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Separation of microplastics from sewage sludge using heavy liquids
Pospíchalová, Eliška ; Innemanová, Petra (advisor) ; Cajthaml, Tomáš (referee)
This bachelor thesis is focused on microplastics in sewage sludge. Microplastics are currently often discussed topic, but their occurrence in sewage sludge isn't still sufficiently researched. The main source of microplastics in sewage sludge is waste water. Microplastics are accumulating in sewage sludge during wastewater treatment and enter terrestrial ecosystems with multiple times higher concentration in comparison to freshwaters as a result of their use in agriculture or in restoration. In the year of 2017 sewage sludge was in Czech Republic further processed by direct land application within agriculture and restoration of 42 %, compostation of 34 %, other uses of 14 %, landfilling of 7 % and incineration of 3 %. The use of sewage sludge in agriculture demonstrates significance of microplastics issue. The tested samples were sampled from five anonymous wastewater treatment plants in Czech Republic. The samples were investigated for applicability of methodology of separation microplastics with oxidation of natural organic matter by Fe2+ + 30 % H2O2 and flotation in saline solution of 5 M NaCl. Following identification of microplastics was carried out in optical microscope with magnification of 40x. For precise optical detection of microplastics the samples were dyed with rose bengal. The...
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Using a modified biocharge to capture ammonia from the exhaust air
Kozlíková, Nikola ; Innemanová, Petra (advisor) ; Cajthaml, Tomáš (referee)
In my work I have dealt with the comparison of different types of biochar based solid materials, which could serve as a filling for ammonia capture filters. Three samples of biochar prepared from anaerobically stabilized sewage sludge were used to test the most suitable material at temperatures of 200 ř C, 400 ř C and 600 ř C, 3 samples of biochar prepared from oak wood at temperatures of 260 ř C, 400 ř C and 600 ř C, 2 samples of biochar prepared from a mixture of sewage sludge and wood chips pre-dried in a pilot scale biological drying plant, dried anaerobically stabilized sewage sludge and charcoal. The materials were impregnated with 50% sulfuric acid solution. They were then exposed to ammonia vapors for the time needed to complete the reaction on the surface of the impregnated material. Due to the chemical reaction, ammonium sulfate is produced, which can be used as a fertilizer in agriculture. It is known that the addition of biochar has a positive effect on the soil. In the case of a combination of biochar and ammonium sulphate, this may be an interesting soil additive. It could be an alternative to so-called scrubbers, where ammonia is trapped by bubbling dilute sulfuric acid. Transportation and application of the ammonium sulphate solution thus formed is not economically advantageous. To...
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Utilization of phospholipid fatty acids analysis for biodrying study
Stránská, Štěpánka ; Cajthaml, Tomáš (advisor) ; Innemanová, Petra (referee)
The aim of this thesis is the utilization of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) analysis to determine groups of microorganisms present during the biodrying of sewage sludge and their description in relation to the temperature regime of the biodrying. Four experimental cycles A, B, C, D were followed. Cycles A, B and C, D differred from each other in the sewage sludge collected from two waste water treatment plants. The cycles A, B, C and D were each performed in two reactors with different aeration regimes to compare the mesophilic (max. temperature ±50 řC) and thermophilic (max. temperature ±70 řC) regimes of biodrying. PLFA analysis was used to determine the microbial groups. Concentrations of individual PLFA were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA). The total PLFA concentration corresponding to total microbial biomass was decreasing during both temperature regimes of cycles B, C, D, while the total PLFA concentration increased towards the end of both temperature regimes of cycle A. The total PLFA concentration reached statistically higher values at the end of the mesophilic regime of cycles B, C and D. The development of fungi to bacteria ratio showed that fungi applied more with the progression of both temperature regimes of cycles A, B and the thermophilic regime of cycle C. Based on...
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Endocrine disruptors in consumer goods
Pařízková, Alžběta ; Šuta, Miroslav (advisor) ; Cajthaml, Tomáš (referee)
The Thesis focuses on the group of specific organic compounds with a potential risk of their endocrine disruptive effect, and appearing as UV filters in various cosmetic products. An extended list of such products was created on the basis of search in drugstores, pharmacies and perfume shops. The products were further grouped as cosmetics for adults, children, and those declared as bio products. The source data collection counted 156 individual products, with origin in 40 drugstores, 20 pharmacies, and 10 perfume shops. The data collection sites were distributed in big cities, their suburb parts, shopping parks, and small towns on many places in the Czech Republic. The products were mostly sun protection creams, oils and emulsions, body creams and emulsions, lips balsams, and hair cosmetics. In these items an occurrence of 7 organic compounds (suspected endocrine disruptors) from the SIN List, used as parts of UV filters, was followed. The compounds of interest were: ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate; benzophenone-1, benzophenone-2, benzophenone-3; 4,4-dihydroxyphenone; 4-methylbenzylidene camphor; 3-benzylidene camphor. Alternative names, product brand names, chemical structures, CAS numbers etc. were also collected from various sources. Of this group only ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and benzophenone-3...
