Environmental pollution by potentially toxic element (PTE) and the associated health risks in humans are increasingly becoming a global challenge. The current study is an in-depth assessment of PTEs including the often studied lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As) and the less-studied titanium (Ti), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), zirconium (Zr), barium (Ba) and thorium (Th) in highly polluted floodplain topsoil samples from the Litavka River, Czech Republic. Soil chemical properties including carbon (Cox) and reaction (pH_H2O) together with iron (Fe) were assessed in the same soils. A portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (p-XRFS) (Delta Premium) was used to measure the PTEs and Fe contents of the soils. Soil organic carbon and reaction pH were determined following routine laboratory procedures. The concentration level of each PTE was compared against world average and crustal values, with the majority of elements exceeding the aforementioned geochemical background levels. Distributions of the PTEs were mapped. Two pollution assessment indices including enrichment factor (EF) and pollution index (PI) levels were calculated and their means for Zn (43.36, 55.54), As (33.23, 43.59) and Pb (81.08, 103.21) show that these elements were enriched. Zn, As and Pb accounted for the high pollution load index (PLI) levels observed in the study. The EF and PI distribution maps corresponded with the concentration distribution maps for each PTE. On health risk assessment, hazard quotients (HQ) in different human groups varied. Children had the highest HQs for all PTEs than adults (women and men). PTEs with high HQ levels in distinct human groups were As, Zr and Pb. Zirconium is a less likely element to pose a health risk in humans. Nonetheless, it should be kept in check despite its low pollution occurrence.

• Klíčová slova
• Health-risk assessment, Litavka River, Potentially toxic elements, Riverine soils, Secondary pollution,
• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hodnocení rizik metody   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * analýza   toxicita   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• těžké kovy * analýza   toxicita   MeSH
• uhlík MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující půdu * MeSH
• půda MeSH
• těžké kovy * MeSH
• uhlík MeSH

We show how concentrations of water solutes in the Vltava River (Czech Republic) and their riverine outputs from the catchment were modified by socio-economic changes, land use, and hydrology between 1960 and 2015. In the early 1960s, HCO3 and Ca were the dominant ions. During 1960-1989 (a period of planned economy with an over-use of synthetic fertilizers, excessive draining of agricultural land and little environmental protection), the riverine concentrations of strong acid anions (SAAs: SO4, NO3, and Cl) increased 2-4-fold and their leaching was accompanied for by a 1.4-1.8-fold increase in concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, and Na. SAAs mostly originated from diffuse agricultural sources (synthetic fertilizers and mineralization of organic matter in freshly drained and deeply tilled agricultural land) and their annual average concentrations (as well as those of Ca, Mg, and K) were positively correlated with discharge. During 1990-2015 (a period of a re-established market economy, reduced fertilization, ceased drainage, partial conversion of arable land to pastures, and increasing environmental protection), concentrations of SO4 and NO3 significantly decreased due to reduced agricultural production and atmospheric pollution, and their positive correlations with discharge disappeared. In contrast, Na and Cl concentrations increased due to more intensive road de-icing, and their concentrations became negatively correlated with discharge. Trends in phosphorus concentrations reflected changes in its input by both diffuse (fertilizers) and point (wastewater) sources and were discharge independent.

• Klíčová slova
• Hydrology, Ions, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Water pollution,
• MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu analýza   MeSH
• dusík analýza   MeSH
• fosfor analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí * MeSH
• průmyslová hnojiva MeSH
• řeky chemie   MeSH
• socioekonomické faktory MeSH
• zemědělství MeSH
• znečištění životního prostředí MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu MeSH
• dusík MeSH
• fosfor MeSH
• průmyslová hnojiva MeSH

River systems are a key environmental recipient of macroplastic pollution. Understanding the sources of macroplastic to rivers and the mechanisms controlling fate and transport is essential to identify and tailor measures that can effectively reduce global plastic pollution. Several guidelines exist for monitoring macroplastic in rivers; yet, no single method has emerged representing the standard approach. This reflects the substantial variability in river systems globally and the need to adapt methods to the local environmental context and monitoring goals. Here we present a critical review of methods used to measure macroplastic flows in rivers, with a specific focus on opportunities for methods testing, harmonisation, and quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC). Several studies have already revealed important findings; however, there is significant disparity in the reporting of methodologies and data. There is a need to converge methods, and their adaptations, towards greater comparability. This can be achieved through: i) methods testing to better understand what each method effectively measures and how it can be applied in different contexts; ii) incorporating QA/QC procedures during sampling and analysis; and iii) reporting methodological details and data in a more harmonised way to facilitate comparability and the utilisation of data by several end users, including policy makers. Setting this as a priority now will facilitate the collection of rigorous and comparable monitoring data to help frame solutions to limit plastic pollution, including the forthcoming global treaty on plastic pollution.

