The possibilities of biomakers utilisation for pollution sources identification

Predložená dizertačná práca rieši možnosť identifikácie a kvantifikácie energetických zdrojov použitím navrhnutého klasifikačného nástroja, ktorý umožňuje redukovať celkové množstvo organických zlúčenín identifikovaných vo vzorkách a extrahovať len tie najdôležitejšie markery pre vybrané energetické zdroje sledovaných oblastí. Na základe selektovaných markerov bol následne identifikovaný podiel spaľovaného paliva na znečistení ovzdušia. Teoretická časť je venovaná charakteristike špecifických organických látok – tzv. markerom, ktoré sú charakteristické pre jednotlivé energetické zdroje znečistenia, resp. typ spaľovaného paliva. Konkrétne sú predstavené markery pre spaľovanie biomasy, uhlia, plastov a markery uvoľňované z dieselových a benzínových motorových vozidiel. Ďalej sú popísané najpoužívanejšie modely na identifikáciu a kvantifikáciu energetických zdrojov na znečistení ovzdušia, ich výhody a úskalia. Jednotlivé kroky navrhnutého modelu sú detailne popísaný v metodike práce, vrátane obhájenia jeho matematickej správnosti. Navrhnutý model bol aplikovaný v dvoch meracích kampaniach na území malej mierky (Napajedla) a veľkej mierky (Moravsko-sliezsky kraj). V rámci meracej kampane realizovanej v meste Napajedla bolo testované, či je možné sa v štúdiách na identifikáciu zdrojov zamerať sa len na vybrané prominentné markery, čo by mohlo v budúcnosti uľahčiť časovo náročné analytické metódy. Daná metóda sa ukázala byť spoľahlivá pre oblasť malej mierky. Dokonca použitie len vybraných markerov v mnohorozmerných metódach umožnilo rozlíšiť zdroje medzi jednotlivými odberovými miestami presnejšie než použitím všetkých analyzovaných zlúčenín. V rámci meracej kampane realizovanej na území MSK bolo zisťované, ktoré z energetických zdrojov sa podieľajú na zhoršenej kvalite ovzdušia zimnom období najvýznamnejšie, pričom pozornosť bola upriamená na smogovú situáciu. Na území MSK sa stretávame s úskalím veľkej rozmanitosti identifikovaných organických látok naprieč odberovými lokalitami, preto bolo nutné dáta vhodným spôsobom zjednotiť na vyťaženie čo najrelevantnejšieho výsledku s čo najmenšou stratou informácie. Výsledky ukázali, že každá odberová lokalita je špecifická iným prevládajúcim zdrojom znečistenia, niektoré lokality si však boli prevládajúcimi zdrojmi podobné. Pri rozdelení do klastrov bola počas smogovej situácie najvýznamnejší faktor lokalita, u nesmogovej situácie bol najvýznamnejší faktor deň odberu. Najviac špecifické lokality počas smogovej aj nesmogovej sezóny sa ukázali lokality Poruba a Radvanice, čo naznačuje, že dané lokality sú ovplyvnené stálymi lokálnymi zdrojmi, na ktoré nemá až taký významný vplyv napr. zmena prúdenia vetra.The presented dissertation thesis deals with the possibilities of the identification and quantification of the energy pollution sources using the proposed classification tool allowing the reduction of the total amount of the organic compounds identified in the samples and extraction only of the most important markers of the selected energy pollution sources in the sites of interest. Based on the selected markers, the influence of the fuel combustion on the air pollution is identified. The theoretical part is focused on the characterization of specific organic compounds – markers, which are characteristic for the particular energy pollution sources, namely the type of the fuel combusted. Specifically, the markers for biomass, coal and plastics burning and markers released from diesel and petrol engine vehicles. The most commonly used models for source apportionment of energy air pollution sources are also described, mentioning their particular advantages and disadvantages. The individual steps of the proposed model are described in the Methods section of the thesis including the justification of its mathematical soundness. The proposed model was applied in two measurement campaigns performed in a small-scale area (Napajedla) and large-scale area (Moravian-Silesian region). During the Napajedla measurement campaign, the possibility of focusing only on the prominent markers in the source apportionment studies was tested which would, in future, lead to facilitation of the time-consuming analytical techniques. The method was found to be reliable for the small-scale area. Moreover, using only the selected markers in the multivariate methods allowed the distinction of the pollution sources between the individual sites even more accurately than using all the determined compounds. During the Moravian-Silesian region campaign, identification of the most important energy pollution sources during the winter period of worsened air conditions was the main goal while the study was focused on the smog situation. High diversity of the identified organic markers in the PM10 samples between the individual sampling sites was to be addressed in this campaign, hence, the data had to be unified to extract as complete dataset as possible – with losing a minimal information. The results shown that each sampling site is specific by different prevalent source of pollution, some were, however, similar. In the cluster partitioning, the factor of site was found to be the most important during the smog season, whereas during the non-smog season, the sampling day was the most important factor. The most specific sites during both seasons were sites Poruba and Radvanice indicating that these sites are influenced by stable local sources and are not significantly influenced by e.g. change in wind direction.361 - Katedra energetikyvyhově

