This is where you’ll find all the scientific papers related to Project GREENLand
Journal Publications
“Waste to energy” as a driver towards a sustainable and circular energy future for the Balkan countries
Draženko Bjelić, Dragana Nešković Markić, Dunja Prokić, Borislav N. Malinović & Andrea Andrejević Panić
Abstract:
Background
The main goal of the paper is to review the existing state and propose a model solution for the introduction of the waste-to-energy concept in the Republic of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as these Balkan countries are a source of high pollution due to the inefficient use of fossil fuels and the operation of coal-fired power plants. Besides, these countries have very low level of waste management, which results in the uncontrolled disposal of a large amount of waste which consists of plastic and microplastic materials which are difficult to decompose in natural ecosystems.
Methods
Considering the type and objectives of the study, a mixed research method was chosen as a combination of exploratory research, descriptive research, explanatory research, and modeling.
Results
The main result of the research shows the unfavorable situation in the field of waste management in the Republic of Serbia, as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both countries have adopted adequate strategies and plans, but waste management is not implemented accordingly, Nevertheless, numerous problems create considerable opportunities for improvement, especially regarding the potential for energy production from waste, which is an important approach to implementing the circular economy model. The study showed that the situation is particularly unfavorable in rural areas. Hence, the research proposes (a) a novel model for waste-to-energy governance and (b) a novel model for waste-to-energy management in rural areas. The research was done, and models were developed based on the examples of the Republic of Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the results can be used in countries with a similar level of waste management and with a larger share of rural areas.
Conclusions
The paper emphasizes the importance of a holistic and systemic approach to waste management, with emphasis on using waste-to-energy concept as particularly applicable in the transition to circular economy. This study proposes a model for the integration of waste management (with emphasis on plastic and microplastic) and energy efficiency, presenting a model of approach that can be used in countries that are at the beginning of introducing a circular economy.
A Complete Guide to Extraction Methods of Microplastics from Complex Environmental Matrices
Monika Rani1, Serena Ducoli1, Laura Eleonora Depero1, Miljana Prica2, Aleksandra Tubić3, Zahida Ademovic4, Liam Morrison5 and Stefania Federici1
Abstract:
Sustainable development is a big global challenge for the 21st century. In recent years, a class of emerging contaminants known as microplastics (MPs) has been identified as a significant pollutant with the potential to harm ecosystems. These small plastic particles have been found in every compartment of the planet, with aquatic habitats serving as the ultimate sink. The challenge to extract MPs from different environmental matrices is a tangible and imperative issue. One of
the primary specialties of research in environmental chemistry is the development of simple, rapid, low-cost, sensitive, and selective analytical methods for the extraction and identification of MPs in the environment. The present review describes the developments in MP extraction methods from complex environmental matrices. All existing methodologies (new, old, and proof-of-concept) are discussed and evaluated for their potential usefulness to extract MPs from various biotic and abiotic matrices for the sake of progress and innovation. This study concludes by addressing the current challenges and outlining future research objectives aimed at combating MP pollution. Additionally, a set of recommendations is provided to assist researchers in selecting appropriate analytical techniques for obtaining accurate results. To facilitate this process, a proposed roadmap for MP extraction is presented, considering the specific environmental compartments under investigation. By following this roadmap, researchers can enhance their understanding of MP pollution and contribute to effective mitigation strategies.
