Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society

Editorial

Ljubiša M. Ignjatović — 2025-01-06

Effects of persistent organic pollutants and mercury in protected area „Obrenovački zabran”

Snežana Štrbac — 2025-01-06

This study aims to assess and monitor the health of an urban protected area by analysing the levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury (Hg) in soil and sediments. Based on the results, the detected concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Hg are above the threshold maximum values for soils and the prescribed target values for sediments. In the investigated protected area PCBs pose a very high ecological risk. The presence of 16 priority PAHs in analysed soils and sediments poses a moderate to high cancer risk and Hg poses a considerable health risk to children. The research suggests that preserving urban protected areas is crucial for environmental and urban sustainability. In urban environments these areas should be evaluated in terms of their environmental, eco-geochemical, economic and socio-cultural dimensions. The value of the existence of this natural oasis lies in its aesthetic and psycho-hydrological impact, local climate regulation, residential isolation and significant art-architectural and horticultural shaping. The interconnection between eco-geochemical and management practices, planning, and urban green spaces policy should become an adopted innovation in the cities in the future.

Atmospheric deposition of potentially toxic elements over the territory of Serbia assessed by moss biomonitoring in five-year time: 2015 vs. 2020

Mira Aničić Urošević — 2025-01-06

The presented research, performed under the framework of the ICP Vegetation program in Serbia, had a goal to provide field-based evidence of spatial patterns and temporal trends of some potentially toxic element deposition, using naturally growing moss (Hypnum cupressiforme), as a biomonitor in surveys conducted in 2015 and 2020. The results showed a decline of the element concentrations in the moss with time for Cr (42 %), Cu (39 %), Fe (22 %), Pb (10 %) and Zn (54 %), a decrease for Cd (18 %), while staying at the same level for As and V. The concentrations of examined elements in the moss samples were comparable to those found in the neighbouring countries, with the median country values often being five or more times larger than in the pollution background countries like Switzerland and Norway. Calculation of ecological implication indices generally suggested the presence of low to moderate pollution all over the study area, with severe contamination with As, Cr, Cu and Pb at some studied locations in the eastern and northern parts of the country.

Maturation changes of hydrocarbons in solid parts of peloids from Serbian spas – Catalytic influence of clay minerals

Zlatko Nikolovski — 2025-01-06

The study focused on inspecting the composition of n-alkane, sterane and terpane biomarkers in healing mud (peloid) organic matter in the Rusanda, Bujanovac and Vranje spas. It was assumed that the catalytic influence of minerals on changes in biomarkers could be effectively evaluated based on the distribution of their biolipid and thermodynamically more stable geolipid structural and stereochemical isomers. Quartz, illite, kaolinite, plagioclase, smectite and chlorite were identified in the samples by powder X-ray diffraction. n-Аlkanes, terpanes and steranes were analyzed in the solid parts of the peloids using the gas chromatography–mass spectrometric, GC–MS, technique. In Rusanda and Bujanovac samples, n-alkanes were identified with distributions characteristic of immature sediments. In contrast, distributions of terpanes and steranes are typical for the mature organic matter of old sedimentary formations. It was concluded that the identified clay minerals do not have an obvious catalytic effect on the maturation of n-alkanes. At the same time, the presence of illite, chlorite, and smectite compensated for all other missing factors (heat, pressure and geological time) by catalytic action and, as a result, gave terpanes and steranes with distributions that are characteristic for petroleum, as the most mature form of organic matter in the geosphere.

Sustainable synthesis of samarium molybdate nanoparticles: a simple electrochemical tool for detection of environmental pollutant metol

Tijana Mutić — 2025-01-06

This study focused on creating a highly effective sensor for detecting and quantifying the nitrogen-organic pollutant metol (MTL). For this purpose, samarium molybdate (Sm₂(MoO₄)₃) nanoparticles were synthesized using an eco-friendly, organic solvent-free and cost-effective hydrothermal method. These nanoparticles were used as a modifier of carbon paste electrodes (CPE), showing exceptional catalytic efficiency. Electrochemical measurements revealed that the developed electrode facilitates electron transfer processes and enhances the catalytic response. The resulting Sm₂(MoO₄)₃/CPE sensor exhibited a broad linear range of 0.1–100 and 100–300 μM of MTL, with low detection and quantification limits of 0.047 and 0.156 µM, respectively, at pH 3 in a Britton–Robinson buffer solution (BRBS) as the supporting electrolyte. The findings from the analysis of real water samples from various sources using this sensor were encouraging, suggesting that this method could offer a cost-effective, rapid and sensitive sensor for ambient MTL monitoring.

