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The Effect of Environmental Contamination on Quality of Leafy Vegetables
Jančíková, Silvie ; Pavlíková, Daniela (advisor) ; Veronika, Veronika (referee)
Heavy metals are widely distributed throughout the environment, but environment can be contaminated by these elements originated from anthropogenic activities. These toxic elements can be taken up by plant. Heavy metals accumulation and their uptake by plants depend on plant species, plant growing period, part of plant, soil characteristics (content of organic matters, physical chemical properties), interactions between metals etc. High concentrations of metal ions in plants can result in metabolic stress and so the plant metabolic stress mechanism can be induced : organic acids exudation, heavy metals binding in cell walls, phytochelatins synthesis etc.
In case, that various protective mechanisms against toxic elements are not successful, heavy metals cause the damage to plant metabolism. This is indicated by changes in the contents of amino acids and fatty acids, enzymatic changes, inhibition of yield of aboveground biomass, chlorosis of leaves.
There is an important difference between Zn and the other elements. Zn is an essential micronutrient and its content in contrast to the other elements without biological function is less toxic for plants.
Vegetables are rich sources of essentials nutrients and heavy metals can significantly affect their quality. The consumption of contaminated vegetables may result in negative effects on nutritional composition. Leafy vegetables have relatively higher concentrations and transfer factors of heavy metals in contrast to root and fruit vegetables. There is the high health risk to consume the vegetable which is exposure to heavy metal polluted environment.
The majority of European agricultural soils is safe for food production, but the areas with the high population density (China) have level of contamination which present ecological and health risk. For this reason many studies have focused on crop accumulation of heavy metals in such areas.
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Environmental risks Assessment arising from the implementation and operation of biogas-stations
Onderková, Petra ; Keken, Zdeněk (advisor) ; Pavel, Pavel (referee)
Environmental pollution, natural resources consumption and global climate change have been threats for mankind since 21 century. In order to antedate environmental pollution in many countries of the world including The Czech Republic we use legislative tool as a process of influence of the environment EIA. Substitution of non-renewable energy sources for renewable ones may retard global climate change markedly.
This thesis deals with analysis of specific biogas plants located in Moravian-Silesian region in relation to the environment and population.
It means that it deals with biomass utilization as a renewable source of energy. Within EIA process, it assesses the unity rate between prediction, said
in documentation, and the real state after implementation. As far as the population perspective is concerned, poeple assess great strength, weaknesses, opportunities
and threats.
Results of the research showed different perceptions of biogas before and after project implementation. The risk of discomfort housing (smell, increased traffic congestion, noise) threatens residents in older facilities where an EIA was not yet part of the legislation. The results also showed compliance with the information provided in the EIA documentation in relation to the population and the environment, and the state after realizing the plan of a biogas plant.
The thesis brings us new information within post-project analysis, it shows us the importance of EIA process and publicity involvement into this process. Defining the specific effects of biogas plants by mutual cooperation between the investor
and the public authorities can be achieved some functioning device with regard
to population and environmental components.
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Monitoring the quality of fats in Czech bakery products
Pávová, Eva ; Táborský, Jan (advisor) ; Hejtmánková, Alena (referee)
The paper focuses on the quality of fats in Czech bakery products, such as bread. Even though bread contains very little fat, it plays an important role as a component of a typical Czech diet. Research has found out that there may be a correlation between the consumption of certain groups of fatty acids and an increased risk of some diseases, especially coronary heart disease. The correlation has been found to be the highest when trans fatty acid are included in the diet. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, on the other hand, have been claimed to have a positive effect on human health. It has been recommended by the World Health Organization that especially foods containing beneficial n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids should be incorporated into the diet more. Twenty samples of different kinds of bread were used for the analysis, half of them being samples of fresh bread, the other half containing samples of thaw-and-serve goods. The study focused on analyzing the composition of the fatty acids using gas chromatography. In addition to that, the total amount of fat in the samples was estimated based on the amount of extracted fat.
