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In the relatively small area of the National Park (NP) „Kopaonik“ a lot of exogenous and endogenous processes took part and continue to act until present day. In this paper are presented the geotouristic resources evaluation results for six geosites in the NP „Kopaonik“. The experts on this field gave their assessment in three versions. The first one is concerned with the evaluation of the educative contents, the second one is concerned with the evaluation of geotouristic values, while the third version, which is based on the Modified Geosite Assessment Model (M-GAM) offers the assessment regarding education, aesthetic significance, protection, functional and touristic values. The M-GAM method takes in consideration the opinion of visitors along with the estimation of subindicators given by experts, on whom relies the previous two versions. The include of visitors in the evaluation process leads to more objective estimations. Results obtained by this study can be useful for the improvement and planning of touristic activities on geosites because, bearing in mind their significance for the tourists, they indicate on the lower values that require more attention in the future.

Maps are miniature graphic representation of distinct area and as not being completely real require generalization. Cartographic generalization represents a specific investigation method in cartography. Generalization includes the processes of selection, simplification, and symbolization of details according to the purpose and the map scale. The river generalization requires the phase classification, selection, magnification and simplification to being used. Linear symbols are given on the map by their corresponding/characteristic length and remained unchanged even after the generalization. Particular cartographic criterions need to be applied during generalization. In the given case of the Sitnica river drainage system were applied the computer supported generalization based on the software Global Mapper 16.1 and the Open source software QGIS 2.6.1. The Sitnica drainage system is generalized in three levels. The first included digitalization of all linear objects related to the river Sitnica and its tributaries. Second level resulted in vector generalized data that indicate on polluted tributaries, whereas the final, third stage led to construction of multilayered vector map of the Sitnica catchments area with polluted tributaries.

The radon distribution in central Serbia and radiation safety of spring water traditionally used for drinking and other household purposes in the rural areas are estimated for the first time. A detailed terrain structure was prepared within the municipalities of Kruševac, Trstenik, Blace and Kuršumlija. Radon concentration in spring water at 36 locations was measured by alpha spectrometry using the RAD 7 – RAD H2O system. The ambient equivalent dose of gamma radiation, water temperature, and pH were measured at site, and later are determined limits of radiation safety like the annual effective radiation doses of radon ingestion as the radon concentrations in stomach. The data were analysed using spatial distribution, cluster analysis, and multilinear regression analysis. The radon concentration varied from 1.9 ± 0.9 Bq/L to 71.0 ± 7.2 Bq/L, with average value at 17.1 Bq/L. Average values of the annual effective dose of radon ingestion are: for infants – 90.5 μSv/y, children – 33.3 μSv/y and adults – 43.7 μSv/y, which are below the recommended value of 100 μSv/y. The presented results can give a more exact mapping of radon radioactivity in Serbia, supplement the regional database on radon concentration, and help physicians pay attention to possible diseases caused by radiation in the questionable areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Paleozoic very low to low-grade metamorphic rocks of the Bukulja-Lazarevac Unit designated as Drina, Golija and Birač formations are contact metamorphosed by the intrusion of the Tertiary Brajkovac granodiorite into spotted slates and hornfelses. In some parts, they are slightly migmatized at the contact. In addition to their outcrops found at the western, eastern and northern parts of the formation, these rocks are also found in boreholes near Dudovica at about 8 km south-west from the pluton. There, at a depth of 110 m, the spotted slates comprise oval to ellipsoid pinite-rich spots which can be regarded as incipient cordierite porphyroblasts (up to 5 mm in diameter) overgrowing the existing regional foliation. They are composed of cryptocrystalline mixture of a very fine sericitic material ± light glassy orange „film“ (some kind of an amorphous gel-like material often mixed with limonite matter) and are abundant in inclusions: minute quartz and dusty ore minerals (magnetite) prevail. In addition, within some spots an increased number of xenotime and monazite inclusions are noted. Minute flakes of neobiotite are formed at the expense of quartz-sericite-chlorite matrix. The secondary chlorite occurring as overgrowths on pinite-cordierite spots shows variable composition (brunsvigite to diabandite). The Mg/Fe+Mg ratio of cryptocrystalline pinitic mixture ranges from 0.14-0.67. The Si vs AlIV+AlVI relations deviate from the ideal muscovite-phengite join due to Tschermak substitution towards chloritic composition or a more complex mixture, including clay minerals (which reflected a decrease of Altot and Si with increase of Fe2+). Obtained data indicates that the cordierite-pinite spots can be related to contact metamorphic processes that occurred within the temperature range 300-450°C. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 176019 i br. 176016]