Removal of pharmaceutically active substance ibuprofen from aqueous solution using TiO2/ZSM-5 zeolite hybrid photocatalysts

Srna Stojanović — 2025-01-06

The removal of pharmaceutically active substance ibuprofen (IBU) from aqueous solution was studied using TiO₂/ZSM-5 zeolite hybrid photocatalysts synthesized from 20 wt. % TiO₂ P25 nanoparticles and ZSM-5 zeolites with different Si/Al ratio (11.5, 15, 25, 40 and 140). The hybrid materials were prepared by a simple and economic ultrasound assisted solid-state dispersion method and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Among them, the hybrid photocatalyst containing TiO₂ and ZSM-5 zeolite with a Si/Al = 40 (denoted as TZ(40)) showed the highest removal efficiency, achieving 85 % IBU removal after 80 min under UV irradiation. The optimal condition for the removal of IBU from deionized water was found to be at a natural pH 4.5. Moreover, the removal of IBU from bottled drinking water in the presence of TZ(40) hybrid material was tested. Only 32 % IBU removal was achieved because change in pH value of reaction suspension decreased efficiency of IBU removal.

Potentially toxic elements from different environmental compartments of the River Watershed in Eastern Serbia – Assessment of the human health risk

Aleksandra Mihajlidi-Zelić — 2025-01-06

This study assessed human health risks due to exposure to potentially toxic elements (PTES) in soil and river water in eastern Serbia. Concentrations of As, Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Ni and Cr were measured in soil and river water from the Vlasina watershed area. The concentrations of Cl^-, SO₄^2- and NO₃^- were also measured in the river water. According to the Regulation of the Republic of Serbia, the water quality of the investigated rivers corresponds to the surface water quality Class I and II. The content of PTEs in soil was below soil guideline values. Children were more sensitive than adults when exposed to PTE in water and soil. Arsenic was the dominant contributor to the total non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for exposure to PTE in water. For PTE in soil, As had the dominant contribution to non-carcinogenic risks, and Ni to carcinogenic risks. All hazard index (HI) values for adults and children are less than 1, which indicates that the impact of PTEs in the examined river water and soil on human health is insignificant. Ingestion route is a major contributor to both total non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks.

Adsorption analysis of PFOA on activated carbon and ion-exchange resin: A comparative study using four isotherm models

Kristina Kasalica — 2025-01-06

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals”, are highly persistent environmental pollutants due to their strong carbon–fluorine bonds. Widely used across industries and consumer products, PFAS have accumulated in the environment, raising concerns about their bioaccumulation, toxicity and mobility. Adsorption, particularly using activated carbon and ion exchange resins, is a suitable technique for PFAS removal from contaminated water. This study evaluates the sorption efficiency of granular and powdered activated carbon and two ion exchange resins to identify the most effective materials for remediation. All tested sorbents showed great performance, however Amberlite IRA 402, and powdered activated carbon K/B were the most efficient. Based on the isotherm models used, it is suggested that physisorption is a dominant process, where the multilayer adsorption on a heterogeneous surface is being favoured.

Assessment of the concentration of toxic metals (aluminum, cadmium and manganese) in the soil and evergreen plant species at the Sastavci surface mine and its vicinity