27 fatty acids were analyzed in all samples. These composed over 99 % of all fatty acids in almost all samples. Monounsaturated fatty acids were found in the greatest abundance in comparison with other groups of fatty acids. The most abundant of these were linolic acid and oleic acid. All samples contained very small amounts of trans fatty acids. The levels of these were in amounts of the order of hundreds or tens of 1 %. Very different ratios of n-3 to n-6 fatty acids were observed, ranging from 0,06 - 1,74. There were no apparent differences in the data between the two groups of samples. The total amount of extracted fat was small in the majority of samples. The values for most samples were around 5 %. One sample contained over 10 % of fat after the extraction, and three samples contained less than 1 % of fat.
A conclusion can be drawn from the study that even though the amount of fat in bread is usually small, Czech bread can be a good source of high quality fat rich in unsaturated fatty acids. In addition to that, in some cases high amounts of n-3 fatty acids are present.
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Basic comparison winter wheat and neighboring flowering strip
Suchý, Viktor ; Kazda, Jan (advisor) ; Josef, Josef (referee)
Summary
The winter wheat belongs to the staple crop not only around the whole world, but also in the Czech Republic, where it has been grown on about 38 percent of the cultivated land and, regarding the general share of cereals, on 60 percent of the cultivated land. Since the cereals do not provide nectar, nor are they the valuable source of pollen, as regards to the diversity of insects the cereals provide rather poor environment. The lack of food resources for the living species of insects in the agricultural landscape influenced by the high ratio of cereals should be compensated by flowering strips. Regardless of the potential of the flowering strips to support the biodiversity of insects in landscapes, the flowering strips could boost useful species of insects in surrounding plants and help with pest control.
In 2014 the research experiment on a flowering nectar-rich biostrip supposedly improving the presence of pollinators as well as natural enemies was done on the field of the research station in Uhrineves, Prague. In autumn 2014 the winter wheat was sowed and then in spring 2015 the flowering strips consisting of 12 plant species were sowed along one side of the winter wheat field. The observations of the insect species presence were always conducted during favourable climatic conditions from the beginning of June until the harvest of winter wheat in late July. Insect captures were conducted using Moericke traps method once or twice a week and sweep-netting method once every two weeks. The number of insects species such as predators (Coccinellidae, Cantharidae, Staphylinidae), parasitoids (Hymenoptera parasitica) and pollinators (Syrphidae) were observed. Simultaneously, the intensity of flowering including species of weeds was assessed. The open flowers were counted on four unchanged spots on the field, the area of 1 square metre. MS Excel was used for data processing.
The hypothesis of the project has been confirmed. Using the sweepnetting methods, the higher number of monitored insect species has been found in the flowering strips compared to the wheat vegetation. Significantly higher number of parasitic wasps specimens has been observed. The sweepnetting method is considered as an appropriate in comparison to Moericke traps, which have been luring the insects in the vicinity, but have not proved the real presence of insects in the cover.
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Freshwater bryozoa in Úslava River at localities Starý Plzenec and Koterov
Steinerová, Michaela ; Vymazal, Jan (advisor) ; Magdalena, Magdalena (referee)
Freshwater bryozoans belong to a group of colonial invertebrates. Bryozoa in Czech translation means moss and animal. Representatives of bryozoans, are at first glance very similar to moss and plants from other species differ considerably.
The main objective of this thesis is to determine the different species found in the territories Koterov and Old Plzenec, to check the ecological demands of species found, to evaluate the seasonal dynamics of occurrence bryozoans and to compare the data with the available literature sources.
The monitored stretch of the river Úslava has been divided into 10 sites. Five locations were explored on the Koterov territory and on the territory of Old Plzenec another 5 locations aswell. At both locations, a total of 150 samples of these bryozoans have been collected and determined 233 zoarias.
Total number of 5 species of freshwater bryozoans were founded in the observed area Koterov - Starý Plzenec: Plumatella emarginata (Allman, 1844), Plumatella fungosa (Pallas, 1768), Plumatella repens (Linné, 1758), Fredericella sultana (Blumenbach, 1779) a Paludicella articulata (Ehrenberg, 1831).
Individual species were determined by a synoptical key from athors Wood and Okamura (2005)
From the obtained results, there has been evaluated a seasonal dynamics of the representation of individual species during July, August and September. In addition to the seasonal dynamics, light requirements and preferences of the species and the occurences of particular species were evaluated.
