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Identification and investigation of key biotic and abiotic factors in sewage sludge bio-drying process
Pilnáček, Vojtěch ; Innemanová, Petra (advisor) ; Najmanová, Petra (referee) ; Wrzecionko, Jakub (referee)
The work is focused on the pretreatment of sewage sludge after anaerobic stabilization by the process of biodrying. Biodrying is a process in which the organic substrate undergoes aerobic decomposition and at the same time, due to the increased temperature and the blowing air, it is dried. The aim of the work was to optimize the most important process variables, to verify whether the process is suitable for pretreatment of sewage sludge before use as fuel or fertilizer in the context of Czech legislation and to investigate which groups of organisms and how they participate in the degradation of endocrine disruptors. For these purposes, quarter- and semi- operational bio-drying reactors were designed. The results of the work show that the most important process parameters are the aeration rate and temperature as its dependent variable and the substrate composition. The setup with a fixed time interval of blower switching was found to be the optimal aeration regime. The optimal substrate composition was a 5:2 ratio of sludge:birch chips. The results of the work further show that the bio-drying process is suitable for the preparation of fuel for co-incineration with other material. It is not very suitable for mono-incineration due to exceeding emission limits. The calorific value of the resulting fuel...
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Microplastics in solid matrices of the environment
Pospíchalová, Eliška ; Cajthaml, Tomáš (advisor) ; Innemanová, Petra (referee)
Microplastics, plastic particles of 5 mm-1 nm in size, are now widespread across different ecosystems. The increasing amount of microplastic contamination of aquatic and terrestrial environments requires the development of standardized methods for their separation and analysis. One of the main vectors of microplastic input to terrestrial ecosystems is through sewage sludge. The sludge is recycled for fertilization and reclamation due to its high organic matter content. Scientists have already been able to quantify and identify a range of microplastics in sewage sludge of different sizes, polymer types, shapes, etc. This thesis focuses on the optimization of existing methodologies to extract microplastics from solid environmental samples and their subsequent qualitative and quantitative analysis. The steps required for sample pre-treatment prior to analysis, namely reduction in organic matter content by the Fenton reaction process and density-based separation of microplastics by flotation in saturated NaI solution (1.8 g/cm3 ) using centrifugation, were optimized. Microplastics in size fractions of 20-40 μm and 150-300 μm were fabricated and introduced into flotation and total recovery experiments of the methodology to determine the recovery. Fluorescence microscopy was chosen for quantitative...
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Hygienization of dewatered sewage sludge using vermicomposting process under field conditions
Fojtová, Zuzana ; Innemanová, Petra (advisor) ; Grasserová, Alena (referee)
Sewage sludge is a waste material that is a valuable source of organic matter and nutrients and is used as a fertiliser on agricultural land in many countries around the world. However, the application of sewage sludge carries risks associated with the presence of pathogenic micro- organisms and other undesirable substances in this material and in many countries sewage sludge must meet limits for land application. Vermicomposting of these materials can be one effective way of reducing pathogens in sewage sludge. In this thesis, I investigated the effectiveness of sanitizing sewage sludge in the vermicomposting process under field conditions. The experiment was conducted in an earthen vermicomposter with a total working volume of 10.5 m3 near the village of Hrbov, near Lhenice in the South Bohemia region. Hygienization efficiency was measured using a test with an introduced microorganism (E. coli). The test was modified for the vermicomposting process. In the experiment, a mixture of sewage sludge mixed with birch chips in a ratio of 1:1.5 (sludge: chips) was (i) vermicomposted for six months, (ii) composted only, and (iii) composted for one month and then vermicomposted. In addition to the evaluation of the hygienisation efficiency of the different options, the stability and possible phytotoxicity...
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Vermicomposting of wine production waste
Clark, Oskar William ; Innemanová, Petra (advisor) ; Grasserová, Alena (referee)
Vermicomposting is a method of biological waste management, with the potential for valuable returns in the form of biofertilisers and savings of time and effort. These qualities make vermicomposting ideal for the processing of winery waste materials. Vermicomposting has advantages over traditional composting in terms of the speed of transformation of the input materiál, but also in terms of producing a safe fertiliser. Waste materials from the wine industry, which primarily include grape marc and winery wastewater, have several properties that can contribute to phytotoxic effects in soil. This thesis provides an overview of the management of waste materials from the wine industry, the differences between white and red wine production, and the suitability of vermicomposting for application in small- and large-scale winery waste management. The experimental part of this thesis examines the time requirement of vermicomposting to transform grape marc into a material that does not possess properties that inhibit plant growth. Experimental measurements of the relationship between vermicompost age and germination inhibition show that vermicomposting increases the pH of the substrate and stabilizes it over time. The experiment also showed that vermicompost has a statistically significant stimulatory...
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Advantages and disadvantages of vermicomposting toilets
Svačinová, Kateřina ; Innemanová, Petra (advisor) ; Šereš, Michal (referee)
Decentralized human excreta sanitation systems, which include latrines or composting toilets for example, are among the sustainable methods of dealing with this biological waste. One possible way of dealing with human excrement is the vermicomposting method. This work deals with decentralized caused excreta sanitation using a vermicomposting toilet. The aim of the work was to evaluate the applicability of the vermicomposting method for the sanitation of human excrement and to compare this approach with more widespread methods of so-called dry sanitation, such as a composting toilet. The principles of both methods, the necessary conditions for the successful course of the process and the quality of the resulting sanitation products were described. Attention was focused not only on the presence of pathogenic organisms and the effectiveness of individual systems in their removal, but also on other possible pollutants from the group of personal care products or, for example, microplastics. Their potential effect on earthworm viability was also discussed. Other toilet paper can also be an important source of unwanted contamination. Part of the work was cooperation in the realization of an experimental vermicomposting toilet in the Dvůr Perlová voda complex in Kostelec nad Ohří. I found that...
