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Analysis of biodegradable polymers in soils
Paluchová, Natálie ; Řezáčová, Veronika (referee) ; Kučerík, Jiří (advisor)
Currently, there is a growing interest in usage of biodegradable polymers, regardless of their possible risk of generation of residues. The methods that are used for determination of residues usually include pre-treatment and are expensive and time consuming. Therefore, this bachelor thesis focuses on the development and verification of analytical method that would identify and quantify of biodegradable polymer residues in soils to eliminate the problems arising from sample pre-treatment. Therefore, thermogravimetry, which appears to satisfy the above conditions, was used for the analysis. The area of polymer degradation in three types of soils during thermal oxidation and the effect of polymer on soil during the analysis was investigated. Poly(3 hydroxybutyrate) was chosen to be the representative biodegradable polymer and there were two approaches used to its detection and quatification. The methods were tested for 6 concentrations of poly(3–hydroxybutyrate) (0,1; 0,5; 1; 2; 3; 5 %). The first approach concentrated on the usage of polymer analysis in the presence of a blank (without contaminat), which was subtracted from the blank. Using this method, the temperature interval of polymer degradation and weigh loss changes in this interval were observed. The second method focused on a soil universal model, that allows the identification and quatification of samples when the blank is not present. The blank is simulated by 19 equations, that allow the identification of intervals, in which degradation of samples occurs and also it provides the possibility to determinate the type of the polymer. However, the principle component analysis indicated that the method is sensitive to the type of soil and therefore it needs adjustments. Samples were incubated for 4 months, to verify the sensitivity of the method, in case of partial or complete decomposition of samples by soil microorganisms,. Thereafter, the concentrations of poly(3-hydroxybutryrate) in soil determined by respirometry and thermogravimetry were compared. The results indicated that accelerated degradation caused by poly(3-hydroxybutrylate) or contamination of the sample with the surrounding atmosphere during respiration may have occurred. Residual poly(3–hydroxybutyrate) was thermogravimetrically verified and results were compared to respirometry. According to the results it can be observed that there was an interaction between the soil organic matter and biota or contamination of the sample with the surrounding atmosphere. The results revealed, that there is a possibility of determination of biodegradable polymers in soils by thermogravimetric analysis. There are good results using the blank method, but it is limited by the existence of a blank. The method that is using the soil universal model (without blank) has a great potential in the future, but adjustments still need to be done.
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The study of PET bottles in terms of the content of risk elements
Kryštofová, Petra ; Řezáčová, Veronika (referee) ; Komendová, Renata (advisor)
This bachelor thesis deals with the issue of PET bottles in terms of the possible content of risk elements. The contents of antimony, copper and lead were determined in the PET packaging material and in the beverages contained in the bottles. A total of 15 samples of bottled still and infant water available in the Czech sales network were analyzed. The PET material was decomposed in an acidic medium under the action of microwave radiation under optimized conditions. Atomic absorption spectrometric methods with flame or graphite cuvette atomization were used to determine selected risk elements based on the predicted analyte concentrations. In the PET packaging material, 159.35 to 265.68 mgkg-1 of antimony were determined, the determined values of lead concentration were in the range of 10.96-20.23 mg·kg-1 and the copper concentration in the range of 0.11-7,52 mg·kg-1. In bottled water and in bottled infant water, antimony was identified only in samples labeled 6a, 8a, 9a and 15a, all lead concentrations were measured below LODPb, copper was determined only in samples 2a, 6a and 8a. In none of the samples did the concentrations given by the valid legislation be exceeded. The limits of these metals are not set in legislation in the packaging materials, only specific migration limits and they have not been exceeded. However, the high concentration of antimony in PET poses a potential risk of contamination of the contents of these packages.
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Determination of content of organic compounds in biochar
Novotná, Martina ; Řezáčová, Veronika (referee) ; Mravcová, Ludmila (advisor)
Biochar is created during the pyrolysis of organic biomass. Once added into the soil, it can improve its features. Biochars made from sewage sludge have various compositions. It is because of the vast difference between entrance materials. Organic pollutants can be absorbed into its surface during the cooling proces sof pyrolysis. If released into the enviroment, these compounds can cause inhibition of plant growth, get into food chains and adversely affect living organisms. Organic pollutans are determined most often by GC/MS after organic solvent extraction.
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Determination of nitrates in vegetables by capillary izotachophoresis
Jančová, Nikola ; Zlámalová Gargošová, Helena (referee) ; Řezáčová, Veronika (advisor)
This bachelor thesis deals with determination of nitrates in vegetables employing the capillary isotachophoresis technique. The literature review is devoted to occurrence of nitrates in vegetables, their health risks, the influence of food processing onto nitrate content, commonly used methods of determination as well as the capillary isotachophoresis and its practical application. Experimental part focuses on the application of capillary isotachophoresis for determination of nitrate content in vegetables obtained from conventional agriculture and organic farming.
