Biomedical subjects

R Jaćimović

Publications and source records attributed to R Jaćimović.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Epiphytic lichens as biomonitors of atmospheric pollution in Slovenian forests.

Two country-wide surveys using epiphytic lichens as biomonitors of atmospheric pollution carried out during 2000 and 2001 in Slovenia were compared with surveys in 1991 and 1992. In the first survey, epiphytic lichen cover was studied in more than 500 plots of the 4 x 4 km national grid carried out within the framework of forest decline inventories. In the second survey, the epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl., was collected on a 16 x 16 km bioindication grid and analysed for S, N, As, Br, Ce, Cd, Cr, K, La, Mo, Rb, Sb, Th, U and Zn contents. Only 'forested area' sampling points were included in the present study. Lichen cover was low, with about 70% of plots with less than 10% foliose lichen cover. No relationship was found between Hypogymnia trace element, N and S concentrations and foliose epiphytic lichen cover.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2002

Lichens as integrating air pollution monitors.

In this work an attempt to combine the results of lichen mapping with the quantitative levels of certain trace elements in Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. collected on a national scale is presented. An Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) was calculated using a simple method of mapping lichens based on the assessment of the cover and frequency of crustose, foliose and fruticose lichens on different tree species. For determination of trace elements in lichens k0-instrumental neutron activation analysis was used. From the IAP results it can be concluded that the epiphytic lichen flora look quite poor with more than 70% of the territory in the fourth and third classes, which represent highly polluted and moderately polluted air. By comparing IAP results with elemental levels in H. physodes using multivariate statistical methods it was found that the elemental levels do not have a direct negative effect on the diversity of lichens but can help in identification of the type of possible pollution sources and their origin.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2001

The validation of Kayzero-assisted NAA in Budapest, Rez, and Ljubljana via the analysis of three BCR certified reference materials.

After installation and calibration of k0-assisted NAA in three Central European research institutes (AEKI-Budapest, NPI-Rez, and IJS, Ljubljana), its validation was established via the analysis of three BCR certified reference materials. The matrices of choice were: CRM 277 estuarine sediment, CRM 038 coal fly ash from pulverized coal, and CRM 101 spruce needles. For some elements, e.g. Zn, Cd, and Hg, the analyses were not only performed instrumentally (INAA), but also in the radiochemical mode (RNAA). The work was performed in the framework of a European Copernicus Project.

Carbon↗

PubMed2001

Installation and calibration of Kayzero-assisted NAA in three Central European countries via a Copernicus project.

An account is given of the installation and calibration of k0-based NAA--assisted by the DSM Kayzero/Solcoi software package--at the KFKI-AEKI, Budapest, the NPI, Rez and the IJS, Ljubljana. Not only the calibration of the Ge-detectors and the irradiation facilities are discussed, but also other important topics such as gamma-spectrometric hard- and software, QC/QA of the IRMM-530 Al-Au flux monitor and the upgrade of the Kayzero/Solcoi code. The work was performed in the framework of a European Copernicus JRP, coordinated by the Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Gent, with DSM Research, Geleen, as the industrial partner.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Mercury and other elements in lichens near the INA Naftaplin gas treatment plant, Molve, Croatia.

This paper describes the use of epiphytic lichens as bioindicators for spatial monitoring of mercury and other elements in air near the natural gas treatment facilities at Molve, Croatia. It is well known that at this location the concentration of mercury in natural gas is very high and therefore it has to be removed from natural gas before further processing in order to prevent technological and environmental problems. In order to monitor the efficiency of an industrial facility for removal of mercury from natural gas, mercury measurements in air and lichens were performed during 9 months in 1997/1998. In situ lichens Parmelia sulcata, Xantoria parientina and Hypogymnia physodes and transplanted lichen species Hypogymnia physodes were used. A good correlation between mercury concentrations in air and lichens was found. The concentrations of barium and bromium were also significantly elevated in transplanted lichens, most probably related to technological process at the gas treatment plant and/or other geological factors. It was confirmed that lichens can successfully be used as bioindicators, provided a careful experiment is designed, particularly the amount of lichens transplanted, the duration of exposure and the initial levels and homogeneity of transplanted lichens.

Croatia↗

PubMed1996

Applicability of neutron activation analysis (NAA) in quantitative determination of some essential and toxic trace elements in food articles.

Accurate and reliable data on microgram and nanogram quantities of some essential and toxic elements in most food articles are very scarce. Neutron activation analysis (NAA), with its essentially blankfree advantage, is a valuable approach in the field of determination of trace elements in different foodstuffs and diets. Accordingly, various radiochemical (RNAA) and instrumental (INAA) approaches have been developed in our laboratory for the element As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, I, Mo, Ni, Sb, Se, Sn, Th, U, V, and others, and verified by the analysis of compositionally appropriate certified reference materials.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Atmospheric heavy metal pollution in Slovenia derived from results for epiphytic lichens.

In 1992, a monitoring survey has been started on the national scale in Slovenia using the epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. The primary aim has been to analyse lichens using the k(0)-based INAA method to obtain information about the levels of elements in the atmosphere and to identify significant pollution sources. Monte Carlo-Assisted Factor Analysis was applied to a data set of the 28 elements As, Ag, Ba, Br, Ce, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Ga, Hf, Hg, K, La, Mo, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Sm, Tb, Th, U, W and Zn, which have been selected from the elements determined as the most important ones for the identification of pollution sources. A Monte Carlo approach has been used to give more insight into the uncertainties and significance levels of the factor analysis results. It has been found that concentration patterns in lichens yielded 9 factors (source types) which are presented and discussed in detail. The geographical patterns of the contributions of all factors are also shown.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Determination of trace elements in standard reference materials by the ko-standardization method.

The ko-standardization method is suitable for routine multielement determinations by reactor neutron activation analysis (NAA). Investigation of NIST standard reference materials SRM 1571 Orchard Leaves, SRM 1572 Citrus Leaves, and SRM 1573 Tomato Leaves showed the systematic error of 12 certified elements determined to be less than 8%. Thirty-four elements were determined in NIST proposed SRM 1515 Apple Leaves.

Neutron Activation Analysis↗