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Use of trace elements and Pb isotopes for bioarchaeological research of selected burial grounds
Bartoš, Jan ; Mihaljevič, Martin (advisor) ; Strnad, Ladislav (referee)
SUMMARY: Aim of this thesis is to provide, by using trace elements analysis and Pb isotopes analysis of archaeological findings from Roman era and following migration period, informations about basic bioarchaeological parameters of sites Abrahám, Rusovce II and Sládkovičovo (territory of present Slovakia) and Sopianae site (area of present Pécs city in Hugary). Analyses were performed on samples of 81 bones and 21 dental enamels. For purposes of this work most important concentrations are of Ca, P, Sr, Zn, Ba, Fe, Al, Mn and Pb (and its isotopes). They were consequently used for calculating Ca/P ratio in order to assess extent of after-burial diagenetic changes. For this purpose Al and Fe concentrations were taken into account too. Sr/Ca and Sr/Zn ratios were compared to assess prevailing type of diet. The Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios were compared in order to asess supposable mobility of some individuals. By using of Pb concentrations and its isotopes contamination by this metal was assessed. During interpretations of individual conclusions useability of samples outgoing from assessment of extent of diagenetic alterations were always taken into account. Little changes in chemical composition of samples arise in case of Sopianae site, samples from other sites are greatly preserved. Using of paleodietary...
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Tree rings and peat bogs as archives of recent trends in Pb and Hg deposition in the Czech Republic
Zuna, Milan ; Mihaljevič, Martin (advisor) ; Komárek, Michael (referee) ; Soudek, Petr (referee)
1 Tree rings and peat bogs as archives of recent trends in Pb and Hg deposition in the Czech Republic Milan Zuna, 2012 Abstract The environment polluted by toxic metals is currently one of the most topical subjects studied in a great many countries. Toxic metals and their forms are studied primarily because of their negative impact on the environment and also on human health. In the territory of the Czech Republic, direct measurements of the concentrations of these substances are available only for a limited time period. Consequently, indirect methods, such as geochemical archives, are used to determine the historical environmental burdens from these metals. Historical lead concentrations (Pb) were studied on peat bog profiles and tree rings in selected localities in the Czech Republic. Altogether 12 peat bog profiles and 33 wood cores (Picea abies) were studied, in the border territories of the Czech Republic with different historical burdens (Krušné Hory - Novodomské rašeliniště - ND, Jizerské hory - Bílá Smědá - BS, Šumava - Jezerní slat - JS), and in a historically burdened area polluted by processing of Pb- Ag ores (Příbram-Brdy). In the vicinity of Příbram, areas around the Brdy ridge (9 km east of the Pb metallurgical works) as well as in the immediate vicinity of the metallurgical works. We used the...
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Weathering of arsenopyrite in soils in acidified environment
Soukupová, Lenka ; Mihaljevič, Martin (advisor) ; Drahota, Petr (referee)
Lenka Soukupová, Zvětrávání arsenopyritu v lesních půdách v acidifikovaném prostředí SUMMARY The weathering of arsenopyrite (FeAsS) has been studied at the experimental site Načetín in the Ore Mountains, Czech Republic. There were chosen three areas with different vegetation (beech, spruce a unforested areas) at this site. The arsenopyrite samples were placed in all soil horizons (litter, horizons A, B and C for forest areas; horizons A, B and C for unforested area), where they were exposed to ambient conditions for one year. After one-year weathering, the newly formed secondary minerals were identified and the rate of surface oxidation was determined, both depending on the environment of oxidation. Although physical-chemical parameters and content of main and trace elements of the studied soils varied, the only detected crystalline secondary mineral of arsenic was scorodite (FeAsO4∙2H2O). Nevertheless, this differences affected amount of formed scorodite. The highest concentrations were determined on the surface of the arsenopyrite grains that oxidized in the beech stand, conversely the lowest concentrations were determined on the arsenopyrite grains from the unforested area.
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Lead isotopic composition of selected certified reference materials in three step extraction procedure.
Martinovský, Václav ; Mihaljevič, Martin (advisor) ; Strnad, Ladislav (referee)
This work deals with the issue of lead isotopic composition in reference materials. These reference materials were extracted by using method of sequential extraction analyses Isotopic composition of the lead was determined by ICP MS (Thermo scientific). The first part summarizes knowledge in the field of sequential extraction analyses; in the following section issue of using isotopic composition of lead in environmental sciences is discussed. Experimental part describes research methodology and presents results of the sequential extraction and the isotopic composition of lead contained in the analysed reference materials. Following reference materials were analysed: CRM BCR 483, CRM BCR 701, SRM NIST 2709a, SRM NIST 2710a, SRM NIST 2711a. Results of modified sequential extraction procedure BCR (three steps methodology created by Community Bureau of Reference, Belgium to harmonize technical procedure) measured in this work corresponds to the certified or indicative values. Isotopic composition expressed by isotopic ratios 206 Pb/207 Pb among fractions of BCR sequential extraction (fractions I - IV) was folloving: CRM BCR 483 (1,1168 - 1,1350); CRM BCR 701 (1,1583 - 1,1844); SRM NIST 2709a (1,1819 - 1,2118); SRM NIST 2710a (1,1583 - 1,1989); SRM NIST 2711a (1,1079 - 1,1284). Key words: lead isotopic...
