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Spa environments in central Serbia: Geothermal potential, radioactivity, heavy metals and PAHs
No full textThis study aims to estimate geothermal potential, radioactivity levels, and environmental pollution of six most popular spas in Central Serbia (Ovcar, Gornja Trepca, Vrnjacka, Mataruska, Bogutovacka and Sokobanja), as well as to evaluate potential exposure and health risks for living and visiting population. Thermal possibilities of the studied spas showed medium and low geothermal potential with total thermal power of 0.025 MW. Gamma dose rates in air varied from 63 to 178 nSv h(-1). Specific activities of natural radionuclides (Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40) and Cs-137 in soil were measured; annual effective doses and excess lifetime cancer risk from radionuclides were calculated. Radon concentration in thermal-mineral waters from the spas ranged between 1.5 and 60.7 Bq L-1 (the highest values were measured in Sokobanja). The annual effective dose from radon due to water ingestion was calculated. The analyzed soils had a clay loam texture. The presence of As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Hg in soil was investigated. The concentrations of As, Cr, Ni, and Hg exceeded the regulatory limits in many samples. Soil samples from Mataruska spa were generally the most contaminated with heavy metals, while the lowest heavy metal concentrations were observed in Sokobanja. Health effects of exposure to heavy metals in soil were estimated by non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic risk assessment. Total carcinogenic risk ranged between 6 x 10(-4) and 137 x 10(-4) for children and between 0.1 x 10(-4) and 2.2 x 10(-4) for adults. The sum of 16 PAHs analyzed in soil samples varied from 92 to 854 mu g kg(-1)
Самооријентирајући армиларни сунчани часовник професора Радована Данића
Get PDFProf. Radovan Danić, PhD (1893–1979), an honorary lifetime President of the Astronomical Society Ruđer Bošković in Belgrade, owned a brass universal equinoctial ring sundial (98 mm in diameter), preserved by his descendants, who continued his work on popularizing astronomy through the activities of the society. The sundial (ring dial) was measured, tested and compared to similar portable sundials (pocket sundials) exhibited in various European museums. In the classification scheme, along with the Parmenion’s and astronomical rings, it belongs to a group of pocket armillary sundials that do not require a compass. More precisely, it is a self-orienting armillary sundial whose rings are located under the circles of the celestial sphere of the same name at the moment of measurement. Therefore, when the apparent solar time is known, it turns into a solar compass. A corresponding sundial on the horizon to the self-orienting armillary sundial is the analemmatic sundial. The construction of a self-orienting armillary sundial was first described in the late 16th century by the English mathematician William Oughtred (1574-1660). In collaboration with the gnomonists from England and Austria, we determined where and when Professor Danić’s sundial was constructed: Vienna, second quarter of the 18th century. Originally, the sundial was adjusted for the latitude of Belgrade or Zemun (nowadays, a Belgrade municipality), which were under the Austrian rule for a long time during the 18th century. It is a beautiful, well-crafted, well-preserved, expensive sundial and astronomical instrument that should be kept in a museum, in the first place in the Museum of Astronomy of the Astronomical Observatory in Belgrade.Проф. др Радован Данић (1893–1979.), доживотни председник Астрономског друштва "Руђер Бошковић" у Београду, поседовао је месингани универзални еквиноцијални сунчани часовник (дијаметар 98 mm) кога су сачували настављачи његовог рада на популаризацији астрономије окупљени око поменутог друштва. Сунчани часовник је премерен, тестиран и упоређен са сродним портабл сунчаним часовницима, експонатима европских музеја. У класификационој шеми, заједно са Парменионовим и астрономским прстенастим часовником, спада у џепне армиларне сунчане часовнике за које није потребан компас. Тачније, ради се о самооријентирајућем армиларном сунчаном часовнику чији се прстенови у тренутку мерења налазе под истоименим круговима небеске сфере. Зато се он, када је познато право сунчево време, претвара у сунчев компас. Парњак самооријентирајућем армиларном сунчаном часовнику на хоризонту јесте аналематски сунчани часовник. Конструкцију самооријентирајућег армиларног сунчаног часовника први је, крајем 16. века, описао енглески математичар В. Отрејд (William Oughtred) (1574-1660.). У сарадњи са гномонистима из Енглеске и Аустрије, одређено је где и када је направљен примерак проф. Данића: Беч, друга четвртина 18. века. Изворно, сунчани часовник је подешен за географску ширину Београда или Земуна (сада београдске општине) који су током 18. века дуже времена били под аустријском владавином. Ради се о лепом, прецизно урађеном, добро очуваном, скупоценом сунчаном часовнику и астрономском инструменту коме је место у музеју, најпре у Музеју астрономије при Астрономској опсерваторији у Београду
Cartographic image of Serbia and other neighboring countries on the Balkan Peninsula on the maps of Martin Waldseemüller from early 16th century
