North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin Research Articles

The assessment of the soil-plant-animal transport of the risk elements at the locations affected by brown coal mining.

The North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin (Czech Republic) is suggested as a source of significant pollution in the surrounding environment with various pollutants, including risk elements. A total of 53 sampling points were selected within the North Bohemian region. The selected sampling points represented either the basin areas (affected by the coal mining and related activities) or the mountain areas (an area unaffected by the coal mining but characterized by the geogenic sources of the risk elements). At each of the sampling points, soils and respective dominant indigenous plant samples were collected. A suite of ecological indices, namely, individual pollution index (Ii), Nemerow index (PN), bioaccumulation factor (BAF), translocation factor (TF), and hazard quotient (HQ), were applied to estimate the environmental risk of As, Be, Cd, and Zn levels in soils, potential soil-plant transfer, and soil-plant-animal transport of these stated elements. The results from Ii showed that the maximum values of As, Be, Cd, and Zn in the investigated soils exceeded the preventive values, where the Ii value was up to 58 for As in the mountain areas, indicating severe pollution. At the same time, mild pollution was recorded in the case of Cd. For Be in the researched soils, its Ii assessment result was a wide range, varying between a clean environment and severe pollution. Whereas As and Be uptake by plants was limited and these elements were retained in the plant's roots, relatively high mobility and soil to plant shoots transport ability of Cd were recorded and documented by the TF values. The HQs calculated for selected herbivorous mammals in the area showed that the potential health risk of As and Be was limited to only plant roots in the hotspots with extreme As and Be contents. In comparison, substantial health risk of Cd was observed in the aboveground biomass of plants. Therefore, the potential remediation of the coal mining areas should be focused on (i) identification of the As and Be hotspots and (ii) to reduce the mobility and plant availability of Cd in the whole investigated area.

Study of Available Methods to Evaluate the Concentrations of 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in Mine Waters from the North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin

Mine water samples from North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin (NBBCB), the Czech Republic, were tested. These mine waters were taken from the drilled hydrological wells in the mentioned NBBCB area. The purpose of the analysis was to find an available method to evaluate the concentration of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) using available equipment. Mine water samples were taken in February and April 2020 from the NBBCB area. Samples were first concentrated using Solid Phase Extraction (SPE). The extracts were then analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in conjunction with the diode array detector (DAD) external standard method. The standard ISO 17993 was used in the analysis procedure, which was optimized for the HPLC/DAD system. The original detection limit of 0.005 µg/l set by the standard was adjusted to 0.0025 µg/l for 16 PAHs by optimizing the method. The total content of 16 PAHs ranged from values below the detection limit to 0.7315 µg/l. All concentrations were below the limit values for groundwater. The results showed that the mine waters from the NBBCB area are not contaminated with PAHs. Keywords: Concentration of PAH; Diode array detector (DAD); High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); Mine water; North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin (NBBCB). DOI 10.35180/gse-2020-0043

Mine reclamation planning and management: Integrating natural habitats into post-mining land use

The reclamation of mined land in the Czech Republic has been focused on preparing the land for final use for productive purposes. The current national regulatory framework does not consider non-productive habitats as a legal type of post-mining land use. In the study presented here, we mapped, categorized, and analyzed non-productive post-mining habitats and defined appropriate management measures applicable under the present legal framework. Thirty different types of non-productive and productive post-mining habitats were distinguished in the study area of the North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin. Spatial and on-site analyses were conducted to identify their landscape and ecological functions, using measures such as the average area, the perimeter, and the relative length of the ecotones. The results showed that non-productive habitats accounted for 9.9% of the study area and that the non-productive habitats were significantly smaller than the productive habitats. There was an average area of 1 ha for non-productive habitats and an average area of 4 ha for productive habitats. In hydric reclamation, we identified more than 96% of the habitats as non-productive. However, only 6.7% of forest reclamation land, 4.4% of ‘other’ reclamation land, and 2.6% of agricultural reclamation land have been officially classified as non-productive habitat. Supported by a case study and our literature review, we have developed a typology of non-productive post-mining habitats. The typology systematizes non-productive habitats and makes clear recommendations for their establishment and management measures. The typology can be communicated to a multi-stakeholder audience to increase the knowledge baseline for incorporating non-productive habitats into post-mining land use.

