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

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 2573
Author(s):  
Dana Hubelova ◽  
Vit Ulmann ◽  
Pavel Mikuska ◽  
Roman Licbinsky ◽  
Lukas Alexa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Spider Web ◽  
Safe Environment ◽  
Cave System ◽  
Residential Heating ◽  
Pm2.5 And Pm10 ◽  
Pm10 Mass ◽  
Nearby City

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.

scholarly journals Air Pollution Sources’ Contribution to PM2.5 Concentration in the Northeastern Part of the Czech Republic

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radim Seibert ◽  
Irina Nikolova ◽  
Vladimíra Volná ◽  
Blanka Krejčí ◽  
Daniel Hladký
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Matrix Factorization ◽  
Pollution Sources ◽  
Pollution Transport ◽  
Positive Matrix ◽  
Heavy Industry ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Residential Heating ◽  
Pm2.5 Concentration

This article focuses on the source apportionment of air pollution in a specific northeastern part of the Czech Republic. The research area, located around the city of Třinec, is significantly affected by a complex spectrum of air pollution sources, including local residential heating (coal and wood burning), heavy industry (mainly iron and steel production), road traffic, and regional and long-range air pollution transport from the nearby cities, Poland, and other countries. The main pollution sources contributing to the total concentration of fine suspended particles (PM2.5) were evaluated on the basis of the measurements at three sites and on subsequent positive matrix factorization modeling. The six major air pollution factors were identified, and their relative and absolute contributions were quantified. The result of the study is that the most important current task of air protection is to reduce the residential emissions from solid fuels, which are responsible for approximately 50–60% of PM2.5 concentration, followed by the regional primary and secondary aerosol sources (up to 40% of the total PM2.5 aerosol mass). Lower contributions have been identified in the case of resuspended mineral and biogenic particles (15–20%), long-range (trans-European) air pollution transport (up to 10%), and heavy industry (up to 10% in the most affected location). A detailed discussion has been provided considering specific regional EC (elemental carbon)–OC (organic carbon) relations in the region with traditional coal-burning for household heating which complicate the interpretation of the PMF (Positive Matrix Factorization) results, especially due to the interference between the traffic, residential heating, and biogenic aerosol factors.

scholarly journals SAMIRA-SAtellite Based Monitoring Initiative for Regional Air Quality

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2219
Author(s):  
Kerstin Stebel ◽  
Iwona S. Stachlewska ◽  
Anca Nemuc ◽  
Jan Horálek ◽  
Philipp Schneider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Satellite Data ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Urban Background ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Regional Air Quality ◽  
Pm2.5 And Pm10

The satellite based monitoring initiative for regional air quality (SAMIRA) initiative was set up to demonstrate the exploitation of existing satellite data for monitoring regional and urban scale air quality. The project was carried out between May 2016 and December 2019 and focused on aerosol optical depth (AOD), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). SAMIRA was built around several research tasks: 1. The spinning enhanced visible and infrared imager (SEVIRI) AOD optimal estimation algorithm was improved and geographically extended from Poland to Romania, the Czech Republic and Southern Norway. A near real-time retrieval was implemented and is currently operational. Correlation coefficients of 0.61 and 0.62 were found between SEVIRI AOD and ground-based sun-photometer for Romania and Poland, respectively. 2. A retrieval for ground-level concentrations of PM2.5 was implemented using the SEVIRI AOD in combination with WRF-Chem output. For representative sites a correlation of 0.56 and 0.49 between satellite-based PM2.5 and in situ PM2.5 was found for Poland and the Czech Republic, respectively. 3. An operational algorithm for data fusion was extended to make use of various satellite-based air quality products (NO2, SO2, AOD, PM2.5 and PM10). For the Czech Republic inclusion of satellite data improved mapping of NO2 in rural areas and on an annual basis in urban background areas. It slightly improved mapping of rural and urban background SO2. The use of satellites based AOD or PM2.5 improved mapping results for PM2.5 and PM10. 4. A geostatistical downscaling algorithm for satellite-based air quality products was developed to bridge the gap towards urban-scale applications. Initial testing using synthetic data was followed by applying the algorithm to OMI NO2 data with a direct comparison against high-resolution TROPOMI NO2 as a reference, thus allowing for a quantitative assessment of the algorithm performance and demonstrating significant accuracy improvements after downscaling. We can conclude that SAMIRA demonstrated the added value of using satellite data for regional- and urban-scale air quality monitoring.

scholarly journals Benzo[a]pyrene in the Ambient Air in the Czech Republic: Emission Sources, Current and Long-Term Monitoring Analysis and Human Exposure

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 955
Author(s):  
Markéta Schreiberová ◽  
Leona Vlasáková ◽  
Ondřej Vlček ◽  
Jana Šmejdířová ◽  
Jan Horálek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Local Heating ◽  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Kendall Test ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Average Concentration ◽  
Annual Average ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Residential Heating ◽  
Annual Average Concentration

This paper provides a detailed, thorough analysis of air pollution by benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in the Czech Republic. The Czech residential sector is responsible for more than 98.8% of BaP, based on the national emission inventory. According to the data from 48 sites of the National Air Quality Monitoring Network, the range of annual average concentration of BaP ranges from 0.4 ng·m−3 at a rural regional station to 7.7 ng·m−3 at an industrial station. Additionally, short-term campaign measurements in small settlements have recorded high values of daily benzo[a]pyrene concentrations (0.1–13.6 ng·m−3) in winter months linked to local heating of household heating. The transboundary contribution to the annual average concentrations of BaP was estimated by the CAMx model to range from 46% to 70% over most of the country. However, the contribution of Czech sources can exceed 80% in residential heating hot spots. It is likely that the transboundary contribution to BaP concentrations was overestimated by a factor of 1.5 due to limitations of the modeling approach used. During the period of 2012–2018, 35–58% of the urban population in the Czech Republic were exposed to BaP concentrations above target. A significant decreasing trend, estimated by the Mann-Kendall test, was found for annual and winter BaP concentrations between 2008 and 2018.

scholarly journals Utilisation of Decision Tables for Proposal of Transfer Node Conception

1970 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 425-431
Author(s):  
Martin Jacura ◽  
Lukáš Týfa
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Systems Analysis ◽  
General Idea ◽  
Traffic Intensity ◽  
Optimal Arrangement ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Specific Data ◽  
Safe Environment ◽  
Mass Public ◽  
Decision Tables

The key issue in improving the appeal of public mass transport is the optimal arrangement of transfer nodes. The objective is to propose a comfortable, simple and safe environment for both passengers and operators, and a solution which is economical to construct and operate. Although each transfer node is unique and specific, it is beneficial to have a general idea on the layout of a project to construct or reconstruct such a transfer node. This project should, in particular, stem from the traffic intensity of single transport modes, the volume of single transfer links, and the nature and significance of traffic routes. This article presents the methodology for determining the appropriate disposition of mass public transport nodes using modified decision tables (one of the tools of systems analysis) with specific data particularly applicable in the Czech Republic.

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

1998 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koupilova ◽  
Vagero ◽  
Leon ◽  
Pikhart ◽  
Prikazsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Preterm Delivery ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Social Variation ◽  
Size At Birth

On Geropsychology in the Czech Republic

GeroPsych ◽  
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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