atmospheric deposition

Atmospheric deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the pilot catchment area of Výrovka and urban areas of Prague and Ostrava

Ing. František Sýkora, Mgr. Silvie Semerádová, Mgr. Vít Kodeš, Ph.D., Ing. Julie Sucharová, Ph.D., Ing. Nikola Verlíková, Ing. Tomáš Mičaník, Ph.D. and Ing. Hedvika Roztočilová – 1/2026

Atmospheric deposition is the most significant source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface waters in the Czech Republic. These substances originate predominantly from combustion processes. Through deposition, PAHs reach the Earth’s surface and are subsequently washed into surface waters. Although the state and the private sector have implemented a number of measures in recent decades to reduce emissions, not only from major pollution sources but also from households (local heating), these substances continue to have a significant impact on the aquatic environment. Selected PAHs are included on the list of priority substances due to their proven adverse effects on aquatic organisms and human health, and strict environmental quality standards have been set for them in surface water and biota matrices. Con-sequently, most surface water bodies do not achieve good chemical status according to the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC. Research in the Výrovka river basin (a tributary of the Elbe river) comprehensively addressed PAH contamination in relevant matrices of the aquatic environment and in Schreber’s big stem red moss (Pleurozium schreberi), which is a suitable indicator of air pollution. At the same time, PAH fluxes in wet deposition in selected urban locations were monitored for comparison. The origin of PAHs was assessed using fingerprinting, based on the analysis of ratios between individual PAHs in the monitored matrices, enabling the distinction between petrogenic and pyrogenic sources.

Atmospheric deposition as a possible source of surface water pollution (Results of the project, part 2. – polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)

Ing. František Sýkora, Ing. Tomáš Mičaník, Ph.D., Mgr. Silvie Semerádová, doc. RNDr. Ivan Suchara, CSc., Ing. Nikola Verlíková and Ing. Julie Sucharová, Ph.D. – 4/2023

From October 2020 to September 2021, in two forest micro-catchments in the Czech Republic, the quality of wet atmospheric deposition (bulk and throughfall) was monitored simultaneously with the surface water quality in the local watercourse, humus, and the moss species Pleurozium schreberi. An evaluation is presented of the 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) burden of the above-mentioned matrices. The first site was chosen in the Beskid Mountains in the Moravian-Silesian region, in the cadastre of the village of Bystřice in the upper basin of the Suchý stream (altitude 590 to 835 m a.s.l.). This area is affected by industrial activities. The second reference site was chosen in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands near Košetice observatory (altitude 520 m a.s.l.).

Atmospheric deposition as a possible source of surface water pollution (Preliminary results of the project, part 1 – heavy metals)

Mgr. Silvie Semerádová, Ing. Julie Sucharová, Ph.D., Ing. Tomáš Mičaník, Ph.D., Ing. František Sýkora and Mgr. Lucie Jašíková, Ph.D. – 4/2022

Na pilotních lokalitách v Jizerských horách, Moravskoslezských Beskydech a na Českomoravské vrchovině byly v průběhu jednoho roku sledovány koncentrace vybraných těžkých kovů v atmosférické depozici a povrchové vodě s cílem určit významnost vlivu srážek na kvalitu povrchových vod v antropogenně málo ovlivněném prostředí. Dosažené výsledky ukazují, že u vybraných kovů může atmosférická depozice v některých případech představovat významný vnos do povrchových vod. Na výslednou bilanci látkového odnosu má zásadní vliv charakter prostředí a jeho zatížení v minulosti.