In the Koterov area, Plumatella emarginata has occured most widely, second common type was Plumatella fungosa. There were less abundant species of Fredericella sultana and Paludicella articulata. A type Plumatella repens was found only rarely. on the teritorry of Old Plzenec, most frequently Plumatella fungosa did appear, secondly, Plumatella emarginata. The least recorded species were Plumatella repens and Fredericella sultana.
Most frequently, all the species were occiring on the top and sides of the stones. Plumatela fungosa, Plumatella emarginata and Paludicella articulata were mostly recorded on the upper and lateral sides of the stones. Types Fredericella sultana and Plumatella repens were plentiful on the upper sides of the stones. The reason for this occurrence on the upper side could be a rich food supply. On the flank, the species are probably well protected from predators. The undersides of the stones were inhabitated rarely, probably due to insufficient supply of the oxygen.
My observation of Paludicella articulata being one of the shade-liking species are in line with the findings from the availiable literature . The other species were found both at shaded and sunlit sites and it cannot be percisely determined, if teh lighting conditions have major role in their development.
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Influence of seasons on the pollution of selected water bodies in the Příbram region
Vaňková, Petra ; Vach, Marek (advisor) ; Heřmanovský, Martin (referee)
The objective of this Diploma Thesis is to evaluate the impact of water quality factors and year-seasons factors on the development of pollution levels in three ponds located in the Příbram area.
The theoretical part of the Thesis focuses on different aspects related to the study of surface water. It elaborates on the types of water, their chemical analysis, the classification of surface water, measuring methods, and the theories of anthropogenic pollution. The sources for the theoretical part were selected from relevant scientific literature focusing on surface waters and their chemical composition.
The practical part of the Thesis contains detailed description of the focus location and the three specific ponds, the methods of sample collection and analysis applied, and of the processing, assessment, evaluation and interpretation of results. The pollution concentration indicators were measured through laboratory analysis of the collected samples. The Thesis contains measurement results for the levels of ammonium nitrogen, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, chromium, lead, cadmium, copper and nickel.
The collected evidence revealed significant pollution levels in the measured ponds. The pollution was found to be of anthropogenic origin, and caused predominantly by agricultural activity and contamination by waste water. Research data indicates that all water objects under examination show comparable levels of pollution. A strong correlation between the values of pollution indicators and the season of the year was established for nitrates and phosphates. On the other hand, levels of ammonium nitrogen show merely a slight correlation with the season of the year.
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Soil contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from local heating
Šustáček, Jan ; Mikulová, Vlastimila (advisor) ; Jiří, Jiří (referee)
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the pollutants of the environment. These dangerous chemical compounds are produced by man and its activities. The source of these pollutants are mainly burning of fossil fuels and biomass, as well as transportation and industrial production. From the literature they were obtained evidence regarding PAHs, their properties and group trends. For the main PAHs was found their relative genetic toxicity and was described mechanism of their effect on DNA. Based on the literature was compiled ranking of fuels with respect to the production of PAHs.
The monitoring of untouched area by industry and transportation. The sampling was done in the surroundings Bušanovice village located in Prachatice district. The samples were taken from surface soil horizon. Samples were taken in 2015 to various remote locations from the center of the village. These samples were analyzed by HPLC technique.
It was found that the largest source of contamination are local furnaces burning solid fuels such as wood and coal. The concentrations of PAHs in the samples was in the range of 0.24 to 19.21 mg / kg dm. These values are considerably higher than was expected and in the European scale concentrations correspond to large cities with heavy traffic or industrial areas.
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Climatic Changes After The Eruption of Tambora in 1815
Zhao, Shuran ; Soukupová, Jana (advisor) ; Bašta, Petr (referee)
Volcanic activities belongs to the most common natural events on this planet. They are as old as our planet. Some volcanoes have very long life cycle, their interval of eruptions can be up to tens or hundreds of thousands years. In general, the long interval the large eruption. The super-eruptions on VEI 8 are able to destroy the whole human civilization on the world. Fortunately this kind of eruptions is very rare from the human perspective.
Other weaker eruptions happen more frequently. Human civilization experienced an eruption of VEI 7 in 1815, which was the biggest eruption during last 10 000 years and led to global cooling and famine. That was the biggest volcanic eruption in human history, eruption of volcano Tambora in 1815.
