Maša Buljac

Cadmium and Lead Distribution in Marine Soil Sediments, Terrestrial Soil, Terrestrial Rock, and Atmospheric Particulate Matter around Split, Croatia

The distributions of cadmium and lead in marine sediments, surrounding soil, stones, and atmospheric particulate matter were determined at different locations in Split, Croatia. The determination of cadmium and lead was performed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry whereas atmospheric particulate matter samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. Cadmium concentrations in the stones and soil were between 0.2 to 0.6 µg g−1 and 0.2 to 0.9 µg g−1. The concentration in the atmospheric particulate matter were <0.2 µg m−2 d−1(detection limit) to 1.4 µg m−2 d−1. Lead concentrations in marine sediments, stones, soil, and atmospheric particulate matter ranged from 31.2 to 144.4 µg g−1, 9.3 to 29.4 µg g−1, 11.3 to 66.1 µg g−1, and 0.5 to 241.4 µg m−2 d−1, respectively. The relationship between determined parameters was established using principal component analysis and the results are in agreement with the assumption that anthropogenic sources play important roles for lead and cadmium distribution.

Real-time monitoring of “self-oxidation” of cysteine in presence of Cu2+ : Novel findings in the oxidation mechanism

A novel approach for investigation of a mechanism and rate of “self-oxidation” of cysteine in the presence of Cu2+ is presented. Continuous monitoring was performed using simple, low-cost, and widely available commercial ion-selective electrode for Cu2+. Presented procedure provides a complete real-time picture of overall oxidation process and has revealed a sequentially organized process, with the domination of certain reactions in each stage. A plausible mechanism, in the light of the previously reported explanation, has been proposed to account for the experimental results together with an adequate scheme of the overall process. The dependence of both the pH (measurements were performed at pH 5, 7, 8) and the concentration of the initially present Cu2+ is presented and discussed. Additionally, information into the process was collected by experiments performed in oxygen-free atmosphere and changes in the mechanism of oxidation, at weakly alkaline pH values, were observed. Information presented in this study can be utilized in advanced biochemical monitoring systems, when considering the importance of the position of cysteine and cysteine containing peptides in metabolic processes.Graphical abstract

Characterization of the Air Quality in Split, Croatia Focusing Upon Fine and Coarse Particulate Matter Analysis

The study presents statistical analysis of air quality parameters for a five-year period including PM2.5 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter, d a < 2.5 µm) and PM10 (d a < 10 µm) concentrations measured at three stations in Split region, along with NO, NOx, NO2, SO2, and black smoke data. Average concentrations of PM2.5 at three different stations were 28.2, 19.9, and 14.3 µg m−3, whereas those for PM10 were 17.8, 25.8, and 15.2 µg m−3. Generally, high correlations between PM2.5 and PM10 (0.62 and 0.54 respectively) were determined between industrial and residential stations, while lower correlation (0.22 between PM2.5 and PM10) was observed at a station in traffic and industrial area. Contributions of different sources were determined using multivariate receptor modeling (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) and it was found that the major source of pollution was in accordance with the station position. Comparison of particle mass concentrations with those reported for different European cities indicate lower loading for PM in the Split Region.