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This paper aims to assess ecological and health risks associated with heavy metal (As, Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr) content in agricultural soils and vegetables (potato tuber, beetroot, onion bulb, carrot root) collected near the lead and zinc mine (MLZ), coal-fired power station (CFPS) and coal mine (CM) located in Pljevlja municipality (Montenegro). The ecological risk of soil was estimated using the ecological risk index (RI) and pollution load index (PLI). The health risk was evaluated through different soil exposure pathways (ingestion, inhalation, dermal contact) and vegetable consumption. The pollution indices RI and PLI indicated the highest contamination in MLZ study area followed by CM and CFPS areas. RI values revealed considerable contamination in MLZ and CM study areas, while CFPS area is moderately contaminated by heavy metals. According to PLI, soil in MLZ and CM areas is classified as polluted, while the soil in the vicinity of CFPS is classified as unpolluted. Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks through soil exposure were identified for both children and adults, in all investigated areas. Dermal contact was identified as the main contributor to carcinogenic risk. Dermal contact was also identified as the main exposure pathway for non-carcinogenic risk in MLZ area, while for CFPS and CM areas, ingestion was the main exposure route. As for vegetables, only Cu and Zn were detected in all examined vegetables. Non-cancerogenic health risk of edible vegetable consumption was found for children in all study areas, while there was no health risk for adults.

Steel production in electric arc furnaces yielding formation of two waste materials, toxic electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) and non-hazardous electric arc furnace slag (EAFS). EAFD presents a potential hazard to the environment as it is characterized by the presence of heavy metals. This study dealt with the synthesis and characterization of alkali activated slag cement (AAS) based on EAFS with addition of 1-7% of Zn-rich EAFD dopant. Effects of slag replacement with dust on the compressive strength, physico-chemical, mineralogical and morphological properties of AAS cement were evaluated. This replacement lead to the development of porosity of AAS matrix, and retardation of slag alkali activation which resulted in the weakening of the AAS structure and hence in compressive strength decrease as pure AAS cement compressive strength was 21.04 MPa while AAS doped with 7% of EAFD reached only 8.4 MPa. On the other hand, AAS doped with 5% of EAFD exhibited compressive strength of 13.82 MPa, making it is still suitable for construction purposes... Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) in high angle annular dark field (HAADF) mode, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) investigations and standard EN 12457-2 leaching test provided information on the ability of AAS based on EAFS to fix Zn in AAS matrix.. The concentration of Zn in leachate of AAS cement doped with 5% of EAFD was 9.20 mg/kg which is below the limit prescribed for the granular waste acceptable at non-hazardous landfills according the European Directive 2003/33/CE.

Heavy metals are among the most common environmental pollutants, which can be introduced into coastal areas from natural and anthropogenic sources, and thereby possibly impact marine organisms and human population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pollution level of Montenegrin coastal sediments by determining the concentrations of 10 metals and metalloids (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cd, As, and Hg) during one whole decade. Sediment samples were collected from 11 sites along the Montenegrin coast during the 2005–2016 exposure to different levels and sources of anthropogenic impact. The extent of pollution was estimated by determining total element concentrations in the sediment. Mineralized samples were analyzed for Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cr, As, Pb, Zn, Cd, and Hg. Pollution status was evaluated using the contamination factor, pollution load index, and geo-accumulation index, as well as statistical methods, such as Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and cluster analysis (CA). This study showed that concentrations of individual metals at some locations were extremely high. The metal concentrations (in mg kg−1) ranged as follows: Fe 1995–45,498; Mn 135–1139; Zn 10–1596; Cu 3.8–2719; Ni 2.94–267; Pb 0.1–755; Cr 2.5–369; Cd 0.1–5.4; As 0.1–39.1; and Hg 0.01–14.2. The calculated concentration factor and pollution load index indicates enrichment by either natural processes or anthropogenic influences. The geo-accumulation index value (Igeo) showed that one location was strongly or extremely polluted (3.78

Two adsorbents, pristine electric arc furnace slag (EAFS) and alkali activated slag (AAS) were used for Cu2+ removal from aquatic solutions. Batch adsorption tests were conducted at various temperatures and initial Cu2+ concentrations, while solid to liquid ratio and pH of solution were kept constant. Pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetics models, Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, as well as intraparticle and Boyd's diffusion models were applied in order to investigate the adsorption process. It has been found that alkali activation of EAFS leads to an increase in the specific surface of slag and thus improves the sorption properties of EAFS. The adsorption of Cu2+ onto both adsorbents proceeds via PSO adsorption mechanism, film diffusion mainly controls the adsorption process, and Langmuir isotherm model fits well the experimental data. Results indicated a fast adsorption process which is spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Microstructural investigation of EAFS and AAS revealed morphological changes in metal loaded EAFS and AAS samples in comparison to unloaded adsorbents. X-ray powder diffraction analysis indicated that adsorption of Cu2+ onto both adsorbents occurs through formation of a Cu-complex.