Geothermal energy in mining water in the North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin

This article is focused on utilization of geothermal potential of mining water in the North Bohemian brown Coal Basin. Using of geothermal energy reduce CO2 which is one from interest for protecting of the environment and with sustainable development. Other benefit is that geothermal energy is that cost effective. Although geothermal energy has many advantages is not so much utilized. In terms of geothermal energy, the site, as part of the Krušnohorské and Podkrušnohorské area, and these are to the most promising areas in the Czech Republic sections characterized by high heat flow. In article is presented the case study at Bílina mine. The field research covered water temperature measurement and the abundance of four hydro-geological boreholes and results showed that although the geothermal potential of the mine water is not significant, there will be great potential in low-temperature energy source use for heat pumps.

Impact of External Conditions on Water Quality of Kamencové (Alum) Lake in Chomuto v and Proposal of Revitalizing Measures

Abstract Kamencové Lake (also called Alum Lake) located in Chomutov (North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin, Czech Republic) is a worldwide unique for its lake water chemical composition (K Al (SO4)2 12 H2O) that naturally prevents algae growth. The region used to be a centre of heavy industry based on brown coal burning, with a crucial impact on the environment (especially acid rain) in 1980s. This fact was considered the key aspect influencing the lake water quality deterioration in the past, besides the growing popularity of the area for recreational purposes (increased risk of eutrophication) and the significant changes in the lake maintenance (increased risk of eutrophication, excessive bottom sedimentation). Due to the real threat of gradual losing the lake water unique characteristics, scientifically-based systematic measures reducing the potential risk of eutrophication need to be implemented. The present study builds on the results of previous surveys by Geofyzika Brno, Povodí Ohře, s.p. or Hydroprojekt Praha. Its aim is to assess the potential risk of eutrophication in Alum Lake and to propose remedial measures.

Clay Sorbents in the Area of the Most and Sokolov Basins as a Possible Use in Agriculture Reclamations

This paper is devoted to the possibilities of the reclamation use of claystone sorbents of the Most and Sokolov basins. The properties of phytotoxic areas suitable for the application of sorbents, the locality, and parameters of the main clay sorbents of both brown coal basins are briefly summarized in the paper. Clay sorbents are suitable for the reclamation of phytotoxic surfaces contaminated by coal. This paper provides a brief evaluation of the properties of the claystone sorbents of the North Bohemian and Sokolov basins. In the region of the North Bohemian brown coal basin, potential sorbents can be used for the reclamation works.

Evaluation of the Forest Reclamation of the Anthroposoil Dump at the Bílina Mines Created from Marlstone

When reclaiming the surface of the Radovesická dump in the North Bohemian brown coal basin, the most commonly used marls and marlstones are extracted in the foreland of filled-in territory. The most frequent reclamations are the formation of overgrown and humus anthroposoil. The soil properties of the anthroposoils for forestry purposes and the growth vitality of a broader assortment of woody plants in the age of 12 - 14 years are evaluated. It has been found that the very good growth vitality on these anthroposoils is shown by most of the trees of domestic origin (Populus nigra L., Acer pseudoplatanus L., Pinus sylvestris L., Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn., Fraxinus excelsior L., Betula verrucosa Ehrh., Quercus robur L., Tilia cordata Mill.), including some of the tree species introduced (Larix decidua L., Pinus nigra Arn.) and reclamations of atypical atrophic soil horizons did not negatively affect their development.

Sorbent Mineralogy in the Most Basin and Their Utilization for Reclamation Works

The contribution is focused on the relation between sorptive efficiency, mineral structure, and reclamation extraction of clay sorbents originating from the Most Basin. Clay sorbents are an important accessory raw material that occurs on several localities in the North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin, which are briefly described in the first part of the paper. The results from clay sorbents were obtained by mineralogy survey based on a diffract analysis with a D 5000 Siemens X-ray diffractometer. Localities, where zeolites and montmorillonites were found, are the main subjects of the research. The results show that parameters of clay sorbents mined in these localities are suitable for reclamation works. A successful reclamation with the use of bentonites is demonstrated on Strimice dump.

