Damage Caused by Wheeled Skidders on Cambisols of Central Europe

Machine traffic and timber skidding significantly affect the soil surface and soil properties. The effects are mostly negative and result in soil erosion, worsening of soil properties and inhibition of the growth of roots and soil organisms. In this study, we evaluated forest soil damage caused by the HSM 805 HD wheeled skidder during timber skidding in selected forest stands in the School Forest Enterprise in Zvolen. We estimated the limits for operation of forest machines in the stands and evaluated the moisture content and bulk density of the soil, CO2 concentration in the upper layer of the soil, determined the soil texture, Atterberg limits and critical moisture using the Proctor test, CBR test and examining the depth of ruts on skid trails. The measurements were taken from undisturbed forest soil unaffected by skidder traffic, the ruts and between the ruts. The results showed significant differences between the values of soil samples from undisturbed soil and the soil affected by the skidder. The exceeding of CO2 concentration limits and bulk density in the soil from the ruts were recorded in both stands. The methods used present the basic methodology for evaluating the effect of logging machinery on forest soil and for setting limits that will allow or prohibit the operation of logging machinery according to forest stand conditions. The moisture content of soil, when it changes from the solid to plastic phase, was chosen as the limit for machine operation. This value is also easy to measure

Damage Caused by Wheeled Skidders on Cambisols of Central Europe

Machine traffic and timber skidding significantly affect the soil surface and soil properties. The effects are mostly negative and result in soil erosion, worsening of soil properties and inhibition of the growth of roots and soil organisms. In this study, we evaluated forest soil damage caused by the HSM 805 HD wheeled skidder during timber skidding in selected forest stands in the School Forest Enterprise in Zvolen. We estimated the limits for operation of forest machines in the stands and evaluated the moisture content and bulk density of the soil, CO2 concentration in the upper layer of the soil, determined the soil texture, Atterberg limits and critical moisture using the Proctor test, CBR test and examining the depth of ruts on skid trails. The measurements were taken from undisturbed forest soil unaffected by skidder traffic, the ruts and between the ruts. The results showed significant differences between the values of soil samples from undisturbed soil and the soil affected by the skidder. The exceeding of CO2 concentration limits and bulk density in the soil from the ruts were recorded in both stands. The methods used present the basic methodology for evaluating the effect of logging machinery on forest soil and for setting limits that will allow or prohibit the operation of logging machinery according to forest stand conditions. The moisture content of soil, when it changes from the solid to plastic phase, was chosen as the limit for machine operation. This value is also easy to measure

Feasibility of a Monitoring Mechanism Supporting a Watch List under the Water Framework Directive

This report describes work conducted by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in the context of its support to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC. The work aimed at the feasibility assessment of an experimental monitoring exercise in support to a so-called Watch List Mechanism in a collaborative design involving EU Member States laboratories and some 200 official monitoring station operated by the Member States. The report includes all details on sampling stations, performance of analytical methods as well as the results of the analyses of all samples with regard to the occurrence and levels of 20 compounds of concern. In total, 219 whole water samples originating from 25 EU Member States and 2 other European countries, were assessed for contents of acesulfame, glyphosate and its metabolite AMPA, 1H-Benzotriazole and tolyltriazoles, bisphenol A, triclosan and triclocarban, carbamazepine and its metabolite 10,11-dihydro-10,11-dihydroxycarbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole, perfluoropropionic acid, tris-2-chloropropyl phosphate, methyl tert-butyl ether, silver, boron and chloride (Cl-) in water. Furthermore, 23 sediment samples were analysed for decabromodiphenylethane and decabromodiphenyl ether. The underlying analytical methods are carefully documented with regards to their performance characteristics. Obtained results are assessed statistically and where possible compared to other findings. Although the analysed single samples are insufficient to make any statement on the performance of the treatment processes leading to the compost, the collective of data allows having a glance at the pan-European situation as regards the studies compounds. Background information from literature describing the situation before the survey is included, too. The report is divided into a core part and two annexes. For practical reasons, the report is split into two volumes: Volume 1 contains the report and the single analytical results; volume 2 contains the documentation of the sampling stations.JRC.H.1-Water Resource

Capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry of ethoxylated alcohols and alkyphenols

Katedra analytické chemieDokončená práce s úspěšnou obhajobo

Stanovení přechodového odporu lakosazové vrstvy v závislosti na druhu vrstvy a charakteru sběrače