The field, petrological-mineralogical, geochemical and geochronological data of the metamorphic sole rocks recorded beneath the Fruška Gora, Povlen (Tejići), Stolovi and Banjska ophiolites in the Western Vardar Zone (WVZ) and beneath the Zlatibor, Bistrica, Sjenički Ozren and Brezovica ophiolites in the Dinaridic ophiolite belt (DOB) in Serbia are compared. The focus has been made on metabasic rocks formed in contact with the oceanic crust members: cumulate gabbro and basalts of SSZ-type with E-MORB and OIB-signature and more evolved tholeiitic basalts of MOR-affinity. Amphibole, the major phase formed from the mafic sole components, depending on pressure-temperature conditions exhibits compositional variations. According to mineral assemblages, estimated P-T conditions and ages, the potential P-T paths are given: high pressure - low temperature blueschist facies assemblage (7-9 kbar and ~400°C and 700-850°C), recorded in both domains, the WVZ (Banjska) and the DOB (Bistrica, Sjenički Ozren, Brezovica) and medium pressure - medium temperature amphibolite facies assemblages (~3.5-7 kbar and >350-650°C) recognized in the WZV (Tejići, Devovići) and the DOB (Zlatibor). The peak metamorphic conditions point to depths of the oceanic lithosphere detachment and its initial cooling at 10-30 km, but the ages and tectonic setting of ophiolites remain poorly constrained. The summarized data may be used as an important key in geodynamic evolution of the Mesozoic Tethyan ophiolites. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 176019 and br. 176016]

The Struganik limestone has been increasingly popular in recent years for interior and exterior building applications, due to easy workability, low cost and multi purpose suitability. The quality of limestone is determined by its mineralogical and textural characteristics and physico-mechanical properties. The Struganik stone corresponds to marl, clayey limestone and limestone (micritic and allochemical). The limestone is commonly layered, either thinly bedded or banked. Chert concretions are present in all varieties. The Upper and the Lower Campanian age were deduced by the abundant foraminifers. Micrite limestone is an autochthonous rock generated in a deep marine environment, whereas allochemical limestone is related to a shallow marine environment but subsequently brought into a deep-water system. The mass quality of the Struganik limestone is controlled by variability of lithology and layering. The values of physico-mechanical properties, such as density, porosity, water absorption and strength, were statistically analyzed and the obtained data were used to assess the rock quality in the quarry. The relationship among the quantified properties is described by regression analyses and the equations of the best-fit line. The Struganik limestone was qualified by its petrological and engineering properties coupled with statistical analysis. It satisfies the majority of the requirements of the Main National Standard as a decorative stone, but with a limiting factor regarding abrasive resistance.

