Molecular-Level Speciation of Eu(III) Adsorbed on a Migmatized Gneiss As Determined Using μTRLFS.

The interaction of Eu(III) with thin sections of migmatized gneiss from the Bukov Underground Research Facility (URF), Czech Republic, was characterized by microfocus time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy (μTRLFS) with a spatial resolution of ∼20 μm, well below typical grain sizes of the material. By this approach, sorption processes can be characterized on the molecular level while maintaining the relationship of the speciation with mineralogy and topography. The sample mineralogy was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and Raman microscopy, and the sorption was independently quantified by autoradiography using Eu.

3D RECONSTRUCTION OF INNER STRUCTURE OF RADIOACTIVE SAMPLES UTILIZING GAMMA TOMOGRAPHY.

Unique 3D tomography apparatus was built and successfully tested in Research Centre Rez. The apparatus allows three-dimensional view into the interior of low-dimension radioactive samples with a diameter up to several tens of millimeters with a betterresolution then 1 mm3 and is designed to detect domains with different levels of radioactivity. Structural inhomogeneities such as cavities, cracks or regions with different chemical composition can be detected using this equipment.

Mercury accumulation in peatbogs at Czech sites with contrasting pollution histories.

Mercury (Hg) concentrations and accumulation patterns were studied in (210)Pb-dated peat cores from three ombrotrophic sites in the Czech Republic with contrasting emission histories (Novodomské rašeliniště, ND, and Bílá Smědá, BS, in the polluted northern parts of the country, and Jezerní slať, JS, in a relatively pristine southern part of the Czech Republic). The Hg concentration varied significantly between sites. Whereas the sites in the northern part of the Czech Republic yielded a range of higher Hg concentrations (50-750 μg kg(-1) for ND and 30-600 μg kg(-1) for BS), a Hg concentration range of 40-220 μg kg(-1) was reported at JS.

Distribution of the platinum group elements in peat deposit near a historic lead and silver mining district.

Concentrations of platinum group elements (PGE) and Ag were studied in a minerotrophic peat deposit near a historic Pb-Ag mining district (Príbram, Czech Republic). The PGE determinations were performed by quadrupole ICP-MS after NiS fire assay procedure. In the individual peat layers (dated by measurement of (210)Pb activity) the PGE concentrations were low and ranged from 0.

Lead fluxes, isotopic and concentration profiles in a peat deposit near a lead smelter (Príbram, Czech Republic).

The content and the isotopic composition of lead (Pb) were studied in a peat deposit on the ridge of the Brdy Hills, in the vicinity of the Príbram metallurgical works, in the Czech Republic. Quadrupole ICP MS was employed to determine the elemental composition and (206)Pb/(207)Pb and (208)Pb/(206)Pb isotope ratios. The individual layers were dated using alpha spectrometric measurement of the (210)Pb activity.