PrezenčníKatedra elektroniky a elektrických pohonůNeuveden

Rezidua vybraných sulfonamidů, nesteroidních antiflogistik a analgetik-antipyretik v povrchových vodách povodí Labe (Česká republika)

The occurrence of human as well as veterinary drug residues in surface water is caused by their insufficient removal ability from wastewater. Drug residues disturb the natural balance of water ecosystem, have a negative effect on non-target organisms and pose a significant risk for human health. The main aim of this study was to determine the concentration of residues of eight drugs from the group of sulfonamides (sulfathiazole, sulfadiazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfadimethoxine, sulfadoxine, sulfamerazine, sulfachlorpyridazine), four drugs from the non-steroidal antinflammatory drug group (ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, diclofenac) and one representative of the analgesics-antipyretics group [paracetamol (acetaminophen)] in the surface water of the Elbe river basin. A total of 65 samples of surface water from the Elbe river basin were taken during August 2018 when the weather was constant without any significant fluctuations. The analysis was performed by means of liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The results have shown the numerous occurrences of sulfamethoxazole, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac and paracetamol (acetaminophen). A statistically significant negative correlation between the river flow rate in the monitored locations and the residue concentration was found for ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac and paracetamol (acetaminophen). The most significant findings of the monitored drug residues were mostly determined in samples from small streams below larger urban settlements with a hospital or other health facilities.Výskyt reziduí humánních i veterinárních léčiv v povrchových vodách je způsoben jejich nedostatečnou schopností odstraňovat z odpadních vod. Rezidua léčiv narušují přirozenou rovnováhu vodního ekosystému, mají negativní vliv na necílové organismy a představují významné riziko pro lidské zdraví. Hlavním cílem této studie bylo stanovení koncentrace reziduí osmi léčiv ze skupiny sulfonamidů (sulfatiazol, sulfadiazin, sulfamethazin, sulfamethoxazol, sulfadimethoxin, sulfadoxin, sulfamerazin, sulfachlorpyridazin), čtyř léčiv ze skupiny nesteroidních protizánětlivých léčiv ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, diklofenak) a jeden zástupce skupiny analgetik-antipyretik [paracetamol (acetaminofen)] v povrchových vodách povodí Labe. Během srpna 2018, kdy bylo počasí stálé bez výraznějších výkyvů, bylo odebráno celkem 65 vzorků povrchových vod z povodí Labe. Analýza byla provedena pomocí kapalinové chromatografie s tandemovou hmotnostní spektrometrií (LC-MS/MS). Výsledky ukázaly četné výskyty sulfamethoxazolu, ibuprofenu, naproxenu, diklofenaku a paracetamolu (acetaminofenu). Statisticky významná negativní korelace mezi průtokem řeky ve sledovaných lokalitách a koncentrací reziduí byla zjištěna u ibuprofenu, naproxenu, diklofenaku a paracetamolu (acetaminofenu). Nejvýznamnější nálezy sledovaných reziduí drog byly většinou stanoveny ve vzorcích z malých toků pod většími městskými sídly s nemocnicí či jinými zdravotnickými zařízeními

Insekticidy a sucho jako smrtelná kombinace pro tok hromadění makrobezobratlých v povodí využívané velkoplošným zemědělstvím

