Jelena Cvejanov

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Soils of Novi Sad and Bank Sediment of the Danube River

Abstract Concentrations of 16 EPA polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the surface soil samples of Novi Sad city urban area and in the Danube bank sediment sample were measured in 2001. The sampling sites were chosen in order to cover the whole city area and the results correspond to a network of six representative sampling sites. The total content of PAHs ranged from 307 to 1452 μg/kg with arithmetic mean value of 667 μg/kg and median of 382 μg/kg that represented typical PAH level of soils throughout Novi Sad urban area. Value of total PAHs content obtained in bank sediment sample along the Danube River was 975 μg/kg. Benzo(a)pyrene known to be carcinogenic formed 6–14% of the sum concentration of the identified PAHs for all investigated samples. Data were compared with the ones found for soils and river sediments throughout the world, and with target values set by Dutch authorities for unpolluted soil. The total carcinogenic potency for each sampling site was calculated and compared with the ones obtained on the base of the target concentrations. It was revealed only one sampling site with carcinogenic potency below the value calculated for unpolluted soil.

POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN PRODUCTS OF A BEET SUGAR FACTORY IN VOJVODINA: LEVELS AND INTAKES

The levels of 16 EPA polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in samples of sugar beets and their products representative for a beet sugar factory located in the central part of Vojvodina, the main agricultural region in Serbia. The sum of the detected PAHs ranged from 51 pg g −1 ww for molasses to 391 pg g −1 ww for dried sugar beet pulp. The concentration of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) for all sample types was about or less than 100 pg g −1 ww, which is far less than the existing Serbian and EU tolerances set for some foodstuffs. The Serbian intake of BaP via total sugar consumption that ranged from 70–85 g per capita day −1 , was assessed to be from 0.029 to 0.035 ng kg −1 b.w. day −1 . Furthermore, the toxic equivalency factor (TEF) approach was used to estimate the carcinogenicity of PAH mixture found in analyzed samples.

Determination of mycotoxins in biscuits, dried fruits and fruit jams: an assessment of human exposure

ABSTRACT A reliable, fast and simple method using UHPLC-MS/MS was developed for the determination of aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), G1 (AFG1), B2 (AFB2) and G2 (AFG2), ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), HT-2 toxin and T-2 toxin in crude extracts of biscuits with fruit filling, cookies, dried fruits and fruit jams. The method was successfully demonstrated on 39 samples of biscuits with fruit filling, 34 cookies, 14 dried fruits and 10 fruit jams. The mycotoxins detected in biscuits samples were ZEA, OTA, T-2 and AFB1 with an average concentrations of positive samples of 2.64, 4.10, 8.13 and 1.32 µg kg−1, respectively; while the mycotoxins detected in jam samples were AFB1, OTA, T-2 and AFB2 with an average concentrations of positive samples of 2.00, 17.7, 4.37 and 1.15 µg kg−1, respectively. The results showed that the majority of samples were in compliance with relevant regulations. However in eight samples of biscuits and three samples of fig jam the contents of OTA were higher than the existing OTA limits. The combined dietary exposure of selected mycotoxins was estimated for the first time for children, adolescents and adults. The estimated combined dietary exposures were all lower than the proposed value assumed to predict a possible risk scenario. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Organochlorine Pesticides in Soil and Sediment from an Urban Zone of Novi Sad, Serbia

The content of 16 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) was determined in the surface zone (0–5 cm) of soil and sediment samples, taken from different locations in the city of Novi Sad, capitol of Vojvodina Province (North of the Serbia) covering residential and commercial area, recreational and arable zone. The total organochlorine pesticides concentration in soil varied from 2.63 to 31.78 μg/kg dry matter, while the level in sediment was 10.35 μg/kg dry matter. Maximum content of identified individual organoclorine pesticide in soil samples was 10.40 μg/kg dry matter for p,p-DDE in the market garden and 6.31 μg/kg dry matter for p,p’-DDT in sediment of the Danube River, although their application is restricted in Serbia. Data were compared with the ones found for soils and river sediments throughout the world, and with limit values set by soil and sediment quality guidelines. Also, correlation between the levels of certain pesticides and soil characteristics (organic matter, pH and clay content) was investigated.

Comparative analysis of methods for determination of calorific values of natural gas mixtures

Abstract Procedures for calorific value determination of natural gas from the molar composition are described in a number of internationally accepted standard methods and in a number of published papers. In principle these suggested methods should be the same but they differ in the following important respects: 1. · formula for calorific value calculation from the molar composition: 2. · number of components used for calorific value calculation. In this study comparative analysis of chosen methods for calorific value determination of natural gas are shown. Obtained differences and standard deviations of differences of any chosen procedure are given with respect to the others. The evaluation of precision of these differences is obtained by using a common statistical test. The tested methods have shown little agreement. Also discussed is the number of components of natural gas necessary for calorific value calculation using simplified existing procedures. It was found that components of the natural gases studied which were present at concentrations less than 0.2 mol.% may be grouped as C 5+ or C 6+ components.