Combination of reclaimed and unreclaimed sites is the best practice for protection of aculeate Hymenoptera species on brown coal spoil heaps

The study focused on aculeate Hymenoptera recorded at 114 study plots on seven brown coal spoil heaps (reclaimed and under spontaneous succession) situated in the North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin, Czech Republic. In total, 2706 individuals of 212 species from 13 families were collected using Moericke traps. Of this number, 46 rare species (2 regionally extinct, 7 critically endangered, 14 endangered, and 23 vulnerable), 5 species protected by law, and 3 other rare species were recorded. Species typical of sand banks and open landscape were most numerous. The communities were dominated by Lasioglossum species, Diodontus minutus and Bembecinus tridens on unreclaimed sites, and Apis mellifera, Lasioglossum pauxillum, and Osmia rufohirta on reclaimed sites. Unreclaimed sites hosted twice as many rare species at four times greater abundances. Rare species occurred there more frequently than at reclaimed sites. Species known as regionally extinct, Evagetes littoralis and Nomada minuscula, were found only on unreclaimed sites. Redundancy analysis showed that especially threatened species are connected with sandy sites small in area and with sparse vegetation cover. The number of rare species slowly increased with age, but young sites, too, could be very rich. It is recommended to combine succession and reclamation approaches to create suitable nesting habitats, refuges, and food resources. It is essential to maintain a fine mosaic of habitats in various (above all young) successional stages.

Changes in the fingerprint of oil derived substances in the sediments of the Bílina River

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the presence of the crude oil derived substances in the Bilina River sediments and to verify explanatory abilities of the used analytical methods. The Bi­lina River has its source on the slopes of Krusne hory and flows to the east through surface pits in an artificial corridor in its upper stream and further continues through the open landscape of the North Bohemian brown coal basin. The primary factor determining the current appearance of the landscape is human activity and anthropogenic embankments. The area along the Bi­lina River is loaded by the opencast brown coal mining and coal processing, petroleum refineries, and chemical plants. There are major industrial operations in the basin of the River Bi­lina which are particularly co-responsible over a long term for high levels of persistent organic pollutants and inorganic pollutants in the river sediments. Twenty samples of river sediments were collected along the Bi­lina River. All samples were subjected to the determination of the total extractable hydrocarbons, the total organic carbon, the total sulphur, and the sum of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAH). According to Herron (1988) most of the analysed samples belong to the shales or Fe-shales where a great possibility of sorption of inorganic or organic pollutants is expected. To distinguish the river segments with the prevailing input of the petrogenic from pyrogenic substances, correlation of the total extractable hydrocarbons and PAH were applied. The ratio fluoranthen / pyren, whose value from the anthropogenically modified flow in the segment Zaluži - Bi­lina did not go beyond 0.5 which is significant for the presence of the emissions from the transport or the petroleum industry, has been proved superior to the other currently recommended ratios of PAH. The evaluation of the archival TEH data did not show any improvement of the water and sediment quality along the Bi­lina river profile.

Spontaneous succession on spoil banks supports amphibian diversity and abundance

The ecological value and conservation potential of post-mining areas have been increasingly recognized by scientists and conservationists during recent decades. Especially valuable are sites left to spontaneous succession, which constitute habitats with high species diversity, or habitats that serve as refuges for threatened species. In contrast to several other taxa, there is a lack of such evidence for amphibians, despite the assumption that primary succession leads to a more suitable environment for amphibians than does technical reclamation. Therefore, we compared the effects of technical reclamation and spontaneous succession on amphibian presence, species richness, and abundance of the model species Rana dalmatina in technically reclaimed and unreclaimed sections of spoil banks in the Czech Republic's North Bohemian brown coal basin. We found that most recorded amphibian species, and R. dalmatina in particular, occurred predominantly within successional spoil bank sections. Apart from reclamation status, amphibians preferred partially vegetated ponds (5–75% vegetation cover) having gently sloping shores (<30°) and lower water conductivity. Mean species richness per pond (1.95 vs. 1.20), the proportion of ponds occupied by amphibians (88.5% vs. 69.4%), and the mean numbers of R. dalmatina clutches per pond (9.05 vs. 1.65) were significantly higher at unreclaimed sites compared to technically reclaimed sites. This study confirms the conservation value of post-mining sites for amphibians and evidences that sites left to spontaneous succession provide more suitable habitats for amphibians compared to technically reclaimed sites. Key habitat characteristics driving amphibian assemblages within post-mining sites are identified and guidelines for effective protection of amphibians in post-mining areas are proposed.

