For a slovenian pharmaceutical company we carried out research of anaerobic treatment of waste fermentation broth. The broth was problematic due to toxic effects on active anaerobic biomass. We successfully determined the technology for treatment and biogas production in a mesophilic digester of biogas plant Kolar. With the treatment of the waste broth, the biogas yield increased by 40 %.
COBISS.SI-ID: 33609989
There is still a lack of knowledge concerning bioaccumulation of nanoparticles. This paper is the first one to describe the accumulation of metal depending on its source, such as uncoated and unmodified ZnO nanoparticles, ZnCl2 in solution, and macropowder ZnO. The bioaccumulation was studied in a model terrestrial invertebrate, known to accumulate large proportions of metals. The bioaccumulation potential of Zn was found to be the same regardless of Zn source and depends most probably on Zn dissolution from ZnO particles and not on bioaccumulation of particulate ZnO.
COBISS.SI-ID: 6065785
The use of insecticide imidacloprid (IMI) has been increasing extensively, but there is still a lack of data available on its possible risk to aquatic environment. In this study we found that IMI was not highly toxic to tested organisms. D. magna proved to be the most sensitive. The intensified toxicity of Confidor SL 200 was observed in the case of algae, daphnids and fish. The activities of enzymes of daphnids were not early biomarkers of exposure. We recommend additional toxicity and biodegradability studies of other commercial products with IMI as an active constituent.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4200218
Acute toxicity testing with the Daphnia magna was included in eight successive rounds and about twenty laboratories took part in each study. Variation coefficients of the mean 24 h EC50’s were determined for each exercise and the evolution of the interlaboratory variability was analysed. Comparisons were also made of the mean results and the variability of the results obtained by laboratories using organisms taken from laboratory cultures, versus those who used Daphnias hatched from dormant eggs (Daphtoxkits). The results were published in the scientific paper.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4163610
Proficiency testing as a means of external quality assessment plays the role of independent evidence of laboratories’ performance. A proficiency testing scheme was designed to support Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC) specifically. A zeta-score, modified by application of target uncertainty was developed in a way that fulfils requirements defined in the legislation. As an illustration, results are reported for nitrate concentration in water. The approach presented can also be applied to other fields of measurements.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4120346