The role of mineral phases in the biogas production technology

In the field of electric power industry, renewable energy sources, fertilisers, reclamation, and waste management, biomass is widely studied and used. Minerals are present in every step of biogas transformation, but their forms, occurrence, and composition have not been studied yet. However, there is no comprehensive study research that would address the presence of mineral phases in the process of biogas production. This aim of the study is determination of the amount and composition of the mineral phases present in fermentation residues resulting from different production technologies. Digestate mineral composition was analysed using 46 samples from agricultural biogas plants and university testing biogas reactor. The majority of samples contained the amorphous phase. Minority phases consisted of quartz, albite, orthoclase, muscovite, and amphibole. Opal-CT was found in eleven samples (1.26 to 12.1% wt.). The elements present in gas-liquid fluids or in liquids, gases and aerosols within the biogas technology system may create mineral phases, namely the amorphous phase or the crystalline phase under certain conditions. Opal-CT may enter the fermenter as part of plant tissues referred to as phytoliths, or as an unwanted admixture of different origin. It may also originate from the present amorphous SiO2.Web of Science251595

Test of the maximum penetration depth of the Roteg GPR above the Hranice Abyss and in the Moravian Karst

A new kind of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) ”Roteg“ was tested at generally known speleological sites in the Czech Republic. The first examined site – the Hranice Abyss located in the Hranice Karst – is the deepest underwater cave in the world.This GPR is characterised by much higher pulse power, antennas with rather high voltage (5–15 kV), and, in particular, the special design of the pulse generator.The radar survey near the Hranice Abyss has shown that it is possible to detect reflections of electromagnetic pulses coming from the speleogenic structures of the abyss itself and from lithological boundaries occurring below the water table – something which was not anticipated and was verified for the first time ever. Plausibly detectable reflections were detected from the depths of 580 m below the surface – which is approximately 515 m below the water level – using the longest available 6-metre antennas tuned to the frequency of 25 MHz.The second site tested was the quarry of Malá dohoda near the municipality of Holštejn, the Moravian Karst, the Czech Republic. The GPR used was the same as above except the power output to the transmitting antenna which produced pulses of 20 kV. The radarogram showed cavities located at the depth of up to 300 m, the layers on the boundary between Lažánky and Vilémovice members of limestone at the depth of 400 m, basement sandstones and conglomerates at the depth of 600–700 m, and granite rocks below this level.Both of the tests mentioned above confirmed the extraordinary big penetration depth of the GPR signal which exceeded 500 m when using the maximum power on transmitting antennas

BIOLOGICKÁ DEGRADACE ARAGONITU VE ZBRAŠOVSKÝCH ARAGONITOVÝCH JESKYNÍCH

Zbrašov aragonite caves are situated in the Teplice nad Bečvou district, 40 km SE from Olomouc. The degradation of the aragonit speleothems has been already observed before. The degradation occures as reddish, fulvous or red coating, which covers the main area of originally white aragonit (formation „Opona“, Juriks hall). Our research conducted in 2002 was focused on the cultivation of the microscopic fungi from coatings in the microbiologic agar. This resesarch confirmed microbial contamination of aragonite, previously indicated in 1991 - 1992. Our investigation resulted in determination of the Aspergillus and the Penicillium genus in samples of coatings. X-ray difraction indicated aragonite, calcite, huntite, and magnesite in the „Opona“ formation

Temporal and Seasonal Variations of Silicate Svratka River and Sediment Characterization, Czech Republic: Geochemical and Stable Isotopic Approach

This study investigated weathering and hydrobiogeochemical processes in a silicate dominated watershed (Svratka river) in the Czech Republic in comparison with nearby carbonate dominated catchments. Elemental and isotopic analysis of river waters, particulates and sediments provided a more holistic view of weathering contributions, anthropogenic contamination, biological activity and evasion or sinks of CO2 to the atmosphere. In water samples, we determined total alkalinity after Gran 1974, and cations and anions were determined with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer and ion chromatograph. δ13CDIC in water samples was determined with isotope ratio mass spectrometer. pCO2 and saturation indexes of calcite and dolomite were calculated with PHREEQC speciation program. Evasion fuxes were calculated after Broecker, 1974. Isotopic composition of carbon and nitrogen in particulate matter and sediments were determined with isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Mineral composition of sediments was determined with XRD method and elements with XRF method. Further enrichment factors of elements were calculated. The Svratka river, which is the major tributary of the Dyje river, is dominated by Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ and HCO3 MINUS SIGN (as total alkalinity). Partial pressure (pCO2) concentrations range from close to 0-572-fold of atmospheric pressure. Isotopic composition of carbon in dissolved inorganic carbon (δ13CDIC) value ranged fromMINUS SIGN 13.3 toMINUS SIGN 8.0%o refecting degradation of organic matter and exchange with the atmosphere. Bicarbonate weathering intensity for the Svratka river at its mouth is 11.8 mol/(lDOT OPERATOR  km2 DOT OPERATOR  s), more on par with silicate terrains and lower than nearby carbonate watersheds. Isotopic composition of carbon (δ13C) and isotopic composition of nitrogen (δ15N) values of river sediment refect soil and temperate plant (C3 plant) values, while higher δ15N values could be attributed to application of organic fertilizers in lower reaches. The river sediments, which came from weathering of crystalline rocks, are dominated by silt size, geochemically less mature quartz, feldspar and muscovite particles. All the stream sediments examined revealed slightly increased amounts of Zn, Cu and Pb. However, using Al as the normalization element to calculate enrichment factors, Zn, Cu and Pb are only elevated downstream, related to industrial contamination. This study is important for local and global level since it deals with contribution of weathering rates and contribution of CO2 to the atmosphere in silicate watershed.O

