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Contamination of soils with potentially toxic metals (PTMs) is an environmental problem. In this study, sorption of cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in four soil profiles (two Fluvisols, one Gleysol, and one Cambisol), representing the dominant soils of the Zagreb aquifer system, were studied using a multi element laboratory batch test. Mathematical expressions were applied to establish the relationship between the concentration of the adsorbent in the liquid phase and the solid phaSe at equilibrium and in laboratory conditions. The study revealed that the investigated soils have a higher capacity to sorb Cu than Zn and Cd. The most significant physicochemical characteristics of soils, influencing sorption, are pH, carbonate content (minerals) and organic matter. Although all PTMs in all analyzed soils had a similar sorption capacity, the variation of sorption was higher in the siltic soils (Fluvisols) compared with the texturally finer (loamic) Gleysol and Cambisol soils, as well as in the subsoil horizons compared with the topsoils. Results indicate that sorption of PTMs is more influenced by physicochemical characteristics at different soil depths than by soil type, which is confirmed with a higher affinity for Zn and Cd bonding in the topsoil horizons. Also, it has been shown that Cd may pose more of a threat to soils and groundwater due to its toxicity and relatively high mobility in comparison with Zn and Cu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil contamination in the agricultural areas developed on open aquifer systems can be environmental problem. The subject of this study is the Cambisol soil developed in the area of the Velika Gorica well field. The aim of this research was to determine possible agricultural influence on the unsaturated zone of the Zagreb aquifer area where Cambisol soil is developed. Concentrations of potentially toxic metals (Cu, Cd and Zn) and major cations and anions (Na+, K+, NH4+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl-, NO3-, and SO42-) were determined in soil horizons. Correlations between physical and chemical soil properties, analysed ions and potentially toxic metals were made. Samples that were closer to the surface showed increased element concentrations, indicating the increased impact of agricultural activities in the research area. All analysed potentially toxic metals showed highest concentrations in residual fraction, which indicates the possible influence of agricultural activities such as usage of fertilizers, manure, sludge as soil fertilizer and fungicides, or point sources of contamination, uncontrolled, active or untended waste dumps and aerodeposition. Statistical analysis showed strong correlations between the concentrations of the studied potentially toxic metals and some soil properties such as soil texture, pH and organic matter. In addition, correlation results between nitrates and some potentially toxic metals such as Cu and Zn indicate that these elements come from the same source of contamination, in this case probably agricultural activity. Even though the influence of agricultural activities is recognized, all results show that the impact is decreasing after approximately 0.8 m depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrates are among the most common groundwater contaminants worldwide, and the same situation is present within the Zagreb aquifer. The Zagreb aquifer presents the only source of potable water for inhabitants of the City of Zagreb and part of Zagreb County. Isotopic composition of water (δ2H and δ18O) and nitrates (δ15N and δ18O), groundwater chemistry, and molar ratios, in combination with correlation and multivariate statistical methods, have been used for the estimation of nitrate origin. Nitrate stable isotopes excluded synthetic fertilizer as the main source of nitrate contamination. They showed insignificant influence of denitrification on nitrate concentrations but could not define the main source of nitrate contamination. The usage of molar ratios, especially NO3−/K+, helped to clarify this issue. Waste water has been defined as the main source of nitrate contamination. All results indicate that nitrogen in a large extent enters the aquifer in the form of ammonium ion, which is transformed to nitrates by the process of nitrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrates presents one of the main groups of contaminants in the Zagreb aquifer system. Some natural groundwater quality indicators can have significant influence on their stability and mobility in the saturated zone. Correlation and multivariate statistical analyses were used to test the correlation of average values of NO3- with O2, ORP, pH, EC and temperature of groundwater, and to allocate observation wells that belong to the same clusters. ORP values didn`t relate to any observed variables, which is probably due to their variability which suggests changes in the oxidation-reduction conditions in the aquifer system. Principal component analysis was used for the determination of variables that are related to the nitrate concentrations