Thallium and lead variations in a contaminated peatland : a combined isotopic study from a mining/smelting area

Vertical profiles of Tl, Pb and Zn concentrations and Tl and Pb isotopic ratios in a contaminated peatland/fen (Wolbrom, Poland) were studied to address questions regarding (i) potential long-term immobility of Tl in a peat profile, and (ii) a possible link in Tl isotopic signatures between a Tl source and a peat sample. Both prerequisites are required for using peatlands as archives of atmospheric Tl deposition and Tl isotopic ratios as a source proxy. We demonstrate that Tl is an immobile element in peat with a conservative pattern synonymous to that of Pb, and in contrast to Zn. However, the peat Tl record was more affected by geogenic source(s), as inferred from the calculated element enrichments. The finding further implies that Tl was largely absent from the pre-industrial emissions (>~250 years BP). The measured variations in Tl isotopic ratios in respective peat samples suggest a consistency with anthropogenic Tl (ε205Tl between ~ -3 and 4), as well as with background Tl isotopic values in the study area (ε205Tl between ~0 and 1), in line with detected 206Pb/207Pb ratios (1.16–1.19). Therefore, we propose that peatlands can be used for monitoring trends in Tl deposition and that Tl isotopic ratios can serve to distinguish source origin(s). However, given that the studied fen has a particularly complicated geochemistry (attributed to significant environmental changes in its history), it seems that ombrotrophic peatland(s) could be better suited for this type of Tl research

Wire-Guided Endoscopic Snare Retrieval of Proximally Migrated Pancreatic Stents after Endoscopic Papillectomy for Ampullary Adenoma

With the increasing use of pancreatic duct (PD) stents after endoscopic papillectomy (EP), complications such as proximal migration of the stent have become increasingly prevalent. A PD stent that migrates within a nondilated PD may be difficult to remove endoscopically. We performed endoscopic retrieval of proximally migrated PD stents after EP in 5 patients. Endoscopic retrieval was performed immediately after EP in one patient, the next day in 3 patients, and 2 weeks later in one patient. Wire-guided endoscopic retrieval was attempted in 4 patients, and the migrated stents were removed successfully in these 4 patients. No significant procedure-related complications occurred, other than mild pancreatitis in a single patient. In one patient, endoscopic retrieval performed immediately after EP failed when using the conventional method, and the migrated stent was removed using a minisnare without a guidewire the next day; this patient developed severe pancreatitis. Wire-guided endoscopic snare retrieval seems to be a safe and effective method for removing proximally migrated PD stents after EP

Soil sequences atlas. 2

TäistekstThis is the second book in the series of Soil Sequence Atlases. The first volume was published in 2014. Main pedogeographic features are presented in the form of sequences to give a comprehensive picture of soils - their genesis and correlations with the environment in typical landscapes of Central Europe from Estonia furthest north, through Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary to the southernmost Slovenia. Soils of natural landscapes - loess and sand (continental dunes) - are presented, as well as those of plains of various origin, karst lands, low mountains, and anthropically modified soils. Each chapter presents soil profiles supplemented by landscape information and basic analytical data. Then, genetic interpretations of soil properties related to soil forming agents are given as schematic catenas. When one factor changes while the others are more or less stable, the soil sequence can be recognised. Depending on the dominant soil-forming factor affecting repeated soil patterns, different types can be distinguished. Chapters are arranged roughly in accordance with the main soil-forming process in sequences, and referring to the WRB key (peat formation, vertic and gleyic process, podzolisation, humus accumulation, clay illuviation), with one small exception - the Technosols have been placed at the end of book. The main objective of this book is to present the diversity of relations between soil and landscape, climate, hydrology and human relations, and to present interpretations reflecting the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (2015) classification with comments on the choice of qualifiers. Sixteen Reference Soil Groups are featured, and represented by 67 soil profiles. The secondary objective is pedological education. One of the aims of soil science education is to explain to students the relations between landscape and soil cover. The patterns of soil units within landscapes are to some extent predictable. The collected data is intended as a useful educational tool in teaching soil science, supporting understanding of the reasons for the variability of soil cover, and also as a WRB classification guideline. The Atlas was developed as part of the EU Erasmus+ FACES project (Freely Accessible Central European Soil). Marcin Šwitoniak, Przemyslaw Charzynsk

