Monitoring of agriculture soils in the Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic a complex monitoring of agriculture soils has commenced. This paper describes the approach to establishing monitoring plots. Comparing the results of Systematic Soil Survey and those from the first period of agriculture monitoring demonstrates that a representative set of plots was achieved. Soil properties (physical, chemical, biological and agronomical), atmospheric deposition (some parameters being monthly and some only for the summer and winter season) and selected other influences (application of pesticides, irrigation, etc.) are all monitored. Results for atmospheric deposition in the Czech Republic from the first period and Bavaria [Bayerische Landesanstalt für Bodenkultur und Pflanzenbau, 1992) are also compared. Data are evaluated by a statistical package (Statgrafics) and prepared for future transfer into a suitable GIS.     

Sorption of basic and acid dyes from aqueous solutions onto oxihumolite

Naturally occurring kind of weathered and oxidised young brown coal called oxihumolite was used for an adsorptive removal of basic (Methylene Blue, Malachite Green) as well as acid (Egacid Orange, Midlon Black) dyes from waters. It was shown that both kinds of dyes can be sorbed onto oxihumolite. The maximum sorption capacities determined from the parameters of Langmuir isotherms ranged from 0.070 mmol g-1 (for Midlon Black) to 0.278 mmol g-1 (for Malachite Green) and did not differ significantly for basic and acid dyes. The dye sorption (except of Midlon Black) increased in the presence of inorganic salt. Non-ionic surfactants, and surfactants bearing the same charge as the dye exhibited only a minor effect on the dye sorption, whereas oppositely charged surfactants enhanced the dye sorption to a certain extent. The pH value of the aqueous phase exhibited rather pronounced effect on the sorption of acid dyes causing a suppression of the sorption with increasing pH. The sorption of basic dyes, on the other hand, remained almost unchanged in the examined pH range. Oxihumolite is recommended for the treatment of acid wastewaters because of its limited stability in alkaline aqueous solutions.     

Evaluation of oxidation stability of lignite humic substances by DSC induction period measurement

The stability of lignite humic acids and four regenerated humic acids was estimated by employing differential scanning calorimetry. Induction period for the oxidative decomposition of humic matter was calculated from non-isothermal measurements at six different rates of heating. To simulate the gradual evolution history of humic acids, different intensities of oxidation attack by nitric acid on the original lignite was used. Experimental data showed higher stability of natural humic acids in the temperature range where the decomposition step occurred. On the other hand, extrapolation to lower temperatures and calculated kinetic parameters did not correspond to the order observed at higher temperatures. An oscillating trend of calculated parameters of the two proposed parts of stability was observed, which agreed with data concerning regenerated humic acids production. The approach applied in this work represents a rapid and useful method for evaluation of organic matter stability.     

The effect of consumption of pork enriched by organic selenium on selenium status and lipid profile in blood serum of consumers

Abstract

The aim of the research was to evaluate the effect of consumption of selenium-enriched pork on selected health indicators of probands. The intake of feed mixture with increased organic selenium at the dose of 0.3?mg.kg^?1 probably increases selenium concentration in MSM (musculus semimembranosus). In the pork enriched with organic selenium, the concentration was higher by 1.045?±?0.10?mg.kg^?1 compared with the control group 0.701?±?0.05?mg.kg^?1 at significance P?<?0.001. Sixteen participants in the experiment were represented by 8 men at the average age of 41.5?±?11.9?years and 8 women at the average age of 41.4?±?7.9?years. All the probands consumed meat enriched with selenium three times a week during one month. By consumption of the enriched pork, there was an increase of the selenium concentration in blood serum of probands traced with selenium increase from 73.19?±?15.68?μg.L^?1 to 73.73?±?15.13?μg.L^?1 (P?>?0.05). From the results we can see that consumption of enriched pork with selenium was significantly manifested in lowering of total cholesterol levels, which was associated with LDL cholesterol lowering (P?<?0.05). Differences among the HDL cholesterol and triglycerides samples were not significant.     

Geochemistry of mine tailings and behavior of arsenic at Kombat,northeastern Namibia

The mine tailings at Kombat, in semiarid northeastern Namibia, were investigated by the combination of solid-phase analyses, mineralogical methods, leaching tests, and speciation modeling. Dissolution of the most abundant primary sulfides, chalcopyrite and galena, released copper and lead which were adsorbed onto ferric oxyhydroxides or precipitated in the form of malachite, Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂, and cerussite, PbCO₃, respectively. Arsenic released from arsenopyrite was incorporated into ferric oxyhydroxides. Based on sequential extraction and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, a large amount of ferric iron is present as low solubility hematite and goethite formed rapidly (<10 years) under warm semiarid climatic conditions, and arsenic in these phases is relatively tightly bound. It seems that Cu and especially Pb in carbonate minerals represent a more serious environmental risk. Immobilization of As in hematite has implications for other mining sites in regions with similar climatic conditions because this process results in long-term immobilization of As.     

Ozone flux over a Norway spruce forest and correlation with net ecosystem production

Daily ozone deposition flux to a Norway spruce forest in Czech Republic was measured using the gradient method in July and August 2008. Results were in good agreement with a deposition flux model. The mean daily stomatal uptake of ozone was around 47% of total deposition. Average deposition velocity was 0.39 cm s⁻¹ and 0.36 cm s⁻¹ by the gradient method and the deposition model, respectively. Measured and modelled non-stomatal uptake was around 0.2 cm s⁻¹. In addition, net ecosystem production (NEP) was measured by using Eddy Covariance and correlations with O₃ concentrations at 15 m a.g.l., total deposition and stomatal uptake were tested. Total deposition and stomatal uptake of ozone significantly decreased NEP, especially by high intensities of solar radiation.