and which were then used in cluster analysis. Other variables were excluded from cluster analysis. Three methods were used to perform cluster analysis, where the results calculated with Ward`s method were chosen as the most appropriate. In the end, two clusters were identified, one with smaller, and one with higher NO3-, O2 and EC values. Observation wells from cluster 1 are generally located near the Sava River and have similar nitrate concentrations. Lack of other nitrogen species and moderately aerobic conditions suggest very fast nitrification in the shallow Holocene aquifer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity can help to define soil permeability, i.e. can contribute to the estimation of water percolation through unsaturated zone. The goal of this paper was the estimation of soil permeability at the location of case study profile Kosnica, situated in the alluvial plain of the Zagreb aquifer, Croatia, based on the variation in soil water content. Zagreb aquifer represents the only source of potable water for inhabitants of the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County. The thickness of unsaturated zone of the Zagreb aquifer varies from 8 meters in NW part to 2 meters in SE part. The unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values were calculated according to the granulometric composition of soil horizons and with optimized soil parameters. Variation in unsaturated hydraulic conductivity showed that the upper part of the soil profile was generally permeable throughout the 2011/2012 hydrologic year. The unsaturated hydraulic conductivity calculated with optimized soil parameters gave the highest values, always greater than 1E-9 m/s. Even though the estimation of soil profile permeability would be more precise with measurements of water content and pressure head in each soil horizon, calculation performed in this manner can give the first insight in general estimation of the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity variability and related soil permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistence and evolution of trends of mean and high river flows from six hydrological stations on watercourses of the Kupa River (Kupari, Kamanje), tributary Čabranka (Zamost 2), Dobra River (Stative donje, Trošmarija), Mrežnica River (Mrzlo polje) and annual precipitation on three meteorological stations (Parg, Ogulin and Karlovac) were analysed. The paper focuses on seven indicators: annual mean flow, seasonal mean flows (winter and summer mean flows), instantaneous annual maximum flow, annual and seasonal precipitation. Analysed time series range from 1951 to 2013, and the fixed period ranges from 1984 to 2013. Time series of each indicator was scaled to standardized flow anomaly and was analysed using the Mann-Kendall Z test for monotonic trend, after which it is smoothed using LOESS algorithm. The analysis was conducted for each indicator for full record, e.g. 1951-2013, then 1952-2013 and so on until 1984-2013. Thus, the sample size varies from 63 to 30 years. The smoothed standardized flow anomaly is easily comparable among different hydrologic stations. The standardized flow anomaly on all analysed stations for all analysed indicators shows lower mean value than long-time average after mid-1980's, when fixed period starts. Further analysis of summer and winter seasonal mean flows revealed different deviation from long-term annual flow average. Trend evolution of certain indicators was proven using Mann-Kendall Z test, by plotting Z values for each iteration of start year (1951 to 1984). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrates present one of the most common groundwater contaminants in the world and one of the five major groups of contaminants in the study area. Gaussian simulation (GS) algorithm was used for determining the spatial distribution of average nitrate concentrations from 2010 to 2015 on 95 sampling points. Results indicate two main focus areas of nitrate contamination, located on the left and right bank of the Sava River. Those areas generally extend according to groundwater flow, while areas near Sava River have much smaller concentrations. GS showed that they can be useful for this kind of mapping because they favor abrupt changes in data values which are in this case a result of heterogeneous lithological composition of the aquifer. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The use of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity can help to define soil permeability, i.e. can contribute to the estimation of water percolation through unsaturated zone. The goal of this paper was the estimation of soil permeability at the location of case study profile Kosnica, situated in the alluvial plain of the Zagreb aquifer, Croatia, based on the variation in soil water content. Zagreb aquifer represents the only source of potable water for inhabitants of the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County. The thickness of unsaturated zone of the Zagreb aquifer varies from 8 meters in NW part to 2 meters in SE part. The unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values