Full-time study

4 years

doc. Mgr. Michaela Vašinová Galiová, Ph.D.

Chairman :
doc. Mgr. Michaela Vašinová Galiová, Ph.D.
Vice-chairman :
doc. MVDr. Helena Zlámalová Gargošová, Ph.D.
Councillor internal :
doc. Ing. Tomáš Opravil, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Jozef Krajčovič, Ph.D.
doc. Mgr. Renata Komendová, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Tomáš Svěrák, CSc.
Councillor external :
doc. Ing. Pavel Krystyník, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Pavel Janoš, CSc.
doc. Ing. Petr Dolejš, CSc.
prof. Ing. Miloslav Drtil, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Igor Bodík, Ph.D.
doc. RNDr. Václav Slovák, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Branislav Vrana, PhD.
prof. Ing. Jaromíra Chýlková, CSc.

1. Assessment of the impact of microplastics on the soil ecosystem through selected ecotoxicity tests

   Classic microplastics are considered to be one of the most significant environmental pollutants of recent times. However, the question of the environmental safety of biodegradable plastics has not yet been clearly answered. In the thesis, a literature search on the subject of plastics will be processed, with a focus on biodegradable plastics and their influence on individual components of the environment, with an emphasis on the soil ecosystem. The practical part will focus on the use of tests from the field of soil ecotoxicology for the purpose of evaluating the impact of biodegradable plastics on representatives of the soil ecosystem. For the most objective prediction of effects, tests will be used at the organismal and sub-organismal level.

   Tutor: Zlámalová Gargošová Helena, doc. MVDr., Ph.D.

2. Atomic spectrometry - the use of new approaches in environmental analysis

   The dissertation will be focused on the analysis of hazardous inorganic pollutants in environmental matrices using atomic absorption spectrometry. The research will be focused mainly on the development of methods of simultaneous analysis using the HR-CS-AAS instrument with a continuous radiation source and a high-resolution monochromator. The technique of direct analysis of solid samples will also be studied, ensuring high sensitivity, minimal contamination of the sample with use in the analysis of soil samples, sediments, road dust and biological matrices.

   Tutor: Vašinová Galiová Michaela, doc. Mgr., Ph.D.

3. Determination of the oxidative potential of emitted particles

   Air pollution is currently one of the priority problems in environmental protection. One of the most serious pollutants are solid particles that are emitted into the air mainly by anthropogenic activities (industry, transport). These particles are one of the possible mechanisms causing oxidative stress, which is caused by an imbalance between the production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species or free radicals in cells and tissues and the ability of the biological system to detoxify these reactive products. One way of expressing the toxicity of solid particles is to determine the oxidation potential. The aim of the work will therefore be to evaluate the oxidation potential of emitted solid particles using acelular tests, on the basis of which it will be possible to evaluate the effect of these particles on human health, incl. proposal for measures to reduce health risks.

   Tutor: Adamec Vladimír, prof. Ing., CSc.

4. Management of cooling water quality in large technological units and their ecotoxicological assessment

   The cooling towers of power and heating plants are enlivened by microbial biofilms, filamentous algae, legionella, or invasive molluscs, and this enlivenment reduces cooling efficiency, presents technological complications, or poses safety, technological life-cycle, and health risks. The management of biological recovery of cooling water is one of the important management activities of large process plants and is considered from an operational and economic point of view as well as from an ecological and ecotoxicological point of view, as these are mostly open systems where cooling water flows into natural water bodies such as rivers and dams. The aim of this work will be: 1) To elaborate a review of the current problems of biological recovery of cooling water of large technology type power plants. 2) To provide an overview of the methods, preparations and technological procedures that are used for cooling water quality management at home and abroad. 3) To provide an overview of the monitoring methods and analytical procedures needed to make decisions on the use of different methods, both prior to use and for proving effect, including the choice of ecotoxicological, hydrochemical, microbiological and hydrobiological detection systems. 4) Design a system of ecotoxicological, or complementary microbiological, hydrochemical and hydrobiological monitoring to monitor the effect of the treatment method on the problem at hand and the occurrence of ecotoxicological risks. 5) The dominant objective of the work will be to set up a system of evaluation and interpretation of water quality data so that it is possible to recommend, on the basis of current scientific knowledge, both the manner and methods of ecotoxicologically friendly water treatment and the procedure of continuous evaluation and precise interpretation of the ecotoxicological context in order to prevent the negative impact of cooling water on the aquatic ecosystem of the receiving recipient.

   Tutor: Opatřilová Radka, doc. PharmDr. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Risk assessment of selected nanomaterials in the their phases of the life cycle

   Nanomaterials are currently widely used materials in almost all technical fields. They are used as additives in building materials, protective layers, as part of textiles, cleaning equipment, etc. Their potential risks are monitored mainly in the development phase. During their life cycle (LCA), however, they are released, which can have a negative effect not only on human health, but also on the environment. From this point of view, it appears to be a very important monitoring and prediction of risks during their entire LCA. As part of the solution, knowledge about the potentially undesirable effects of these materials will be evaluated, especially from the point of view of health risks, and a unified approach to the assessment of the risks of products containing nanomaterials will be proposed, incl. proposal to mitigate or risks.

   Tutor: Adamec Vladimír, prof. Ing., CSc.

6. Study of the distribution and influence of drug residues in the soil ecosystem

   The topic of the dissertation will be focused on the study of the distribution of drugs in the soil ecosystem and their influence on this ecosystem. Experiments will primarily take place in a laboratory environment with a prepared mixture of selected pharmaceuticals. The influence of the environment on the concentration and distribution of drug residues in soil, plants and earthworms will be monitored. What variables will stand out: soil composition, type of cultivated plants, use of fertilizer or biochar, alternation of dry season and irrigation, possibly others. Liquid chromatography with mass detection (LC/MS/MS) will be used for analysis. As part of the ecotoxicological study, the effect of pharmaceuticals on the life manifestations of representatives of edafon (earthworms) in contaminated soil and the effect of drugs on the growth of cultivated plants will be monitored.

   Tutor: Zlámalová Gargošová Helena, doc. MVDr., Ph.D.