land-cover types, including transport infrastructure, measured in three radii (500 m, 1000 m and 5000 m) around the sampling sites of these populations. (3) The relationship between the mass and concentrations of elements measured in abdomens and elytra in 28 Stag Beetle populations and major land-cover types around the sampling sites.
Keywords: elemental composition, trace elements, internal metal concentrations, exoskeleton, chitin-bound metals
Published in DiRROS: 22.07.2024; Views: 35; Downloads: 14
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5. Multivariate statistical methods in determining the spatial distribution of chemical elements in soil from the Mavrovo-Rostuše region, North MacedoniaTrajče Stafilov, Robert Šajn, Kristina Petrovska, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: In this work, the contents and spatial distributions of 19 elements (Ag, Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, V, Zn) in the soil of the western part of North Macedonia (Mavrovo-Rostuše region) are presented. For this purpose, a total of 66 soil samples were collected from 33 locations (33 samples of topsoil, 0-5 cm, and 33 samples of subsoil, 20-30 cm). All samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) after complete digestion with four acids (HNO3, HF, HClO4 and HCl). The obtained results were statistically evaluated and spatial distribution maps for all analysed elements were also prepared. Factor analysis was performed to reduce the number of data used and new synthetic variables (factors) were identified. Through the application of factor analysis, three geochemical associations were identified: Factor 1 (Zn, K, Cu, Fe, and Li), Factor 2 (Cr, Ni, and Mg) and Factor 3 (Ca and Al). From the obtained data and the maps of spatial distribution, it could be concluded that the distribution of the analysed elements is related to the lithology of the region. Thus, it was found that the higher content of elements of Factor 1 occurs in the eastern and southern part of the study area (middle and lower reaches of the Radika River and along the Mala River), where Mesozoic and Paleozoic carbonates as well as Paleozoic shales and Paleogene flysch prevail. Factor 2 (Cr, Ni and Mg) also represents a lithogenic association. The highest contents of the elements in both soil layers were found in the areas where Paleozoic sandstones and shales (village of Lazaropole and the area around the Mavrovo Lake) and Paleogene flysch (Rostuše village) predominate. Factor 3 (Ca and Al) also represents lithogenic association of elements. The highest content of these elements was found in the northwestern part of the study area (village of Žirovnica and along the Berička River) and in the northeastern region above the village of Brodec where Mesozoic carbonates and Paleogene flysch dominate.
Keywords: soil, heavy metals, spatial distribution, Mavrovo-Rostuše region, North Macedonia
Published in DiRROS: 04.01.2024; Views: 399; Downloads: 90
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6. Heavy metal signature and environmental assessment of nearshore sediments: Port of Koper (Northern Adriatic Sea)Nastja Rogan Šmuc, Matej Dolenec, Sabina Dolenec, Ana Mladenovič, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Heavy metal abundance and potential environmental risks are reported for surface sediments (n = 21) from the Port of Koper area, Republic of Slovenia. The enrichment factor (EF) indicates minor enrichment in arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), and zinc (Zn), moderately to severely enriched with nickel (Ni). The trace metal chemistries, in the context of sediment quality guidelines (SQG), imply adverse threshold effect concentrations (TEC) and probable effect concentrations (PEC), for Ni only. Sediment sequential leaching experiments demonstrated that the majority of heavy metals were of natural lithogenic origin and low bioavailability. The heavy metals’ potential for “Risk Assessment Code” values exhibited no or low anthropogenic environmental burden, with the exception of Mo.
Keywords: port sediments, heavy metals, chemical speciation, risk assessment, Northem Adriatic Sea
Published in DiRROS: 12.12.2023; Views: 300; Downloads: 159
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7. ToF-SIMS depth profiling of metal, metal oxide, and alloy multilayers in atmospheres of ▫$H_2$▫, ▫$C_2H_2$▫, CO, and ▫$O_2$▫Jernej Ekar, Peter Panjan, Sandra Drev, Janez Kovač, 2022, original scientific article Keywords: Ions, Layers, Mass spectrometry, Metals, Oxides, SIMS depth profiling H2 C2H2 CO and O2 atmosphere gas flooding cluster secondary ions matrix effect
Published in DiRROS: 18.10.2023; Views: 541; Downloads: 207
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8. Distribution of chemical elements in surface waters from the Strumica River Basin, North MacedoniaKaterina Trajanova, Robert Šajn, Trajče Stafilov, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: In this work, the distribution of chemical elements in samples of surface water from the Strumica River Basin, North Macedonia, was studied. The water samples were collected from a total of twelve sites. In addition to the Strumica River, samples were collected from its tributaries: Bansko, Dabile, Turija, Vodoča, Radoviška, and Injevska. The determination of the concentration of 21 elements (Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, V, and Zn) was performed by inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). All detailed information on the studied items was statistically processed using Stat Soft, 11.0 software. Using the obtained data on the concentration of the studied elements, descriptive statistical analysis of the values for the concentration of the elements was performed. A map of spatial distribution was obtained for each element. The obtained results show that the concentrations of the studied elements in the surface water samples are relatively low and the distribution of most of the elements follows the lithology of the study area.
Keywords: rivers, surface water, heavy metals, Strumica River Basin, North Macedonia
Published in DiRROS: 20.07.2023; Views: 481; Downloads: 152
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10. Plants play a crucial role in the development of soil fungal communities in the remediated substrate after EDTA washing of metal-contaminated soilsIrena Maček, Sara Pintarič, Nataša Šibanc, Tatjana Rajniš, Damjana Kastelec, Domen Leštan, Marjetka Suhadolc, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: In this study, we investigated the importance of plant cover for secondary succession and soil fungal community development in remediated substrates after EDTA washing of metal-contaminated soils. The abundance of the total fungal community, determined by ITS fungal marker genes (Internal Transcribed Spacer region), and root colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi were monitored in two types of soil material (calcareous and acidic) sown with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and without plant cover (bulk soil). Four months after the start of the experiment, the abundance of ITS genes in the soil clearly showed that the presence of plants was the main factor affecting the total fungal community, which increased in the rhizosphere soil in most treatments, while it remained at a low level in the bulk soil (without plants). Interestingly, the addition of environmental inoculum, i.e., rhizosphere soil from a semi-natural meadow, did not have a positive effect on the abundance of the total fungal community. While fungal ITS genes were detected in soils at the end of the first growing season, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) structures were scarce in Lolium roots in all treatments throughout the first season. However, in the second season, more than a year after the start of the experiment, AM fungal colonisation was detected in Lolium roots in virtually all treatments, with the frequency of colonised root length ranging from 30% to >75% in some treatments, the latter also in remediated soil. This study demonstrates the importance of plants and rhizosphere in the development and secondary succession of fungal communities in soil, which has important implications for the revitalisation of remediated soils and regenerative agriculture.
Keywords: heavy metals, arbuscular mycorrhiza, remediation, revitalisation, secondary succession, biodiversity, qPCR, toxic metals pollution
Published in DiRROS: 19.09.2022; Views: 793; Downloads: 332
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