Screening of Native Trichoderma Species for Nickel and Copper Bioremediation Potential Determined by FTIR and XRF
Gordana Racić1, Igor Vukelić1, Branko Kordić2, Danka Radić3, Milana Lazović4, Ljiljana Nešić5 and Dejana Panković1
Abstract:
Soil pollution with heavy metals is a serious threat to the environment. However, soils polluted with heavy metals are considered good sources of native metal-resistant Trichoderma strains. Trichoderma spp. are free-living fungi commonly isolated from different ecosystems, establishing endophytic associations with plants. They have important ecological and biotechnological roles due to their production of a wide range of secondary metabolites, thus regulating plant growth and development or inducing resistance to plant pathogens. In this work we used indigenous Trichoderma strains that were previously isolated from different soil types to determine their tolerance to increased copper and nickel concentrations as well as mechanisms of metal removal. The concentrations of bioavailable metal concentrations were determined after extraction with diethylene-triamine pentaacetate (DTPA)-extractable metals (Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, and Zn) from the soil samples by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Two indigenous T. harzianum strains were selected for copper tolerance, and three indigenous T. longibrachiatum strains were selected for nickel tolerance tests. Strains were isolated from the soils with the highest and among the lowest DTPA-extractable metal concentrations to determine whether the adaptation to different concentrations of metals affects the mechanisms of remediation. Mechanisms of metal removal were determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), non-destructive methods characterized by high measurement speed with little or no need for sample preparation and very low costs. Increased DTPA-extractable metal content for nickel and copper was detected in the soil samples above the target value (TV), and for nickel above the soil remediation intervention values (SRIVs), for total metal concentrations which were previously determined. The SRIV is a threshold of metal concentrations indicating a serious soil contamination, thus confirming the need for soil remediation. The use of FTIR and XRF methods revealed that the presence of both biosorption and accumulation of metals in the Trichoderma cells, providing good bioremediation potential for Ni and Cu.
Prediction of the Impact of Land Use and Soil Type on Concentrations of Heavy Metals and Phthalates in Soil Based on Model Simulation
Abstract:
The main objective of this study is to determine the possibility of predicting the impact of land use and soil type on concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) and phthalates (PAEs) in soil based on an artificial neural network model (ANN). Qualitative analysis of HMs was performed with inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP/OES) and Direct Mercury Analyzer. Determination of PAEs was performed with gas chromatography (GC) coupled with a single quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS). An ANN, based on the Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (BFGS) iterative algorithm, for the prediction of HM and PAE concentrations, based on land use and soil type parameters, showed good prediction capabilities (the coefficient of determination (r2) values during the training cycle for HM concentration variables were 0.895, 0.927, 0.885, 0.813, 0.883, 0.917, 0.931, and 0.883, respectively, and for PAEs, the concentration variables were 0.950, 0.974, 0.958, 0.974, and 0.943, respectively). The results of this study indicate that HM and PAE concentrations, based on land use and soil type, can be predicted using ANN.
Heavy metal concentrations in the soil near illegal landfills in the vicinity of agricultural areas — artificial neural network approach
Abstract:
Purpose
To anticipate the impact of illegal landfills, development of new models should become a part of environmental risk management strategies. One of such approaches includes applications of the artificial neural network (ANN). The main objective of this study was to elucidate the impact of illegal landfilling on the surrounding soil environment and human health, as well as to establish an artificial neural network (ANN) models for predicting the hazards of illegal landfilling as an effective tool in decision-making and environmental risk management.
Methods
The identification of heavy metals source in soil was performed by principal component analysis (PCA). To assess the sensitivity of the soil ecosystem to heavy metal concentrations, Soil Quality standards and quantitative indices were used. The possible health effects were valued using the average daily doses (ADDs), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR). ANN modeling was used for the prediction of heavy metal concentrations in the soil based on landfill size, municipality size, the number of residents, plant species, soil, and landform types.
Results
The average values of the pollution indexes for Cd were in the moderately contaminated and very high contamination categories. The HQ values were lower than the safe level. Cr and Pb posed a significant CR for adults and children, and Ni for children. The ANN models have exhibited good generalization power and accurately predicted the output parameters with a high value of the coefficient of determination.
Conclusion
Concerning heavy metal concentrations, illegal landfills near agricultural soil have a significant impact on the soil ecosystem and people’s health. The developed ANN models can be applied generally to anticipate the heavy metal concentrations in soil, according to the before mentioned input parameters, with high accuracy.
