Josef Zeman - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Josef Zeman

Fermentation

Securing new sources of renewable energy and achieving national self-sufficiency in natural gas h... more Securing new sources of renewable energy and achieving national self-sufficiency in natural gas have become increasingly important in recent times. The study described in this paper focuses on three geologically diverse underground gas reservoirs (UGS) that are the natural habitat of methane-producing archaea, as well as other microorganisms with which methanogens have various ecological relationships. The objective of this research was to describe the microbial metabolism of methane in these specific anoxic environments during the year. DNA sequencing analyses revealed the presence of different methanogenic communities and their metabolic potential in all sites studied. Hydrogenotrophic Methanobacterium sp. prevailed in Lobodice UGS, members of the hydrogenotrophic order Methanomicrobiales predominated in Dolní Dunajovice UGS and thermophilic hydrogenotrophic members of the Methanothermobacter sp. were prevalent in Tvrdonice UGS. Gas composition and isotope analyses were performed ...

Acta Montanistica Slovaca, 2006

At the present time, acid mine drainage (AMD) is considered to be one of the worst environmental ... more At the present time, acid mine drainage (AMD) is considered to be one of the worst environmental problems associated with the mining activity. AMD originates as a result of natural oxidation of sulphide minerals, mainly pyrite when exposed to the combined action of water and oxygen and negative affects the whole ecology of aquatic environment. The article presents results of monitoring and trends in the evolution of acid mine drainage quality at the locality of Smolnik from year 1986 till 2005 and the assumed geochemical processes occurring with the generation and evolution of acid mine drainage.

The objective of this study was to investigate the stability of bentonite colloids during the int... more The objective of this study was to investigate the stability of bentonite colloids during the interaction of bentonite with water under different conditions. Classical sedimentation tests are an easy method for studying the colloidal stability. There were studied the effect of bentonite saturation time, the concentration of electrolyte (NaCl) and type of the electrolyte (KCl and MgCl2) on the stability of colloidal particles. It was found that sedimentation of colloidal particles occurs in three phases. The most significant point on the all curves is the beginning of the second phase, which corresponds to the rapidly increasing amount of sedimented particles. For this reason, the effect of different conditions on the stability of particles is the most evident at this point. It is the phase of the intensive sedimentation. Stability of bentonite colloids decreases with increasing concentration of electrolyte and saturation time. Stability of bentonite colloids is also influenced by th...

The main aim of the study was to evaluate a level of contamination by selected elements (zinc, le... more The main aim of the study was to evaluate a level of contamination by selected elements (zinc, lead, copper and arsenic) in soils from the southeastern part of Drahany Upland. In total, it has been collected forty-eight topsoil samples (DV01-DV48) and sixteen surface water samples (W1-W16). The heavy metal concentration has been detected by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) in the topsoil samples and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) in the surface water samples. The heavy metal mobility has been evaluated by the BCR Sequential Extraction Procedure. The Index of Geoaccumulation (I-geo) reported that the study area rang among uncontaminated or moderately contaminated by heavy metals. According to the Coefficient of Industrial Pollution (CIP) the soils are medium contaminated. The BCR method proved that lead and zinc are the most mobile elements under reducible conditions in the natural background soils, otherwise in the soils of excepted contaminated site, heavy metals have be...

The Rozna mine is the last active uranium mine in Europe. When the mine is closed and flooded the... more The Rozna mine is the last active uranium mine in Europe. When the mine is closed and flooded the original groundwater circulation will be restored. The goal of thermometry was to identify the ground water effluent positions at possible preferential drainage areas and to characterize potentially endangered parts of the mining district and its surroundings. Measured values show that the aquifer is strongly non-homogenous. The majority of groundwater inflows to streams were identified in the environment of amphibolite and brittle rocks such as migmatite, orthogneiss and granite and in the vicinity of structural features, particularly Diagonal faults in the direction of 55 to 70.

Applied Clay Science, 2017

Geologické výzkumy na Moravě a ve Slezsku, 2018

Large amounts of mining waters are discharged into waterstreams in the region of Ostrava-Karviná ... more Large amounts of mining waters are discharged into waterstreams in the region of Ostrava-Karviná Mining District. This paper deals with discharged mine water from the Žofie watershaft , which is located in Petrvald basin in Czech part of Upper Silesian coal basin. Mine water may affect surface watercourses, especially their sediments, which may have increased activity of radium 226Ra. The aim of this work was to evaluate geochemical evolution of the Rychvald creek with regard to the mobility of radium 226Ra and estimate the degree of influence. From the results, it is evident that the mine waters significantly affect the composition of Rychvald creek. Increased equivalent dose was measured only up to the wastewater treatment plant, which probably considerably diluted the water, consequently diminishing migration abilities of radium. From the result of physicochemical parameters it is evident that discharged mine water from the Žofie watershaft affects mainly conductivity, due to hig...