VALIDACE TERÉNNÍHO RENTGEN-FLUORESCENČNÍHO SPEKTROMETRU PRO POTŘEBY ANALÝZ PŮD, ŘÍČNÍCH SEDIMENTŮ A SUSPENDOVANÉ HMOTY

The portable X-ray-fluorescence analyser is being used for Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, U, V, Zn a Zr. There is an Alpha model (Innov-X Systems, Inc) used at the Czech Geological Survey for geological mapping, contamination of the soil, stream sediment or vegetation and for geochemical purposes and environmental mapping. For the measurement the total amount of sample with 10–30 g of material was used, it means such amount of material which can cover in large measure the window of the instrument. The thickness of the measured layer varies from 3 to 20 mm. For the study purposes 100 samples was analyzed including 20 reference laboratory samples. Its specification is presented in Table 1. To compare both sets of samples the whole rock analysis of duplicate samples has to be mesasured and this kind of analysis was provided by Acme Analytical Laboratories (Vancouver) Ltd., Canada. The results shows that correlation between measurement based on XRF method and reference materials or classic laboratory measurements corresponds in a good way. The most of the evaluated components reaches acceptable relative errors by precision of the measurement. Using this instrument makes the process of samples selection for the regional environmental research or core samples measurement much easier. In a short period we can analyze the wide spectrum of components under the low cost budget

Geophysical mapping by very low frequencies method and drilling survey in the vicinity of the Hranická Chasm (Hranice Karst)

The geophysical method of Very Low Frequencies (VLF) was applied to find conductive zones in the depths between 30 and 60 meters in the surrounding of Hranická propast abyss. Such conductive zones occur along the faults or tectonic lines or crevices with sediments especially close to the underground water level. They can represent corrosive caves in the hydrothermal karst that is typical for Hranice karst. In the area of 12 ha in the surrounding of Hranická propast abyss there were found 3 main conductive zones (B1, B2, B3) in the direction of approx. 90° (E-W) and one zone (A) in the direction approx. 110–120° which is crossing the abyss. The pilot drilling was unsuccessful, no concrete karst objects were discovered. The sample taken from borehole cores had only redeposited flysh fossils, not show qualification of dating of sediments.The geophysical method of Very Low Frequencies (VLF) was applied to find conductive zones in the depths between 30 and 60 meters in the surrounding of Hranická propast abyss. Such conductive zones occur along the faults or tectonic lines or crevices with sediments especially close to the underground water level. They can represent corrosive caves in the hydrothermal karst that is typical for Hranice karst. In the area of 12 ha in the surrounding of Hranická propast abyss there were found 3 main conductive zones (B1, B2, B3) in the direction of approx. 90° (E-W) and one zone (A) in the direction approx. 110–120° which is crossing the abyss. The pilot drilling was unsuccessful, no concrete karst objects were discovered. The sample taken from borehole cores had only redeposited flysh fossils, not show qualification of dating of sediments

Applicability of portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometer in organomineral matrix analyses