Odpovědnost dopravce v mezinárodní přepravě zboží se zvláštním zaměřením na námořní přepravu

Department of Business LawKatedra obchodního právaPrávnická fakultaFaculty of La

Colluvial soils - their characteristics and spatial delineation at chosen study areas in the Czech republic

Colluvial soils, formed in areas of increased accumulation of soil material, represent an important element in landscape and soil mosaic, whose development is still in progress. Their spatial distribution and profile thickess are considered to be important indicators of processes leading to significant landscape changes. Their importance also consists in very deep humus horizon which makes them a vast storage of organic carbon. Mapping of colluvial soils represents a substantial contribution in the update process of classic soil maps. The aim of the thesis is a complex analysis of the colluvial soil unit in terms of its relation to soil properties, terrain and geological predispositions and relevance in soil mapping. The study results are based mainly on detailed terrain survey, digital terrian model analysis and modern pedometric methods application. The research was proceeded in three study areas with significant pedological and geological differences and various predisposiotion for colluviation intensity and velocity and resulting character of colluvial profiles. Diverse character of the study areas was the main factor of the spatial distribution and properties of the colluvial soils. In Chernozem region, intensive erosion resulted in formation of colluvial soils characterized by thick humus...Koluvizemě, půdy vznikající v oblastech zvýšené akumulace půdního materiálu v důsledku zrychlené půdní eroze, představují důležitý prvek ve stále se vyvíjející krajinné a půdní mozaice. Plošné rozšíření a mocnost koluvizemí je tak možno chápat jako indikátory změn krajiny, jejichž důsledky jsou patrné v široké škále přírodních procesů. Význam koluvizemí spočívá i ve značném množství organického uhlíku, který je v těchto hlubokohumózních půdách uložen. V neposlední řadě je mapování koluvizemí důležitým krokem při aktualizaci stávajících půdních map. Cílem předkládané práce bylo především zachytit půdní typ koluvizem a proces koluviace v jeho komplexitě, tedy ve vztahu k půdním vlastnostem, k terénním a geologickým predispozicím i k významu v půdním mapování. Práce prezentuje výsledky výzkumu založeného na podrobném terénním průzkumu, analýzách digitálního modelu terénu a použití moderních pedometrických metod. Studie probíhala ve třech pedologicky a geologicky odlišných oblastech s různou predispozicí ke koluviaci, její rychlosti a výsledné podobě profilů. Odlišný charakter území se ukázal být zásadním faktrorem při výsledném rozsahu rozšíření i podobě koluvizemě. V černozemní oblasti vedla výrazná eroze k vývoji koluvizemí s hlubokým humózním profilem a relativně značným plošným zastoupením. V...Department of Physical Geography and GeoecologyKatedra fyzické geografie a geoekologieFaculty of SciencePřírodovědecká fakult

FEATURES AND CONDITIONS OF ORIGIN OF COLLUVIAL SOILS IN SELECTED LOCALIDES

Department of Physical Geography and GeoecologyKatedra fyzické geografie a geoekologieFaculty of SciencePřírodovědecká fakult

Colluvial soils - their characteristics and spatial delineation at chosen study areas in the Czech republic

Colluvial soils, formed in areas of increased accumulation of soil material, represent an important element in landscape and soil mosaic, whose development is still in progress. Their spatial distribution and profile thickess are considered to be important indicators of processes leading to significant landscape changes. Their importance also consists in very deep humus horizon which makes them a vast storage of organic carbon. Mapping of colluvial soils represents a substantial contribution in the update process of classic soil maps. The aim of the thesis is a complex analysis of the colluvial soil unit in terms of its relation to soil properties, terrain and geological predispositions and relevance in soil mapping. The study results are based mainly on detailed terrain survey, digital terrian model analysis and modern pedometric methods application. The research was proceeded in three study areas with significant pedological and geological differences and various predisposiotion for colluviation intensity and velocity and resulting character of colluvial profiles. Diverse character of the study areas was the main factor of the spatial distribution and properties of the colluvial soils. In Chernozem region, intensive erosion resulted in formation of colluvial soils characterized by thick humus..

