Concentrations of PAHs and other gaseous pollutants in the atmosphere of a rural area.

In this study, concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bound to PM10 particles were measured in a Croatian rural area. Considering that by now only a limited number of studies have provided data on pollutant concentrations for rural areas, our aim was to do so by determining the PAH levels, their mutagenic effect and relationship with meteorological conditions and other gaseous pollutants (NO, NO2, NH3). In this investigation, samples of PM10 particles were collected on quartz filters for 1 month in the cold period and 1 month in the warm period of the year, 24 h a day. Diagnostic PAH concentration ratios and factor analysis were used as tools to identify and characterize the PAH sources. The PAHs found in the warm period of the year were characteristic for car exhaust emissions while the predominant source of these pollutants in the cold period was wood burning. The measurements showed much higher average concentrations of all PAHs in the cold period, most pronounced for fluoranthene 0.347 ng m(-3) and pyrene 0.223 ng m(-3). Mass concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene in the cold period ranged from 0.057 to 1.526 ng m(-3), while in the warm period they varied from 0.009 to 0.111 ng m(-3). Mutagenicity related to BaP (BaPMeq) was significantly higher during the cold period (1.095 ng m(-3)) than in the warm period (0.101 ng m(-3)).

Sulphur cycling between terrestrial agroecosystem and atmosphere.

Central gas station of the natural gas borehole system Podravina is located near the village Molve. It delivers more than a quarter of total energy used in Croatia to its consumers. Over the years, adapting technology to increasingly demanding and rigorous standards in environmental protection has become paramount. Yet, despite all the industry has undertaken to address the risk of harmful substances entering the food chain, a multidisciplinary research team of independent scientists monitors the content of specific substances in all components of the ecosystem. This paper presents measurements of total sulphur contents in soil surface [(0 to 3) cm] and subsurface [(3 to 8) cm] layers (study period: autumn 2006 - spring 2010) and in plants (study period: spring 2000 - spring 2010), and the concentration of gaseous sulphur compounds in the air. Concentrations of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and mercaptans (RSH) were measured from the summer of 2002 until the autumn of 2010, while concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2) were measured from the spring of 2008 until the autumn of 2010. The paper also shows total annual atmospheric sulphur (S-SO4) deposition at Bilogora measuring station (study period: 2001 - 2010). Average monthly concentrations of H2S in air varied between 0.2 µg m-3 and 2.0 µg m-3, RSH between 0.1 µg m-3 and 24.5 µg m-3, and SO2 between 0.4 µg m-3 and 2.8 µg m-3 depending on the location and the season of sampling. Mean values of total sulphur in soil and in Plantago lanceolata plant ranged between 610 mg kg-1 and 1,599 mg kg-1 and between 3,614 mg kg-1 and 4,342 mg kg-1, respectively, depending on the soil type, location, and sampling depth. Average values of total sulphur mass ratio for all examined single soil samples (n=80) were 1,080 mg kg-1 for both studied layers, and 4,108 mg kg-1 for all analysed plant samples (n=85). Average total annual atmospheric sulphur deposition at Bilogora measuring station was 6.3 kg of S-SO4 per hectare.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at different crossroads in Zagreb, Croatia.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in the PM(10) particle fraction collected at two different measuring sites in Zagreb, Croatia. In summer, concentrations of all PAHs at both sites were low. In winter, mass concentrations of all PAHs measured at southern site were much higher than those at north. Contents of all PAHs in the PM(10) particle fraction were much lower in summer than that in the winter period. For example, average content of BaP in PM(10) in summer was 2.26 ng/mg at site A and 4.17 ng/mg at site B, while in winter it was 34.72 and 46.69 ng/mg, respectively.

Effect of summer ozone concentrations on the lung function of walkers in the Medvednica Mountain Nature Park, Croatia.

The study examines the influence of naturally elevated ozone concentrations and some meteorological variables on the lung function of untrained volunteers walking in an unpolluted mountain area. Forty male participants between 18 and 70 years (smokers and nonsmokers) walked at the top of Medvednica Mountain near Zagreb, Croatia, at approximately 1000 m above sea level (a.s.l.) and engaged in other recreational activities for at least 1 hour. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) of the participants were measured at arrival and before they left the mountain. Regression analysis showed a statistically significant influence of environmental variables on lung function tests. However, all variables together explained less than 35% variability of FVC and 41% variability of FEV(1). The results suggest that short-term exposure to ozone may affect lung function tests, but no more than temperature and humidity. FEV(1) was found to be more sensitive to ozone than FVC. Smoking habit also had an important role in subject's sensitivity to ozone.

Arsenic in air and soil in the vicinity of the central gas station Molve, Croatia.

Spatial and temporal distribution of arsenic levels in soil during the 9 year monitoring period was investigated on four different soil types in the area of the gas borehole system Podravina in Croatia. Arsenic levels in the PM(10) particle fraction were measured periodically at the same locations for 3 years. Arsenic levels in soil significantly depended on soil types. Elevated levels were found on gleysol vertic, at two sampling sites, with values exceeding 30 mg/kg of arsenic in soil. Arsenic levels in air were low and they were not significantly different between sampling sites, suggesting that gas borehole activities have no influence on arsenic levels in the environment.

