Full-time study

4 years

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

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

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. Development of methods for the analysis of plastic waste and recyclate

   Plastic waste and its recycling is one of the biggest challenges of our time. In practice, a number of approaches are applied, with physical recycling being the most common and cheapest method. However, this place demands on recycled material, including its purity, composition and recycling history. This work focuses on the development and testing of methods for the analysis of plastic waste, in the work will be used mostly methods of thermal analysis and spectroscopy. One of the objectives will be to verify and refine the existing model based on DSC and FTIR analysis. Another objective will be to develop methods for the determination of recycled materials mixed with pristine polymer.

   Tutor: Svěrák Tomáš, prof. Ing., CSc.

3. Fate of pharmaceuticals in the soil ecosystem

   The dissertation will investigate the fate, distribution and impact of drug residues on the soil ecosystem. Soil, plant and earthworm samples will be analysed. The analyses will mainly use the tandem LC/MS/MS technique, which will be complemented by basic ecotoxicological tests and other chemical and physical methods.

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

4. Impact of microplastic contamination on ecosytsem soil functions

   Microplastic contamination of environmental components is among the most discussed environmental topics nowadays. Lest studied topics in this area include the impact of microplastics on soil quality and ecosystem function. The aim of this work is to test the influence of selected microplastics on the production and non-production functions of soil, with an emphasis on the possible priming effect caused by their incorporation into the soil matrix.

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

5. Innovative technologies in the process of wastewater treatment

   The dissertation will focus on the topic "Innovative technologies in the process of wastewater treatment". In the theoretical part, a literature search will be prepared to focus on innovative technologies for wastewater treatment such as membrane processes, advanced biological processes, zero liquid discharge technology, advanced oxidation processes, Caviplasma, etc. Each type of technology will be described in detail with emphasis on applicability. The practical part of the thesis will deal with the design of wastewater treatment technology and the development of a pilot semi-operational prototype. The innovative technology will be tested in the laboratory and semi-operational experiments and data will be evaluated to optimize operation. The aim of the work is the design and application of innovative technology for wastewater treatment.

   Tutor: Komendová Renata, doc. Mgr., Ph.D.

6. Monitoring the chemotherapeutic drugs behaviour in cells using advanced instrumental analytical techniques

   The work will be focused on interaction of selected cell lines with various organometallic compounds as a new potential anti-cancer therapeutics. Beside bulk analysis, in situ single cell analysis will be performed in order to determine the distribution of selected elements and cytotoxicity of compounds. The aim of thesis is to explore possibilities of advanced instrumental analytical method in order to trace anticancer agents and their metabolic products. The work will be realized in cooperation with Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute.

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

7. Phytostabilization potential of metallophytes during spontaneous succession and controlled phytoremediation

   Environmental pollution with potentially toxic elements is a global problem. Acute risks are increasingly affecting urban areas. In such cases of long-term risk of direct human exposure to the toxic effect of pollutants, it is particularly necessary to limit their dispersion. Phytostabilization of soils with the use of metallophytes, which are able to tolerate even high levels of pollution, and at the same time effectively limit the migration of pollutants in the environment in some cases, can be a potentially effective technique. The aim of the theoretical part of the thesis will be to evaluate the current use of the phytostabilization technique in the management of polluted sites in urban areas. In the practical part, research attention will be paid to the selection of metallophytes suitable for urban areas and the differences in the effectiveness of phytostabilization during spontaneous succession and controlled phytoremediation in real field and laboratory conditions.

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

8. Plant bioindicators – a tool for assessing environmental contamination inorganic pollutants

   This thesis will focus on the use of plant material, which is located in the exposed areas, to the assessment of environmental pollution. The aim will be to develop a detailed literature review current bio-monitoring and environmental contamination by inorganic pollutants. After selection will be performed reliable bioindicators and methods for their use regard to the environmental studies; also will be made "optimization" of their use under laboratory conditions. In conclusion, these techniques will be applied to assess the real state of contamination of the environment, particularly the evaluation and comparison of contamination in large urban areas and rural areas.

   Tutor: Komendová Renata, doc. Mgr., Ph.D.

9. Possibilities of ICP mass spectrometry in research of cell behaviour after the interaction with anticancer agents

   The work will be devoted to investigating the possibilities of ICP mass spectrometry in order to evaluate the influx and efflux after the interaction of anticancer agents with cell lines. The experiments will be focused on cell-to-cell communication via analysis of extracellular vesicles, as well as localization of agent within cell or alternatively in the tumour tissue. ICP-MS will be used not only for bulk solution analysis but also for in situ analysis. The possibilities of ICP-MS method should be examined in characterization and quantification of nanostructures. It also includes the development of a suitable quantification procedure for laser ablation.

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

10. Separation of chemical pollutants from the aqueous medium

    A number of water pollutants occur in waste water in the form of dissolved salts, which are very difficult to separate from the water environment without the input of huge amounts of energy. The work will be focused on alternative ways of separating dissolved salts from an aqueous medium without using equilibrium distillation or pressure membrane separation.

    Tutor: Svěrák Tomáš, prof. Ing., CSc.

11. Separation of chemical pollutants from the aqueous medium

    A number of water pollutants occur in waste water in the form of dissolved salts, which are very difficult to separate from the water environment without the input of huge amounts of energy. The work will be focused on alternative ways of separating dissolved salts from an aqueous medium without using equilibrium distillation or pressure membrane separation.

    Tutor: Svěrák Tomáš, prof. Ing., CSc.

12. Study of contaminants and nutrition elements in plants and soils using ICP mass spectrometry

    The thesis will be devoted to bulk analysis and distribution of elements considered to be contaminants as well as their interactions with nutritional elements in plant samples using ICP mass spectrometry. The work includes solution analysis as well as sampling of solid samples to trace elemental distribution in specific compartments of plant samples. The suitable quantification procedure will be developed. The outcomes will be supplemented with soil sample analyses.

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

13. Use of ecotoxicity tests to assess the effects of the presence of selected groups of pharmaceuticals on ecosystem components

    The dissertation will focus on the use of ecotoxicity tests at the organismal and suborganismal levels in evaluating the impact of selected groups of pharmaceuticals on the biota of aquatic and soil ecosystems. The aim will be to elaborate a detailed literature search on the current situation of the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the ecosystem. In present the WWTPs are not able to completely degrade these substances, they can enter the ecosystem and may have impacts on the biota of the relevant ecosystems due to their physiological functions. Through ecotoxicity tests, these effects will be predicted and the risks associated with the presence of these substances in the ecosystem will be assessed.

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