Background and aims: Body composition in childhood is not only a marker of the prevalence of obesity, but it can also be used to assess associated metabolic complications. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) shows promise as an easy to use, rapid, and non-invasive tool to evaluate body composition. The objectives of this study were to: (a) develop BIA prediction equations to estimate total body water (TBW) and fat-free mass (FFM) in European children and early adolescents and to validate the analysis with the deuterium dilution as the reference technique and (b) compare our results with previously published paediatric BIA equations. Methods: The cohort included 266 healthy children and adolescents between 7 and 14 years of age, 46% girls, in five European countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Portugal. TBW and FFM were the target variables in the developed regression models. For model development, the dataset was randomly split into training and test sets, in 70:30 ratio, respectively. Model tuning was performed with 10-fold cross-validation that confirmed the unbiased estimate of its performance. The final regression models were retrained on the whole dataset. Results: Cross-validated regression models were developed using resistance index, weight, and sex as the optimal predictors. The new prediction equations explained 87% variability in both TBW and FFM. Limits of agreement between BIA and reference values, were within ±17% of the mean, ( 3.4, 3.7) and ( 4.5, 4.8) kg for TBW and FFM, respectively. BIA FFM and TBW estimates were within one standard deviation for approximately 83% of the children. BIA prediction equations underestimated TBW and FFM by 0.2 kg and 0.1 kg respectively with no proportional bias and comparable accuracy among different BMI-for-age subgroups. Comparison with predictive equations from published studies revealed varying discrepancy rates with the deuterium dilution measurements, with only two being equivalent to the equations developed in this study. Conclusions: The small difference between deuterium dilution and BIA measurements validated by Bland e Altman analysis, supports the application of BIA for epidemiological studies in European children using the developed equations. This research was funded by the International Atomic Energy Agency [grant number RER6034]. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the polyphenol content, antioxidative potential and antiproliferative activity of Swiss chard from Montenegro, grown under different irrigation and fertilization regimes.Design/methodology/approachSwiss chard was grown in the open field (Lješkopolje, Montenegro) where it was subjected to different fertilization and irrigation regimes. Chard samples were analyzed for previously identified polyphenols and for antioxidant parameters. Additionally, in order to complete the biological activities, chard extracts were tested for antiproliferative activity against MFC-7 and HT-29 tumor cell lines.FindingsThe polyphenols identified in Swiss chard were flavonoids: vitexin-2?-O-xyloside, vitexin-6?-O-acetyl-2?-O-xyloside, vitexin-6?-O-malonyl-2?-O-xyloside and isorhamnetin-3,7-diglucoside. In the antioxidant tests, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), chard extract had values of 7.00 and 8.50 (mean values) µmol Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid) equ/d.w., respectively. The tested chard extracts inhibited cell proliferation at different concentrations (3.125–50.0 µg/mL) against the MCF-7 cell line, after 24 and 48 h of incubation. The antiproliferative activity, expressed in terms of IC50, was 32.97 and 86.45 µg/mL after 24 h of incubation and 20.76 and 23.33 µg/mL after 48 h of incubation, for treated and untreated chard extracts, respectively.Originality/valueThese data suggest Montenegrin Swiss chard grown under different irrigation and fertilization treatments can be considered as a functional food and should be included in an everyday diet. The collected data could help in the growth improvement of chard with functional food properties.