• Klíčová slova
• Harmonisation, Litter, Monitoring, Plastic, River,
• MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí * metody   MeSH
• plastické hmoty * MeSH
• řeky MeSH
• řízení kvality MeSH
• znečištění životního prostředí analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• plastické hmoty * MeSH

The riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) flux is of similar magnitude to the terrestrial sink for atmospheric CO2, but the factors controlling it remain poorly determined and are largely absent from Earth system models (ESMs). Here, we show, for a range of European headwater catchments, that electrolyte solubility theory explains how declining precipitation ionic strength (IS) has increased the dissolution of thermally moderated pools of soluble soil organic matter (OM), while hydrological conditions govern the proportion of this OM entering the aquatic system. Solubility will continue to rise exponentially with declining IS until pollutant ion deposition fully flattens out under clean air policies. Future DOC export will increasingly depend on rates of warming and any directional changes to the intensity and seasonality of precipitation and marine ion deposition. Our findings provide a firm foundation for incorporating the processes dominating change in this component of the global carbon cycle in ESMs.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Wide distribution of chlorinated paraffins in the environment has already been demonstrated in several studies; however, information about their levels in the Central Europe is still very limited. First study focused on the SCCP contamination of the Czech aquatic environment have been performed recently, and its results motivated the authors to analyze sediments from a wide set of the Czech rivers in order to obtain more detailed information. Thirty-six sediment samples from eleven rivers and five drainage vents neighboring the chemical factories were analyzed; special attention was paid to the industrial areas. For the first time in the Czech Republic, medium-chain in addition to short-chain chlorinated paraffins were analyzed using GC-ECNI-MS. Chlorinated paraffins were detected in sediment samples on the concentration levels up to 347 ngg(-1) for short-chain chlorinated paraffins, and 5575 ngg(-1) for medium-chain chlorinated paraffins. Average chlorination degree of SCCPs was 65%.

• MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu analýza   MeSH
• chlorované uhlovodíky analýza   MeSH
• geologické sedimenty chemie   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí přístrojové vybavení   metody   MeSH
• parafín analýza   MeSH
• plynová chromatografie s hmotnostně spektrometrickou detekcí MeSH
• řeky MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu MeSH
• chlorované uhlovodíky MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí MeSH
• parafín MeSH

Glaciers are melting rapidly. The concurrent export of microbial assemblages alongside glacial meltwater is expected to impact the ecology of adjoining ecosystems. Currently, the source of exported assemblages is poorly understood, yet this information may be critical for understanding how current and future glacial melt seasons may influence downstream environments. We report on the connectivity and temporal variability of microbiota sampled from supraglacial, subglacial and periglacial habitats and water bodies within a glacial catchment. Sampled assemblages showed evidence of being biologically connected through hydrological flowpaths, leading to a meltwater system that accumulates prokaryotic biota as it travels downstream. Temporal changes in the connected assemblages were similarly observed. Snow assemblages changed markedly throughout the sample period, likely reflecting changes in the surrounding environment. Changes in supraglacial meltwater assemblages reflected the transition of the glacial surface from snow-covered to bare-ice. Marked snowmelt across the surrounding periglacial environment resulted in the flushing of soil assemblages into the riverine system. In contrast, surface ice within the ablation zone and subglacial meltwaters remained relatively stable throughout the sample period. Our results are indicative that changes in snow and ice melt across glacial environments will influence the abundance and diversity of microbial assemblages transported downstream.

• MeSH
• globální oteplování MeSH
• hydrologie MeSH
• ledový příkrov mikrobiologie   MeSH
• mikrobiologie vody * MeSH
• mikrobiota MeSH
• půda MeSH
• sníh MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• půda MeSH

Enrichment factors for Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in floodplain fines from the middle and the lower courses of the Jizera River (a tributary of the Elbe River in the Czech Republic) were evaluated to compare the original contamination profiles with post-depositional and pedogenic changes. Background concentrations of heavy metals were assessed from uncontaminated sediments (soils) in the study area that belong to the same sedimentary facies and were not affected by reductimorphic processes. Facies assignment is accessible by geophysical imaging combined with core analysis. Sediments from point bars and channel banks in direct contact with riverine water are more heavily polluted than overbank fines from the distal floodplain. The point pollution source, a century-old battery and car production facility in the city of Mladá Boleslav, has certainly been responsible for Ni and Cr pollution, contributed substantially to Cu and Pb pollution, and had a less significant effect on the Zn enrichment factor. Although the use of soil enrichment factors has been criticized, these factors help to manage hydraulic sorting and recognition of post-depositional migration in soil profiles of floodplain sediments. When moderate pollution (enrichment factor about 1.5 for Cu, Pb and Zn) is found, background concentrations must be carefully evaluated and natural enrichment must be taken into account. Studies of such small enrichment factors contribute to the understanding of the dispersal and fates of pollutants in floodplains.

• MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu analýza   MeSH
• geologické jevy MeSH
• geologické sedimenty analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• řeky MeSH
• těžké kovy analýza   MeSH
• tomografie metody   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu MeSH
• těžké kovy MeSH

Carex buekii is a tall sedge, forming large stands in wetlands, particularly in river floodplains across Central Europe and thus on many sites determining the typical appearance of riverine habitats. Our paper aims at increasing the knowledge on ecology of C. buekii and its role in the wetlands. Field data were collected in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Italy. Carex buekii usually occurs in nutrient rich habitats, but is also capable of colonising relatively nutrient-poor ones; it grows on both acidic and alkaline soils (pH 3.3-7.4) with diverse concentrations of assimilable elements (Ca, Mg, P, K). One of the most important ecological characteristics of C. buekii is its relationship to the floodplains of watercourses. It seems to be dependent on, or at least very tolerant to regular disturbances by streaming, floods and transport of sediments. Carex buekii usually forms relatively uniform stands of its own association, Caricetum buekii. The species most frequently accompanying C. buekii are Urtica dioica, Calystegia sepium, Galium aparine, Rubus caesius, Phalaris arundinacea, and Cirsium arvense. The sedge also occurs in the understorey of forests with e.g. Alnus glutinosa, Salix fragilis, Padus avium, and Quercus robur. Carex buekii is able to colonise man-made or man-changed habitats such as railway embankments and roadsides or regulated river banks. Taking into account the IUCN Red List Criteria we propose to regard C. buekii as a least-concern (LC).

• MeSH
• Carex (rostlina) růst a vývoj   MeSH
• ekosystém * MeSH
• mokřady MeSH
• šáchorovité MeSH
• zachování přírodních zdrojů * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

Disturbances, both natural and anthropogenic, influence the patterning of species and species traits. The shift in species composition and distribution pattern of functional traits can demonstrate if the community is resistant, sensitive or resilient to the disturbance. Based on species- and trait-based approaches, we examined the response of the earthworm community to changing hydrologic conditions caused by the artificial drainage of mountain fens, in which cumulative effects of disturbance events over space and time are much less dynamic than in riverine wetlands. We hypothesized that the drainage-related changes of mountain fen peat soils have an effect on the earthworm community composition and its functional structure. We assume that the shift in species composition and value of community-weighted functional traits reflect changes in the resilience or resistance of the earthworm community to environmental change. Our results demonstrate that the total density of earthworms was almost three times lower under drained conditions compared to natural ones. Artificial drainage of fens had a neutral effect on the species-based diversity indices. However, there were species-specific traits that responded to hydrologic changes and which led to the species' replacements and to the co-occurrence of eurytopic, surface-browsing and more drought- and low-pH-resistant earthworm species in the drained fens. Based on these results, we conclude that abiotic-based environmental filtering was the main process responsible for sorting earthworms according to species and traits in the disturbed hydrologic conditions. The greater earthworm functional trait variations in semi-natural hydrologic conditions emphasizes the impact of transient dynamics in an altered disturbance regime on the earthworm assembly. Results also showed that in the changing hydrologic conditions of mountain fens, the functional trait approach revealed only slightly more predictive power than the taxonomic one, but it proved better with processes responsible for earthworm species filtering.

• Klíčová slova
• biodiversity, disturbance, earthworms, environmental change, functional traits, resilience, resistance,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Models for pollution exposure assessment typically adopt an overly simplistic representation of geography, climate and biogeochemical processes. This strategy is unsatisfactory when high temporal resolution simulations for sub-regional spatial domains are performed, in which parameters defining scenarios can vary interdependently in space and time. This is, for example, the case when assessing the influence of biogeochemical processing on contaminant fate. Here we present INCA-Contaminants, the Integrated Catchments model for Contaminants; a new model that simultaneously and realistically solves mass balances of water, carbon, sediments and contaminants in the soil-stream-sediment system of catchments and their river networks as a function of climate, land use/management and contaminant properties. When forced with realistic climate and contaminant input data, the model was able to predict polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) concentrations in multiple segments of a river network in a complex landscape. We analyzed model output sensitivity to a number of hydro-biogeochemical parameters. The rate of soil organic matter mineralization was the most sensitive parameter controlling PCBs levels in river water, supporting the hypothesis that organic matter turnover rates will influence re-mobilization of previously deposited PCBs which had accumulated in soil organic matrix. The model was also used to project the long term fate of PCB 101 under two climate scenarios. Catchment diffuse run-off and riverine transport were the major pathways of contaminant re-mobilization. Simulations show that during the next decade the investigated boreal catchment will shift from being a net atmospheric PCB sink to a net source for air and water, with future climate perturbation having little influence on this trend. Our results highlight the importance of using credible hydro-biogeochemical simulations when modeling the fate of hydrophobic contaminants.

• Klíčová slova
• Biogeochemistry, Catchment, Chemical fate, Hydrology, Model, Pollution,
• MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu analýza   MeSH
• chemické modely * MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• multimédia MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu MeSH