Ida Puntarić

Presence of war related elements in dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) as a possible consequence of military activities in east Croatia

ABSTRACT This is the first study on concentrations of war related elements in dandelion from war effected areas of Croatia. Previous research done on human subjects, soil and water has shown abnormalities in distribution of war associated metals and metalloids in war affected areas compared with peacetime locations. Dandelion, as wide spread perennial herb, is considered as very useful plant in determination of trace elements pollution in various ecosystems. Aim of the research was to try to determine whether concentrations of war related elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mg, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Si, Sr, U, V and Zn) concentrations in dandelion (Taraxacum officinalle) samples in areas of high intensity of combat activities differ from areas of low intensity of combat activities, and to clarify possible contamination in dandelion as an indicator (and edible) plant with its role in food chain. Leaves of the dandelion were taken at locations (28 locations at 11 settlements) were divided into two major subgroups: high and low intensity of combat activities, at the locations of major explosions, former minefields, army trenches … Analysis was done using ICP-MS and data was interpreted using Mann Whitney test and PCA. Results have shown that there is difference in concentration of war related elements among different locations, with generally, higher concentrations of war elements in war areas compared with control group. Maximum concentrations of As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mg, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Si, Sr, U, V and Zn were higher in areas of high intensity of combat activities. When results are compared with similar researches, overall presence of metals and metalloids is legally acceptable, however, there are differences in concentrations between war and peacetime locations.

Pollen, Physicochemical, and Mineral Analysis of Croatian Acacia Honey Samples: Applicability for Identification of Botanical and Geographical Origin

The aim of the study was to investigate health safety and quality of the Croatian acacia honey, the selected elements in the soil, and whether multivariate methods can provide identification of the origin of honey. The study included 200 acacia honey samples and 100 soil samples from East, Northwest Croatia, and Istria. The proportion of acacia in honey was determined by conducting pollen analysis. Water, free acids, electric conductivity, reducing sugars, saccharose, diastase, and HMF were determined. No significant differences were found using Kruskal-Wallis test regarding the physicochemical parameters ( ), the mineral content of honey ( ), or the mineral composition of the soil ( ). No significant correlation was found between the analyzed elements in honey and soil. Multivariate methods indicated that East Croatia honey samples have higher concentrations of water, HMF, and higher concentrations of measured elements, except for Al. Honey samples from Northwest Croatia are characterized by low concentrations of elements and a higher concentration of saccharose. The Istria samples are richer in reducing sugars, free acids, diastase, higher conductivity, higher content of the acacia pollen grains, and lower concentrations of most metals. Honey from Northwest Croatia and Istria shares the high concentration of Al in honey.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) as possible Indicator of Wartime Metal and Metalloid Contamination in Eastern Croatia (ICP-MS Method)

ABSTRACT Biomonitoring of the local population and environmental monitoring in eastern Croatia have revealed abnormalities in metal and metalloid distribution that could be related to war activities during the 1990s. The goal of this study was to determine whether there are differences in the concentrations of metals and metalloids by comparing locations of high and low-intensity combat activity; we also evaluated a possible connection between metal contamination in soil and in humans. We sampled 14 locations and measured the concentrations of 20 war related metals and metalloids (Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Si, Sr, U, V and Zn). The results of principal components analysis showed two main clusters: locations Dopsin and Dalj (both characterized by high-intensity combat activity), where the concentrations of most elements (except Hg) were increased. Although the concentrations of metals and metalloids in cabbage samples collected in eastern Croatia did not exceed the maximum allowed values, the results of our study confirmed existance of environmental ‘hotspot’ with higher concentrations of war metals and metalloids. Our findings indicate that there is a possible common source and mechanism of transferring metals from the environment to the population.