S. Murtić, H. Čivić, E. Sijahović, Ć. Zahirović, Emir Šahinović, A. Podrug
{"title":"Phytoremediation of soils polluted with heavy metals in the vicinity of the Zenica steel mill in Bosnia and Herzegovina: potential for using native flora","authors":"S. Murtić, H. Čivić, E. Sijahović, Ć. Zahirović, Emir Šahinović, A. Podrug","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2021.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2021.4","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates levels of soil pollution and estimates the phytoremediation potential of 7 native plants growing close to the Zenica steel mill. Plant leaves or roots and associated soil samples were collected from this site and characterized in terms of the concentrations of the heavy metals Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu and Ni. Heavy metal concentrations in soil and plant samples were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Bioaccumulation factors for heavy metals were also calculated. All plants studied had a low ability to remove or stabilize heavy metals in soil. This was probably associated with the poor mobility and thus poor availability of heavy metals to the plants growing in the vicinity of this steel mill.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45003588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A review of global land cover maps in terms of their potential use for habitat suitability modelling","authors":"Anastasia Linyucheva, P. Kindlmann","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2021.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2021.6","url":null,"abstract":"Recently, there has been a significant increase in number of land cover maps available to researchers and they are now more commonly used. The broad variety requires some system for determining the differences between maps and for estimating their applicability for specific research purposes. We focused on comparing land cover maps from the point of view of how the land cover categories used characterize potentially suitable habitats for species. This comparison includes only freely available global land cover projects with resolutions from 1 km to 10 m. The criteria chosen were temporal and spatial resolution, number of classes and map precision. To demonstrate the differences, two areas of different sizes were always chosen. Our results reveal that maps can significantly vary in their estimates of different types of land cover, even at the same spatial resolution. Results also revealed that one type of vegetation in this area is poorly recorded in all land cover maps. Copernicus CGLS-LC100 and ESA CCI-LC maps appear to be the most suitable for evaluating potentially suitable habitats.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46266830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Influence of intraspecific competition for food on the bodyweight of the adult aphidophagous ladybird, Coccinella transversalis","authors":"A. Pervez, Rupali Sharma","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2021.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2021.1","url":null,"abstract":"Aggregation of conspecific predators sharing a common prey, influences their bodyweights. We investigated the influence of intraspecific competition of adult ladybirds of Coccinella transversalis Fabricius on their bodyweight feeding on rusty plum aphid, Hysteroneura setariae (Thomas). Adult males and females consumed a significantly greater number of aphids with increase in predator-density, however, the aphid-consumption per predator declined with this increase. The weight gain per predator also decreased linearly with increase in the density of both male and female predators. This indicates that the weight-gain of the predator is a function of the prey consumed. The searching efficiency decreased with increase in predator density due to mutual inference. The mutual interference constants for adult male and female ladybirds were −0.419 and −0.546, respectively. The females consumed a greater number of aphids than males. The killing power of the ladybird denoted by the k-value increased curvilinearly with increase in predator density. We conclude that prey consumption is a function of body size and that the offspring of those that aggregate at low densities in prey-rich habitats develop into large adults.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48894214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
V. Pilnáček, L. Benešová, T. Cajthaml, Petra Inemannová
{"title":"Comparison of temperature and oxygen concentration driven aeration methods for biodrying of municipal solid waste","authors":"V. Pilnáček, L. Benešová, T. Cajthaml, Petra Inemannová","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2021.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2021.5","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, we used a model bio drying reactor to optimize the drying of municipal solid waste (MSW). Two methods of aeration were used: one involved controlling the concentration of oxygen (16–20%) and the other the temperature in the upper part of the reactor (temperature 42–45 °C, oxygen concentration 16– 20%). In terms of moisture content, the highest increase recorded was 0.94% and the highest decrease was 27.54%. The highest decrease in lower calorific value recorded was 9.23% and the highest increase was 41.12%. The energy balance in all the trial runs was positive. We noted that aeration using different concentrations of oxygen is strongly influenced by organic content. Thus, it is suitable only for drying wastes with known and stable compositions. The outcomes of the different methods used were influenced by ambient relative air humidity. Moisture gradients, which are often described in the literature, were not consistently reproduced in this study.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48365885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Factors determining the distribution of orchids – a review with examples from the Czech Republic","authors":"Zuzana Štípková, P. Kindlmann","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2021.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2021.3","url":null,"abstract":"The natural environment has been significantly altered by human activity over the past few decades. There is evidence we are now experiencing the sixth mass extinction, as many species of plants and animals are declining in abundance. We focused on the Orchidaceae because this plant family has experienced one of the biggest reductions in distribution. We investigated patterns in species richness and distribution of orchids, the rate and causes of their decrease and extinction, and factors influencing their occurrence in the Czech Republic and Greece. The key findings are: (i) Method of pollination and type of rooting system are associated with their distributions and they are different in the two countries. We assume that these differences might be due to the difference in the orography, distribution of suitable habitats and types of bedrock in these two countries. (ii) The greatest reduction in distribution was recorded for critically endangered taxa of orchids. The number of sites suitable for orchids in the Czech Republic declined by 8–92%. The most threatened orchid species are Spiranthes spiralis, Anacamptis palustris, Epipogium aphyllum and Goodyera repens. The distribution of orchids in the Czech Republic is mainly determined by the distribution of their habitats. (iii) The most important factor affecting the distribution of Czech orchids in South Bohemia is land cover. And the most important types of habitats (types in KVES) are oak and oak-hornbeam forests and agricultural meadows. Based on this information, it should be possible to improve the management that is crucial for maintaining orchid localities.