Microbiological water quality along the Danube River: Integrating data from two whole-river surveys and a transnational monitoring network

The River Danube is with 2780 km the second longest river in Europe. Its catchment area covers 801 500 km², with approximately 81 million inhabitants in 19 countries. River water for anthropogenic use, transportation and recreation is of major importance in all of these countries. Microbiological contamination from faecal pollution by anthropogenic sources is considered to be a crucial problem throughout the Danube River basin. Thus, detailed knowledge on the extent and the origin of microbial pollution is essential for watershed management. The determination of faecal indicator concentrations along the Danube and its major tributaries during two whole-river surveys and 16 permanent stations allowed for the first time to draw a clear picture of the faecal pollution patterns along the whole longitudinal profile of this important international river. By including a variety of environmental variables in statistical analysis, an integrative picture of faecal pollution in the Danube River basin could be evolved. Four hot spots and six stretches of differing faecal pollution were identified, mainly linked with input from large municipalities. Significant decline of microbiological pollution was observed in the upper and lower Danube stretches over the investigation period. In contrast, a significant increase in the middle part was evident. The planned implementation of new wastewater treatment plants and advanced wastewater treatment measures according to the European Union urban wastewater directive will have a great potential to reduce microbial faecal pollution in the Danube and thus improving water quality.     

Storage temperature affects distribution of carbon, VFA, ammonia, phosphorus, copper and zinc in raw pig slurry and its separated liquid fraction

Chemical-mechanical separation of pig slurry into a solid fraction rich in dry matter, P, Cu and Zn and a liquid fraction rich in inorganic N but poor in dry matter may allow farmers to manage surplus slurry by exporting the solid fraction to regions with no nutrient surplus. Pig slurry can be applied to arable land only in certain periods during the year, so it is commonly stored prior to field application. This study investigated the effect of storage duration and temperature on chemical characteristics and P, Cu and Zn distribution between particle size classes of raw slurry and its liquid separation fraction. Dry matter, VFA, total N and ammonium content of both slurry products decreased during storage and were affected by temperature, showing higher losses at higher storage temperatures. In both products, total P, Cu and Zn concentrations were not significantly affected by storage duration or temperature. Particle size distribution was affected by slurry separation, storage duration and temperature. In raw slurry, particles larger than 1 mm decreased, whereas particles 250 μm-1 mm increased. The liquid fraction produced was free of particles >500 μm, with the highest proportions of P, Cu and Zn in the smallest particle size class (<25 μm). The proportion of particles <25 μm increased when the liquid fraction was stored at 5 °C, but decreased at 25 °C. Regardless of temperature, distribution of P, Cu and Zn over particle size classes followed a similar pattern to dry matter.     

Estimation of sedimentation rate in the Middle and South Adriatic Sea using 137Cs

(137)Cs activity concentrations were studied in the sediment profiles collected at five locations in the Middle and South Adriatic. In the sediment profiles collected from the South Adriatic Pit, the deepest part of the Adriatic Sea, two (137)Cs peaks were identified. The peak in the deeper layer was attributed to the period of intensive atmospheric nuclear weapon tests (early 1960s), and the other to the Chernobyl nuclear accident (1986). Those peaks could be used to estimate sedimentation rates by relating them to the respective time periods. Grain-size analysis showed no changes in vertical distribution through the depth of the sediment profile, and these results indicate uniform sedimentation, as is expected in deeper marine environments. It was not possible to identify respective peaks on more shallow locations due to disturbance of the seabed either by trawlers (locations Palagru?a and Jabuka) or by river sediment (location Albania). The highest sedimentation rates were found in Albania (～4 mm y(-1)) and Jabuka (3.1 mm y(-1)). For Palagru?a, the sedimentation rate was estimated to be 1.8 mm y(-1), similar to the South Adriatic Pit where the sedimentation rate was estimated to be 1.8±0.5 mm y(-1). Low sedimentation rates found for the Middle and South Adriatic Sea are consistent with previously reported results for the rest of the Mediterranean.     

Equilibrium mode distribution and steady-state distribution in 100-400 μm core step-index silica optical fibers

Using the power flow equation, the state of mode coupling in 100-400 μm core step-index silica optical fibers is investigated in this article. Results show the coupling length L(c) at which the equilibrium mode distribution is achieved and the length z(s) of the fiber required for achieving the steady-state mode distribution. Functional dependences of these lengths on the core radius and wavelength are also given. Results agree well with those obtained using a long-established calculation method. Since large core silica optical fibers are used at short distances (usually at lengths of up to 10 m), the light they transmit is at the stage of coupling that is far from the equilibrium and steady-state mode distributions.     