Frontiers in Microbiology, 2018

According to the literature, pyrite (FeS 2) oxidation has been previously determined to involve t... more According to the literature, pyrite (FeS 2) oxidation has been previously determined to involve thiosulfate as the first aqueous intermediate sulfur product, which is further oxidized to sulfate. In the present study, pyrite oxidation by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was studied using electrochemical and metabolic approaches in an effort to extend existing knowledge on the oxidation mechanism. Due to the small surface area, the reaction rate of a compact pyrite electrode in the form of polycrystalline pyrite aggregate in A. ferrooxidans suspension was very slow at a spontaneously formed high redox potential. The slow rate made it possible to investigate the oxidation process in detail over a term of 100 days. Using electrochemical parameters from polarization curves and levels of released iron, the number of exchanged electrons per pyrite molecule was estimated. The values close to 14 and 2 electrons were determined for the oxidation with and without bacteria, respectively. These results indicated that sulfate was the dominant first aqueous sulfur species formed in the presence of bacteria and elemental sulfur was predominantly formed without bacteria. The stoichiometric calculations are consistent with high iron-oxidizing activities of bacteria that continually keep the released iron in the ferric form, resulting in a high redox potential. The sulfur entity of pyrite was oxidized to sulfate by Fe 3+ without intermediate thiosulfate under these conditions. Cell attachment on the corroded pyrite electrode surface was documented although pyrite surface corrosion by Fe 3+ was evident without bacterial participation. Attached cells may be important in initiating the oxidation of the pyrite surface to release iron from the mineral. During the active phase of oxidation of a pyrite concentrate sample, the ATP levels in attached and planktonic bacteria were consistent with previously established ATP content of iron-oxidizing cells. No significant upregulation of three essential genes involved in energy metabolism of sulfur compounds was observed in the planktonic cells, which represented the dominant biomass in the pyrite culture. The study demonstrated the formation of sulfate as the first dissolved sulfur species with iron-oxidizing bacteria under high redox potential conditions. Minor aqueous sulfur intermediates may be formed but as a result of side reactions.

Geologické výzkumy na Moravě a ve Slezsku, 2016

Periodic structures can be seen practically everywhere in the world. In order to understand them ... more Periodic structures can be seen practically everywhere in the world. In order to understand them deeply it is crucial to find a model, which can describe these structures to show their genesis and to predict their behavior while changing various input parameters. This paper deals with the experimental study on Liesegang ring formation made of copper chromate ions with copper sulphate used as an outer electrolyte and potassium chromate as an inner electrolyte. An aqueous solution of sodium silicate has been used as gel medium. The experiments were carried out in beakers as testing samples to find suitable sample weights of electrolyte compounds, then glass columns were used. The reaction process was periodically measured and photographed. Few few hours aft er start of the experiment, the first ring of precipitated copper chromate appeared. In the end, when all ions were consumed, the column was cut through, and the ion concentration was estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometr...

Geologické výzkumy na Moravě a ve Slezsku, 2013

Bentonite is a clayey rock, which is planed to be used as an engineer barrier at building a deep ... more Bentonite is a clayey rock, which is planed to be used as an engineer barrier at building a deep storage of nuclear waste. The bentonite sample from the deposit Rokle and two reacting media, both natural and synthetical waters, were used for the experimental study of the mineral stability in aqueous environment at temperature of 95 °C. From experimental data, changes of chemical composition of the system were quantified. Based on the program Geochemist´s Workbench®, the model of bentonite-water interaction was derived. Major changes in the composition of water takes place during the fi rst three months and the composition of water has very little effect on stability and properties of bentonite.

Syenites from the Jihlava pluton contain a broad spectrum of ferromagnesian minerals. Clinopyroxe... more Syenites from the Jihlava pluton contain a broad spectrum of ferromagnesian minerals. Clinopyroxene (Cpx), Orthopyroxene (Opx), Biotite (Bt) Cummingtonite (Cum) and Actinolite (Act). Clino-and orthopyroxenes exhibit structures eg. zoning, admixtures typical for magmatic phases. Cummigtonite is partly product of hypersthene hydration, whereas actinolite originated on the expense of augite. Biotite grows at the contact between hypersthene and K-feldspar via reaction 3 Opx + Kfs = Bt + 3 Qtz. Because of hypersthene contains common admixtures of Cpx and K-feldspar contains myrmekites of andesine composition, therefore small amount of actinolitic hornblende originated during this reaction in addition. Much larger amount of actinolite, together with plagioclase was produced during the reaction between augite and K-feldspar-apart from prevailing biotite and quartz. Observed reactions indicate that the magma was dry and intrudes probably in the lower crust conditions, and was partly hydrated and reequilibrated during subsequent rapid exhumation.

Banded structures are common in geological objects such as minerals and rocks. This paper is focu... more Banded structures are common in geological objects such as minerals and rocks. This paper is focused on a study of inner dynamics of the systems in which these structures can occur. There was performed an experiment to simulate banded structure formed in gel matrix. Mechanisms of regular pattern formation are discussed. The results of the experiment support the concept of selforganisation at formation of banded patterns. Any periodic changes in exterior are not necessary; this kind of pattern is formed by a reactiondiffusion process with feedback in nonlinear mechanism. Aim of this study was to improve method for recognition of nonlinear dynamics in natural geological objects and to bring laboratory experiments closer to real processes.

