The study on air pollution with nickel and vanadium in Croatia by using moss biomonitoring and ICP-AES

Regional air quality study by assessing trace metal atmospheric deposition

This study addresses the atmospheric deposition of trace elements investigated in Albania, Croatia and Macedonia in 2010 as part of the European Moss Study. This study provides data on the concentration of ten metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, Fe, Al, and Li) in naturally growing mosses. In general, all concentration data follow a lognormal distribution. Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn show strong fluctuations in the moss samples from Albania and Macedonia, and Pb, Fe, and Al in the mosses from Croatia. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Zn were higher in the samples from Croatia than in those from Albania and Macedonia; the concentrations of Cr, Ni, V, Fe, Al, and Li were higher in the samples from Albania than in those from Croatia and Macedonia; and a higher concentration of Pb was found in the samples from Macedonia. The observed relationship between the concentration of lithogenic elements (Al, Fe, and V) and the air quality index (AQI) confirms that moss species have a high capacity to retain atmospheric deposition particles. The anthropogenic emission sources of these elements from local and long-range transport were considered to be the most important factors affecting air quality in the studied areas.

Vanadium Contamination in Soil and Atmospheric Deposition in Albania

By examining and evaluating the vanadium content in topsoil and moss samples, this study sought to better understand vanadium contamination in soil and atmospheric deposition. In the research area, Hypnium cupressiforme sps. moss is used. According to different distribution patterns and the lack of a link between vanadium in moss and soil samples studied by correlation analysis, no interactions between substrate soil and moss samples were investigated. Maximum vanadium concentrations (13.2 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg, respectively) were found in both moss and soil samples near the Cu mineral-rich Gjegjan area. Using lithium-normalized data on vanadium, the effect of anthropogenic activity on the vanadium in moss and soil samples is examined. There were no relationships between concentration and normalized data in moss and soil samples, showing the simultaneous effects of natural and anthropogenic sources of vanadium in the research area. Country-specific trends revealed no change for vanadium since 2010 in Albania.

Mini review-vanadium-induced neurotoxicity and possible targets

Vanadium, a transition metal, ubiquitous in nature is known to have therapeutic effect as well as toxic effect. It is known to possess antidiabetic, antitumor and antiparasitic activity. However, on long term exposure, it produces neurotoxicity which may result in memory impairment. The possible mechanism known to cause neurotoxicity suggested is oxidative stress and inflammation of neuronal cells. The present review has focused on discussing the role of protein P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and oxidative stress as possible targets to treat vanadium-induced neurotoxicity.

Study of nitrogen pollution in Croatia by moss biomonitoring and Kjeldahl method

During the summer and autumn of 2006 moss samples were collected from 98 sampling sites evenly distributed all over the territory of Croatia. Moss sampling was repeated in 2010 when additional sampling sites were added and a total of 121 samples were collected. Kjeldahl method was used to determine the nitrogen content in the samples. Descriptive statistics and distribution maps were prepared. Data obtained from these two surveys were compared, and additional comparison was done with data obtained from similar studies in neighbouring countries and Finland as a clean area. The median value of N content in the samples collected in 2006 is 1.60% and varies from 0.79% to 3.16%. The content of N in samples collected in 2010 ranges between 0.71% and 2.93% with the median value of 1.49%. High contents of N (2.32% - 3.17%) were found in the regions of Slavonia, Podravina, Posavina and cities Zagreb and Sisak as a result of agricultural activities, industry and traffic.