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Influence of biodegradable polymers microplastics on properties of soil organic matter
Denková, Pavla ; Řezáčová, Veronika (referee) ; Kučerík, Jiří (advisor)
The microplastics contamination is an issue observed in all environmental compartments. Currently, the trend is to replace the synthetic polymers by biodegradable ones, which are expected to degrade faster due to omnipresent microorganisms. However, this assumption may not correspond with the reality. In nature, biodegradation can last long or not whatsoever and the microparticles of biodegradable polymers can remain in soil the same way as particles of synthetic polymers. The effect of microparticles of biodegradable polymers on soil´s biota has already been studied, but the effect on the properties of soil and water in the soil has not been elucidated yet. This thesis deals with the influence of microparticles of biodegradable plastics on the physico-chemical properties of soil organic matter, especially on the behavior of water in the soil system under arid and semiarid conditions. Microparticles of poly(R-3-hydroxybutyrate), abbreviated as P3HB, were used as a model biodegradable polymer and were introduced into the soil in various concentrations. To determine the evaporation enthalpy of water and stability of water bridges that affect (stabilize) the physical and chemical structure of soil organic matter Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used. Simultaneously was also measured their effect on water holding capacity of soil organic matter. Under experimental conditions, P3HB microplastics were found to reduce evaporation enthalpy, which facilitates drying of soil organic matter. Nevertheless, their effect on final water holding capacity was relatively low. Besides, we observed a negative effect on the stability of water molecule bridge that connect segments of soil´s organic components. Thus, P3HB microparticles in soil could pose a risk due to their influence on the water retention mechanism in soil under arid and semiarid conditions.
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Use of biomarkers for assessing environmental pollution by platinum group metals
Nedvědická, Lucie ; Řezáčová, Veronika (referee) ; Komendová, Renata (advisor)
This diploma thesis in the theoretical part analyses the characteristic feature of individual platinum group elements, their toxicity, anthropogenic sources and the presence of platinum group elements in the environment of the Czech Republic. In addition, there are specified types of bioindicators focusing mainly on lichens, mosses and needles. There are described individual bioindication techniques and pre-treatment of samples for platinum metals determination in bioindicators. The subject of the experimental part is to verify the sorption efficiency and ability of platinum and palladium using the SPE method and to determine the actual platinum metal contamination in selected localities in the city of Brno. There was also the additionally subject to verify the sorption potential of selected bioindicators and determination of the environmental pollution by platinum metals using the bag technique. In the experimental part, the bioindicators of moss Pleurozium schreberi, lichen Xanthoria parietina, lichen Flavoparmelia caperata and needles Pinus nigra were used.
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Hair as a bioindicator of contamination of risk metals
Zmijová, Marie ; Řezáčová, Veronika (referee) ; Zlámalová Gargošová, Helena (advisor)
The use of hair as a bioindicator of environmental contamination by risk elements is becoming more and more common. This bachelor thesis deals with the use of this matrix for analysis using the voltammetric method. It focuses on the optimization of the method for determining the concentration of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in real hair samples and monitors the effects on the incorporation of these elements into the hair fiber. The presence of zinc and copper was confirmed in all samples analyzed. Cadmium could only be quantified in one sample. The effect of gender and age on the concentration of elements has not been demonstrated. Concentration of lead has been linked to smoking, with higher concentrations found in smoker’s hair than in non-smoker’s.
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Study of the influence of nanoparticles on water properties
Šram, Matěj ; Komendová, Renata (referee) ; Řezáčová, Veronika (advisor)
This work deals with the study of the influence of platinum nanoparticles with a size of 3 nm on the properties of water in a porous system. SiO2 with a defined pore size was used as a porous system, which can simulate the mineral component of the soil. The theoretical part deals with the properties of free and porous water and the impact of nanoparticles on the environment. In the experimental part, the properties of free water, water in the porous system and the influence of the presence of platinum nanoparticles on these systems are investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The observed processes were melting, solidification and evaporation, and derived quantities such as crystallization and melting point.
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Analysis of substances released from composite dental material
Fučík, Jan ; Řezáčová, Veronika (referee) ; Mravcová, Ludmila (advisor)
This master's thesis deals with a present problem of alternative dental fillings, which should replace amalgam fillings. Although there are health concerns about these alternative materials, especially resin composite fillings raise concerns, because they release potentionally harmful substances into the oral cavity. Accordingly even this medical device subjects various tests before releasing to the commercial market and one of these tests was carried out according to ČSN EN ISO 10993 and available scientific literature in the experimental part of this thesis. The amalgam controversy, substances used for manufacturing of resin dental fillings and analytical methods are described in the theoretical part of the thesis. In the experimental part of the thesis, 30 days long cumulative extraction experiments were carried out into various extraction mediums in order to assess suitability of new dental resin filling from ADM, a.s. by comparison with commercially available dental material from company GC EUROPE N.V. These samples were analysed by LC-MS and the amount of eluted substances from dental composites to extraction medium was quantified.
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