Get PDFMartin Waldseemüller has a special place in the history of European cartography and geography, due to the original cartographic works that influenced the expansion of the geographical horizons of Europeans in the 16th century. In the introductory section, the author gives an overview of his most important works, which still attract the attention of researchers in the field of historical geography, historical cartography, toponomastics and related scientific disciplines. Author then analyzes the text and context of Waldzemiler's maps. The aim of this work is to shed new light on geographical knowledge of the Balkan Peninsula and Serbian countries in the age of Humanism and the Renaissance, based on an analysis of Martin Waldseemüller's geographic maps from the early 16th century. Special attention is paid to the contents of the map Tabula moderna Bossine, Servie, Gretiae et Sclavonie, from 1507
Research possibilities of extreme hydrological phenomena in Serbia in the function of climate change adaptation
Get PDFMany natural disasters are nowadays interpreted as consequences of climate changes. They represent a form of extreme occurrences, i.e. deviation of normal conditions. They are recognized as deviation in the intensity, frequency or spatial distribution of a phenomenon from normal conditions. Thus, they represent a threat to ecosystems, economic stability and can lead to social and political problems. So far, there is no generally accepted classification of the disasters. This paper starts from the fact that a special grouping represents disasters that are happening as result of interaction of atmosphere and hydrosphere, due to the mutual interconnections. It is considered that the genetic grouping of climatehydrological extremes represents the majority of natural disasters. In the near past, the Southeast Europe countries were exposed to hydrological extremes whose causes were atmospheric occurrences. Due to the region's compactness and similar geographical conditions, these countries were sensitive to similar phenomena. The paper discusses about the hydrological extremes in Serbia that represents the result of extreme climatic conditions in relation to the consequences they have in the geographical surrounding. A total of 19 extreme hydrological phenomena have been outlined in this paper. Based on the level of destructiveness, they are classified into five categories: exceptional, significant, dangerous, strong and catastrophic. Each of them can be identified using statistical thresholds as physical parameters. The type of distribution basically determines the way in which thresholds are calculated. Four methods for their detection are outlined: the normal distribution method, the peaks method, the deciles method and the recurrence interval method. Defining each unfavorable phenomenon, their classification and determination of methods for detection are conditions for recognition and announcement. This allows an adequate reaction from the social community and the risks of disasters are reduced
Attitudes of the local residents towards the possibilities of ecoturism development in the area of the Special Nature Reserve 'Deliblato Sands'
Get PDFEcotourism is a form of tourism, increasingly developed within protected natural areas due to its ability to minimize negative impacts on the environment and contribute to the preservation and improvement of natural values. In addition to natural potentials, scientific literature emphasizes the importance of the involvement of the local community in ecotourism development, through which multiple socioeconomic benefits for the local population are obtained. Deliblato Sands is an area protected as a Special Nature Reserve, thanks to its specific morphological features, rich biodiversity, rare species and exceptional landscape values. This research examines the attitudes of the inhabitants of the municipalities of Vrsac, Bela Crkva, Kovin, Alibunar and Pancevo, on whose territories the borders of SNR "Deliblato Sands" are located, about the development of ecotourism in Deliblato Sands, its impact on the environment and community and readiness of local population for direct involvement in ecotourism development. The attitudes of 339 respondents were collected through an online survey, and the results of the research were presented by descriptive analysis. It was determined that the inhabitants of municipalities in South Banat have a positive attitude towards the development of ecotourism in the area of SNR "Deliblato Sands", and a proactive approach to direct involvement in further ecotourism development of this area
A Noninvasive Assistant System in Diagnosis of Lumbar Disc Herniation
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is the application of pressure sensors in diagnostics and evaluation of the accuracy diagnostics of lumbar disc herniation at levels L4/L5 and L5/S1 using the aforementioned platform. The motivation behind the idea to apply the pressure measurement platform is the fact that the motor weakness of plantar and dorsal flexia of the feet is one of the absolute indications for the operative treatment of patients with lumbar disc herniation at the indicated levels. In patients, MRI diagnosis of the lumbosacral spine served as the ground truth in the diagnosis of herniation at L4/L5 and L5/S1 levels. The inclusive criteria for the study were the proven muscle weakness based on manual muscle tests performed prior to surgery, after seven days of surgery and after physical therapy. The results obtained with the manual muscular test were compared with the results obtained using our platform. The study included 33 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The results of the measurements indicate that the application of our platform with pressure sensors has the same sensitivity diagnostics as a manual muscle test, when done preoperatively and postoperatively. After physical therapy, pressure sensors show statistically significantly better sensitivity compared to the clinical manual muscle test. The obtained results are encouraging in the sense that the pressure platform can be an additional diagnostic method for lumbar disc herniation detection and can indicate the effectiveness of operative treatment and physical therapy after operation. The main advantage of the system is the cost; the whole system with platform and sensors is not expensive