Documentation Of Landslides And Inaccessible Parts Of A Mine Using An Unmanned UAV System And Methods Of Digital Terrestrial Photogrammetry

Abstract Quite a big boom has recently been experienced in the technology of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). In conjunction with dense matching system, it gives one a powerful tool for the creation of digital terrain models and orthophotomaps. This system was used for the documentation of landslides and inaccessible parts of the Nástup Tušimice mine in the North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin (Czech Republic). The images were taken by the GATEWING X100 unmanned system that automatically executed photo flights an area of interest. For detailed documentation of selected parts of the mine, we used the method of digital terrestrial photogrammetry. The main objective was to find a suitable measurement technology for operational targeting of landslides and inaccessible parts of the mine, in order to prepare the basics for remediation work.

Clutch Size Variation in Agile FrogRana dalmatinaon Post-Mining Areas

Clutch size is an important life history trait in amphibians, and it varies among and within species, populations and individuals. Within a population, its variation has been attributed to a positive relationship between females' age or size and their fecundity as well as to spatiotemporal differences in environmental conditions. Therefore, clutch size has been shown to be both spatially and seasonally variable. We examined spatial and seasonal clutch size variation based upon two years of study involving 160 clutches of the Agile Frog Rana dalmatina Bonaparte, 1840 in 14 ponds within one spoil bank in the Czech Republic's North Bohemian brown coal basin. The overall mean clutch size was 1295 (SD 596), which is one of the largest that has been reported. However, both clutch size and its variance differed considerably between the years. Clutch size also varied among the ponds. We found no relationship between clutch size and the distance of a breeding pond from alluvial forest, a typical wintering habitat. Despite existence at the site of many suitable reproduction habitats, the spoil bank does not offer the complex of all habitats needed for persistence of the R. dalmatina population. To protect that population, it is necessary to preserve not only breeding ponds on the spoil bank but also alluvial forest and, most importantly, the connectivity between these two crucial habitats.

The rise of the mine water level in the area of the former Kohinoor II mine and the influence on the surrounding aquifer systems of abandoned mines in the central part of the North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin

The aim of this article is to evaluate the process of terminating the mine water pumping after the liquidation of the Kohinoor II coal mine, situated in the central part of the North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin (NBB) and the subsequent resumption of pumping from the surface after the mine water rise in the area of the former mine to the desired level. We analyzed previously known data, particularly the amount of mine water pumped from the mine area and the surrounding abandoned mines in the past. Further the evaluation of known surrounding abandoned mines aquifer systems, accumulated in the coal seam (underground accumulation of water) and the evaluation of the effect of increasing the water level in the Kohinoor II mine, focusing on the enlargement of the central mine aquifers and the evaluation of the effects of changes in the way of pumping on the surrounding coal seam and its mining with continued safe brown coal mining at the nearby Bílina mine, that can be ensured for at least another 25 years.