Multiple Adenomatous Duodenal Polyposis

Multiple duodenal polyps are a relatively rare finding, usually co-occurrent with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).We report a patient with multiple duodenal adenomas and a negative examination for FAP: multiple flat polyps were detected endoscopically in a 37-year-old male patient, extending from the apex of the bulb to the end of the descending part of the duodenum. In terms of histology, they were tubular adenomas with moderate dysplasia. Colonoscopy and enteroclysis were normal. Both push and capsule enteroscopy only showed multiple polyps in the area of the descending duodenum. DNA analysis of the APC gene was as follows: DGGE, exon 1–15, deletion at codons 1309 and 1061 by means of PCR for attenuated APC were negative. Afterwards we screened the patient for germline MYH mutations using the denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) in combination with sequencing. No novel pathogenic mutation has been identified. Large polyps were removed by means of endoscopic polypectomy and mucosectomy, while small polyps were removed by means of argon plasma coagulation.We conduct yearly checkups, removing only sporadic polyps. The rare finding of duodenal polyposis not co-occurrent with FAP proves that multiple adenomas in the digestive tube need not necessarily co-occur with FAP

Assessment of Soil Degradation by Erosion Based on Analysis of Soil Properties Using Aerial Hyperspectral Images and Ancillary Data, Czech Republic

The assessment of the soil redistribution and real long-term soil degradation due to erosion on agriculture land is still insufficient in spite of being essential for soil conservation policy. Imaging spectroscopy has been recognized as a suitable tool for soil erosion assessment in recent years. In our study, we bring an approach for assessment of soil degradation by erosion by means of determining soil erosion classes representing soils differently influenced by erosion impact. The adopted methods include extensive field sampling, laboratory analysis, predictive modelling of selected soil surface properties using aerial hyperspectral data and the digital elevation model and fuzzy classification. Different multivariate regression techniques (Partial Least Square, Support Vector Machine, Random forest and Artificial neural network) were applied in the predictive modelling of soil properties. The properties with satisfying performance (R2 > 0.5) were used as input data in erosion classes determination by fuzzy C-means classification method. The study was performed at four study sites about 1 km2 large representing the most extensive soil units of the agricultural land in the Czech Republic (Chernozems and Luvisols on loess and Cambisols and Stagnosols on crystalline rocks). The influence of site-specific conditions on prediction of soil properties and classification of erosion classes was assessed. The prediction accuracy (R2) of the best performing models predicting the soil properties varies in range 0.8–0.91 for soil organic carbon content, 0.21–0.67 for sand content, 0.4–0.92 for silt content, 0.38–0.89 for clay content, 0.73–089 for Feox, 0.59–0.78 for Fed and 0.82 for CaCO3. The performance and suitability of different properties for erosion classes’ classification are highly variable at the study sites. Soil organic carbon was the most frequently used as the erosion classes’ predictor, while the textural classes showed lower applicability. The presented approach was successfully applied in Chernozem and Luvisol loess regions where the erosion classes were assessed with a good overall accuracy (82% and 67%, respectively). The model performance in two Cambisol/Stagnosol regions was rather poor (51%–52%). The results showed that the presented method can be directly and with a good performance applied in pedologically and geologically homogeneous areas. The sites with heterogeneous structure of the soil cover and parent material will require more precise local-fitted models and use of further auxiliary information such as terrain or geological data. The future application of presented approach at a regional scale promises to produce valuable data on actual soil degradation by erosion usable for soil conservation policy purposes