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47503806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The status of commons in the changing landscape in the Czech Republic","authors":"Alžběta Vosmíková, Z. Křenová","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2021.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2021.2","url":null,"abstract":"Commons were ancient pastures, which once occurred in every village in many countries, including the Czech Republic. They have been a landscape and social phenomenon for decades. However, social and economic changes brought an end to community ownership and traditional management of these commons. The number of commons has been decreasing since the middle of the 19th century and currently very few remain. This paper evaluates the status of former commons in 35 cadastres in south-western Bohemia and describes the changes they have undergone in the last two hundred years. Three historical periods were identified as the main drivers in the changes in the status of commons. We started with a period from the middle of the 19th century to the 1950s, the second from 1950s to 1990s and the last from 1990s to 2019. Aerial images and field surveys revealed that 93% of former commons disappeared due to afforestation, conversion to fields and natural succession occurring on abandoned commons. The social and economic aspects associated with these changes are mentioned. Some of the commons are part of the Territorial system of landscape ecological stability (Ecological networks) and we suggest that more of the remaining commons should be included in this network. They could play a role in maintaining biodiversity and providing stepping stones in a uniform agriculture landscape. We propose to evaluate the conservation and ecosystem value of these commons in more detail and set up the appropriate management essential for the preservation or restoration of commons, an indisputable part of our biological and cultural heritage.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43013109","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"High biodiversity in a city centre: Odonatofauna in an abandoned limestone quarry","authors":"R. Bobrek","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2020.12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2020.12","url":null,"abstract":"Limestone quarries are known to be places where the diversity of xerothermophilic organisms is promoting diversity and in some, there are water bodies that potentially support the presence of hydrobionts. These include dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata), which, as amphibiotic insects, use both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The purpose of this paper was to determine whether there was a high diversity of odonatofauna in an old limestone quarry with well-developed aquatic habitats, located in an urban environment in the Central-European city of Krakow (S Poland). For this purpose, dragonflies in the quarry were monitored regularly, focusing on the reproductive status and relative abundance of each species. In 2017–2018, 37 species belonging to seven families of Odonata were recorded in the quarry, which is 50% of the Poland’s odonatofauna. Of these, 33 species were considered indigenous to the quarry. Among them, 30% were moderately urbanophobic or urbanophobic taxa. Habitat specialists made up 39% of the species. Some rare and declining species, i.e. Leucorrhinia pectoralis and L. rubicunda, were abundant at this site. The study shows that a well-preserved secondary habitat, located in the centre of a city and not subject to urban management, can support a high diversity of odonates. Such limestone quarries in highly transformed urban environments can be valuable sites for this indicator group of organisms and should be identified, evaluated and conserved.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":"10 1","pages":"107-114"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2020-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49430241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alena Grasserová, A. Hanč, Petra Innemanová, T. Cajthaml
{"title":"Composting and vermicomposting used to break down and remove pollutants from organic waste: a mini review","authors":"Alena Grasserová, A. Hanč, Petra Innemanová, T. Cajthaml","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2020.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2020.2","url":null,"abstract":"The advantages of combining composting and vermicomposting to break down and remove pollutants from organic waste are reviewed. This mini-review aims to present the benefits of combining these methods and the outcome of specific cases of environmental remediation.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":"10 1","pages":"9-14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2020-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45653044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mating behaviour of the predaceous ladybird, Harmonia dimidiata","authors":"A. Pervez, M. Monalisa, M. Jahan","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2020.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2020.1","url":null,"abstract":"We studied the mating behaviour of the predaceous ladybird beetle, Harmonia dimidiata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The courtship behaviour of the male involves the secretion from the tibio-femoral joints of its hind-legs of yellow coloured reflex blood containing the alkaloid harmonine, which is usually the first line of defence of this ladybird. In this case, this reflex blood also functions as a nuptial gift from the male, which is edible and facilitates mating. The amount of reflex blood offered as a nuptial gift decreases with each subsequent mating. Mating in H. dimidiata was prolonged and initially increased before subsequently decreasing with each subsequent mating. This information could be useful for the mass rearing of this species in the laboratory.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2020-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46377441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Biomarkers as a tool for assessing diffuse contamination of coastal wetland","authors":"Silvia Villar Arias","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2020.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2020.6","url":null,"abstract":"Playa Penino is a natural reserve located on the south coast of Uruguay. It hosts 244 species of birds (more than 50% of the bird biodiversity recorded for Uruguay). The area is included in the International BirdLife Program for biodiversity preservation. Urbanization and pollution generally have affected the quality of the water and biodiversity in wetlands. The analysis of the major wetland of Playa Penino revealed high levels of organic compounds. The biomonitoring was done using the caviomorph rodent Ctenomys pearsoni (commonly known as tuco tuco) as an indicator species because they inhabit burrows around the wetland. Genetic effects were determined using the comet assay and micronucleus test. The significant correlations between chemical and microbiological parameters and genetic damage might indicate that macronutrients from sewage could be one of the causes of the genetic damage. There is an urgent need to conserve the biodiversity of this natural area by introducing sewage treatment, cesspool control and by controlling settlement in the area etc.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":"10 1","pages":"42-50"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2020-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47065501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}