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Community vermicomposting within student dormitories
Lipan, Andrej ; Innemanová, Petra (advisor) ; Cajthaml, Tomáš (referee)
Through the Green Study Room pilot project, the thesis explores the integration of a circular bio-waste management model at the Otava College under the administration of Charles University. The thesis describes the circular economy as an essential method for the efficient management of bio-waste, which is supported in particular by legislation and strategic goals for sustainable development of states, cities and institutions. A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the awareness and interest of students in establishing a community vermicomposting site. The reconstruction of the study room creates a space to prevent the generation of biodegradable waste on the dormitory premises. Vermicomposting was used as an eco-friendly approach that takes advantage of earthworm's natural ability to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. The establishment of a community shared study room sets the stage for ongoing projects in the areas of centralized bio-waste management, student education, and social-psychological phenomena associated with the transition to a more sustainable society. It also creates an ideal space for seminars, workshops and activities of the university in the field of improving the living standards of students staying at Otava College. The incorporation of the community...
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Analysis of organic pollutants and micropollutants in landfill leachates
Poslušná, Markéta ; Cajthaml, Tomáš (advisor) ; Innemanová, Petra (referee)
The stated aim of this thesis was the quantitative and qualitative analysis of relevant organic pollutants and micropollutants in Czech and Danish landfill leachate. Point sampling of liquid and solid samples (sediments) were taken from the landfill water sumps or from their vicinity. Sediments were collected only at Czech landfills. The Danish and Czech landfill leachate samples were compared with each other due to their different histories. Czech landfill leachate were found to contain higher concentrations of detected organic pollutants than in Denmark. The detected concentrations for the sum of 21 PFASs in the landfill leachate ranged from 956.5- 11 011.3 ng/l for the Czech landfill leachate samples. The measured concentrations of sum 14 PFAS ranged from 414.5 to 2 589.3 ng/l for the Danish landfill leachate samples. Concentrations in Czech landfill leachate for the sum of 24 PPCPs ranged from 131.3 to 27 471.4 ng/l. For the Danish samples, concentrations ranging from 122.6 to 12 351.5 ng/l (for the sum of 11 PPCPs) were measured. PCBs were analysed in both liquid and solid samples. In all liquid samples they were below the limit of quantification, therefore they were analysed in sediment from Czech landfills, where values from LOQ-20.9 mg/kg (sum of PCBs) were determined. This work represents...
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New methods of separation and processing of food waste in disposable packaging
Pokorný, Tomáš ; Innemanová, Petra (advisor) ; Šereš, Michal (referee)
Waste in general and plastic in particular is a big problem nowadays. The Czech Republic ranks among the winners in the sorting of plastic waste, but not all sorted waste is further used. According to the Plastics Europe portal (2022), the most used method of handling plastic waste in Europe is energy recovery, followed by recycling. It is precisely the increased share of recycling that would better correspond to the principles of the circular economy, which is why in my work I dealt with a new method of separation and processing of food waste in disposable packaging and the subsequent assessment of the usability of the separated plastics. Currently, the used method is waste crushing, separation of the biological component and its energy use in a biogas station. In the theoretical part of my bachelor's thesis, I focused on the general characteristics of vermicomposting, packaging, recycling, plastic waste, and last but not least, I describe the methods of handling bio-waste in supermarkets. Part of the work was an experiment that verified the potential of a newly designed method of separating biowaste and plastic disposable packaging using earthworms on a pilot scale. The experiment was based on the assumption that the earthworms used would be able to transform food waste in disposable packaging...
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Environmental impact of construction products containing waste glass
Dibdiaková, Magdaléna ; Mocová, Klára Anna (advisor) ; Innemanová, Petra (referee)
This work deal with the impact of waste glass on the environment, its landfilling, and recycling into new glass or other materials. The effect of various physico-chemical properties of glass on the environment is presented. The use of glass waste in the construction industry is pointed out, specifically as an admixture in concrete, and its effect on the properties of such material. Part of the work is our own research focused on the toxicity of leachates of crushed glass of different colors as well as HPC concrete with an admixture of crushed glass. For this purpose, a test was carried out on the Lemna minor plant, which assessed growth inhibition, total chlorophyll (a,b) and the ratio of total chlorophyll (a,b) to carotenoids. Elemental analysis of glass and HPC concrete samples was also part of the research. Key words: glass, toxicity, concrete, Lemna minor, recycling
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Novel perfluorinated compounds in the environment
Leifertová, Karolína ; Cajthaml, Tomáš (advisor) ; Innemanová, Petra (referee)
Perfluorinated compounds are a broad class of manmade chemicals. Even though they have been linked to hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and carcinogenicity, the mechanism of toxicity still remains unclear. Only recently, two compounds (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid) have been phased out. This has led to a production of so-called "novel perfluorinated compounds". This work focuses on the evaluation of toxicity for 4 perfluorinated compounds, including the novel perfluorinated compounds (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid PFOS, perfluorooctanoic acid PFOA, hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid GenX, and hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid HFPO-TA). Gonadal and liver cell lines of rainbow trout were used for testing. Relevant toxicity tests were performed, such as viability tests (carboxyfluorescein diacetate, alamar blue and neutral red uptake), cytochrome P450 1A activation (ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase, EROD) and measurements of reactive oxygen species generation (2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate). HFPO- TA dramatically reduced viability and resulted in a statistically significant increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species. GenX caused an increase in EROD activity, but no effect on viability or reactive oxygen species formation was observed. The...
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