Dissolved organic carbon and surface active substances in the northern Adriatic Sea: Long-term trends, variability and drivers

The paper presents a unique time series of organic matter content (dissolved organic carbon, DOC, and its surface active substances fraction, SAS) collected in the northern Adriatic along the Po-Rovinj transect between 1998 and 2017. The data were collected on a monthly or bimonthly basis. Seasonal variance of organic matter content does not exceed 30% of its total variance, while the DOC and the SAS trends are significantly negative and positive, respectively, over the whole transect. The organic matter content, however, exhibits pronounced interannual and decadal changes, with periods of high and low carbon content and evident changes in composition of the SAS content. The changes indicate altering episodes between eutrophication and oligotrophication, embedded in the overall oligotrophication trend in the considered period. Both series were correlated with the potential local and regional yearly-averaged drivers in both atmosphere and sea. DOC is most strongly (significant at 99%) correlated with the Po River discharges, at the phase lag of -1 to -2 years. For the SAS, the largest correlations (significant at 99%) are obtained with the Adriatic-Ionian Bimodal Oscillating System index (BiOS index), at the phase lag of -3 to -4 years. Correlations between the organic matter content and the hemispheric or the regional climate indices (North Atlantic Oscillation, East Atlantic/West Russia, East Atlantic, Scandinavian, and Mediterranean Oscillation) are much lower and only sparsely significant at 95% at some phase lags. The same was found for the other local drivers (precipitation and net heat flux). Our analysis highlights the importance of remote processes, like the BiOS, that weren't previously considered to shape the biogeochemical properties of such shallow coastal region impacted by freshwater load. To properly assess such impacts, long-term ecological monitoring and homogenized data series are required.

Dissolved organic carbon as potential indicator of global change: A long-term investigation in the northern Adriatic

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an essential component of the biogeochemical marine system, effecting biological and chemical reactions that take place in the sea. DOC represents a dynamic component of the global carbon cycle. This paper reports 25years of measurements of DOC content and distribution at seven stations along the transect Po River delta - Rovinj in the northern Adriatic (NA). The results show strong temporal and spatial variability: (1) The highest average DOC concentrations were observed in 1998 and 2002 (143μmol/L and 137μmol/L, respectively); (2) The minimum average DOC was recorded in 2006 (88μmol/L) and (3) The short-term DOC accumulation (up to 203, average 102μmol/L) for the years 2009 to 2012, was observed during the summer and autumn months followed by unusually low DOC concentrations during the winter and spring. The DOC results from the more recent monitoring at the same stations indicate primarily oligotrophic characteristics of the NA seawater (88μmol/L). The results of DOC variability and distribution in the NA appears to be strongly influenced by complex circulation patterns. This paper provides a "link" between the Ionian circulation and the NA ecosystem as a part of the recently identified Adriatic-Ionian Bimodal Oscillating System (BiOS). A good agreement between the BiOS oscillation and other variables related to the DOC concentration, like the NA A and B winter types, the Po River discharge, salinity, chlorophyll a, occurrence of hypoxic-anoxic conditions, eutrophication and oligotrophication, suggests that DOC might be a good tool and indicator of global change.

Inshore capture-based tuna aquaculture impact on Posidonia oceanica meadows in the eastern part of the Adriatic Sea

Mapping and monitoring of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica in the eastern (Croatian) part of the Adriatic Sea since 2004 indicates a significant decline in meadow density in an area impacted by inshore capture-based tuna aquaculture. The density and overall condition of P. oceanica meadows impacted by tuna farms near Fulija Islet was compared to two reference sites (Iž Island and Mrtovnjak Islet). The factors with the most significant influence on P. oceanica meadows were found to be the input of organic matter originating from the cages, as well as high epiphyte biomass caused by nutrient enrichment. Significant differences in nutrient concentrations were found between the sites impacted by tuna farms (Fulija Islet) and the control stations. Shoot density of the P. oceanica meadows decreased at the stations in close vicinity to the tuna farm, which suggests that the tuna farm activity strongly affected the surrounding meadows.

