Evaluation of biodegradability of plastics bags in composting conditions

Abstract Biodegradation of plastics bags advertised as 100%-degradable or certified as compostable was tested in composting conditions. Samples were placed into frames and inserted into one clamp within the compost pile to investigate the biodegradation. The plastics bags were obtained from chain stores in the Czech Republic and Poland. The shopping bags were made of HDPE with the TDPA additive (sample 2), PP with an addition of pro-oxidants (d2w) (samples 1, 3) and materials certified as compostable (starch, polycaprolactone) (samples 4, 5, 6, 7). Control sample (cellulose filtering paper, sample 8) was to check the potential of biological decomposition in the tested environment. At the end of the 12-week experimental period it was found that the polyethylene samples with the additive (samples 1, 2, 3) had not been decomposed, their colour had not changed and that no degradation neither physical changes had occurred (did not biodegrade). Samples certified as compostable (samples 4, 5, 6, 7) were decomposed. The results at the municipal compost facility demonstrate that the compostable plastics biodegrade and polyethylene samples with the additive did not biodegrade in compost.

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Repeated research of biodegradability of plastics materials in real composting conditions

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis ◽

10.11118/actaun201361061557 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 61 (6) ◽

pp. 1557-1564

Author(s):

Dana Adamcová ◽

Magdalena Vaverková ◽

František Toman

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Control Sample ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Paper Sample ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Chain Stores ◽

Municipal Compost ◽

Biological Decomposition ◽

Physical Changes ◽

Compost Facility

The aim of this paper was to verify information obtained by repeated research provide in 2011 and 2012 in real composting conditions and check information about biodegradability of plastics bags in real composting conditions. In both cases samples were placed into frames and inserted into one clamp within the compost pile to investigate the biodegradation. The plastics bags were obtained from chain stores in the Czech Republic and Poland. The shopping bags were made of HDPE with the TDPA additive (sample 2), PP with an addition of pro-oxidants (d2w) (sample 1, 3) and materials certified as compostable (starch, polycaprolactone) (sample 4, 5, 6, 7). Control sample (cellulose filtering paper, sample 8) was to check the potential of biological decomposition in the tested environment. At the end of the 15-week experimental period it was found that the polyethylene samples with the additive (sample 1, 2, 3) had not been decomposed, their colour had not changed and that no degradation neither physical changes had occurred (did not biodegrade). Samples certified as compostable (sample 4, 5, 6, 7) were decomposed. The results at the municipal compost facility demonstrate that the compostable plastics biodegrade and polyethylene samples with the additive did not biodegrade in compost.

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Expression of resistance to Ramularia leaf spot in winter barley cultivars grown in conditions of the Czech Republic

Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding ◽

10.17221/34/2010-cjgpb ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 47 (No. 1) ◽

pp. 37-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

P. Mařík ◽

Z. Šnejdar ◽

P. Matušinsky

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

High Resistance ◽

Leaf Spot ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Winter Barley ◽

Leaf Spot Disease ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Breeding Lines ◽

Barley Cultivars ◽

Ramularia Leaf Spot

The fungus Ramularia collo-cygni is increasingly important as the causal agent of Ramularia leaf spot (RLS), a novel leaf spot disease of barley. The work aimed to identify gene resources suitable for developing new breeding lines of winter barley with improved resistance. During the first experimental period (2001–2005), RLS incidence was monitored in 711 cultivars and advanced breeding lines. Differences were detected in the intensity of symptomatic expression, but no material showed high resistance. During the second experimental period (2006–2009), response to natural RLS infection was evaluated in 19 winter barley cultivars (12 six-row and 7 two-row) registered in the Czech Republic. Highest susceptibility was detected in 6-row cvs. Luran, Laverda and Wendy while cvs Breunskylie (2-row), Merlot and Highlight (both 6-row) showed relatively lower disease incidence. High resistance was not detected. On average, 2-row cultivars showed lower intensity than 6-row cultivars and significant variation was observed among years.

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A comparison of ground beetle assemblages (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in conventionally and ecologically managed alfalfa fields

Journal of Entomological and Acarological Research ◽

10.4081/jear.2014.3791 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 102 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

P. Kolařík ◽

J. Rotrekl ◽

M. Barták ◽

A. Krupauerová ◽

J. Frydrych

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Ground Beetle ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Ground Beetles ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Alfalfa Field ◽

Beetle Assemblages ◽

Emergence Traps ◽

South Moravia

From 2007-2011, the occurrence of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) was studied using emergence traps in two differently managed alfalfa fields in the Czech Republic - a conventional and an ecological production system. In total, 784 specimens of ground beetles representing 58 species were trapped in these two alfalfa fields in South Moravia. A slightly higher number of specimens were trapped in the conventionally managed than in the ecological alfalfa stand (404 vs 380, respectively). In the conventionally managed alfalfa stand, the number of species was also higher than in the ecological stand (45 vs 40, respectively). With the exception of 2007 and 2009, Simpson’s indices of diversity were higher in the conventional stand than in the ecological in all study years. Shannon’s index was higher in the conventional alfalfa field in 2008, 2009, and 2011. Regarding distribution, species classified into group E (i.e., those without special demands on the type and quality of their habitat) dominated in both types of management throughout the experimental period. The incidence of species classified into group R (i.e., those with narrow ecological amplitude) was very low; i.e., only four species. These ground beetle species are included in the Red List of Threatened Species of the Czech Republic, and all of them (i.e. Acupalpus suturalis, Calosoma auropunctatum, Cicindela germanica and Ophonus cribricollis) are listed as vulnerable.

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Appendix 1. Case Study: Methanol Mass Poisoning Outbreak in the Czech Republic: Diagnosis, Treatment and Outcome

Chemical Health Threats - Issues in Toxicology ◽

10.1039/9781782623687-00263 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 263-270

Author(s):

Sergej Zacharov ◽

Daniela Pelclova

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

The Czech Republic

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Social variation in size at birth and preterm delivery in the Czech Republic and Sweden, 1989-91

Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology ◽

10.1046/j.1365-3016.1998.00075.x ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 7-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Koupilova ◽

Vagero ◽

Leon ◽

Pikhart ◽

Prikazsky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Preterm Delivery ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Social Variation ◽

Size At Birth

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On Geropsychology in the Czech Republic

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000066 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 161-166

Author(s):

Hana Stepankova ◽

Eva Jarolimova ◽

Eva Dragomirecka ◽

Irena Sobotkova ◽

Lenka Sulova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Clinical Practice ◽

Old Age ◽

Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Rehabilitation Research

This work provides an overview of psychology of aging and old age in the Czech Republic. Historical roots as well as recent activities are listed including clinical practice, cognitive rehabilitation, research, and the teaching of geropsychology.

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