Contamination of Soil and Vegetation with Developmental Forms of Parasites in the Area of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Background: According to the WHO (2019), more than 1.5 billion people worldwide are infected with soil-transmitted parasites. Previous research in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) was mainly conducted in the area of the Sarajevo Canton. Therefore, the aim of the research was to explore contamination of soil and vegetation with developmental forms of parasites in the other cantons of FB&H. Methods: Between Apr and Oct 2018, a total of 1,618 soil and vegetation samples were taken from 386 different locations in the 9 cantons of the FB&H. Results: Positive samples were observed, 65/66 (98.48%) municipalities/cities and on 239/386 (61.92%) locations. Out of 1,618 samples taken in total (1,263 soil samples and 355 vegetation samples), 357 (22.06%) were positive, out of which 337 (26.68%) and 20 (5.63%) were soil and plant samples, respectively. In total, the following adult and developmental forms were identified: Taeniidae eggs (7.30%), Toxocara spp. eggs (62.08%), Ancylostomatidae eggs (25.00%), Trichuris spp. eggs (9.55%), Capillaria spp. eggs (3.37%), Toxascaris leonina eggs (1.40%), Nematodes larvae (19.38%), Giardia duodenalis cysts (5.06%), Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts (1.4%), oocysts and cysts of different species of Protozoa (3.93%). Conclusion: The identified developmental forms of parasites pose a permanent threat to human health. It is necessary to carry out measures to reduce the contamination of soil and vegetation in coordination with systematic solutions (legislation), paralelly with contribution of animal owners, veterinarians, physicians, ecologists, parents and all the others involved in this issue.

Lack of Cascading Effects of Eurasian Lynx Predation on Roe Deer to Soil and Plant Nutrients

This study examines the extent to which above-ground trophic processes such as large carnivore predation on wild ungulates can cause cascading effects through the provision of carrion resources to below-ground ecosystem processes in the boreal forest of southeastern Norway. We measured the levels of 10 parameters in soil samples and 7 parameters in vegetation (wavy hair-grass, Avenella flexuosa, and bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus) at 0, 0.5 and 2 m distance from 18 roe deer (Capreolus caprelous) carcasses killed by Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). We then compared these values to two control sites 20 m away from each carcass. Sampling was conducted 20–29 months after death. Neither soil nor vegetation samples showed a clear gradient in parameters (CN, NH4+, NO3−, P, PO4−, Ca, K, Mg and Na) from the center of a carcass towards the periphery. Similarly, there was no difference in the effect on soil and vegetation between winter- and summer-killed carcasses. Our results contrast with that of other studies that simulate the effect of predation with whole carcasses and which often exclude scavengers through fencing. The lack of detectable effects after about two years is likely due to the small size of roe deer carcasses and the fact that most tissues are consumed by the predator and scavengers before decomposition.

MATRIX-TYPE CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF METAL DETERMINATION FROM SOLID ENVIRONMENTAL AND VEGETATION SAMPLES

In the context of monitoring environmental factors, metals are one of the major analytical components. Applying appropriate determination methods and obtaining accurate results is a requirement imposed on environmental laboratories that perform quality control of water, soil, waste, or vegetation. This study presents some examples of certified reference materials for quality control of the results of toxic metal determination from solid environmental and vegetation samples. The analyzed and verified metals were As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. The pre-treatment of the samples, the determination methods of metals and the obtained results are also presented. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-EOS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques are suitable for low metal concentrations, while ICP-EOS and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS) methods can be used at high concentrations.