Summer ozone concentrations in Zagreb area.

Ozone concentrations were measured at three sites in Zagreb (Croatia) in the summer of 2005. Two measuring sites were in urban areas, while the third site was in a rural area about 30 km to the south from the centre of Zagreb. Hourly ozone averages varied between 1 microg m(-3) and 209 microg m(-3). Average concentrations were the lowest in the rural area, even though elevated concentrations were recorded occasionally. However, the weather conditions during measurements were untypical for that time of the year; over the summer of 2005 there were many rainy and cloudy days. Ozone concentrations at all three sites were the highest on Saturdays and Sundays, and the lowest on Thursdays. All the results were analysed with regard to the meteorological conditions (wind velocity and direction, temperature, relative humidity).

Acidic anions in PM10 particle fraction in Zagreb air, Croatia.

This paper presents the results of 7 years continuous measurement of acidic anions chlorides, nitrates, and sulphates in PM(10) particle fraction in the city of Zagreb, Croatia. The mean annual mass concentrations of the investigated anions in PM(10) particle fraction varied from 0.28 to 0.95 microg/m(3) for chlorides, from 3.21 to 7.87 microg/m(3) for nitrates and from 3.98 to 9.71 microg/m(3) for sulphates. The concentration levels of all measured anions showed significant seasonal differences. The most contributing to the PM(10) mass were sulphates, then nitrates, and then chlorides. The mobile source emission was an important contributor to particle mass.

[Causes of climatic changes and their consequences on human health]. / Uzroci klimatskih promjena i njihove posljedice za zdravlje covjeka.

Environmental disasters are common phenomena caused by human factors. Disaster episodes may be the result of climatic changes such as global warming, which can lead to floods or drought. Greenhouse gases, and especially the ozone, represent a special problem. Atmospheric pollutions are the result of fire, storm dusts, winds, acid rain, etc. Underwater earthquakes very often end in tsunami with waves of up to 30 meters. Disasters described in the territory of Croatia include atmospheric pollutions, fires, floods, and droughts. All disasters affect the health of the population, particularly of the elderly. This most often includes the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, allergic reactions, and carcinogenic effects, resulting in increased mortality.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the air near gas field Molve.

Small-volume air samples (approximately 7 m3 per 24 h) of airborne PM10 particle fraction were collected on quartz fibre filters at two measuring sites in the vicinity of the gas field Molve in April and July 2006. It took five to seven days for each sample to collect and one month to collect five to seven samples. Mass concentrations of PM10 fractions were determined by gravimetry while PAHs were analysed using a HPLC with a fluorescent detector. The analysis included fluoranthene (Flu), pyrene (Pyr), benzo(a)anthracene (BaA), chrysene (Cry), benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF), benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF), benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), benzo(ghi)perylene (BghiP) and indene(1,2,3-cd)pyrene (Ind). Average concentrations of all PAHs in April at site A were slightly higher than at site B while in July they were lower and similar on both sites. Average BaP concentration measured at site A in April was 0.156 ng m(-3) and at site B 0.129 ng m(-3), while July BaP averages were 0.022 ng m(-3) at both sites. In both months, the mass concentration of BaP was lower than the limit value (1 ng m(-3)) and well below the tolerant value (2 ng m(-3)) set by a Croatian regulation of 2005. This suggests that the air near gas field Molve was of acceptable quality in respect to BaP at the time of the measurement.

Characterisation of major acidic anions in TSP and PM10 in Zagreb air.

This article presents the results of mass concentration of major acidic anions (chlorides, nitrates and sulphates) in TSP and PM(10) particle fraction in Zagreb air measured continuously at one measuring site in 2004. The annual average mass concentrations of the investigated anions followed the order chloride < nitrate < sulphate. Significant correlations were obtained between TSP and investigated anions and between PM(10) and investigated anions, the latter showing a higher correlation coefficient. The annual average mass ratio of (NO(3)(-))/(SO(4)(2-)) obtained in TSP and PM(10) was >0.8, which suggests that mobile source emission was an important contributor to particle mass.

[Air pollution at the waste disposal facility Jakusevec and surrounding populated area]. / Oneciscenje zraka u podrucju odlagalista otpada jakusevec i u okolnim naseljima.

The first air quality measurements in the communities of Jakusevec and Micevec surrounding the waste disposal facility Jakusevec started in the summer of 1995, that is, before the first section of the disposal facility underwent recovery. The continuous air monitoring was carried out at three measuring sites until the end of 2004. Over the years, air quality showed significant seasonal variations, with a tendency to have significantly higher concentrations of volatile compounds, especially hydrogen sulphite, mercaptans, mercury and gaseous fluorides in the summer than in the winter. In addition, pollution levels would rise substantially during recovery operations. The concentrations of H2S, mercaptans and gaseous fluorides would then exceed limit values defined by the Croatian law. Mercury levels kept below the limit value, but exceeded the recommended value. The concentrations of other pollutants were somewhat lower.