Tambora during its eruption released a tremendous amount of magma and volcanic gases. It has been unsurpassed till now. It had severe consequences, many people were killed by the eruption but even more people died as a result of diseases or starvation related to eruption. In next 2 to 3 years after eruption, Northern Hemisphere was in an unstable condition. A huge amount of volcanic gases and ash released by this eruption was transported into stratosphere that led to global cooling. Just the cooling destroyed many fields and killed lots of people. So that year 1816 get a name as year without summer. In my work I collected information and data of weather during 1815 to 1817 around Northern Hemisphere to compare them and to find out whether the eruption changed the climate after 1815. Many sources recorded an unusual weather in North America, Asia and Europe. In these years, it was always cloudy and persistently rained. The Czech lands were also affected by this eruption. Many Czech sources recorded cold weather in 1815-1817 that related with widespread rise in price of agricultural products. It undoubtedly worsened the already grave situation.
Such these eruptions are big threat to human civilization. We cannot avoid them, but we can reduce the consequences to a minimum by monitoring volcanoes and their activities.
The aim of this work is describe the climatic changes accompanied with the big volcanic eruption of 1815 and its consequences. I am trying to restoring the details of volcanic eruption. My aim is to draw attention to the danger of volcanic activity and the importance of monitoring volcanoes.
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The effect of water stress on the content of monosaccharides in potato tubers
Podhorecká, Klára ; Orsák, Matyáš (advisor) ; Hnilička, František (referee)
Bachelor thesis is focused on monitoring of influence on selected metabolites, especially monosaccharides. The first part is devoted to short characterization of potatoes, therefore the importance of this crop, morphology, cultivation and also are described demands of potatoes on environment and nutrition.
In the next section is detailed discussed problems of the chemical composition of tubers with a focusing on carbohydrates. Potatoes are globally consumed and are popular source of carbohydrates. Potatoes are rich in vitamins also, especially in vitamin C, B3 and B6. Potatoes contain a high content of minerals, especially potassium and magnesium, too. As another substances are in potatoes colorants, antioxidants, phenolic and related substances, proteins, and small amount of lipids. It is noted that proteins of the potato tuber are ranked among nutritionally valuable proteins of vegetable origin. Among this proteins is ranked Patatin, which is considered to be a major reserve protein and it is placed in the vacuoles. Substances, which has a negative effect on the human body are called Glycoalkaloids the opposite. Glykoalkaloids are synthesized by plants of the family Solanaceae. The most significant substances in potatoes are alfa-solanine and alfa-chaconine. Value of tubers is primarily determined by their chemical composition, which forms food and raw materials. The contents of sugars in the tubers are relatively low (0,5 % of the original mass), and even though their contents are important both in aspect of manufacturing and in sensory aspect. The main reducing monosaccharides are ranked glucose and fructose, typically with a concentration of 0,15 - 1,5 %. The sugar content significantly affects internal and external quality characteristics especially fried products. Several studies confirm that the accumulation of carbohydrates might help resist extreme stress conditions, especially low temperatures, salinity and water deficiency.
In the next chapter is created summary of stress conditions effects on plants with focusing on potatoes. In plants we can talk about stress, if variability of negative environmental factors exceeds a certain limit. The main theme and also the most limiting factor is deficiency of water in other words water stress. Also were mentioned other factors abiotic and biotic factors marginally.
By effects of stress reaction is created a specific level of adaptive skills. Temporarily it can lead to acclimatization, which increasing the resistance to abiotic stressors. Most of plants are trying to establish the tolerance to stress. In this Chapter were also described changes during storage and during heat treatments of potato, which leads to an undesirable darkening of the tubers. Excessive levels of reducing sugars cause unacceptable browning of fried products.
In the last chapter is described selected methods of determining carbohydrates. These methods are based on reducing properties of sugars, on their condensing reactions by color, measurement of optical activity, measurement of refractive index, separation methods and others.
The methodic of work clarifies the determination of reducing monosaccharides (glucose, fructose), sucrose by the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in four selected varieties of potatoes from harvest of 2015.
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