A pool of data already existing about D-loop, i.e., the Control Region (CR) haplotypes of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of brown trout, Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758, tentative Adriatic trout Salmo farioides Karaman, 1938, and tentative Macedonian trout, Salmo macedonicus (Karaman, 1924), and their reconstructed phylogeography makes a good starting point for resolving their evolutionary history. That includes the dating of particular events in it. The events have hitherto been dated using the method of a molecular clock. Various calibrations were applied for the mutation rate, owing to the incongruence between the time of divergence that various authors notified and general knowledge about events in geological history and the periods in which they occurred in the Mediterranean region. Since geological history events were mandatory for setting the scene for the evolutionary history of brown trout, the incongruence between them has questioned the molecular clock calibration's validity. From results about both the phylogeography and phylogenetic relations between native haplotypes (both partial and whole CR sequences) and the population genetics that characterized particular populations, we calculated the time of divergence between haplotypes in the regions of the western part of the Balkans: Iron Gate broader area in eastern Serbia, continental Montenegro and south-eastern Serbia. The distinct status of adjacent populations was verified by frequencies of microsatellites' alleles and the STRUCTURE analysis that examined the significance of differences between them. In particular, we examined the populations that were clearly separated either by physical barriers, such as a waterfall in eastern Serbia (e.g., the upper and lower River Rečka supplemented by nearby rivers Vratna and Zamna), or by underground drops in Montenegro (e.g., upper and lower River Zeta, and rivers Nožica and lower River Mrtvica as isolated counterparts). We used the so far most common substitution rate of 1% in a million years' (MY) period. The divergence times we obtained were compared to the events known for the region from available geological history data. There was a fairly good congruence between the dating obtained by the molecular clock method and that by geological history where the advanced, i.e., modern haplotypes, were concerned. In contrast, the congruence was worse for dating of divergence when more ancient haplotypes were in question, being much better if the mutational rate would be decreased to lower rates. That supported results both from the Rate Correlation Test about the independence of evolutionary rates in different lineages of brown trout, and from the Molecular Clock Test, which revealed that the evolutionary rate throughout the phylogenetic tree is not equal. That implies a difference in the speed of evolution in them, which was likely slower and faster, in the ancient, pre-Pleistocene haplotypes and the advanced, Pleistocene ones, respectively. The setting of the variable, or non-linear (i.e., logarithmic) speed of evolving seems helpful, since the early cladogenesis with the dominance of mutations was most likely combined afterwards with the acting of other evolutionary mechanisms, especially of genetic drift in populations that passed through the bottleneck episodes of the abrupt decrease in population size during the unfavourable periods of their evolutionary history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different metamorphic rocks discovered near the village of Tejići (Povlen Mt., Western Serbia) represent members of the olistostrome mélange metamorphosed during the obduction/emplacement of some still hot ultramafic body. They occupy the area of about 2 km2. The garnet amphibolites are of highest metamorphic grade in the area of Tejići and were chosen as the most convenient rocks for determination the pressure-temperature conditions of metamorphism and of ultramafics during their emplacement.

Sedimentary rocks of the Upper Cretaceous basal series found at the village of Planinica, Western Serbia, are composed of thick coarse clastics and beds and intercalations of medium- to fine-grained clastics. The series lies transgressively over Jurassic serpentinite and peridotite, and under Upper Miocene marlstone and marly limestone. Sedimentary, petrographic, paleontological, and biostratigraphic characteristics of the basal series are described and its lithological members and their structural features are identified. From medium-grained sandy matrix in thick coarse clastics, two ammonite taxa, four brachiopod taxa (including the new taxa Orbirhynchia oweni and "Terebratula" n. gen. et sp.), and eleven echinoid taxa are described. The brachiopod species Kingena concinna Owen is used in dating the basal series as Middle Cenomanian, whereas limestone fragments in coarse clastics correspond to the Late Albian and Early Cenomanian.

Serbia is a country rich in geoheritage with eighty geomorphological sites now under protection. Although a canyon, the site of Devil's Town is a unique geomorphological site in Serbia and deserves special attention. The geotouristic values of Devil's Town were assessed based on the analysis of its present state and comparison with three similar and nearby geosites on the Balkan Pennisula (the Sand Pyramids in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Stob and Melnik Earth pyramids in Bulgaria). The assessment was performed using a 'modified geosite assessment model' (M-GAM), which includes estimation of the main indicators and sub-indicators. Devil's Town has an average level of major and additional values. Indicators show that this geosite has great tourist, scientific and aesthetic value, as well as enough space for improving the ecological and functional values, as a basis for the development of tourism. Devil's Town displays a higher touristic value than the Sand pyramids and slightly lower than the Stob pyramids. However, in comparison with the Melnik Earth pyramids in Bulgaria, its touristic value is significantly lower. This study could serve as a guide for managing development strategies concerning decision-making and engagement in tourism of the analysed geosite, addressing the needs of modern tourists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution biostratigraphic dating of (hemi)pelagic limestones stratigraphically adjacent to syn-depositional bimodal magmatites in central Serbia, based on planktonic foraminiferal assemblages, determines that the magmatism occurred during Coniacian to Santonian. This bimodal magmatism, which includes both basaltic magmas with associated peperites and trachydacitic magmas, was associated with syn-subductional extension, which was triggered by roll-back and steepening of subducting Neotethys oceanic lithosphere, located between the converging continental margins of Adria and Europe. The Late Cretaceous extension led to subsidence and formation of a fore-arc basin above the subduction zone. Co-genetic magmatic occurrences, including basalts, trachydacites, and lamprophyres, are distributed in the same fore-arc domain along the entire European continental margin. The fore-arc magmatism migrates in space and time from the south towards the north and north-west. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]