Magnetic susceptibility correlation of km-thick Eifelian–Frasnian sections (Ardennes and Moravia)

After briefly introducing the sedimentology of two Eifelian-Frasnian carbonate sections in Belgium and Moravia, this paper focuses on the comparison of the magnetic susceptibility (MS) curves. The Ardennes section shows highly variable facies, with an alternation of ramp, platform and mound environments. Detrital inputs are locally very important. Time-equivalent facies in the area of the Moravian Karst correspond to rather pure carbonate platform facies, mostly composed of Amphipora beds. This first analyse of long-term trends in Devonian MS in Belgium and Moravia shows a remarkable similarity, despite a very different background of palaeogeographical setting, facies, sedimentary rate and retrogradation-progradation history. However, a relative independence of the MS and the distal-proximal curves, deduced either from the microfacies record (Ardennes) or from shoreline shifts (Moravia) is observed. This questions the nature of the forcing mechanisms that must at least be active at the inter-regional scale. Moravia and the Ardennes are located along the same palaeolatitude, perhaps suggesting some climatically driven mechanisms, responsible for the input of the detrital fraction responsible for the MS in these sediments. Trade winds are potentially responsible for transportation of dust and its widespread distribution in intertropical areas.IGCP580 “Application of Magnetic Susceptibility on Palaeozoic Sedimentary Rocks

Carbon Isotope Study of Soil Amendment with Maize Fermentation Digestate

Maize digestate was applied to follow its sequestration in arable soil profiles with accent on changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) content and the production of dissolved organic matter (DOM). Two control sites with cultivated Cambisols (rye-grass, kohlrabi) were amended by the addition of digestate from maize silage fermentation. Liquid digestate was applied once in the spring in the quantity of 18 g C/ m2. The process of amendment was checked after 4 and 12 months by the use of natural labelling of the amendment by the difference in the carbon isotope composition of the SOC (C3 vegetation) and applied digestate (C4 maize). The amendment was evaluated from the SOC content, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and their δ13C isotope composition by sampling across the soil profiles (0–90 cm). An increase of the carbon content by the amendment was measurable in the upper soil layers (0–20 cm) only. The deep soil layers are poor in carbon content (less than 0.2% of SOC) but rich in clay micro particles, which efficiently adsorbed incoming DOC with infiltrated precipitation. Change of the δ13C of soil carbon was measurable down to -80 cm.  Applied digestate increased the carbon content of top soil layer only. We did not observe significant migration of C4 amendment from top soil to the deeper soil layers. Digestate addition increased DOC production at both sites for the upper soil layers only. DOC released from the deep soil layers originates from the upper parts of the soil profile and not from the native carbon in the layer

Nontuberculous mycobacteria in the environment of Hranice Abyss, the world’s deepest flooded cave (Hranice karst, Czech Republic)

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are widely distributed in the environment. On one hand, they are opportunistic pathogens for humans and animals, and on the other hand, they are effective in biodegradation of some persistent pollutants. Following the recently recorded large abundance of NTM in extreme geothermal environments, the aim of the study was to ascertain the occurrence of NTM in the extreme environment of the water zone of the Hranice Abyss (HA). The HA mineral water is acidic, with large concentrations of free CO2, and bacterial slimes creating characteristic mucilaginous formations. Both culture and molecular methods were used to compare the mycobacterial diversity across the linked but distinct ecosystems of HA and the adjacent Zbrašov Aragonite Caves (ZAC) with consideration of their pathogenic relevance. Six slowly growing NTM species (M. arupense, M. avium, M. florentinum, M. gordonae, M. intracellulare) and two rapidly growing NTM species (M. mucogenicum, M. sediminis) were identified in the water and in the dry zones at both sites. Proteobacteria were dominant in all the samples from both the HA and the ZAC. The bacterial microbiomes of the HA mineral water and HA slime were similar, but both differed from the microbiome in the ZAC mineral water. Actinobacteria, a phylum containing mycobacteria, was identified in all the samples at low proportional abundance. The majority of the detected NTM species belong among environmental opportunistic pathogens