Fugitive emissions in Moravian-Silesian Region

Import 22/07/2015Predložená práca sa zaoberá fugitívnymi emisiami na území priemyselnej aglomerácie Ostravska. Fugitívny prach predstavuje hlavnú časť atmosférických aerosólov, zvýšená pozornosť je mu venovaná kvôli významným dopadom na zmenu klímy, kvalitu ovzdušia a zdravie ľudí a ekosystémov. Hlavná časť práce je venovaná štúdiu vertikálnej distribúcie PM1 vo výške až 500 m n. m., ktorá bola sledovaná vo vybraných lokalitách Ostravy v jarnom a letnom období 2014, za použitia metódy merania balónom. Pozornosť bola venovaná závislosti koncentrácie PM1 na výške a meteorologických podmienkach. Ďalej bolo zisťované rozloženie organických látok vo vertikálnych profiloch atmosféry v najzaťaženejších miestach Ostravy použitím metódy Py-GC/MS a pomocou matematických metód boli identifikované príspevky zdrojov znečistenia.This thesis deals with the topic of fugitive emissions in the industrial agglomeration of Ostrava region. Fugitive dust is a major part of atmospheric aerosols, increased attention is given to it due to its significant impact on climate change, air quality and human health, and ecosystems. The main part is focused on the study of the vertical distribution of PM1 of up to 500 m a. s. l. which was monitored at selected locations during spring and summer seasons of 2014 using the balloon measuring method. Attention was given to influence of meteorological parameters on PM1 concentrations. Furthermore, distribution of organic matter in the vertical profiles of the atmosphere in the most exposed places was studied using the Py-GC/MS and, using the mathematical methods, contributions of the sources of pollution were identified.Prezenční546 - Institut environmentálního inženýrstvívýborn

Effect of the cleaning process on physical properties for different malting barley seed varieties

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of the barley cleaning process in relation to physical properties. The knowledge of the range of changes in the physical parameters of processed material and their mutual relationships is required for the design and implementation of various technological processes. In this study were compared the input and output commodities in the primary postharvest cleaning process of undesirable components-occurring as admixtures of fine and coarse barley impurities as well as the barley component itself. An efficient cleaning process ensuring barley grain quality is a basic step in beer production. Therefore, seven bred varieties of brewing barley (Malz, Sebastian, Francin, KWS Irina1, KWS Irina2, Bojos, and Laudis) were tested for the qualitative assessment of the cleaning process. Physical parameters such as granulometry, bulk and tapped density, angle of repose, internal and wall friction angle, and flow functions were determined for all samples. In order to identify whether the barley variety or the sample cleaning significantly influences the determined physical properties, two-way ANOVA was applied. The results imply that barley cleaning had the main influence on wall friction angle, while the barley variety had a significant effect on effective internal friction. Moreover, the mechanical postharvest cleaning process reduces the overall wall friction.Web of Scienc

Impact of fugitive sources and meteorological parameters on vertical distribution of particulate matter over the industrial agglomeration

The aim of the study was to characterize vertical distribution of particulate matter, in an area well known by highest air pollution levels in Europe. A balloon filled with helium with measuring instrumentation was used for vertical observation of air pollution over the fugitive sources in Moravian-Silesian metropolitan area during spring and summer. Synchronously, selected meteorological parameters were recorded together with particulate matter for exploration its relationship with particulate matter. Concentrations of particulate matter in the vertical profile were significantly higher in the spring than in the summer. Significant effect of fugitive sources was observed up to the altitude similar to 255 m (similar to 45 m above ground) in both seasons. The presence of inversion layer was observed at the altitude similar to 350 m (120-135 m above ground) at locations with major source traffic load. Both particulate matter concentrations and number of particles for the selected particle sizes decreased with increasing height. Strong correlation of particulate matter with meteorological parameters was not observed. The study represents the first attempt to assess the vertical profile over the fugitive emission sources - old environmental burdens in industrial region.Web of Science20331198119