This case study documents responses in a headwater macroinvertebrate assemblage to insecticide pollution and hydrological drought. In 2014, the Doubravka brook (Czech Republic) was damaged by a large overflow of a mixture of chlorpyrifos (CPS) and cypermethrin (CP). In 2016–2017, this brook was then affected by severe drought that sometimes led to an almost complete absence of surface water. We found significant relationships between the strength of both these disturbances and the deeper taxonomic levels of both the overall macroinvertebrate assemblage (classes) and the arthropod assemblage alone (orders and dipteran families), as well as the functional feeding groups (FFGs). The CPS-CP contamination was mostly negatively correlated to arthropod and non-arthropod taxa and was positively correlated only with FFG collector-gatherers; on the other hand, the drought was negatively correlated to Simuliidae, Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, and the FFG of grazer-scrapers and passive filterers. Drought conditions correlated most positively with Isopoda, Ostracoda, Heteroptera, adult Coleoptera, and predator and active filterer FFGs. The chosen eco-indicators (SPEARpesticides, SPEARrefuge, BMWP, and EPT) used as support information reveal the poor ecological status of the whole assemblage, including the control site, the cause of which is most likely to be the exploitation of the adjacent catchment area by large-scale agriculture. This type of agricultural exploitation will undoubtedly affect macroinvertebrate assemblages as a result of agrochemical and soil inputs during run-off events and will also exacerbate the effect of droughts when precipitation levels drop.Tato případová studie dokumentuje odezvy v horním toku makrobezobratlých na znečištění insekticidy a hydrologické sucho. V roce 2014 byl potok Doubravka (ČR) poškozen velkým přelivem směsi chlorpyrifosu (CPS) a cypermetrinu (CP). V letech 2016–2017 pak tento potok postihlo velké sucho, které někdy vedlo k téměř úplné absenci povrchové vody. Našli jsme významné vztahy mezi silou obou těchto poruch a hlubšími taxonomickými úrovněmi obou celkového společenstva makrobezobratlých. (třídy) a samotné sdružení členovců (řády a rodiny dvoukřídlých), stejně jako funkční skupiny krmení (FFG). Kontaminace CPS-CP většinou negativně korelovala s taxony členovců a nečlenů a pozitivně korelovala pouze se sběrači-sběrači FFG; na druhé straně bylo sucho negativně korelováno s Simuliidae, Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera a FFG grazer-škrabáků a pasivních filtrů. Podmínky sucha nejpozitivněji korelovaly s Isopoda, Ostracoda, Heteroptera, dospělými Coleoptera a predátory a aktivními filtračními FFG. Zvolené ekoindikátory (SPEAR pesticidy, SPEARrefuge, BMWP a EPT) použité jako podpůrné informace odhalují špatný ekologický stav celého souvrství včetně kontrolního místa, jehož příčinou je nejspíše exploatace přilehlého povodí. velkoplošným zemědělstvím. Tento typ zemědělské exploatace nepochybně ovlivní společenstva makrobezobratlých v důsledku agrochemických a půdních vstupů při odtokových událostech a také zhorší vliv sucha při poklesu srážek

Soil compaction of various Central European forest soils caused by traffic of forestry machines with various chassis

Aim of study: The primary objective of this paper was to compare the effects of different types of forestry machine chassis on the compaction of the top layers of soil and to define the soil moisture content level, at which machine traffic results in maximum compaction.Area of study: Measurements were conducted in eight forest stands located in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The soil types in the stands subjected to the study were luvisols, stagnosols, cambisols, and rendzinas.Material and Methods: The measurements were focused on tracked and wheeled (equipped with low pressure tyres) cut-to-length machines, and skidders equipped with wide and standard tyres. The bulk density of soil was determined from soil samples extracted from the ruts, the centre of the skid trail, and the undisturbed stand. To determine soil moisture content, at which the soil is the most susceptible to compaction, the Proctor standard test was employed.Main results: The moisture content for maximal compaction fluctuated from 12% to 34.06%. Wheeled machines compacted the soil to 1.24 – 1.36 g.cm-3 (30.3 – 35.4 % compaction) in dried state. Bulk density of soil in stands where tracked machine operated was lower, ranging from 1.02 to 1.06 g.cm-3 (25.3 % compaction).Research highlights: All wheeled machines caused the same amount of soil compaction in the ruts, despite differences in tyres, machine weight, etc. Maximum compaction caused by forestry machines occurred at minimal moisture contents, easily achievable in European climatic conditions.  Keywords: soil compaction; bulk density; soil moisture content limits; cut-to-length machines; skidders

Damage of the Remaining Stands Caused by Various Types of Logging Technology

Forest harvesting causes a lot of damage, which results in damage of the remaining stand. These damages have different character. Their origin, range, and type is affected by the type of machinery, harvesting technology and the machine operator. This paper was focused on the negative impact of three types of forest harvesting technologies to the remaining stand. We considered wheeled skidder technology, and CTL technology with wheeled and tracked chassis. The harvest in stands varied between 21 and 52%, with an average concentration of felling 13.7–95.4 m3 per one skid trail. We observed that the damage rate in stands processed by CTL technology was between 7.3 and 8.03%. Skidder technologies caused damage between 17.8% and 44.6%. The average size of wound caused by CTL technologies was between 167 and 322 cm2. Skidder caused damages with area between 395 and 506 cm2. We also observed differences between damages caused by various types of chassis. CTL technology with tracked chassis caused more damages of timber and tree root system. We used multivariate regression and correlation analyses to evaluate the effect of stand density and intensity of harvest on the intensity of damage. The analyses did not confirm significant impact of these two characteristics on intensity of damage, with coefficients of correlation of 0.22 (stand density) and 0.53 (intensity of harvest)