EXPERIMENTAL JUSTIFICATION OF PROSPECTS OF USING THE ENTOMOPATHOGENIC PREPARATION BOVERYN FOR THE PROTECTION OF PINETUM

Objective. Study the possibility and feasibility of using the entomopathogenic fungal preparation Boveryn to protect pinetum from damage by pine silkworms. Methods. Field (collection of vegetation samples on the soil surface from trunk circles of model trees; collection of worms from treecrowns); laboratory (species identification, physiological monitoring). At the same time, physiologically defective samples with signs of diseases and also damaged with by worm entomophages wereremoved. They were distributed according to known characteristics, namely: size of the main capsule and age. The selected materials were placed in gauze cages with common pine branches.Worms of three species of seedworms were selected accordingly, and they were diapaused on treetrunks and in the soil. During the studies, the entomopathogenic fungal preparation Boveryn wasused with a titre of 6 billion spores/g and at a concentration of 0.5 %. Results. It was found that thelevel of entomocidal action of Boveryn against worms of different ages is determined by the speciesand age susceptibility of phytophages, as well as temperature. Accounting of the changes in parameters of the death of worms of the pine silkworm of the third generation over time shows that the population is quite vulnerable to Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill — the active substance in Boveryn. Actually, the experiment confirmed the feasibility of adding suspensions of the preparation inplaces of diapause of phytophages. At an air temperature in the range of 12–17 °C, at least 50 % ofthe pest population dies in only 9.4–12.5 days. When the temperature increases, the time of deathof worms is reduced. The digital mortality characteristics of pine silkworm worms in the fourth andfifth generations (populations of worms that feed on tree crowns) are quite informative. Conclusion. It is feasible to use Boveryn with appropriate procedure (spraying, etc.) in the areas of extensive spread of pine silkworm to ensure control of the number of pests.

FOOD SAFETY ON HEAVY METALS OF VEGETATION SAMPLES FROM A ROUTE OF THE NORTHERN FLEET’S COMPLEXED EXPIDITION «NOVAYA ZEMLYA-2018»»

Introduction. In publications devoted to survival under conditions of autonomous existence, there is no information available on the contamination of natural food raw materials with heavy metals (HM). The prevalence of HM in the Arctic and the ability of some plants to their bioaccumulation necessitates studying the content of hazardous elements in samples of local flora.Purpose of the work: assessment of the potential hazard, based on the content of HM, the consumption of objects of the Arctic flora that grow at military training places and places of probable disembarkation of crews of ships being in distress in areas of the northern seas of the Russian Federation.Tasks: assessment of the content of HM in plants growing in the Arctic and comparison of the obtained data with the maximum permissible levels (MPE) established by current regulatory documents. Vegetation samples were collected on the territory of the Northern Island of Novaya Zemlya Archipelago, their species affiliation was determined and they were dried in the herbar press. The analysis was performed by means of atomic spectrometer MGA-915M. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using the software Statistica for Windows 7.0. It was found that the content of cadmium (Cd) in willow leaves exceeds manifold the maximum permissible concentration. In plants of other species, small excess of MPE by selected elements were found. The data obtained are discussed in the context of the exceptional ability of willow plants to accumulate HM, especially Cd. It is proposed to exclude arctic species of willow from the list of objects recommended for eating in conditions of autonomous existence. The other objects are not advisable to exclude. However, taking into account some excesses of MPC in a number of plants, the prevention of monophagy as well as the maximum possible diversity and alternation of plant species when used for food is strongly recommended for consummation of plants.

Anthropogenic Releases of Radiocarbon and its Concentration Burden in Environment

: The radiocarbon (14C) concentrations in air and vegetation samples around a nuclear research reactor were studied. Objective: 14C concentrations in the air and vegetation samples around the nuclear research reactor were measured to assess its 14C burden on the environment. Methods: Air samples were collected by converting CO2 into Na2CO3 by using a specified system. Leaf samples were carbonized to convert organic carbon into inorganic carbonates. The samples were converted into carbamate through carbosorb systems with 74% efficiency. The fractionation of 14C for each sample was corrected and normalized to a 13C composition of -25‰ Pee Dee Belemnite. Results: 14C concentrations in the air and vegetation samples around the nuclear research reactor were found to range from 158 to 406 Bq/Kg and 162 to 339 Bq/kgC, respectively. The highest concentrations of 14C were found in the samples close to the reactor and along the prevailing wind direction. The specific activities of the samples decreased with an increase in the distance from the reactor and in the opposite to prevailing wind direction. In addition to the distance from the reactor and wind direction, the local Suess effect was an additional factor affecting the 14C activities in the air and vegetation samples. Conclusion: One can conclude that other than the 14C emissions from the nuclear reactor, local Suess effects and climatic factors (wind directions) dilute and disperse 14C concentrations in the atmosphere and consequently decrease its availability for uptake and accumulation by plants at 4-5 km aerial distance from the point of release in prevailing wind direction.