Conference Publications
Technologies for Remediation of Polluted Environments: Between Classic Processes and the Challenges of New Approaches
Authors: Miroslav M. Vrvić
Abstract:
The Holocene epoch in which we live is also the Anthropocene, which is an informal chronological term that extends into the Pleistocene epoch. Various scientific evidences shows human impact on environmental pollution dates back to the age of Homo neanderthalensis, which in Europe was about 70,000–40,000 years ago (or even 400,000 years before the current epoch-BCE). The negative effects on the environment of the life activities of our distant ancestors are reflected in their active use of fire in everyday life.
Later, the pollution of air, water, soil and food, accelerated and became more complicated, which led to the alarming situation in the present time and especially in the future. In the last few years, researchers have focused on poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and micro- and nano plastics (M- and NPs, respectively), as global pollutants.
Environmental pollution requires technologies and processes for its protection and remediation (REM). Classical REM processes are: physical, chemical, physical-chemical and biological, and these are most often combined. The challenges of new approaches are primarily related to the application of new materials (e.g., 2D substances, such as graphene, nano materials, new catalysts) and advanced biotechnologies (e.g., enzyme engineering), nanobio/technologies, as ideal multidisciplinary approaches.
Modern REM concepts are based on the principles of green chemistry and green engineering, with the aim of “closing the loop” of the circular economy and fulfilling the unsustainable 2030 sustainable development (SD) agenda, which in real time coordinates can only be: smart development.
A Brief Bibliometric Analysis of Microplastic and Nanoplastic Particles in Food
Authors: Miroslav M. Vrvić, Nikoleta Lugonja, Srđan Miletić, Dragana-Linda Mitić, Mira Pucarević, Vesna Teofilović, Nataša Stojić
Abstract:
Microplastic and nanoplastic particles have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential presence in various environmental matrices, including food. This bibliometric analysis aims to explore the scientific landscape surrounding the study of microplastic and nanoplastic particles in food, shedding light on key research trends, prominent authors, and notable journals in this field. To conduct this analysis, a comprehensive search was performed on scholarly databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, using relevant keywords such as “microplastic”, “nanoplastic”, “food”, and related terms. The analysis focused on peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2023. The search found 313 articles on microplastic and nanoplastic particles in food, indicating a growing interest in this research area. The number of publications showed an upward trend, with the most productive year being 2020 (38% of papers), followed by 2023 and 2021 (23% each). In 2020, 16% of papers were published. Among the analyzed articles, 48% were original research papers, 46% were reviews, and the remaining 6% included book chapters, perspectives, and other publications. The analysis revealed that the most prolific authors in this field include researchers such as Jansen, M.A.K., Abbasi, S., and Banerjee, A., who have significantly contributed to the study of microplastics and nanoplastics in food. Additionally, several collaborations between different research institutions were observed, emphasizing the multidisciplinary nature of this research area. Furthermore, the analysis identified key journals publishing research on microplastics and nanoplastics in food, including Science of the Total Environment, the Journal of Hazardous Materials, and Environmental Pollution. The increasing number of publications on microplastic and nanoplastic particles in food indicates the growing awareness and concern regarding the potential risks associated with these contaminants. This bibliometric analysis provides insights into the scientific landscape of microplastic and nanoplastic particles in food. The analysis demonstrates the upward trajectory of research in this field, identifies influential authors, and highlights the significant role of specific journals. Continued research and collaboration are essential to further our understanding of the impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics on food safety and human health, facilitating the development of effective mitigation strategies.