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Biodegradation of lightweight polyurethanes in soil and subsequent analysis of their degradation products
Pražanová, Kateřina ; Innemanová, Petra (advisor) ; Cajthaml, Tomáš (referee)
According to the Waste Framework Directie 2008/98/ES and the Czech law on waste 185/2001 Sb., waste preienton is the main priority in waste management. Using biodegradable plastcs seems to represent a suitable approach in fulflling the strategy. The subject of this diploma thesis is biodegradable lightweight polyurethanes (PURs), which might represent suitable materials for repellent fences in agricultural landscapes. Biodegradaton processes are assumed to begin in the agricultural soil afer their lifetme. The biodegradability of new lightweight PURs (BIO 8-10), presented as material mineralizaton, was tested in agricultural soil under laboratory conditons according to the ASTM Internatonal standard method D5988-03. Afer the nine-month experiment the material with the highest biodegradability (BIO 10) containing starch (28 wt. %) was mineralized to 42.0 ± 4.2 %. Cellulose (the positie control) was completely mineralized; thus, the ialidity criterion (positie control mineralizaton > 70 %) was accomplished. Afer the biodegradability test, degradaton products (residual PURs) were separated from the soil by a two-step method using fuidisaton and fotaton, according to a modifed procedure described in Nuelle et al. (2014). The procedure enabled a subsequent analysis of PUR residues with Fourier transform...
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Detection of microplastics in the environment
Havlíčková, Lucie ; Cajthaml, Tomáš (advisor) ; Innemanová, Petra (referee)
This bachelor thesis is focused on microplastics as small fragments of plastics which represent a burden for the environment and can be probably dangerous for living organisms including mankind. Serious health consequences caused by a long term exposition of the microplastics to organisms have been demonstrated in the recent years. It has been proven that the level of harm increases with ability to adsorb toxic substances on their surface. Primarily, it is necessary to eliminate entrance of these microparticles into the ecosystem and therefore this thesis describes routes of microplastic inputs into the environment. The microplastics occur in all levels of the environment, that represent various environmental matrices with different conditions, that must be considered for successful separation and subsequent analysis of samples. This thesis provides summarization of currently used analytical methods including their advantages and comparisons. The most frequently used techniques of separation are based on the principle of density flotation. Further identification of fragments is performed using microscopy, spectroscopy or gas chromatography. This work describes principles of the individual techniques of detection including also particular cases of analyses. The subject of this thesis is also the...
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Microbial degradation of high-molecular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Bachmannová, Christina ; Cajthaml, Tomáš (advisor) ; Mikušová, Gabriela (referee)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are anthropogenic pollutants of the environment that reprsent danger to human health. Thus, there is a great need for knowledge of their degradation mechnaims that could be utilized for bioremediation of the contaminated environment. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with higher molecular weight are rather insoluble substances with very low bioavailability and one of them i.e. benzo[a]pyrene was found to cause carcinogenic effects and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are potential carcinogens. In this thesis, I describe information of microbial degradation pathways of suspected carcinogens such as benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]nthracene, dibenz[a]anthracene, benzo[k] fluoroanthene, benzo[b]fluoroanthene, chrysene and indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene. I also discuss enzymes of degradation pathways, namely ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases, dihydrodiol dehydrogenases, ring-cleaving dioxygenases and their adaptations to catabolism of heavy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Key words: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Pseudomonas, biodegradation, benzo[a]pyrene
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Hormonal activity in wastewater
Čermáková, Tereza ; Cajthaml, Tomáš (advisor) ; Klusoň, Petr (referee)
Endocrine disruptors are natural or manmade substances which affect hormonal systems of organisms. Biologically relevant concentrations are commonly being detected in the environment. The effluents of wastewater treatment plant present their significant secondary source. Due to their occurence and quantity the interest in mixtures increases. Ecotoxicological assays with genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae were aplied to verify reliability of predictive mathematical models for mixtures of standards (estrone, 17β-estradiol, 17α-ethinylestradiol, estriol, bisphenol A, irgasan, 4-nonylphenol). Chromatographic analysis along with yeast assays were used for the evaluation of real samples of wastewater treatment plant effluents and sediments. Schindler's predictive model and Full logistic model (FLM) were more reliable for predicting the whole dose-response curve compared to Generalized concentration addition (GCA). Predicted values of a parameter EC50 from all three models were comparable to empirical measurements. Three out of four samples exhibited estrogenic activity 0.65 - 1.70 ng/L 17β-estradiol ekvivalent (EEQ) above the limit of detection 0.13 - 0.33 ng/L EEQ. Antiestrogenic activity was detected in one of the samples. Prediction could be carried out only in the case of the sediments...
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New sampling approaches for evaluation of real remediation studies
Kroupová, Kristýna ; Cajthaml, Tomáš (advisor) ; Innemanová, Petra (referee)
This diploma thesis has been carried out as a part of the project Utilization of long term (passive) sampling methods combined with in situ microcosms for assessment of (bio)degradation potential (PASSES). In the frame of the project groundwater remediation took place in the premises of Farmak a.s. in Olomouc using a pilot photooxidation unit and efficiency of the remediation was monitored through passive and active sampling methods. Pilot photooxidation unit is a technology based on the H2O2/UV-C photochemical oxidation of organic pollutants. In this work optimization tests of the pilot photooxidation unit were performed. The residence time of the groundwater in the photoreactors, required for its sufficient decontamination from pharmaceuticals and aromatic hydrocarbons, was 2.5 hours. 91% degradation of the pharmaceuticals and 80% degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons were reached during this interval. Although the removal efficiency of the pharmaceuticals by the photooxidation unit was high, the pilot photooxidation unit was not able to effectively remove the pharmaceuticals at the studied locality. By comparing the results of the pharmaceuticals from active and passive groundwater sampling during the remediation attempt, passive Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler (POCIS) was found to be...
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