Chlorophyll content in two medicinal plant species following nano-TiO2 exposure

Chlorophyll content in leaves is a convenient indicator of the physiological state of the plant following exposure to a stressor. In the present study, a pot experiment was carried out using two medicinal plant species - peppermint (Mentha X piperita L.) and common sage (Salvia officinalis L.) to determine the link between the chlorophyll content in the plant leaves and the exposure of the plants to nano-TiO2 either through the leaves (in suspension) or through the root system (in soil). Following the exposure, the shoots were analysed for the contents of Ti, Al, Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Na and chlorophyll. Significant decrease in chlorophyll content was observed in all but one of the nano-TiO2 treatments, the differences in the determined element content were mostly species-dependent: Ti exposure was found to be related to the decrease in the chlorophyll and Mn content in both species as well as to the decrease in Mg content in common sage.Web of Science104337937

Application of multivariate statistical analysis using organic compounds: Source identification at a local scale (Napajedla, Czechia)

The study aimed to apply novel source classification tool for local scale air pollution assessment reducing the total number of organic compounds in the model. Samples of particulate matter (PM) were collected in the town of Napajedla (South-eastern Czech Republic) in 2016. The industrial sector of the town is represented by plastics processing and manufacturing, as well as by mechanical engineering. Analytical technique of pyrolysis chromatography with mass spectroscopy detection was employed to identify organic species in the PM 10 fraction. Two datasets (465 determined organic compounds and 50 selected organic markers) were used and compared by multivariate analysis - principal component analysis followed with hierarchical clustering on principal components incorporating compositional data approach. Three resulting clusters were observed in both cases. The cluster representing measurements near plastic processing and manufacturing plants was identical in both the analysed datasets with the same organic compounds that characterized resulting cluster Consequently, leading markers for plastic processing and manufacturing sources were suggested (bumetrizole, bis(tridecyl)phthalate, mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate). Other two clusters varied among the analysed datasets, however, dataset with selected markers showed more reliable outcomes. The results imply that concept of using only selected organic marker species with the compositional approach in multivariate statistical methods is sufficient and allows properly distinguishing the main air pollution sources between sampling locations even at a small urban scale.Web of Science23844143

Influence of nano-ZnO exposure to plants on L-ascorbic acid levels: Indication of nanoparticle-induced oxidative stress

With the continuously growing production of nanomaterials, their presence in the environment increases. The effects of nanoparticle exposure on plants are yet not fully understood. This study aimed to provide new insights into the stress induced by the exposure of plants to nanoparticles via the determination of the content of L-ascorbic acid, known antioxidant, in the samples of bryophyte species Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. Bryophyte samples, collected from a pristine environment, were exposed to 0.1 g.L-1 suspensions of nano-ZnO for five weeks. Prior to the exposure, the samples were subjected to the combination of treatments-washing or not washing as well as drying or irrigation. In order to assess the level of oxidative stress caused by the exposure to the ZnO nanoparticles under various pre-treatment conditions, the content of the L-ascorbic acid in the samples was determined by titration with dichlorophenolindophenol. Effect of both nano-ZnO exposure and pre-treatment was observed; nano-ZnO exposure significantly reduced the content of L-ascorbic acid in the bryophyte samples indicating it being consumed in the repair processes following the exposure-related physiological stress.Web of Science1953023301

Traffic pollution tracers in the lymphatic system tissue of children—possible link to chronic tonsillitis development: pilot study

The origin of metal elements in tonsillar tissues of children patients was investigated in order to establish the link between environmental pollution and tonsilitis diagnosis. The children lived either in a polluted, industrial region (Moravian-Silesian Region, North-East Czechia) or a clean, predominantly agricultural region (South Bohemian Region, South-East Czechia). Simultaneously, the distance of the address of the patients to the closest main road was assessed. The elemental content of the present particulate matter in the tonsil samples, coming from indicated tonsillectomies, was analysed using scanning electron microscopy equipped with an X-ray microprobe. No significant association of the elemental composition and the region was found using both bivariate and multivariate methods; however, an association with the distance to the closest main road was found. The study presents a novel assessment of the tonsillar tissues and supports the link between environmental factors (traffic-related particulate pollution) and the onset of chronic, idiopathic diseases in children, which has been debated recently.Web of Science2926391383913