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Hubelova D, Ulmann V, Mikuska P, Licbinsky R, Alexa L, Modra H, Gersl M, Babak V, Weston RT, Pavlik I. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Prevalence in Aerosol and Spiders' Webs in Karst Caves: Low Risk for Speleotherapy. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122573. [PMID: 34946174 PMCID: PMC8705795 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Hubelova
- Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Tr. Generala Piky 7, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (D.H.); (H.M.)
| | - Vit Ulmann
- Public Health Institute Ostrava, Partyzanske Nam. 7, 702 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic;
| | - Pavel Mikuska
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the CAS, Veveri 97, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (P.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Roman Licbinsky
- Transport Research Centre, Lisenska 33a, 636 00 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Lukas Alexa
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the CAS, Veveri 97, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (P.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Helena Modra
- Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Tr. Generala Piky 7, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (D.H.); (H.M.)
| | - Milan Gersl
- Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1/1665, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Vladimir Babak
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Ross Tim Weston
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
| | - Ivo Pavlik
- Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Tr. Generala Piky 7, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (D.H.); (H.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-773-491-836
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Huzlik J, Bozek F, Pawelczyk A, Licbinsky R, Naplavova M, Pondelicek M. Identifying risk sources of air contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Chemosphere 2017; 183:139-146. [PMID: 28544899 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.04.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This article is directed to determining concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are sorbed to solid particles in the air. Pollution sources were identified on the basis of the ratio of benzo[ghi]perylene (BghiPe) to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Because various important information is lost by determining the simple ratio of concentrations, least squares linear regression (classic ordinary least squares regression), reduced major axis, orthogonal regression, and Kendall-Theil robust diagnostics were utilized for identification. Statistical evaluation using all aforementioned methods demonstrated different ratios of the monitored PAHs in the intervals examined during warmer and colder periods. Analogous outputs were provided by comparing gradients of the emission factors acquired from the measured concentrations of BghiPe and BaP in motor vehicle exhaust gases. Based on these outputs, it was possible plausibly to state that the influence of burning organic fuels in heating stoves is prevalent in colder periods whereas in warmer periods transport was the exclusive source because other sources of PAH emissions were not found in the examined locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Huzlik
- Transport Research Centre, 33a Lisenska, 636 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Frantisek Bozek
- University of Defence, 65 Kounicova, 662 10, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Adam Pawelczyk
- Wroclaw University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, 4/6 Norwida St., 50-373, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Roman Licbinsky
- Transport Research Centre, 33a Lisenska, 636 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | | | - Michael Pondelicek
- The College of Regional Development, 68 Zalanskeho, 163 00, Praha, 17 - Repy, Czech Republic.
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Buckova M, Licbinsky R, Jandova V, Krejci J, Pospichalova J, Huzlik J. Fast Ecotoxicity Detection Using Biosensors. Water Air Soil Pollut 2017; 228:166. [PMID: 28450754 PMCID: PMC5382182 DOI: 10.1007/s11270-017-3341-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The article provides information about a new device, AlgaTox developed in the R&D project sponsored by the Technology Agency (n.TA02030179) and patented in Czech Republic (CZ 305687). Its functionality is based on the use of biosensor, and its main advantage is fast response rate. The toxicity detection is achieved through precise measurement of green algae oxygen production dynamics after their exposure to light of wavelength of 680 nm. Clark sensor with a resolution of 0.05% of the equilibrium oxygen concentrations and stability at a constant pressure and temperature of 0.1% of the equilibrium oxygen concentration at the 24-h measurement is used for the oxygen detection. Laboratory testing of the device has been made using silver nitrate, substance with known inhibitory effect on algae. Real samples of aqueous soil extracts and waste sample from old dried-up industrial tailing pond enriched with insecticide have been also tested. The values of oxygen production inhibition or stimulation determined with the new device in the evaluation of real samples were up to six times higher in comparison with the corresponding values of inhibition (stimulation) of growth rates determined by standard procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Buckova
- Transport Research Centre, Líšeňská 33a, 636 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Licbinsky
- Transport Research Centre, Líšeňská 33a, 636 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vilma Jandova
- Transport Research Centre, Líšeňská 33a, 636 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Krejci
- BVT Technologies, a.s, Strážek 206, 592 53 Strážek, Czech Republic
| | | | - Jiri Huzlik
- Transport Research Centre, Líšeňská 33a, 636 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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