Correlation between abundance of microplastics and concentration of phthalate esters
Authors: Nataša Stojić, Ljiljana Ćurčić, Dunja Prokić, Mira Pucarević
Abstract:
In the period from 2017 to 2022, 4,500 soil samples from the territory of Vojvodina were analyzed as part of the program for monitoring non-agricultural land. The results showed that the biggest problem was the presence of phthalate esters, which in certain locations were higher than the maximum allowed concentrations. Phthalate esters are plasticizers that are added to plastic products to improve their characteristics. A big problem appears in countries that do not have or do not implement waste management regulations and a large number of plastic products end up in landfills. Phthalates can be washed out from evreday plastic products as well as from plastic films, sewage irrigation, sludge, composting and mulching films used in agriculture and thus end up in soil and water bodies. The next risk is the possibility of the decomposition of plastic products under the influence of environmental conditions (photodegradation, thermooxidative degradation, hydrolytic degradation, and biodegradation by microorganisms). They can be broken down into smaller particles with dimensions smaller than 5 mm, which is by definition microplastics. Given that both polluting substances generally have the same origin it is necessary to quantify the correlation between the amount of microplastics and the concentration of phthalates. This results helped us in the exposure assessment process and in prediction the environmental concentrations of phthalates associated with microplastics in soil which was the goal of this research.
Technologies for Remediation of Polluted Environments: Between Classic Processes and the Challenges of New Approaches
Abstract:
The Holocene epoch in which we live is also the Anthropocene, which is an informal chronological term that extends into the Pleistocene epoch. Various scientific evidences shows human impact on environmental pollution dates back to the age of Homo neanderthalensis, which in Europe was about 70,000–40,000 years ago (or even 400,000 years before the current epoch-BCE). The negative effects on the environment of the life activities of our distant ancestors are reflected in their active use of fire in everyday life.
Later, the pollution of air, water, soil and food, accelerated and became more complicated, which led to the alarming situation in the present time and especially in the future. In the last few years, researchers have focused on poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and micro- and nano plastics (M- and NPs, respectively), as global pollutants.
Environmental pollution requires technologies and processes for its protection and remediation (REM). Classical REM processes are: physical, chemical, physical-chemical and biological, and these are most often combined. The challenges of new approaches are primarily related to the application of new materials (e.g., 2D substances, such as graphene, nano materials, new catalysts) and advanced biotechnologies (e.g., enzyme engineering), nanobio/technologies, as ideal multidisciplinary approaches.
Modern REM concepts are based on the principles of green chemistry and green engineering, with the aim of “closing the loop” of the circular economy and fulfilling the unsustainable 2030 sustainable development (SD) agenda, which in real time coordinates can only be: smart development.
Life cycle assessment (LCA) of microplastics in the environment
Dunja Prokić, Mira Pucarević, Ljiljana Ćurčić, Nataša Stojić, Maja Turk Sekulić, Marcela Šperanda
Abstract:
Microplastic (MP) pollution is one of the most pressing environmental problems of the 21st century. In the EU, between 75.000 and 300.000 tons of MP are released into the environment every year. MP are ubiquitous, being found in seas, lakes, rivers and estuaries, air, sediments, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants because of improper human disposal of plastics and inadequate waste management. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is frequently promoted as a tool to assess environmental impact. LCA is regulated in accordance with ISO 14040 and implies a process that examines environmental aspects and potential environmental impacts on the product or service life cycle. While LCA is a valuable environmental tool, its application to MP has not been sufficiently developed and investigated. The purpose of this paper is to critically review the LCA modeling of MP. Several leading LCA software were analyzed. Based on the conducted research, it was concluded that there are very few databases used by LCA software, which can be connected to MP. In addition, it was concluded that for these types of analysis, it is best to observe the life cycle of plastic waste, focusing on the concept according to which waste is considered a resource.
Inadequate municipal solid waste management and occurrence of phthalate esters in soil in Serbia
Dragana Vidojević, Nataša Stojić, Mira Pucarević, Dunja Prokić, Ljiljana Ćurčić
Abstract:
An increase in urban population and the rising demand for food and other essentials, perpetuate a rise in the amount of waste being generated daily by each household. In the Republic of Serbia, landfilling is the principal action for the municipal solid waste disposal. Landfills receive plenty of plastic waste generated from daily usage. Municipal solid waste in landfills may act as a reservior of microplastics (MPs) and related pollutants such as phthalate esters (PAEs) into surrounding environment. This study illustrated considerable PAEs levels from an uncontrolled landfill without adequate protection, possibly contributing to their release into the environment in the Republic of Serbia.