A Kerka-vidék gyertyános-tölgyesei

In this study, the phytosociological characteristics of oak-hornbeam forests in the Kerka valley, sW Hungary are summarized using 50 vegetation samples. These forests grow on alluvial soils affected by high groundwater table, and thus are best regarded as extrazonal communities exhibiting some characteristics of hardwood gallery forests. The high number of submontane elements are particularly typical of them: Aco-nitum vulparia,Adoxa moschatellina, Anemone nemorosa, Anemone ranunculoides, Asarum europaeum, Athyrium filix-femina, Cardamine bulbifera, Cerastium sylvaticum, Coryda-lis cava, Coridalis solida, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Gagea spathacea, Galanthus nivalis, Galeobdolon luteum, Isopyrum thalictroides, Knautia drymeia, Lathyrus vernus, Leucojum vernum, Lilium martagon, Luzula pilosa, Maianthemum bifo-lium, Mercurialis perennis, Milium effusum, Oxalis acetosella, Paris quadrifolia, Pulmonaria officinalis, Ranunculus lanugi-nosus, Sanicula europaea, Scilla drunensis, Stellaria holos-tea, Veronica montana, etc. The high frequency of Fritillaria meleagris is particularly noteworthy. These plants are likely to be relics of the cooler and wetter, and less extreme Beech I. phase of the Holocene. The occurrence of some sub-Med-iterranean species (Carex strigosa, Helleborus dumetorum, Knautia drymeia, Vicia oroboides) suggests some degree of relatedness to the oak-hornbeam forests in the zala Hills (Helleboro dumetorum-Carpinetum). The studied woods are sharply separated from the oak-hornbeam forests of Western Transdanubia (Cyclamini-Carpinetum), and exhibit relatively closer similarity to the oak-hornbeam forests of the Mura and Drava floodplains and the Raba River valley (Veronico montanae-Carpinetum). syntaxonomically, they are best identified with the latter under the name Veronico montanae-Carpinetum scilletosum drunensis.

Distinguishing Photosynthetic and Non-Photosynthetic Vegetation: How Do Traditional Observations and Spectral Classification Compare?

Remotely sensed ground cover maps are routinely validated using field data collected by observers who classify ground cover into defined categories such as photosynthetic vegetation (PV), non-photosynthetic vegetation (NPV), bare soil (BS), and rock. There is an element of subjectivity to the classification of PV and NPV, and classifications may differ between observers. An alternative is to estimate ground cover based on in situ hyperspectral reflectance measurements (HRM). This study examines observer consistency when classifying vegetation samples of wheat (Triticum aestivum var. Gladius) covering the full range of photosynthetic activity, from completely senesced (0% PV) to completely green (100% PV), as photosynthetic or non-photosynthetic. We also examine how the classification of spectra of the same vegetation samples compares to the observer results. We collected HRM and photographs, over two months, to capture the transition of wheat leaves from 100% PV to 100% NPV. To simulate typical field methodology, observers viewed the photographs and classified each leaf as either PV or NPV, while spectral unmixing was used to decompose the HRM of the leaves into proportions of PV and NPV. The results showed that when a leaf was ≤25% or ≥75% PV observers tended to agree, and assign the leaf to the expected category. However, as leaves transitioned from PV to NPV (i.e., PV ≥ 25% but ≤ 75%) observers’ decisions differed more widely and their classifications showed little agreement with the spectral proportions of PV and NPV. This has significant implications for the reliability of data collected using binary methods in areas containing a significant proportion of vegetation in this intermediate range such as the over/underestimation of PV and NPV vegetation and how reliably this data can then be used to validate remotely sensed products.