Numerous studies support the hypothesis that grape skin extract may have the ability to inhibit health complications such as diabetes, kidney lipotoxicity, prostate cancer, inflammation in the lung, and oxidative damage after exposure to cigarette smoke, etc. The use of grape seed extract in treatments of mice and rats showed the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and DNA fragmentation in brain and liver tissue, and the reduction of myocardial infarct size. In addition, the protective effect of grape seed extract was found on nephrotoxicity, gastrointestinal injury, and regarding the serum chemistry changes. In vitro, the grape seed extract showed inhibition of various human cancer cell lines. Our research with Montenegrin grapevine variety Vranac showed that the quality parameters of grape could be managed by irrigation, during suitable climatic conditions. The results of biological tests with colorectal carcinoma cells lines represent novel information concerning anticancer properties of grape skin extracts. Ozturk M, Dilfuza E, Pešić M, editors. Biodiversity and Biomedicine: Our Future provides. Cambridge (Massachusetts, United States): Academic Press - Elsevier; 2020. p. 385-401.

Macrophytes react to changes in the quality of the environment in which they live (water/sediment), and they are good bioindicators of surface water conditions. In the present study, the content of the metals cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni) was determined in the sediment, the water, and different organs of macrophytes from six localities around Lake Skadar, across four different seasons of year. The aquatic macrophytes that have been used as bioindicator species in this study are Phragmites australis (an emerged species), Ceratophyllum demersum (a submerged species), and Lemna minor (a floating species). The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of metals in macrophyte tissues and also to discover the degree of bioaccumulation of the investigated metals, depending both on the location and on the season. The content of Co and Ni in the examined parts of the macrophytes was in the range of 0.04-8.78 and 0.30-28.5 ppm, respectively. The greatest content of the investigated metal in the organs of P. australis and C. demersum was recorded at the beginning of and during the growing season. Greater concentrations of metals in the tissue of L. minor were observed at the end of the growing season.

Aim There is a discrepancy between the amount of transitional milk produced by mothers of preterm infants and the low capacity of premature infants to consume it. This milk can be used in milk banks, but previous studies found that there are large variations in the level of host-defence proteins in individual samples of milk from mothers of premature infants, which implies that large individual variations in antioxidative defence composition are also possible. Methods Milk samples were collected from 20 healthy mothers of preterm infants. We determined the values for non-enzymatic antioxidative capacity parameters (oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)), static oxidation–reduction potential (ORP), activities of antioxidant defence enzymes and the amount of vitamin C in whole milk, skim and whey fractions of transitional milk. Results The main low-molecular-weight antioxidant in transitional milk is vitamin C and most of it is contained in whey. ORAC is higher in whole transitional milk than in skim milk and whey, and ORP is lower in whole transitional milk than that in skim milk and whey. Antioxidative enzyme activities are similar in all individual samples of transitional milk from mothers of preterm infants. Conclusions Our results indicate that transitional milk of mothers of preterm infants shows slow individual variations in antioxidative defence composition; therefore, it can be used in human milk banks.

The concentrations of Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Zn, and Hg were studied in Mytilus galloprovincialis collected from the coastal area of Montenegro. The impact of seawater temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, total organic carbon (TOC), and metal content in sediment samples on the metal contents in mussels collected from three locations in four different seasons was analyzed by a Pearson correlation coefficient (r), principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis (CA). These analyses were used to discriminate groups of samples, elements, and seawater parameters, according to similarity of samples chemical composition in different seasons, as well as the impact of seawater parameters and surface sediment composition on the mussels' element concentrations. Synergistic interactions occurred between seawater TOC, Fe, and Al concentrations in mussels. Compared with other studies, which are usually performed under constant laboratory conditions where mussels undergo only one stress at a time, this study was performed in nature. The analyses showed the importance of considering simultaneously acting environmental parameters that make determining of separate impacts of each factor selected very difficult and complex.

Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla) is a leafy vegetable highly consumed in many parts of the world as a very popular ingredient of different diets. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of soil properties and fertilization on yield, mineral composition, total phenolics, antioxidant and biological activity of Swiss chard. The mineral composition of Swiss chard was generally affected by soil properties. The fertilization at 50% of recommended level (110 kg ha -1 N, 90 kg ha -1 P 2 O 5 and 100 kg ha -1 K 2 O per season) affected negatively yield and on the other hand affected positively antioxidant activity, while fertilization at 150% of recommended level had a contrary effect. The available K in soil affected the yield positively. Total phenolics were in negative correlation with the yield. The positive relationship of total phenolics and content of Mn in chard was noticed. The greatest efficacy in human colorectal carcinoma cell lines was obtained by Swiss chard extract from plants fertilized at 150% of recommended level.