Geologické výzkumy na Moravě a ve Slezsku, 2014

Urinary stones are generally products of pathological crystallization in the urinary tract. Their... more Urinary stones are generally products of pathological crystallization in the urinary tract. Their formation is influenced by many factors, such as genetic predisposition, age, stress, working environment or climate. They consist mainly of calcium oxalates and calcium phosphates. Formation of urinal stones was studied experimentally in laboratory. Solutions supersaturated with respect to the calcium oxalates and calcium phosphates were prepared by mixing stock solutions containing appropriate components (calcium, phosphate and oxalate ions). To simulate the conditions of urinary stones formation in real human urine the pH value of the solutions was adjusted with HCl and NaOH in the rage of 4.0 to 8.5 (pH range of normal human urine). After precipitation of solids, the solutions were sampled and analysed. Thermodynamic models were created to predict the theoretical conditions of urinary calculi formation. The results indicate that pH of solutions directly affects the aqueous speciatio...

WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH, 2006

Instruments for distributed fiber-optic measurement of temperature are now available with tempera... more Instruments for distributed fiber-optic measurement of temperature are now available with temperature resolution of 0.01°C and spatial resolution of 1 m with temporal resolution of fractions of a minute along standard fiber-optic cables used for communication with lengths of up to 30,000 m. We discuss the spectrum of fiber-optic tools that may be employed to make these measurements, illuminating the potential and limitations of these methods in hydrologic science. There are trade-offs between precision in temperature, temporal resolution, and spatial resolution, following the square root of the number of measurements made; thus brief, short measurements are less precise than measurements taken over longer spans in time and space. Five illustrative applications demonstrate configurations where the distributed temperature sensing (DTS) approach could be used: (1) lake bottom temperatures using existing communication cables, (2) temperature profile with depth in a 1400 m deep decommissioned mine shaft, (3) air-snow interface temperature profile above a snow-covered glacier, (4) air-water interfacial temperature in a lake, and (5) temperature distribution along a first-order stream. In examples 3 and 4 it is shown that by winding the fiber around a cylinder, vertical spatial resolution of millimeters can be achieved. These tools may be of exceptional utility in observing a broad range of hydrologic processes, including evaporation, infiltration, limnology, and the local and overall energy budget spanning scales from 0.003 to 30,000 m. This range of scales corresponds well with many of the areas of greatest opportunity for discovery in hydrologic science.

Mine Water and the …

Utilization of Olsi-Dranonin uranium deposit after mine closure Nada Rapantovaa), Arnost Grmela a... more Utilization of Olsi-Dranonin uranium deposit after mine closure Nada Rapantovaa), Arnost Grmela a), Bedrich Michalekb), Antonin Hajekb), Pavol Zabojnikb), Josef Zemanc) ... West Moravia Rožná, Olší-Drahonín, Zálesí-Javorník, Chotěboř, Slavkovice-Petrovice, Radvance ...

Geologica Carpathica, 2010

Modern fluvial sediment provenance and pollutant tracing: a case study from the Dřevnice River Ba... more Modern fluvial sediment provenance and pollutant tracing: a case study from the Dřevnice River Basin (eastern Moravia, Czech Republic)Modern fluvial deposits of a small fluvial system were studied in the area of eastern Moravia (Czech Republic) with the aim of determining the provenance of the deposits and weathering processes. Identification of the source rocks and their alongstream variations were used for the evaluation of the natural or anthropogenic source of the heavy metals. Paleogene flysch sandstones, flysch mudstones and Quaternary loesses represent source rocks and reflect both the role of recycling and local sources. Provenance from sandstones dominate upstream whereas mudstones represent dominant source rock in the downstream part of the fluvial system. The contents of Pb and Zn are highly enhanced when compared with the natural background in the entire study area. Their anthropogenic source is connected with the rubber/shoe manufacturing industry and traffic. The conte...

Bulletin of …, 2003

Abstract. The mobility of heavy metals in sediments and soils depends strongly on physical proper... more Abstract. The mobility of heavy metals in sediments and soils depends strongly on physical properties and chemical and mineralogical composition of such environments. Five types of samples with different amounts of carbonates, organic matter, chemical composition and various grain ...

Czech Polar Reports, 2012

The study of Antarctic ecosystem provides a valuable insight into the nature development on the E... more The study of Antarctic ecosystem provides a valuable insight into the nature development on the Earth. Biocenosis formation and colonization of land by organisms are noticeable especially in newly-deglaciated areas. In this research, soil profile development in the coastal zone of James Ross Island was investigated. The main objective was the characterisation of soil horizons. The contents of As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Se and Zn were measured using ICP-MS technique. Soil parameters like organic carbon content, pH and content ofsub-63 μm fraction were also determined. Based on the results obtained, the mineral-depleted and mineral‑enriched layers in the soil profile were distinguished. With increasing depth, the shallow soil profile consisted mainly of weathered regolith. Apparently, the basic processes which are prerequisite for the development of soil ecosystem in the studied area were confirmed.

Proceedings of the …, 2010

This Conference Proceeding is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UMass Amher... more This Conference Proceeding is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Proceedings of the Annual International Conference on Soils, Sediments, Water and Energy by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@ ...