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Coal burning as a source of mercury soil contamination
Paclíková, Karolína ; Vaňková, Maria (advisor) ; Mihaljevič, Martin (referee)
Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant, released into the environment from both, anthropogenic and natural sources. The most significant Hg emission source is burning of fossil fuels, especially coal combustion (60%). Although Hg occurs in low concentration in coal, a large volume of coal combusted makes coaal-fired power plants ano of the largest source of Hg emission into the atmosphere and consequently to the environment. This bachelor thesis summarized the knowledge about the geochemistry of Hg in coal and soil. At the same time provides information on the distribution of Hg in soils in the Frýdlant district, area that has been affected by emissions from coal-fired power plants. The total Hg concentration in soils, coal and wastes (fly ash and bottom ash) from power plant Turów was determined by AMA-254. The concentration in the coal ranged between 217-973 µg.kg-1 Hg, the average concentration in fly ash was 94 µg.kg-1 Hg and the lowest concentration of Hg was in the bottom ash, 1-2 µg.kg-1 Hg. The average Hg concentration in soil organic horizons was 334 µg.kg-1 with the highest value 510 µg.kg-1 Hg. The obstained data were not consistent with previous study, where concentration of Hg in forest floor in Frýdlant district reached up to 1 148 µg.kg-1 . The Hg concentration in studied forest soils...
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Study of behaviour of selected elements in soil profiles on the Alsar deposit, North Macedonia.
Fizková, Karolína ; Mihaljevič, Martin (advisor) ; Vaňková, Maria (referee)
This thesis is dealing with the behaviour and mobility of hazardous elements Tl, Hg and As occurring in anthropogenic soils on the heaps of the former Alshar deposit in North Macedonia. As, Sb and Au mining had been taking here since the 15th century, peaking during the 19th and first half of the 20th century. Local soils were thus created by periodic layering of tailings of varying age and origin. Nowadays, the area is known mainly for its large number of unique mineral phases, as well as for its extensive possibilities for soil contamination research. The contents of the elements in the samples were exceptionally high and without optimisation of measurement and appropriate dilution would exceed the upper limit of detection of the analytical methods. Arsenic and Tl occur on average in the tens to hundreds of mg/kg, while Hg occurs in the hundreds of mg/kg. The behaviour of the hazardous elements was assessed in relation to soil characteristics, including granulometry, pH, cation exchange capacity, total carbon and sulphur content, or content of Fe, Mn and Al oxides. Correlation with concentrations of other elements was also taken into account. In addition, an isotopic ratio of ε 205 Tl was determined for Tl in the selected samples. However, from the complete measurement results, it was very...
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A study of the behavior of selected metals in affected environments using an isotopic approach
Santos Baieta, Rafael ; Mihaljevič, Martin (advisor) ; Navrátil, Tomáš (referee) ; Tejnecký, Václav (referee)
Metals of anthropogenic origin have consistently polluted the environment. This thesis focuses mainly on highly contaminated soils or tree rings near mines and smelters in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, Portuguese soils were also assessed to study Pb isotopes in post-fire soils. The tracing capabilities of Pb isotopic ratios were employed to determine contamination sources and to evaluate the potential of pine trees as an environmental archive. Several analytical methods were applied, such as catalytic oxidation, Q-ICP-MS, ICP-OES, FEG-SEM/EDS, EPMA, XRD, etc. Soils near smelters located in three different cities [Kabwe (Pb-Zn), Luanshya (Cu, Co), and Selebi Phikwe (Ni, Pb)] exhibited concentrations of metals greatly exceeding those deemed acceptable by the competent authorities. In Kabwe, for example, concentrations of Pb exceeded 16 000 mg kg-1 . In all sites, contamination was shown to be significant only in the upper ±15 cm of soil. Samples of soils taken in remote locations were always clear of contamination. In Luanshya, metal(oid) bearing particles found in the soils were typically spherical and composed of rapidly cooled sulfides and oxides in the flue gas chambers of the local smelter. These were present only in the topsoil. The tree ring record of pine trees in Kabwe was shown to mimic the...
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Lead isotopes distribution in selected podzol profiles
Václavková, Anna ; Mihaljevič, Martin (advisor) ; Strnad, Ladislav (referee)
Lead (Pb) as one of toxic elements occurs naturally in nature. Its use in metalurgical activities, mining and combustion of coal, waste incineration and use as a additive to gasoline in the past has endangered environment and health of oranisms. We determined the Pb isotopic composition in two podzol profiles, in a forest and nearby a road, using ICP MS. Based on the 206 Pb/207 Pb vs 208 Pb/206 Pb ratios we assesed the main source of Pb in O, Ah, Bhf, and Bf horizonts in both soil profiles and Ep horizont from profile P2 to be coal combustion. The source in eluvial Ep horizont from profile P1 and C horizonts originated in lithogenic Pb with values 206 Pb/207 Pb 1,126; 1,198 and 1,193. From Pb isotopic ratios we can conclude that during podzolization antropogenic Pb move to the deeper parts of soil profiles.
