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Ključne besede: cytotoxicity, genomic instability, in silico, indoor air pollution, public health, environmental toxicology
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 20.03.2026; Ogledov: 197; Prenosov: 153
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Povzetek: The coal-fired Plomin Thermal Power Plant (Plomin TPP) in Croatia is located in the center of the east coast of the Istrian peninsula (northern Adriatic) and is considered the main source of historical air pollution in the region. Between 1970 and 2000, sulfur-rich coal from the local Raša coal mine was primarily used. In this study, a screening of content and fate of TPP-derived sulfur in soil around the power plant was made two decades after the S-rich coal was banned from use. Soil samples were collected at varying distances from the TPP in the prevailing wind direction (NE), along with a control sample taken more than 10 km away. The samples were analyzed for total sulfur, sulfate, organic sulfur (humic and fulvic), and the stable isotope composition of total sulfur (δ34S). Additionally, coal and coal ash were analyzed for total sulfur, sulfate and δ34S. Soil sampling along the prevailing wind direction from the Plomin TPP revealed markedly elevated sulfur content, with levels at 100 m downwind reaching up to 4 wt.%, which is over 100 times higher than the 0.04 wt.% measured at the control site located upwind. Sulfur content decreases sharply with increasing distance from the TPP, reflecting the deposition gradient along the prevailing wind path. Speciation analysis showed that over 95% of the sulfur in the soil is now present in organic form, mainly bound to humic acids. The δ34SVCDT values of the bulk coal used in the TPP ranged from −10.0 to −5.0‰. In most soil samples, the bulk δ34S values were positive (+7.0 to +20.0‰). The values of sulfate in soil range from +1.0 to +5.5‰, while those in organic sulfur range from −3.5 to +6.0‰. This indicates that atmospheric deposition of 34S-depleted fly ash and sulfate from coal are the most important sulfur sources, while some of the sulfur in the soil is also of marine origin. Finally, we showed that natural attenuation was a significant and efficient process within the sustainable management of the site historically contaminated by anthropogenic atmospheric sulfur deposition.
Ključne besede: historical pollution, soil, sulfur, stable isotopes, thermal power plant, coal, natural attenuation
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 15.01.2026; Ogledov: 316; Prenosov: 140
Celotno besedilo (1,47 MB)

Povzetek: This study investigated long-term anthropogenic contributions to airborne particulate matter (PM10) in the Upper Meža Valley, Slovenia, a region historically affected by ore mining, smelting, and, more recently, secondary Pb production. PM10 samples collected at five locations in the summer and autumn of 2018 and at one location in the spring and summer of 2021 were analysed for elemental composition and Pb isotope ratios to identify and quantify pollution sources. Elevated concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd, and As were observed across all sites, with minimal temporal variations. Enrichment factor (EF) analysis indicated lower EF values for Zn and As, suggesting a primarily crustal origin. Conversely, higher EF values for Cd and Pb pointed to mixed crustal and anthropogenic sources. The proportion of PM10 samples with high Pb enrichment increased from 9.09 % in 2018 to 20.5 % in 2021, indicating a rising influence of anthropogenic emissions. This study represents the first application of Pb isotope composition and a two-endmember mixing model for detailed source apportionment of PM10 in the region. The Pb isotope ratios of PM10 samples fell between local geogenic background and known anthropogenic sources, with anthropogenic contributions accounting for 55.8 %–69.3 % of total Pb in PM10. These findings have important implications for local environmental management, as they can support targeted mitigation strategies, which are critical for public health protection.
Ključne besede: lead isotopes, air pollution, airborne particulate matter, source apportionment, potentially toxic elements, post-mining region
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 18.12.2025; Ogledov: 956; Prenosov: 227
Celotno besedilo (7,33 MB)
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Povzetek: Plastics are widely used in the construction and building industry, accounting for 23.5% of European plastic consumption. They can replace traditional materials in various applications, including building insulation, piping, paints, adhesives, sealants, roofing, flooring, etc., serve as key components in various composites, and are indispensable for packaging materials and elements that facilitate the construction process itself. Despite their long lifespan, building materials inevitably degrade over time, releasing microplastics (MPs) that contribute to environmental pollution. According to some estimates, annual emissions of MPs in the European Union range from 0.7 to 1.8 Mt, with building paints identified as a dominant source, contributing between 231,000 and 863,000 tons per year. However, reported numbers vary significantly across studies, reflecting the substantial uncertainties still present in quantifying MPs. Now ubiquitous across ecosystems worldwide, MPs have become one of the most pressing concerns of the scientific community, leading to a rapid expansion of research in recent years. Yet less than 0.6% of studies focus on their presence in the construction and building sector, leaving this major industry largely overlooked. This review consolidates scattered knowledge by examining the applications of plastics in the construction and built environment and their role in microplastic generation throughout the materials' life cycle, from production and application to use and end-of-life management. It also examines MPs within the broader framework of sustainable development, particularly in the transition from a linear to a circular economy, where MPs could potentially be repurposed as secondary raw materials for new products. Particular emphasis is placed on recent research exploring the incorporation of MPs into construction materials, while highlighting state-of-the-art solutions that demonstrate their potential commercial viability. Moreover, this article raises awareness of the potential risks associated with such practices, offering authors’ critical perspective on existing research and emphasizing the need for a comprehensive evaluation of their impacts. By synthesizing the current state of knowledge, this review lays the groundwork for advancing future research, developing mitigation strategies, and fostering more sustainable material management in the construction and building sector.
Ključne besede: microplastics, building, construction, pollution, circular economy
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 17.11.2025; Ogledov: 400; Prenosov: 353
Celotno besedilo (2,33 MB)
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Povzetek: Anthropogenic litter causes significant harm to the environment on a global scale. Achieving international agreements and es-tablishing corresponding national legislation is essential for solving this prevalent environmental problem. Effective monitoringprogrammes are also critical for evaluating the environmental status in aquatic (marine and freshwater) environments, as re-quired by the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in Europe. In contrastto the MSFD, the current version of the WFD does not yet include anthropogenic litter pollution as an indicator to evaluate thestatus of aquatic environments. In order to overcome these shortcomings, we recommend using existing litter data generated bycitizen science initiatives as a baseline to establish relevant indicators in the WFD. Further, citizen scientists could contribute tothe WFD by taking complimentary samples, for example, at underrepresented smaller streams, adding context and value to datacollected at established monitoring stations. The involvement of citizens as actors within an EU Directive would not only help toobtain valuable data on a significant spatial and temporal scale but could potentially also increase the environmental awarenessand political engagement of the public. The upcoming revision cycle of the WFD in 2028 presents a unique opportunity to givecitizens a voice and opportunity to partake in EU legislative frameworks.
Ključne besede: anthropogenic litter, citizen science, EU legislation participation, plastic pollution, Water Framework Directive (WFD)
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 18.08.2025; Ogledov: 582; Prenosov: 371
Celotno besedilo (3,44 MB)
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