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Prevalence in Aerosol and Spiders’ Webs in Karst Caves: Low Risk for Speleotherapy

A total of 152 aerosol and spider web samples were collected: 96 spider’s webs in karst areas in 4 European countries (Czech Republic, France, Italy, and Slovakia), specifically from the surface environment (n = 44), photic zones of caves (n = 26), and inside (aphotic zones) of caves (n = 26), 56 Particulate Matter (PM) samples from the Sloupsko-Sosuvsky Cave System (speleotherapy facility; n = 21) and from aerosol collected from the nearby city of Brno (n = 35) in the Czech Republic. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) were isolated from 13 (13.5%) spider’s webs: 5 isolates of saprophytic NTM (Mycobacterium gordonae, M. kumamotonense, M. terrae, and M. terrae complex) and 6 isolates of potentially pathogenic NTM (M. avium ssp. hominissuis, M. fortuitum, M. intracellulare, M. peregrinum and M. triplex). NTM were not isolated from PM collected from cave with the speleotherapy facility although mycobacterial DNA was detected in 8 (14.3%) samples. Temperature (8.2 °C, range 8.0–8.4 °C) and relative humidity (94.7%, range 93.6–96.6%) of air in this cave were relatively constant. The average PM2.5 and PM10 mass concentration was 5.49 µg m−3 and 11.1 µg m−3. Analysed anions (i.e., F−, Cl−, NO2−, SO42−, PO43− and NO3−) originating largely from the burning of wood and coal for residential heating in nearby villages in the surrounding area. The air in the caves with speleotherapy facilities should be monitored with respect to NTM, PM and anions to ensure a safe environment

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Prevalence in Bats’ Guano from Caves and Attics of Buildings Studied by Culture and qPCR Examinations

A total of 281 guano samples were collected from caves (N = 181) in eight European countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia) and attics in the Czech R. (N = 100). The correlation of detection of mycobacteria between Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) microscopy and culture examination and qPCR was strong. ZN microscopy was positive in guano from caves (58.6%) more than double than positivity in guano from attics (21.0%; p M. fortuitum, M.chelonae, and M. mucogenicum) and four complexes (M. avium, M. terrae, M.vaccae, and M.smegmatis). A total of 20 isolates (22.5%) belonged to risk group 1 (environmental saprophytes), 48 isolates (53.9%) belonged to risk group 2 (potential pathogens), and none of the isolates belonged to risk group 3 (obligatory pathogens). When comparing bat guano collected from caves and attics, differences (p p > 0.05; Mann–Whitney test) was found for pH and oxidation-reduction potential parameters

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Prevalence in Bats’ Guano from Caves and Attics of Buildings Studied by Culture and qPCR Examinations

A total of 281 guano samples were collected from caves (N = 181) in eight European countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia) and attics in the Czech R. (N = 100). The correlation of detection of mycobacteria between Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) microscopy and culture examination and qPCR was strong. ZN microscopy was positive in guano from caves (58.6%) more than double than positivity in guano from attics (21.0%; p < 0.01). From 89 mycobacterial isolates (73 isolates from cave guano and 16 isolates from attics’ guano), 68 (76.4%) isolates of 19 sp., ssp. and complex were identified as members of three Groups (M. fortuitum, M.chelonae, and M. mucogenicum) and four complexes (M. avium, M. terrae, M.vaccae, and M.smegmatis). A total of 20 isolates (22.5%) belonged to risk group 1 (environmental saprophytes), 48 isolates (53.9%) belonged to risk group 2 (potential pathogens), and none of the isolates belonged to risk group 3 (obligatory pathogens). When comparing bat guano collected from caves and attics, differences (p < 0.01; Mann–Whitney test) were observed for the electrical conductivity, total carbon, total organic, and total inorganic carbon. No difference (p > 0.05; Mann–Whitney test) was found for pH and oxidation-reduction potential parameters