Full-time study

4 years

prof. Ing. Jiří Kučerík, Ph.D.

Chairman :
prof. Ing. Jiří Kučerík, Ph.D.
Vice-chairman :
doc. MVDr. Helena Zlámalová Gargošová, Ph.D.
Councillor internal :
prof. Ing. Tomáš Svěrák, CSc.
doc. Mgr. Michaela Vašinová Galiová, Ph.D.
doc. Mgr. Renata Komendová, Ph.D.
Councillor external :
prof. Ing. Jaromíra Chýlková, CSc.
doc. RNDr. Václav Slovák, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Petr Dolejš, CSc.
prof. Ing. Pavel Janoš, CSc.
doc. RNDr. Zdeněk Šimek, CSc.

1. Application of Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technologies for industrial Wastewater Treatment

   Doctoral thesis deals with the topic of Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technologies Application for Industrial Wastewater Treatment. In theoretical part, there will be a literature review with the focus on Advanced Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies such as Advanced Oxidation Processes, Membrane Processes, Advanced Biological Processes etc. Each type of technology will be described in detail with emphasis on its applicability and compatibility with other industrial wastewater treatment technologies. Industrial wastewater technology design and a pilot-scale prototype development will be held in experimental part. Prototype development will include mathematical modelling and use of software simulations. The prototype will involve use of multiple types of Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technologies. Data obtained during laboratory and pilot semi-controlled experiments will be evaluated for prototype operation optimalisation, improvement and scale-up for full scale operation.

   Tutor: Kučerík Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

2. Application of Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technologies for industrial Wastewater Treatment

   Doctoral thesis deals with the topic of Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technologies Application for Industrial Wastewater Treatment. In theoretical part, there will be a literature review with the focus on Advanced Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies such as Advanced Oxidation Processes, Membrane Processes, Advanced Biological Processes etc. Each type of technology will be described in detail with emphasis on its applicability and compatibility with other industrial wastewater treatment technologies. Industrial wastewater technology design and a pilot-scale prototype development will be held in experimental part. Prototype development will include mathematical modelling and use of software simulations. The prototype will involve use of multiple types of Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technologies. Data obtained during laboratory and pilot semi-controlled experiments will be evaluated for prototype operation optimalisation, improvement and scale-up for full scale operation.

   Tutor: Kučerík Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Development and application of membrane distillation

   Membrane distillation is one of the promising methods of separation and purification of chemical substances. Despite the big boom in recent years, this method still suffers from technical and application shortcomings. This work aims to develop laboratory and pilot plant distillation equipment, some applications in the separation of thermally unstable substances, and industrial wastewater treatment from the chemical, biochemical and pharmaceutical industries. The work will take place in cooperation with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

   Tutor: Kučerík Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Development of techniques for fast assessment of soil quality and properties

   Thermogravimetry appeared as a promising techniques for fast assessment of soil properties and showed a potential to replace currently used techniques. These techniques are often costly and require long experimental time, while thermogravimetry experiments require only several hours. The aim of this work is searching for new relationships between thermo-oxidative stability of soil determined using thermogravimetry and soil chemical properties (pH, content of biogenic elements including P, S and different forms of N, metals including Al and Fe), physical properties (texture and volume density) and biological indicators (microbial biomass, potentially mineralizable N, glomalin and phospholipids contents and microbial emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide). These properties are known as indicators of soil quality, and therefore, the found correlations will be used for development of a complex soil quality index and models for prediction of soil organic carbon stability.

   Tutor: Kučerík Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Evaluation of the occurrence of selected pharmaceuticals in the soil ecosystem

   The issue of the occurrence of foreign substances in the ecosystem is becoming more and more actual. Currently monitored substances include a wide range of drugs that can have a negative impact on the environment. At our institute, the issue of modification and validation of analytical methods, which enable the determination of environmentally relevant levels of a number of pollutants, has been solved for a long time. This dissertation will focus on compounds from the group of antibiotics as well. The aim will be to select those compounds that are most often medicated in the field of livestock breeding. Due to the fact that these substances are not completely metabolised, they get into the components of the environment during the application of manure. The work will develop methods for their determination in the soil ecosystem. Furthermore, their distribution between environmental components and the influence of soil properties on this distribution will be monitored. The influence of the monitored compounds on the representative species of the soil ecosystem will be assessed by means of selected ecotoxicological tests.

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

6. Phytotoxicity and phytoremediation of nickel

   Nickel (Ni) is the 24th most common element of the Earth’s crust. Its annual production is about 2 mil. tons with various use in industry. Due to the Ni content in the ores ca. 1 – 2%, it is evident that its processing generates considerable amounts of waste with various residual Ni content. Nickel has also long been known as a carcinogen. The aim of this work is a complex processing of the literature data focused on the toxicity of nickel in plants and their use for phytoremediation of this element. The practical part will be focused on i) study of nickel toxicity using model plant species under hydroponic conditions (influence of salts, pH etc.) and ii) selection of species suitable for phytoremediation of nickel using waste from the former Nickel smelter heaps in the city Sered. Particular attention will be paid to the impact of environmentally harmless additives (biochar, humic substances, exogenous application of endogenous plant substances) on nickel uptake by plants.

   Tutor: Kováčik Jozef

7. 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: Kučerík Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

8. Replacement of GLS separator with advanced membrane processes

   The dissertation will focus on the design of advanced GLS separator technology with membrane processes. The theoretical part deals in detail with the separation phases of anaerobic wastewater treatment processes and advanced membrane processes. The first part of the experiment will focus on the calculation program of the membrane unit and the second part will focus on the design of a "pilot-scale" model which will be tested in real operation. The data obtained from testing will be optimized by the technology with an emphasis on maximum yield and product quality.

   Tutor: Kučerík Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

9. 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.

10. Study of interaction of metallocenes with cells by ICP mass spectrometry

    The work will be focused on solution analysis of cells treated with various organometallic compounds as a new potential anti-cancer therapeutics. Beside SN analysis, in situ single cell analysis will be performed in order to determine the distribution of selected elements and cytotoxicity of compounds. The work will be realized in cooperation with Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute where cells will be treated with cytotoxic drugs as well as specific inhibitors.

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

11. The fate of microplastics in soil

    Microplastics are among the most discussed environmental issues nowadays. Up to now, the published works have been focused on qualitative and quantitative analysis of microplastics in various environments. Only a limited number of studies addressed the influence of microplastics on the contaminated environment. It is estimated that the content of microplastics in the soil exceeds the content on waters, nevertheless, compared to water, the knowledge about their fate is still limited. In particular, there is a lack of knowledge about the influence of micorplastics on the abitic part of the soil, whether they are incorporated into soil, whether and how they are transformed, and their impact on soil microorganisms. This work aims to evaluate the effects of microplastics originating from transportation systems and industry on the properties mentioned above.

    Tutor: Kučerík Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

12. The fate of microplastics in soil

    Microplastics are among the most discussed environmental issues nowadays. Up to now, the published works have been focused on qualitative and quantitative analysis of microplastics in various environments. Only a limited number of studies addressed the influence of microplastics on the contaminated environment. It is estimated that the content of microplastics in the soil exceeds the content on waters, nevertheless, compared to water, the knowledge about their fate is still limited. In particular, there is a lack of knowledge about the influence of micorplastics on the abitic part of the soil, whether they are incorporated into soil, whether and how they are transformed, and their impact on soil microorganisms. This work aims to evaluate the effects of microplastics originating from transportation systems and industry on the properties mentioned above.

    Tutor: Kučerík Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.