engleski

Research of POPs in Croatian karstic areas as consequence of war. Actions and data for period 1995-2002

During the recent war, the karst area of Croatia has been jeopardized by hazardous waste and deserves particular attention because of its exceptional ecological sensitivity and unfortunately unscrupulous destruction of natural resources, infrastructure, homes, and enterprises. Data on contaminant levels from samples collected before 1995 didn't show significant contamination of the investigated locations (Oštarije, Ogulin, Transformer Station "Konjsko", Rivers Cetina, and Jadro) by organochlorinated pesticides and PCB. On the contrary, after February 21st, 1992, as a consequence of mineral oil drainage from the occupied hydroelectric station Peruča contamination of the River Cetina has been noticed. Arithmetic means of mineral oils for the River Cetina were in a wide range from 0, 021 mg/l (Cetina Zadvarje) to 1, 27 mg/l (Cetina Han). Concentrations of mineral oils after more than months of the observed initial contamination were within the limit proposed by the rules for drinkable water. Research results of highly stable organic contaminants, after warfare actions, indicate there is no ecologically significant PCB contamination of soil near Transformer Stations in Delnice and Kaštela, while in the area of TS "Komolac", significant levels of PCB are observed. If we compare the levels of PCB in the soil near TS "Zadar" and TS "Bilice" by the criteria of tolerance accepted in the Netherlands, the levels of contamination at some locations far exceed tolerable levels that do not require remediation. During 1997 some locations in the area of Ličko-Senjska County and Zadarsko-Kninska County have been reviewed in detail to determine warfare damage that could have certain impact on the quality of the environment. Soil and river sediment samples have been collected and analyzed on PCB and polyaromathic hydrocarbons. Results do not indicate alarming levels of examined highly stable ecotoxicants, but they should not be taken for granted, because a small number of samples has been analyzed on PAH and PCB only, on a relatively large and ecologically diverse area. After their penetration in the environment, organochlorinated pesticides, and PCB, quickly absorb in soil, sediment, or bioaccumulate in the organisms of the aquatic ecosystem. Taking into account location of destroyed Zadar, Bilice, and Dubrovnik Electrical Transformer Stations, there is some speculation regarding the potential hazard from organohalogenated toxicants to the Lake Vransko and the coastal sea around the Zadar, Šibenik, and Dubrovnik areas. From 1997 to 1999 sediment and some aquatic organism samples were collected and analyzed from mentioned areas. Results indicate there are no significant or high levels of contaminants in the areas of Lake Vransko, Šibenik, Dubrovnik (Petke location), while in these areas: Mikulandra bay near Šibenik, Rijeka Dubrovačka, Brodanova location, Marina near Vruljica creek in Zadar, significantly higher level of PCBs are observed and additional monitoring of these toxicants was recommended.

POPs; karst; Croatia; war

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