Experimental study of fly-ash migration by using magnetic method

Several studies have shown that magnetic measurements can be used in assessing soil contamination due to atmospheric deposition of pollutants. Reliable spatial mapping of magnetic susceptibility of soils assumes high temporal stability of deposited particles, accumulated in top-soil horizons. One of the main methodological concerns is whether the migration of deposited anthropogenic ferrimagnetic particles may bias the measured values. Measurements carried out on high-porosity (sandy) soils, or on soils with a very variable water regime may yield inconsistent values of top-soil magnetic susceptibility as the indicator of contamination. This study focuses on the laboratory examination of migration of fly ashes from a coal-burning power plant in sands of different porosity and under a simulated rain regime. Columns of sand of different grain sizes, placed in plastic cylinders, were contaminated on the surface by the fly ash. The vertical migration of magnetic particles was monitored using measurements of magnetic susceptibility with an SM400 Kappameter. Calibration measurements in the water environment showed an erroneous performance and resulted in the technical improvement of the used susceptibility meter (Model 2009). Our results show that the vertical distribution of flyash particles deposited on fine sand is very stable even after repeated rain simulation. The peak value of magnetic susceptibility is located in a stable position a few millimeters under the surface. Hence, standard top-soil magnetic mapping is in such a case reliable and fully representative. Contrary to that, in case of coarse sand, the peak value of magnetic susceptibility migrates by more than 10 cm. The results will be further used for numerical modeling of contaminant transport in porous media.     

Local use of antibiotics and their input and fate in a small sewage treatment plant – significance of balancing and analysis on a local scale vs. nationwide scale

Most antibiotics are only partially metabolised by patients before being discharged into the municipal sewage system along with patient excreta. Studies have shown that the majority of antibiotics pass through sewage treatment and are then released into the environment. Accordingly, investigations conducted in various countries have detected a number of antibiotics in the low μg or ng per litre range in different environmental compartments. Studies connecting mass balances of use on a local scale and of input and analysis of the antibiotic concentrations present in municipal sewage treatment plants are scarce. Data on local use of antibiotics and their relation to nationwide consumption are not available. This study investigated the use, input, and fate of antibiotics on a local scale and this data were compared with the German nationwide consumption. 42 antibiotics and 15 antimycotics were used in the mass balance consideration over a period of one year. It was found that the local pattern of usage differed only little from that found nationwide. Seasonal changes were minor and the concentrations actually measured were found to be in the expected range. Differences in both the identified occurrence and the concentrations of the target compounds were observed within and between the three sampling periods.     

Landslide complex in the northern part of the Silesian Beskydy Mountains (Czech Republic)

The study brings new information concerning a large slope deformation in the northern part of the Silesian Beskydy Mountains in the territory of the Czech Republic. The studied area is a large-scale transformation of the forefront of a flysch nappe formed especially by rigid sandstones upon a plastic underlying nappe. As a consequence of the vertical contact of mechanically different formations and depositing conditions of rocks and tectonics on the nappe forefront, several generations of deep-seated slope deformations occurred accompanied by shallow landslides in the historic period. Structural measurement and geophysical sounding proved prevailing lateral spreading in the upper parts of the slopes as well as the occurrence of rotational landslides whose landslide scarps overlap with the line of overthrust of the Godula Nappe on the Těšín Nappe. Radiocarbon dating determined the period of the occurrence of rotational landslides as falling into the Subboreal up to Subatlantic.