GIS and remote sensing techniques for the estimation of dew volume in the Republic of Serbia
Get PDFWith the help of satellite data and numerical geographical information system (GIS) methods, the total capacity of dew volume on the entire territory of the Republic of Serbia was estimated. Multicriteria GIS analysis and satellite detections with the support of methods such as kriging and semi-kriging gave satisfactory results in the present research. After the download of satellite data, they were compared with meteorological data for precipitation, evaporation and air temperature. A very precise grid in 1 x 1 degrees of longitude and latitude was created. The average estimated dew potential for the territory of Serbia is 20-40 mm.year(-1)for the south of the country, 15 mm.year(-1)for the north, 30-50 mm.year(-1)for the central region and 20-30 mm.year(-1)for the east. In most drought regions, it is lt 10 mm.year(-1).m(-2). Counties with the largest dew capacity (between 15,200 and 20,000 L) include Borski, Nisavski and Jablanicki in the eastern part of the country, as well as Zlatiborski, Raski and Pec in the western and southern parts, respectively. On the other hand, counties with the lowest dew capacity (2,000-3,000 L) encompass northern parts of Serbia (Sremski, Severno-Banatski, Srednje-Banatski, Juzno-Banatski, Severno-Backi and Zapadno-Backi). The possibility for dew use is particularly strong during the spring. The estimated total capacity of the dew potential for Serbia is 1.5 x 10(7)L. By comparing the obtained data for Serbia, it is concluded that the amount of this type of water resource is not large, but enough for use in agricultural and other economic sectors
Age-and cause-specific components of recent life expectancy improvements in Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia
Get PDFAll ex-Yugoslav countries experienced improvements in life expectancy during the last few decades. This study describes and compares recent life expectancy trends in Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia. What age groups and what causes of death account for the largest mortality declines? Have the three countries joined the cardiovascular revolution? Do patterns differ between countries? And, is there room for further improvements? We use life tables and decomposition methods to address these questions. Our key findings are: 1) lower mortality from circulatory diseases at older ages contributed most to life expectancy growth 2001-2017 for both sexes in all three countries; 2) despite this common pattern, life expectancy in Slovenia grew fastest and the gap between countries increased; 3) under the Slovenian age-specific cardiovascular mortality schedule, Croatia added 1.79 years to both female and male life expectancies, while Serbia added 3.97 and 3.26 to female and male life expectancies
Assessment of karst geomorphosites on Kucaj and Beljanica mountains as a resource for the development of karst-based geopark
Get PDFProtection and promotion of geoheritage has been changing and improving in recent decades, in line with the growing research in this field. Some research papers specifically study geomorphological geoheritage and introduce a special term - geomorphosite. Karst geomorphosites present specific objects of geomorphological heritage. On Kucaj and Beljanica mountains there is the largest karst area in Serbia. The purpose of this paper is to select and evaluate the scientific value of karst geomorphosites of Kucaj and Beljanica. More than one hundred karst geomorphosites were analyzed. In order to achieve more adequate coverage and representation, they were grouped into 25 geomorphotypes in three major geomorphological components of the investigated area. The results of this analysis highlighted the most important natural potentials of this area for establishing a karst-based geopark. More than 20 geomorphotypes have a positive recommendation index, which provides a good basis for further geotourism analysis
Paleovulkanska kupa Zvečan - mogući spomenik prirode ili objekat geonasleđa
No full textNa prostoru Srbije odavno nema aktivnog vulkanizma. Intenzivna vulkanska aktivnost na ovom prostoru je pored plutonskih masiva (npr. granodiorit Boranje, Kopaonika), submarinskih izliva (pilou lave kod Kuršumlije) ili subaerskih lavičnih i piroklastičnih tokova (npr. Lece), ostavila i markantne paleovulkanske forme reljefa, koje nisu dovoljno morfološki očuvane u recentnom reljefu i koje su skoro u potpunosti preinačene i deformisane procesom erozije. Jedna od njih, i dalje nezaštićena i nepriznata za spomenik prirode ili objekat geonasledja, je paleovulkanska kupa Zvečan, koja se nalazi u Kosovsko-kopaoničkoj-rudničkoj oblasti tercijernog vulkanizma u Srbiji. Izdiže se iznad reke Ibar, na oko 2 km od Kosovske Mitrovice. Visine je oko 300 m, sa osnovom širine oko 1000 m, na nadmorskoj visini od 793 m. Izgradjena je od kvarclatita holokristalaste porfirske strukture sa fenokristalima sanidina, često centimetarskih dimenzija. Na vrhu paleovulkanske kupe nalaze se ostaci tvrdjave, koja je bila sedište Zvečanske župe u 12. veku. U tom periodu predstavlja poznato gradsko naselje na Balkanu, koje ima namenu zastite i kontrolu karavanskih puteva. Prvi put pod imenom Zvecan, ovo naselje se pominje 1091. i 1094. godine. Ovaj spomenik silama Zemlje istovremeno je i spomenik silnoj srednjevekovnoj Srpskoj državi.Urednici: Miško Milanović, Tin Lukić, Miljan Ilić, Vojislav Deđansk