[The supply of blood, albumin and infusion solutions during war]

Use of blood, albumin and infusion solutions is one of the essential measures in management of war casualties which significantly contributes to the decline in mortality rate of war injured. Human blood and albumin represents the critical national resources which, beside the other, are characterised by limitation of sources and manace of enemy's combat operations. However, because blood and albumin would not be available in sufficient quantities, it is necessary to provide solutions for infusion, since the infusion is the obligatory component of modern management of injured in war and peace. For this reason each injured should be provided 0.35 l of blood, 0.25 l of 5% albumin solution, 0.5 l of 6% clinical dextrane solution and one litre of crystalloid solutions. The availability of these quantities is directly proportional with the effectiveness of the systems for provision of blood, albumin and infusion solutions. The success of the systems depend on realisation of the definite prerequisites, especially of mass and well-organised blood donor service, qualified blood collecting personnel and modern equipment including mobile laboratories for production of solutions for infusion.

HI-6 in man: efficacy of the oxime in poisoning by organophosphorus insecticides

The efficacy of the oxime HI-6 was studied as a treatment for organophosphorus poisoning. HI-6 was given four times daily as a single intramuscular injection of 500 mg accompanied by atropine and diazepam therapy. Oxime treatment was started on admission and continued for a minimum of 48 h and a maximum of 7 d. HI-6 rapidly reactivated human blood acetylcholinesterase inhibited by dimethoxy organophosphorus compounds, while the dimethoxy-inhibited enzyme was mainly resistant to the treatment by HI-6. Although both HI-6 and pralidoxime chloride reactivated the red blood cell cholinesterase in quinalphos-poisoned subjects, the return of enzyme activities was more rapid following the use of HI-6. The general improvement of poisoned patients, which was sometimes more rapid than the rise of acetylcholinesterase activity, pointed to direct pharmacological effects of HI-6. No undesirable side-effects were noted in patients when HI-6 plasma concentrations were maintained at levels far above the 'therapeutic' concentration for up to 7 d.

[The effect of the oxime HI-6 on miosis induced by topical administration of sarin and VX in the rabbit eye]

Effect of oxime HI-6 to rabbit miosis induced by the topical sarin and VX administration is presented. It has been found that effects of both toxins are better antagonized by parenteral than by topical HI-6 administration. The sarin antagonizing effect was found more effective. It has been also confirmed that there was no significant difference concerning the oxime HI-6 effect when topically administered either as 2.5% hypertonic or isotonic solution. Opposite to PAM-2, HI-6 effect was better in parenteral and topical administration of isotonic solutions, and less effective in local administration of hypertonic solutions.

HI-6 in man: blood levels, urinary excretion, and tolerance after intramuscular administration of the oxime to healthy volunteers

After intramuscular administration of graded doses of HI-6 (62.5, 125, 250, and 500 mg) to 22 healthy men, it has been established that therapeutic concentrations of the oxime in plasma, arbitrarily taken as 4 micrograms/ml, were achieved by doses of 250 and 500 mg in about 5 min, and maintained from 2 to 3 hr. The two lowest doses have not been satisfactory in this respect. Of the total doses injected, from 56.3 to 62% of HI-6 was excreted into urine unchanged during the first 6 hr. No side-effects were reported by the subjects, nor revealed by clinical or laboratory tests during the study. Exceptional tolerance of HI-6 in man found in this study, along with its high efficiency proven in experimental poisoning by sarin, VX, and soman, make it the most promising oxime aimed at the treatment of human poisoning by known chemical warfare nerve agents.

The protective effect of different drugs in rats poisoned by sulfur and nitrogen mustards

Based on the recent pathognomic accomplishment in the mechanisms of toxic actions, the favorable degree of protection was achieved by several drugs in acute poisoning of rats with sulfur and nitrogen mustards. It has been established that dexamethasone, promethazine, vitamin E, heparin, and sodium thiosulfate (a) prolonged the survival time in animals poisoned by 3 LD50s of toxic agents, (b) diminished the lethalty (with the protective indices ranging from 1.5 to 2.7), (c) antagonized the decrease of body weight, and (d) lessened the degree of pathological organ changes. The simultaneous administration of two or three of the drugs mentioned, of which sodium thiosulfate as chemical inactivator of the toxic agents was basic and consonant component, led to the further increase in effectiveness. It is concluded that satisfactory results obtained in this study speak in favor of the basic pathological effects of mustard gases, as well as possible causes and their possible ways of action as postulated by Dannenberg (1983).