Milica Tomović — 2025-01-06

The study aims to determine the concentration of Al³⁺, Cd²⁺ and Mn²⁺ in the soil and parts of evergreen plant species – juniper and white pine – at the surface mine Sastavci (Badanj) and its vicinity in order to determine the possibility of using evergreen plants as an ecological indicator or for phytoremediation. Globally, as a result of various anthropogenic activities such as traffic, agricultural activities, waste incineration, industrial production, mining, etc., it represents a serious problem leading to pollution with toxic and potentially toxic metal cations. One of the more innovative techniques used for the remediation of mining areas is phytoremediation. By applying phytoremediation, certain plant species in polluted areas have the ability to act as accumulators or hyperaccumulators, absorbing toxic metals from the soil through the plant roots and transporting them to the upper parts. This research has been conducted to determine the concentration of Al³⁺, Cd²⁺ and Mn²⁺ at the surface mine itself and its surroundings, as well as to monitor the distribution of metal cations in the system of roots, branches, needles, and fruits of the evergreen plant species – white pine and juniper. The results showed that the sampled soil was contaminated with Cd in zones I and II for both plant species, since the concentrations exceeded the limit values, while the concentration of Cd in zone III, as well as in the control zone was below the determination limits for both plant species. The concentration of Mn in the soil from the white pine and juniper zone was above the world average in all three zones, as well as in the control zone itself. The soil was most enriched with the analysed elements in the surface mine of zone I and zone II. According to the analysis of elements in the parts of white pine, roots, branches, needles and fruits, the highest concentration of Al was detected in the root in zone I, while the lowest concentration was recorded in the fruit (cones) in the control zone, an increased concentration of Cd was recorded in the branches in zones I and II, and the highest concentration of Mn was recorded in needles in zone II. The highest Al concentration was recorded in the juniper root in zone I and the lowest in the juniper fruit in the control zone, the Cd concentration was the highest in the juniper root zone I, and the lowest in the juniper fruit and the highest Mn concentration was recorded in the juniper needles in zone I. Based on the obtained values of the coefficient of biological absorption, it can be concluded that white pine is not suitable for phytoextraction or phytostabilization of the tested elements. The analysis of biological factors (bioconcentration, translocation and bioaccumulation factor) indicated a possible usage of juniper in phytoextraction for Cd only.

Potentially toxic elements in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L.) from the Gruža reservoir: Health risk assessment related to fish consumption by the general population and fishermen

Aleksandra Milošković — 2025-01-06

The aim was to evaluate concentrations of 14 potentially toxic elements in three tissues (muscle, liver, and gills) of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) and to assess health risk (the potential non-cancerogenic – Total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) and cancerogenic – Target carcinogenic risk factor (TR) health risk) associated with the consumption of pikeperch from the Gruža Reservoir by the general population and fishermen. A value of Fulton’s condition factor (CF) of less than one in our study indicated the poor general health of pikeperch. According to metal pollution index (MPI), the liver was exposed to the highest pressure of metal pollution. Levels of elements were lower than the national levels and international threshold levels, thus suggested a very likely absence of contamination risk of fish with elements in the Gruža Reservoir. Higher TTHQ was observed for fishermen (0.25) compared to the general population (0.20). Higher value of TR for As compared to TR for Pb was detected, both for the general population and for fishermen. In general, there was no risk to human health from pikeperch consumption, but fishermen were at slightly higher health risk to develop cancer if they consume pikeperch meat compared to the general population.

Solid-phase extraction of estrogen hormones onto chemically modified carbon cryogel

Danijela Prokić — 2025-01-06

This study introduces a novel solid-phase extraction (SPE) method utilizing pristine and chemically treated carbon cryogel (CC) as an adsorbent for the isolation and enrichment of estrogen hormones (estrone, 17β-estradiol, and 17α-ethinylestradiol) from water samples. High recovery values (82-95%) were obtained after optimizing the SPE technique, which included adsorbent mass and chemical treatment, sample volume and pH, and elution solvent type and volume. The developed analytical method, based on SPE coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), proves to be selective, efficient, and cost-effective for the determination of selected estrogens. The utilization of self-made cartridges with chemically modified CC produced results comparable to those obtained with commercial cartridges while employing significantly less material. Furthermore, the selectivity of the employed materials contributed to minor matrix effects. The optimized method was successfully applied to analyze estrogen hormones in groundwater, surface water, and wastewater samples, with the results highlighting the importance of monitoring these contaminants in the aquatic environment.

Pyrolysis of corn stalks: the potential of using bio-oil as a fuel

Jelena Isailović — 2025-01-06

Due to the increasing consumption of fossil fuels, there is a growing demand for renewable energy resources. At the same time, a significant amount of agricultural waste accumulates, including corn residues, and the efficient management of this waste is a challenge. In this work, the waste biomass, which consisted of the stalks of two types of corn, was characterized and subjected to the pyrolysis process at 400 ℃. The physicochemical characterization of the obtained liquid fraction (bio-oil) was performed, and the obtained data were compared with the literature data for liquid biofuel. The calorific value of bio-oil was above 22 MJ kg^-1, which indicates the good potential of waste corn biomass as an energy source. With appropriate further changes in the composition of waste, by adding materials with a higher carbon and hydrogen content, corn stalks can represent a significant energy source, with better regulation of disposal and storage of agricultural waste.

Contents of Volume 89

Journal editor — 2025-01-28

Author Index

Journal editor — 2025-01-06

Subject index

Journal editor — 2025-01-06

2024 List of Referees

Journal management — 2025-01-05