The portable X-ray-fluorescence analyzer (Innov-X Systems, Inc.) is routinely used as screening tool in geochemical and environmental mapping. The applicability in organomineral matrices was not tested yet. The biogas is produced from maize silage, grass silage, beef and pig manure and slurry, sewage sludge, organic wastes from food industries, organic household waste. As the main result the digestate (anaerobic digestion residues) is manufactured. The digestate is used as fertilizer and/or fuel. In the presented study the three reference materials and three samples of the digestate were analyzed 50 times each. RFA analytical conditions for reference material and samples: Innov-X Systems, Inc., Delta, time measurement: 1. beam: energy 1–40 kV, time 140 s.; 2. Beam: energy 2–10 kV, time 140 s., analytical mode: geochem2. Statistical evaluation of the data set allowed comparison among accuracy and reproducibility for organomineral matrices. The results are in good correlation with data from standard elemental analyses. The presented results has proved very good or satisfactory reproducibility for fourteen elements (Al, S, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sr, Zr, Mo, Ag, Pb, Th ). The results for three elements (Al, S, Fe) in digestates have high reproducibility, for the Ag, Mn, Mo, Sr, Zr, Th have good reproducibility. The portable XRF is suitable for the mineral fraction characterization in the agricultural materials such as composts, digestates and silages.The portable X-ray-fluorescence analyzer (Innov-X Systems, Inc.) is routinely used as screening tool in geochemical and environmental mapping. The applicability in organomineral matrices was not tested yet. The biogas is produced from maize silage, grass silage, beef and pig manure and slurry, sewage sludge, organic wastes from food industries, organic household waste. As the main result the digestate (anaerobic digestion residues) is manufactured. The digestate is used as fertilizer and/or fuel. In the presented study the three reference materials and three samples of the digestate were analyzed 50 times each. RFA analytical conditions for reference material and samples: Innov-X Systems, Inc., Delta, time measurement: 1. beam: energy 1–40 kV, time 140 s.; 2. Beam: energy 2–10 kV, time 140 s., analytical mode: geochem2. Statistical evaluation of the data set allowed comparison among accuracy and reproducibility for organomineral matrices. The results are in good correlation with data from standard elemental analyses. The presented results has proved very good or satisfactory reproducibility for fourteen elements (Al, S, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sr, Zr, Mo, Ag, Pb, Th ). The results for three elements (Al, S, Fe) in digestates have high reproducibility, for the Ag, Mn, Mo, Sr, Zr, Th have good reproducibility. The portable XRF is suitable for the mineral fraction characterization in the agricultural materials such as composts, digestates and silages

Biodiversity of culturable procaryotes from the Hranice abyss and the role of microorganisms in carbonate speleothemes forming

Hranice Karst is situated in northeastern part of Moravia, Czech Republic, at the contact between two major geological units of the Bohemian Massif and Western Carpathians. This karst developed in combination of meteoric water and hydrothermal dissolution of deformed and tectonically stacked Devonian and Lower Carboniferous limestones. This karst, therefore, exceeds to considerable depths of several hundreds metres. In the 1977, unusually massive organic coatings high in microbial extracellular polymers, occurring together with biofilm structures, were discovered in the vertical caves of low hydrothermally active ‚Hranická propast (Hranice Abyss)‘, particularly on the cave walls in deep underwater environments. These mucilaginous formations may have been classified among ‚snottites‘, mucous-like coatings and stalactites. The present study provides the first insights into both the microbial diversity and morphological/structural variability of these extremophilic formations.Hranice Karst is situated in northeastern part of Moravia, Czech Republic, at the contact between two major geological units of the Bohemian Massif and Western Carpathians. This karst developed in combination of meteoric water and hydrothermal dissolution of deformed and tectonically stacked Devonian and Lower Carboniferous limestones. This karst, therefore, exceeds to considerable depths of several hundreds metres. In the 1977, unusually massive organic coatings high in microbial extracellular polymers, occurring together with biofilm structures, were discovered in the vertical caves of low hydrothermally active ‚Hranická propast (Hranice Abyss)‘, particularly on the cave walls in deep underwater environments. These mucilaginous formations may have been classified among ‚snottites‘, mucous-like coatings and stalactites. The present study provides the first insights into both the microbial diversity and morphological/structural variability of these extremophilic formations

Geological structure of the Macocha Abyss in the Moravian Karst on the basis of structural and stratigraphic research

The main concern of this study is the tectonics of the Macocha Abyss (Macocha Chasm) and a part of the Punkva Cave in the Moravian Karst. Two systems of subvertical faults with NNE–SSW and NW–SE strike are the most important for the genesis of the abyss. The third system (related to décollements) strikes NE–SW and dips 40 to 60 degrees to the SE. The intersection of these three systems was crucial for the collapse of the roof of the original cave dome and the genesis of the abyss. These structures were formed during the Variscan orogeny but modified during the Alpine orogeny. A 3D model of the Macocha Abyss based on a geodetic surveying is presented.The main concern of this study is the tectonics of the Macocha Abyss (Macocha Chasm) and a part of the Punkva Cave in the Moravian Karst. Two systems of subvertical faults with NNE–SSW and NW–SE strike are the most important for the genesis of the abyss. The third system (related to décollements) strikes NE–SW and dips 40 to 60 degrees to the SE. The intersection of these three systems was crucial for the collapse of the roof of the original cave dome and the genesis of the abyss. These structures were formed during the Variscan orogeny but modified during the Alpine orogeny. A 3D model of the Macocha Abyss based on a geodetic surveying is presented