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Thalium in soils
Fisher, Meir ; Mihaljevič, Martin (advisor) ; Vaněk, Aleš (referee)
SUMMARY: Thallium is a nonessential element, more toxic than mercury, lead, cadmium, zinc or copper. It exists in the two oxidation states Tl+ and Tl3+ . Thallium is toxic to all organisms in both monovalent and trivalent form. In biological processes it can substitute K+ due to their similar ionic radii. In the past it was extensively used for medicinal purposes and as a rodenticide. In the present there are over 150 uses and potential applications for thallium and its compounds. Thallium is generally present in very low concentrations (less than 1 mg.kg-1 ), however, in artificially polluted areas (in the vicinity of power plants, cement factories, smelting works, sulphide ore wastes from mining activity and others) it may exceed much higher levels. The amount of thallium of natural origin strongly depends on the lithology of the parent rock on which soil was derived. Detection of thallium in soils is usually performed by ICP-MS. The total intake of thallium should be less than 5µg per day, but no recommended maximum values are available in the present time in most countries. Different soil properties can influence the behavior of thallium. Through uptake by plants thallium is entering the food chain. Plant varieties and plant parts differ in the degree of uptake and accumulation of thallium, thus, in...
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Arsenic in tree rings at As contaminated sites
Svoboda, Ondřej ; Mihaljevič, Martin (advisor) ; Vaněk, Aleš (referee)
Kutná Hora and its surrounding environment was affected by mining Ag, later Pb - Zn ore, lasting several centuries. As a result of mining, extreme concentrations of heavy metals and metalloids, especially As, in waters, soils and plants are. The aim of this work was to study the elemental composition of soils and tree rings, including processes between soil and plants on contaminated and uncontaminated area to describe biogeochemical processes between soil and plants. Elemental composition (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sb, Tl, Pb) were determined in soils and tree rings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) using ICP - MS. The measured concentrations of elements indicate contamination of soils and tree rings due to mining and metallurgical activities. The highest concentrations of As in soil (14 977 mg/kg) were found at contaminated site (Kaňk) at depth of 40 - 50 cm. This locality is situated on the heap, where waste from the mining and processing of ores are deposited, together with minerals and weathering products containing As. The uncontaminated area (Sukov) exhibited the maximum concentration of As in soils 124,38 mg/kg at a depth of 5 - 10 cm, due to the contamination by dust from the contamined sites. The highest concentrations of As in tree rings were determined in the contaminated area...
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Historical records of Hg emissions in the Prague city using dendrochronology
Miller, Zbyněk ; Dočkalová, Kateřina (advisor) ; Mihaljevič, Martin (referee)
The primary aim of this work was to estimate whether tree rings of Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) can be used as a geochemical archive for the purposes of historical and recent pollution of atmosphere by Mercury (Hg). The research was realized during the year of 2013 (January to June) in the the capital city of Prague. Šumava National Park was selected as a reference site. In total, forty eight cores of Norway spruce were sourced from five locations for the Hg analysis. Three cores were obtained from each tree from the following cardinal points: the north, east and south-west. The investigated sites have been significantly different in amount of Hg measured (ANOVA, p < 0,001). There was found also negative correlation among the amount of Hg and phosphorus (P) (r = - 0,66; p < 0,002). The highest concentrations of Hg were measured at "Krematorium Motol" site (up to 14,2 ng.g-1 ). On the contrary, the lowest concentration of Hg was recorded both near the former incineration plant at the site "Pod Spalovnou - Vysočany" (1,1 ng.g-1 ) and at the reference site in the Šumava (1,2 ng.g-1 ). Increased values of Hg in the investigated tree rings in the 50's up to the late 70's of the 20th century is probably caused by the former industrial era connected with coal-fired power plants and ore processing. The...
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Spatial distribution of heavy metals in aluvial sediments of Litavka river and reconstruction of contamination history
Kotková, Kristýna ; Mihaljevič, Martin (advisor) ; Ettler, Vojtěch (referee)
SUMMARY: This thesis is focused on identification of spatial distribution of Pb, Zn and Cu pollution in floodplain sediments of the Litavka River and reconstruction of its pollution history related to mining and metallurgy of Ag, Pb and Zn in the Příbram area. Sampling was performed in floodplain and sediments were analysed by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (ED XRF) in aim to understand the distribution of the target elements in the floodplain fill. The results of ED XRF were calibrated by analyses of selected sediment samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with (ICP- MS). The same method was used to determine ratios of lead stable isotopes 206 Pb and 207 Pb. Additionally, magnetic susceptibility was measured, granulometric analysis of selected samples was performed, and cation-exchange capacity (CEC) was determined. The aim of the work was to attempt to reconstruct history of pollution of the floodplain sediments. Sediment dating was performed by 14 C, 137 Cs and 210 Pb. Key words: aluvial sediment, contamination, heavy metals, reconstruction
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Mobility of metals in peat profile
Shevchenko, Anna ; Mihaljevič, Martin (advisor) ; Vaněk, Aleš (referee)
There are a lot of scientific publications, where the main target of research is mobility of metals in peat profile. For a brouder overview, in this Barchelor thesis, are described results of studies from geographically distant localities. But even with regard to this variability, there are some common trends in the mobility of certain metals. Numerous scientific publications suggest, for example, the ability of Pb to immobilize in peat and remain relatively immobile in the vertical direction. In contrast, radionuclides, as suggested, tend to migrate to the lower parts of peat profile. From mobility characteristics of various metals in peat, we can conclude about their applicability in atmospherically deposed material dating. It can also be useful for predicting the behavior of toxic elements in peat with regard to changes in physicochemical characteristics. Key words: metals, peat, mobility
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