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Determination of Pb sources in small catchment using Pb isotopes.
Krajíčková, Michaela ; Mihaljevič, Martin (advisor) ; Strnad, Ladislav (referee)
The contents and isotopic composition of lead (Pb) were studied in a small forested catchment Lesní potok. The catchment is located 30 km southeast from Prague near Jevany. Monitoring inputs and outputs in GEOMON, a network of small forested catchments in the territory of the Czech Republic, has been coordinated by the Czech Geological Survey since 1994. It was analyzed litter of spruce and beech, collected between 2013 and 2014, and an archival sample litter of spruce from 1997. Lead in soil was studied at two profiles cambisols in each diagnostic horizons. Samples of profile LP 38 were collected in 2005, the LP 39 a year later. Surface water and bulk precipitation were sampled monthly for one hydrological year 2013. The ICP-MS method was used to determine the concentration and isotope ratios of lead. To determine of sources Pb were used isotope ratios 206 Pb/207 Pb and 208 Pb/206 Pb. In spruce litter (3,87 mg.kg-1 ) was measured average Pb concentration higher than beech (0,98 mg.kg-1 ). Topsoil horizons contain elevated concentrations of Pb (up to 100,70 mg.kg-1 ) decreasing towards the deeper horizons. The Pb concentration in the soil was 61,28 mg.kg-1 . Bulk precipitation in with average Pb concentrations206 Pb/207 Pb = 0.87 µg.l-1 contained more Pb than surface water 206 Pb/207 Pb = 0.50 µg.l-1 ....
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Variation of Pb-isotopic composition in coal basins
Čurda, Michal ; Strnad, Ladislav (advisor) ; Mihaljevič, Martin (referee)
This Bachelor Thesis is devided into three main parts. The first part has a character of a research and describes the presence of lead in coal, in deposits of ore, in peat bogs, or in lake and flood sediments. The second part briefly describes the analythic methods used to determine lead in natural material. The third - practical part is focused on measurement of samples taken from the sokolov brown coal basin. It describes the laboratory method of the preparation of the samples for the analysis of contents and isotope composition of lead using ICP - QMS.
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Conatimanation of vineyards soils by Cu
Kovářová, Lucie ; Mihaljevič, Martin (advisor) ; Komárek, Michael (referee)
The aim of this bachelor thesis is to resume existing knowledge regarding the contamination of vineyard soils with copper, which is mainly caused by a long-term application of Cu-based fungicides used to control wine downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola). The role of Cu as a trace element in the natural environment is discussed, as well as natural Cu contents in soils and in the Earth's crust. This manuscript is based on international scientific articles focusing on the above mentioned subject. The thesis discusses the problems of contamination of vineyard soils by Cu, deposition of Cu compounds into the soils, interaction of Cu with soil components and possible formation of mobile or immobile Cu soil forms, their behavior and factors influencing this behavior and possible environmental risks e.g. phytotoxicity, contamination of water bodies or contamination of fluvial sediments. Additionally, average Cu contents in agricultural soils in Europe and worldwide were compared with European and international guidelines and limits. Total Cu contents in some of the vineyards soils exceed legislative regulations and in case of further utilization of such soils, an additional analysis would be necessary. Key words: contamination, copper, vineyard soils, heavy metals
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Distribution of sulfur isotopes in peat bogs
Haluzová, Eva ; Mihaljevič, Martin (advisor) ; Zachariáš, Jiří (referee)
The goal of this barchelor thesis is to describe the influence of human activity to sulphur cycle and monitoring processes and changes in this cycle with the assistance of specific sulphur isotopes. The first part describes sulphur and its compounds, then appearence in environment and its total cycle. The next part is focused on specific sulphur isotopes and thein application in studies of soils and peats. The final part summarizes total results and informations of human activity and it's influence on the sulphur cycle.
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Lead isotopic ratio determination in soils
Kotrč, Vlastislav ; Mihaljevič, Martin (advisor) ; Strnad, Ladislav (referee)
This barchelor thesis deals with the issue of lead in the environment, with its main focus being on describing the right analytical method for determining the isotopic composition of lead in soil. First part this thesis summarizes the most important characteristics and properties of lead. Next part is concerned with the methodology of collection and preparation of soil samples for the analysis itself. The thesis then contains detailed description of the analytical method, which is being currently the most used for determining the isotopic composition of soil - mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. Since this is not a research thesis, in the fifth part, results of studies from the Příbram region are presented, alongside other possible uses of this method. Key words: lead isotopic composition, soils
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