Introduction The health benefits and detrimental effects of coffee consumption may be linked to chemical compounds contained in coffee beans. The aim of our study was to evaluate the concentration of sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in green and roasted samples of coffee beans purchased in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to determine the potential health implications at current consumption level. Methods The concentrations were determined using a microwave high-pressure mineralization and atomic absorption spectrometer that measures total metal (ionic and non-ionic) content. Results The average metal concentrations (μg element/g coffee) in the green coffee beans were; Na: 18.6, K: 19898, Ca: 789, Mg: 1758, Fe: 60, Cu: 14, Zn: 3.6, Al: 4.2, Ni: 0.415, Pb: 0.076, and Cd: 0.015, while, in the roasted; Na: 23, K: 23817, Ca: 869, Mg: 1992, Fe: 41.1, Cu: 11.4, Zn: 5.41, Al: 4.19, Ni: 0.88, Pb: 0.0169, and Cd: 0.0140. Conclusion The level of investigated metals at the present level of consumption of coffee in Bosnia falls within the limits recommended as safe for health.

This paper presents horizontal and seasonal differences in the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in the surface waters of Admiralty Bay. The average annual concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus were found to be 1.054 and 0.129 mg dm -3 respectively. Organic nitrogen constituted 59% of total nitrogen on average, while N-NO -3 was substantially higher than N-NH þ 4 (0.362 and 0.062 mgN dm -3 , respectively). Organic phosphorus constituted 34% of total phosphorus on average, and the mean annual concentration of reactive phosphorus was 0.085 mgP dm -3 . The observed concentrations of N and P were higher in the nearshore area and lower in the central part of the Admiralty Bay basin. In explaining this account was taken of surface runoff into the bay, the decay of marine macroalgae in the tidal area and the excretion of N and P by marine animals. The concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in freshwater streams varied from 0.528 -5.698 mgN dm -3 and from 0.088 -1.709 mgP dm -3 . In laboratory experiments, 24-hour loads of total nitrogen and total phosphorus released from the remains of macroalgae into the waters of the bay were estimated at about 6.2 tN and 10.3 tP, while the approximate quantities excreted by macrozoobenthos were 482 kgN and 48 kgP. The availability of N-NH þ 4 was seen to be greater in the waters of the bay than has been reported for open water in this part of the ocean and water from the Bransfield Strait had a diluting effect on the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in the bay. The role of the wind in carrying mineral salts from waters of the Bay to the inland environment was also discussed.

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The qualitative and quantitative composition of major ions and nutrient compounds in surface waters and soils of the west coast of Admiralty Bay (King George Island, West Antarctica) was investigated together with the effect of soil-forming processes and atmospheric precipitation on the ionic composition of surface waters. In the water bodies studied, Cl- and Na+ were dominant major ions (average concentrations: 1102.2 and 930.9 μM, respectively). Average concentrations of the other major anions ranged from 2.80 μM (F-) to 81.64 μM (SO42-) and major cations ranged from 12.46 μM (K+) to 130.76 μM (Mg2+). Average concentrations of total reactive phosphorus, N-NO2-, N-NO3- and N-NH4+ amounted to 1.374, 0.410, 6.299 and 1.490 μM, respectively. Average concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na, K, N and P in the surface layer of the soil equalled 16.8, 15.9, 6.4, 3.6, 0.646 and 0.744 g kg-1, respectively. The calculated Na+/Cl-, Ca2+/Mg2+, Ca2+/Na+ and HCO3-/Cl- ratios revealed that atmospheric precipitation was the main source of major ions. We conclude that the ionic composition of the waters of the western coast of Admiralty Bay differ from surface waters of Continental Antarctica.

Aim: Technologies involved in roasting coffee beans, as well as the methods used to prepare infusions, vary according to culture, and contribute to differences in the concentration of elements in the drink. Materials and Methods: Concentrations of six elements: manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), chrome (Cr), silver (Ag) and lead (Pb) were investigated in coffee infusions from eleven samples of coffee, roasted and purchased in four countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Lebanon and Poland. Metal concentrations were determined using an induction coupled plasma technique in combination with mass spectrometry (ICP-MS, Perkin Elmer) which measures total metal (ionic and non-ionic) content. Results: Metal intake estimated for individual countries (in the respective order; mean consumption per person per year) was as follows: Mn: 26. 8-33.1, 28.3-29.5, 29.7, 12.6-18.9 mg; Co: 0.33-0.48, 0.42-0.35, 0.32, 0.12-0.17 mg; Ni: 3.83-5.68, 4.85-5.51, 4.04, 2.06-2.24 mg; Cr: 0.17-0.41, 0.21-0.47, 0.17, 0.09-0.28 mg; Ag: 0.16-1.13, 0.26-0.70, 0.61, 0.33-1.54 mg, Pb: 4.76-7.56, 3.59-5.13, 3.33, 1.48-2.43 mg. Conclusions: This finding gives new data for Mn, Co, Ni, Cr, and Ag intake from coffee , and suggests that the amounts are negligible. However, the data for Pb consumption in heavy drinkers, for example in Bosnia and Herzegovina, indicate that Pb intake from coffee may contribute to the disease burden. The high lead level in some coffees suggests the need for a more precise control of coffee contamination.

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