In order to assess human health risks via consumption of potentially toxic mussels, the concentrations of Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Zn and Hg were studied in Mytilus galloprovincialis collected from the coastal area of Montenegro. By two approaches for the human health risk assessment (HHRA), considering oral reference doses by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and provisional tolerable intakes by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), it has been revealed that despite the fact that trace element levels do not exceed the defined limits for mussels, they can be limiting factors for the mussel consumption. Specifically, it was noticed that the levels of Co, Pb, Cd and Li could be the limiting factors for the consumption of mussels from this coastal area. Al and Li data obtained in this study are especially important since these two elements have not been previously studied in M. galloprovincialis. Furthermore, taking into account the significant differences in concentrations of elements in different seasons, the study confirmed the starting assumption that in the calculations for the HHRA the average concentrations of elements in samples taken in different seasons during a longer period should be used.

There is a discrepancy between the amount of transitional milk produced by mothers of preterm infants and the low capacity of premature infants to consume it. This milk can be used in milk banks, but previous studies found that there are large variations in the level of host-defence proteins in individual samples of milk from mothers of premature infants, which implies that large individual variations in antioxidative defence composition are also possible.Milk samples were collected from 20 healthy mothers of preterm infants. We determined the values for non-enzymatic antioxidative capacity parameters (oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)), static oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), activities of antioxidant defence enzymes and the amount of vitamin C in whole milk, skim and whey fractions of transitional milk.The main low-molecular-weight antioxidant in transitional milk is vitamin C and most of it is contained in whey. ORAC is higher in whole transitional milk than in skim milk and whey, and ORP is lower in whole transitional milk than that in skim milk and whey. Antioxidative enzyme activities are similar in all individual samples of transitional milk from mothers of preterm infants.Our results indicate that transitional milk of mothers of preterm infants shows slow individual variations in antioxidative defence composition; therefore, it can be used in human milk banks.

The concentrations of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) in both human milk and infant formula were determined using a new sample preparation method, by inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectometry (ICP-OES) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Human milk samples were diluted in ultrapure water. The infant formula of powder samples (suitable for an infant 1-6 months of age) and standard reference material (SRM-1849) were analyzed in parallel. The results have shown that FAAS method was more sensitive for Fe determination in human milk while ICP-OES was more sensitive for both Zn and Cu detection. The limit of quantification for both Zn and Cu was 5 µg L-1 and 10 µg L-1 for Fe and the recovery for Zn, Fe and Cu was ranged from 90 % to 94 %, 97 % to 103 % and 90% to 102 %, respectively. Mean concentrations of Zn, Fe, and Cu in human milk samples were 5.35, 0.47 and 0.83 mg L-1, respectively while these values in infant formula were ranged from 3.52 - 4.75 mg L-1, 3.37 - 4.56mg L-1 and 0.28 - 0.41 mg L-1, respectively. Despite the sample complexity, the proposed method using dilution of milk samples with waterwas simple, rapid, effective and accurate. ICP-OES was a better method for Zn determination while FAAS was a better method for Fe determination. In the case of Cu both methods were comparable.

The environmental mobility and geochemical partitioning of ten metals were examined in sediments collected from the six locations around Lake Skadar in Montenegro. A three-step sequential extraction procedure was used to determine the distribution of the metals in various substrates of lacustrine sediments, and the concentrations were measured in the liquid extract by ICP-OES. The largest portion of the total amount of cadmium, strontium and manganese can be found in sediment bound to the hydrated iron and manganese oxides; cobalt, lead, copper and nickel in the oxidizable fraction and the highest portion of chromium, vanadium and zinc are in the residual fraction. The most mobilized and potentially mobile metals are strontium, cadmium and cobalt while the most immobilized metals are chromium, vanadium and zinc. Based on geochemical parameters, an assessment of sediment contamination by the investigated metals was performed and the results showed potential risks ranging from "no risk" to "low risk" to the environment.

Assessment of heavy metal concentrations in the soil samples of urban parks and playgrounds is very important for the evaluation of potential risks for residents, especially children. Until recently, there has been very little data about urban parks pollution in Montenegro. To evaluate the sources of potential contamination and concentration of heavy metals, soil samples from coastal urban parks and kindergartens of Montenegro were collected. Based on the heavy metal concentrations, multivariate analysis combined with geochemical approaches showed that soil samples in coastal areas of Montenegro had mean Pb and Cd concentrations that were over two times higher than the background values, respectively. Based on principal component analysis (PCA), soil pollution with Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn is contributed by anthropogenic sources. Results for Cr in the surface soils were primarily derived from natural sources. Calculation of different ecological contamination factors showed that Cd is the primary contribution to ecological risk index (RI) origins from anthropogenic, industry, and urbanization sources. This data provides evidence about soil pollution in coastal municipalities of Montenegro. Special attention should be paid to this problem in order to continue further research and to consider possible ways of remediation of the sites where contamination has been observed.