were calculated according to the granulometric composition of soil horizons and with optimized soil parameters. Variation in unsaturated hydraulic conductivity showed that the upper part of the soil profile was generally permeable throughout the 2011/2012 hydrologic year. The unsaturated hydraulic conductivity calculated with optimized soil parameters gave the highest values, always greater than 1E-9 m/s. Even though the estimation of soil profile permeability would be more precise with measurements of water content and pressure head in each soil horizon, calculation performed in this manner can give the first insight in general estimation of the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity variability and related soil permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistence and evolution of trends of mean and high river flows from six hydrological stations on watercourses of the Kupa River (Kupari, Kamanje), tributary Čabranka (Zamost 2), Dobra River (Stative donje, Trošmarija), Mrežnica River (Mrzlo polje) and annual precipitation on three meteorological stations (Parg, Ogulin and Karlovac) were analysed. The paper focuses on seven indicators: annual mean flow, seasonal mean flows (winter and summer mean flows), instantaneous annual maximum flow, annual and seasonal precipitation. Analysed time series range from 1951 to 2013, and the fixed period ranges from 1984 to 2013. Time series of each indicator was scaled to standardized flow anomaly and was analysed using the Mann-Kendall Z test for monotonic trend, after which it is smoothed using LOESS algorithm. The analysis was conducted for each indicator for full record, e.g. 1951-2013, then 1952-2013 and so on until 1984-2013. Thus, the sample size varies from 63 to 30 years. The smoothed standardized flow anomaly is easily comparable among different hydrologic stations. The standardized flow anomaly on all analysed stations for all analysed indicators shows lower mean value than long-time average after mid-1980's, when fixed period starts. Further analysis of summer and winter seasonal mean flows revealed different deviation from long-term annual flow average. Trend evolution of certain indicators was proven using Mann-Kendall Z test, by plotting Z values for each iteration of start year (1951 to 1984). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents results of hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical research conducted at south hills, Ivanščica Mountain, situated in the northwestern part of the Republic of Croatia. Research was carried out in the summer 2013, between July and September. Hydrogeological mapping was undertaken on approximately 20 km2(at a scale of 1:25000), with water samples taken from 10 springs. Rocks and deposits were classified into three hydrogeological units with respect to permeability. Two main aquifers were identified – the Triassic carbonate aquifer and the Badenian carbonate aquifer. The overall capacity of 41 registered springs (permanent and periodic) was estimated. According to their basic chemical composition, water from springs belong to Ca-HCO3(calcium-hydrogen carbonate), CaMg-HCO3(calcium magnesium-hydrogen carbonate) and to MgCa-HCO3(magnesium calcium-hydrogen carbonate) types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purposes of this study were to assess the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in Croatian war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to analyze the impact of the disease on mandibular function. One hundred eighty-two male subjects participated in the study. The examined group consisted of 94 subjects who had taken part in the war in Croatia and for whom PTSD had previously been diagnosed. Patients were compared with an age- and gender-matched group of subjects who had not taken part in the war and for whom PTSD was excluded by means of a psychiatric examination. The study used a clinical examination and standard questionnaire. Statistically significant differences were found in almost all measured parameters. With regard to restricted movements, overbite, and overjet, the differences obtained did not have clinical significance. The most significant differences were found in the parameters of pain. Headache was experienced by 63.83% of the subjects with PTSD, facial pain by 12.77%, and pain in the region of the jaw by 10.64%. Headache was the most intense pain, with an average intensity of 4.92 on a scale of 0 to 10. Pain on loading, temporomandibular joint clicking, and intrameatal tenderness were more prevalent in the PTSD group than in the healthy control group. The study supports the concept that PTSD patients are at increased risk for the development of temporomandibular disorder symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrates present one of the main groundwater contaminants in the world and in the Zagreb aquifer. In order to reduce nitrate concentrations in groundwater, it is necessary to spatially define main nitrogen sources and areas which have the highest risk of nitrate contamination. This paper presents a map of nitrate contamination risk in the area of the Zagreb aquifer. It was constructed