Upper airway muscle activity in normal women: influence of hormonal status

Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder with a strong male predominance. One possible explanation could be an effect of female hormones on pharyngeal dilator muscle activity. Therefore, we determined the level of awake genioglossus electromyogram (EMGgg) and upper airway resistance in 12 pre- and 12 postmenopausal women under basal conditions and during the application of an inspiratory resistive load (25 cmH2O . l-1 . s). In addition, a subgroup of eight postmenopausal women were studied a second time after 2 wk of combined estrogen and progesterone replacement in standard doses. Peak phasic and tonic genioglossus activity, expressed as a percentage of maximum, were highest in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (phasic 23.9 +/- 3.8%, tonic 10.2 +/- 1.0%), followed by the follicular phase (phasic 15.5 +/- 2.2%, tonic 7.3 +/- 0.8%), and were lowest in the postmenopausal group (phasic 11.3 +/- 1.6%, tonic of 5.0 +/- 0.6), whereas upper airway resistance did not differ. There was a weak but significant positive correlation between progesterone levels and both peak phasic (P < 0.05) and tonic (P < 0.01) EMGgg. Finally, there was a significant increase in EMGgg in the postmenopausal group restudied after hormone therapy. In conclusion, female hormones (possibly progesterone) have a substantial impact on upper airway dilator muscle activity.     

Structural destabilisation of MgH2 obtained by heavy ion irradiation

MgH₂ powder samples have been irradiated with 120 keV Ar⁺⁸ ions with different ion fluencies ranging from 10¹² to 10¹⁶ ions/cm². Irradiation effects are estimated by SRIM calculations, and investigated experimentally using Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The observed changes of structure and vibrational spectra are elaborated, their consequences on hydrogen bonding in MgH₂ discussed, and influence on H-desorption properties investigated by Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) techniques. It has been established that near-surface defects have a predominant influence on decreasing the H-desorption temperature. Variations of Raman, TPD and DSC spectra with irradiation conditions suggest that there are several mechanisms of dehydriding, and that they depend on defect concentration, interaction and ordering.     

Development of ultra–low highly active and durable hybrid compressive platinum lattice cathode catalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

A highly active and stable catalyst/support system is developed by using a two-step process. In the first step, activated carbon composite support (ACCS) is synthesized that retains its activity after accelerated stress test (AST). A 30% Pt/ACCS catalyst shows no loss of mass activity and power density after 5000 cycles at 1.0–1.5 V while the commercial Pt/C and Pt/290G catalysts show drastic mass activity losses (57.5% and 66.2%, respectively) and power density losses (88.7% and 84.0%, respectively). In the second step, Pt catalyst with a compressive Pt lattice (Pt¹) is synthesized through a USC-developed annealing procedure in which Co atoms previously embedded in the support diffuse into Pt. The 30% Pt¹/ACCS shows high initial power density (rated) of 0.174 g_Pt kW^?1 and high stability of 24 mV loss at 0.8 A cm^?2 with an electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) loss of 42% after 30,000 cycles (0.6–1.0 V). The support stability under 1.0–1.5 V potential cycling shows potential loss of 8 mV at 1.5 A cm^?2 and ECSA loss of 22% after 5000 cycles. Improved stability and activity of Pt*/ACCS catalyst are due to synergistic effect of catalytic activity and stability of ACCS and formation of compressive Pt lattice catalyst.     

Test run of biodiesel in public transport system in Belgrade

The problems related to our strong dependency on fossil fuels, i.e. greenhouse effect, energy dependency, urban pollution, are of growing importance in recent years. European Union (EU) Action plan of 2003, which had originated from Kyoto Agreement, defined a strategy for substitution of 20% of conventional fuel with the alternative one by 2020. Proved advantages of biodiesel usage in the system of public transport of passengers, with regard to exhaust gases emission above all, have been the decisive determinants for the actual promotion of biodiesel as ecologically “clean” fuel, while its wider usage gives important contribution to sustainable development of cities. This paper presents results of biodiesel-test run in Belgrade, as a part of the project BIO-PEX, which relates to the usage of this alternative fuel in real operating conditions in urban public transport system, with special emphasis on technical, ecological and operational aspects of biofuel usage.