Metals in sediments are present in different chemical forms, which mostly affect their ability to transfer in water and plants i.e. their bioavailability. The mobile part of metals is potentially toxic, thus for the evaluation of the bioavailability it is often enough to determine the metal content in the available and potentially available fraction of sediment. The aim of this study was to compare some methods of determination of mobile forms of heavy metals and to determine their share related to the "pseudo-total" metal content in the sediment from Skadar Lake, Montenegro. Mobile forms of Cu, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Sr and V were determined using: 0.1M NH4Cl (buffered to pH 9), 0.1M CaCl2 (pH 6), 0.1M CH3COONa (pH 9), 0.1M H2C2O4 (pH 2) and 0.1M EDTA (pH 6),. The largest amounts of Co (42.2 wt.%), Cr (11.4%) , Mn (59.9%), Ni (13.5%), Zn (41.0%) and V (42.2%) were extracted with oxalic acid and Cu (44.7 wt.%), Pb (49.3%), and Sr (61.2%) with EDTA. With NH4Cl, CaCl2 and CH3COONa small amounts of metals were extracted (except Sr), generally below 1%. Based on these results we can conclude that the metals in the sediments of Lake Skadar are found in a negligible amount in easily mobile, acid soluble and carbonate-related phase.

The results of synthesis of fly ash based geopolymers and the experimental investigations of the geopolymerization of fly ash in the presence of eclectic arc furnace dust were presented. The electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) is a hazardous solid waste formed during remelting processes of iron and steel scrap in an electric arc furnace. In this work, the possibility of immobilization of Zn (as a most abundant toxic metal in EAFD) from EAFD and the influence of EAFD addition and alkaline dosage on the mechanical and microstructural properties of fly ash based geopolymers was investigated. Our result show that the best mechanical properties of FA and FE geopolymers were obtained using 10 M NaOH and 10 wt.% EAFD. The X-ray phase analysis confirmed the presence of aluminosilicate and oxide phases in investigated samples of FA, EAFD, as well as FA and FE geopolymers. SEM–EDS results have revealed the presence of Zn in an amorphous aluminosilicate phase. This material is considered as mesoporous and the change of porosity is greatly dependent on the alkaline dosage. The efficiency of immobilization of Zn from EAFD was evaluated using TCLP, EN 12457-2 and EPA Method 1313 leaching tests. Results of TCLP and EN 12457-2 tests have shown that the increase of alkaline dosage leads to the more effective immobilization of Zn and other toxic metals present in EAFD. On the other hand, the results of EPA method 1313-pH dependent leaching test have indicated that FE geopolymers are relatively stable in neutral and alkali environment while in a pH range 2–5.5, solubility of Zn and Pb is a concern for this type of materials.

Wild population of Hypericum perforatum growing in Western Serbia was analyzed for the content of important environmental pollutants cadmium, mercury and lead. Metal contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Obtained results showed that levels of mercury and lead were under while cadmium concentrations exceeded limits recommended for medicinal plants. High levels of cadmium in investigated plants can be the result of soil enriched with cadmium as well as the ability of Hypericum perforatum to accumulate cadmium.

Electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) is by-product of iron and steel scrap remelting in electric arc furnace. This waste is classified as a hazardous material due to the leaching of heavy metals into the environment. Geopolymeryzation of fly ash into construction materials called - geopolymer is a considering as a possible way of immobilization of heavy metals from EAFD. Mechanical properties and chemical stability of geopolymers are mostly determined by the ratio between main oxides, Na2O, Al2O3 and SiO2. In this paper we have investigated possibility of Pb immobilization from EAFD into the fly ash based geopolymer. Geopolymers are synthesized at different Na2O/Al2O3 and SiO2/Al2O3 ratios. Compressive strength and chemical stability of geopolymers with respect to the leaching of Pb in water according to the EN 12457 regulation were tested. The results have shown that Na2O/Al2O3 and SiO2/Al2O3 ratios have influence on the compressive strength of geopolymers and Pb release in the water environment.