based on nine different layers that include natural characteristics and anthropogenic pressures. For the construction of the Main map, which has been defined as the most representative one, 15 different variations have been tested. The Main map has shown that the urban part of the City of Zagreb, especially central and eastern parts, together with the area of Jakuševec landfill and marshalling station, present areas with the highest risk of nitrate contamination, which is consistent with the results of previous research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the high vulnerability of the karst aquifer to the surface contaminants, a precisely defined catchment area has the highest priority. In this study, the influence of slope inclination, the doline density analysis, and the water budget analysis in the delineation process of a complex karst catchment area is discussed. To define hydrogeological role of lithological units, cross sections of slope inclination and doline density were combined with hydrogeological cross sections, while the degree of karstification was used to describe the permeability of rock units. The verification of karst catchment delineation area was performed with water budget analysis. The methodology used for the determination of hydrogeological behavior and delineation of a complex karst catchment area (Slunjčica River basin, Croatia) is shown with the flow diagram. It has been found that the highest doline density appears in the range from 0 to 1° of the slope inclinations, and that it decreases with a higher slope degree. Although the results of this study confirm that even with the relatively small number of input data it is possible to define the karst catchment area, it must be emphasized that the doline density analysis presents an indispensable tool in the research related to the definition of karst catchment areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine the relationship between bilateral allodynia induced by masseter inflammation and P2X3 receptor expression changes in trigeminal ganglia (TRG) and the influence of intramasseteric P2X3 antagonist administration on bilateral masseter allodynia. Methods To induce bilateral allodynia, rats received a unilateral injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the masseter muscle. Bilateral head withdrawal threshold (HWT) was measured 4 days later. Behavioral measurements were followed by bilateral masseter muscle and TRG dissection. Masseter tissue was evaluated histopathologically and TRG tissue was analyzed for P2X3 receptor mRNA expression by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. To assess the P2X3 receptor involvement in nocifensive behavior, two doses (6 and 60 μg/50 μL) of selective P2X3 antagonist A-317491 were administrated into the inflamed masseter muscle 4 days after the CFA injection. Bilateral HWT was measured at 15-, 30-, 60-, and 120-minute time points after A-317491 administration. Results HWT was bilaterally reduced after the CFA injection (P <0.001). Intramasseteric inflammation was confirmed ipsilaterally to the CFA injection. Quantitative realtime PCR analysis demonstrated enhanced P2X3 expression in TRG ipsilaterally to CFA administration (P < 0.01). In comparison with controls, the dose of 6 μg of A-317491 significantly increased bilateral HWT at 15-, 30-, and 60-minute time points after the A-317491 administration (P < 0.001), whereas the dose of 60 μg of A-317491 was efficient at all time points ipsilaterally (P = 0.004) and at 15-, 30-, and 60-minute time points contralaterally (P < 0.001). Conclusion Unilateral masseter inflammation can induce bilateral allodynia in rats. The study provided evidence that P2X3 receptors can functionally influence masseter muscle allodynia and suggested that P2X3 receptors expressed in TRG neurons are involved in masseter inflammatory pain conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive agricultural practices increase agrochemical pollution, particularly nitrogen (N) based fertilizers, which present an environmental risk. This study aims to evaluate long-term (2009–2020) data on soil water regime and nitrate dynamics at an agricultural experimental site on fine-textured soils and to better understand the implications of N management in relation to groundwater pollution. The field site is located in the Biđ field (eastern Croatia), in the proximity of the Sava river. Zero-tension lysimeters were installed at six selected locations. Lysimeters were used to monitor the water regime, i.e., outflows in which nitrate concentration was measured, while additional soil-water samples were collected via 4 and 15-meter-deep monitoring wells. Soil hydraulic parameters were estimated by combining the laboratory measurements, and estimation in RETC software. Water regime and nitrate leaching in lysimeters were simulated using HYDRUS-1D for each year to allow crop rotation and to evaluate their effects individually. The HYDRUS-1D model successfully reproduced lysimeter outflows and nitrate dynamics, which was confirmed with high R2 values (water: 93% above 0.7, and nitrate: 73% above 0.7) indicating the good performance of the model simulating nitrification chain reactions. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to identify the relationships among all soil properties and environmental characteristics. The results showed the complex interaction of soil hydraulic properties, precipitation patterns, plant uptake, and N application. All locations have a decreasing trend of nitrate leaching over the investigation period. Most of the lysimeter outflows and elevated nitrate concentrations were connected to the wet period of the year when the soil was saturated, and evapotranspiration was low. The results of this study show that it is important to optimize N fertilizer applications for each particular environmental condition to reduce nitrate loss. The study indicates the importance of long-term field studies, key for agro-hydrological modeling and the improvement of agricultural practices. [Display omitted] • Interaction of soil hydraulic parameters, rainfall, crops, and nitrogen is presented. • HYDRUS-1D successfully reproduced long-term lysimeter outflows and nitrate dynamics. • Field conditions and evapotranspiration affected outflows and nitrate concentrations. • Long-term field data is key for modeling and improvement of agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine the influence of frequent removable partial denture (RPD) wearing on the alveolar bone density changes around the abutment teeth. Methods Fifty examinees of both genders, wearing partial dentures, were included in the study. Thirty one of the examinees (62%) were wearing the dentures 24 hours a day, while nineteen (34%) of them were wearing them only during the day. The changes in the bone density around the abutment teeth were determined by the intraoral microdensitometry method. Standard retroalveolar radiographs were performed twice. The first one before the removable partial denture delivery and the second one after a period of three-month denture wearing. A copper step wedge consisting of five steps (0.1-0.5 mm) was attached to the radiograph in order to calibrate it. Seven points, regions of interest (ROI) close to the root of the abutment tooth, all ten pixels in size, were selected on each radiograph. Grey areas in the regions of interest were measured and converted into the copper step wedge thickness equivalents in order to estimate the change in the alveolar bone density and measure the difference in alveolar bone density between two radiographs. Results The results indicated that there is not any statistically relevant change (t-value < 2,011; t(49,0.05) / F< 4,0426; F0.05(1,48)) in the alveolar bone density depending on the frequency of removable partial denture wearing. Conclusion The frequency of removable partial denture wearing does not cause any changes in the alveolar bone density around the abutment teeth in the period of three-month denture wearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lysimeters provided the data on soil water fluxes for model validation. • Soil hydraulic properties were optimized using Shuffled Complex Evolution algorithm. • Mutual Information suggests a concurrent role of the hydrological processes. • Significance of the upward fluxes was identified during shallow groundwater levels. This study aims to explain complex vadose zone hydrology of fine-textured (gley) agricultural soils influenced by a shallow and dynamic groundwater (GW) levels. The field site was located in the Biđ field (Eastern Croatia), where a detailed soil survey was performed. The simulations included a three-year period (2016–2018) at four locations. Soil hydraulic parameters (SHP) were estimated based on variables determined in the laboratory, while soil water flow was monitored using in-field zero-tension lysimeters. Piezometers were installed and used to monitor daily oscillations of groundwater levels (average depth to GW 2.2 m), while data from nearby Sava River was monitored. Unsaturated flow and water regime assessment was performed using HYDRUS-1D numerical modeling. Additional SHP optimization of van Genuchten-Mualem parameters (α and n) was performed using Shuffled Complex Evolution algorithm (SCE). The autocorrelation analysis was used to detect patterns in the precipitation, GW, and river level time series, while the Mutual Information (MI) was used to estimate the codependence of the processes in unsaturated zone and the main hydrological events. The model successfully (R2 0.72 – 0.94) reproduced measured lysimeters outflows. The outflows from lysimeters were connected to precipitation patterns, transpiration intensity, and soil moisture content influenced by the shallow water table. Comparable MI values obtained for precipitation, GW, and river level suggest a concurrent role of these parameters in the unsaturated flow dynamics. The relationship between upward flux/water storage change into the domain, and transpiration/growth stages, suggests a strong connection between the water fluxes and the root water uptake. Results confirm the importance of GW for the agricultural production due to the major influence on upper soil layer moisture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]