Slit seeded grass-legume mixture improves coal mine reclamation

Slit seeding (sowing into shallow cuts to the soil surface) was evaluated on coal mine reclamation in the North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin (Czech Republic) between 2001 and 2008, on plots both with and without biodegradable waste enrichment. Prior to experimentation (in 2000, once) were applied dehydrated, anaerobically digested wastewater sludge, 200 (41) t/ha fresh mass (dry mass), together with paper mill waste, 400 (131) t/ha, and bark substrate Envima, 400 (145) t/ha. Spontaneous herbaceous cover was enhanced each end of April from 2001 to 2003 by slit seeded grass-legume mixture containing Festuca pratensis L. (46%); Lotus corniculatus L. (22%); Coronilla varia L. (18%); Festuca rubra L. (9%); and Medicago lupulina L. (5%). All slit seeded species proliferated better on surface strip mine deposits without biodegradable waste enrichment and brought beneficial changes in a number of parameters over the ensuing five years due to lower competition with native expanding eutrophic species including Calamagrostis epigejos L.; Cardaria draba L.; Urtica dioica L.; and Galium aparine L. Available organic carbon (extracted from field-moist soil by 0.5 mol/L K&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;SO&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;) showed a notable tendency toward values 10&amp;ndash;66 mg C/kg DM (dry mass), microbial biomass 302&amp;ndash;1131 mg C/kg DM, basal respiration 3.9&amp;ndash;5.8 mg C/kg DM/h, and metabolic quotient (basal respiration/microbial biomass carbon) &amp;times; 1000 = 5.2&amp;ndash;7.9. &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;

Technical reclamation and spontaneous succession produce different water habitats: A case study from Czech post-mining sites

Despite the ecological value of unreclaimed post-mining areas, in the Czech Republic, however, rigorous technical reclamation still prevails. Such an approach usually leads to a more uniform environment and destroys the habitat diversity of successional sites, including the variety of water bodies that are crucial habitats for many aquatic and semiaquatic species. The aim of our study was to assess the water environment on reclaimed and unreclaimed post-mining sites from an “amphibian point of view”. We compared the proportion of water habitat area, the number of ponds and their habitat features on 14 technically reclaimed and 6 unreclaimed sections of spoil banks in the North Bohemian brown coal basin in the Czech Republic. The proportion of water area, number of ponds per hectare of spoil bank, and number of ponds in a vicinity of 300m were significantly higher on successional sections than on reclaimed sections of spoil banks. We also found on successional areas a higher proportion of smaller shallow ponds, with gentle shore slopes, partial insolation of water surface and partial vegetation cover. The ponds on technically reclaimed parts of spoil banks were larger and deeper, with steeper shore slopes, full insolation and partial vegetation cover. We conclude that primary succession leads to a more preferable environment for amphibians than does technical reclamation, and it should be considered as an equal type of post-mining site restoration.

Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technology for automation of surface mining

Satellite technologies have undergone a rapid development during the last two decades – even in surface mining. The possibilities of using this technology for bucket wheel centre spatial determination are investigated at the Libouš Mine in the North Bohemian brown coal basin (Czech Republic). The position of the bucket wheel centre is computed by means of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data, inclinometer and incremental measurements. Data is transferred to a base and saved in a database. The main goal is to improve the control system for opencast mining. Visualisation of the bucket wheels' spatial positions and their movements in real time is performed by KVAS software – mine modelling and planning software ‘GNSS MineModel’. The article describes applications, which are used for automation of mine surveying and control of mining.

Findings from the application of coal combustion by-products (CCB) for forest reclamation on spoil banks of the North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin

Coal combustion by-products (stabilizate, FDG gypsum) generated by the thermal power station in Ledvice were tested on an above-level dump of the Bílina Mine in the North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin during the reclamation of its surface for forestry purposes. A part of the experimental object was treated with coal combustion by-products at a dose of 700–1,000 t/ha that were incorporated into the soil profile by very deep ploughing and the other part was left untreated for comparison. A one-year preparatory agrocycle was conducted on the entire experimental object – growing of &lt;I&gt;Leucosinapis alba&lt;/i&gt; for green manuring and for reforestation bareroot and container-grown planting material was set out into dug holes [&lt;I&gt;Larix deciduas&lt;/I&gt; L., &lt;I&gt;Pinus nigra&lt;/I&gt; Arn., &lt;I&gt;Pinus sylvestris&lt;/I&gt; L., &lt;I&gt; Quercus robur&lt;/I&gt; L., &lt;I&gt;Carpinus betulus&lt;/I&gt; L., &lt;I&gt;Acer pseudoplatanus&lt;/I&gt; L., &lt;I&gt;Acer platanoides&lt;/I&gt; L., &lt;I&gt;Alnus glutinosa&lt;/I&gt; (L.) Gaertn., &lt;I&gt;Fraxinus excelsior&lt;/I&gt; L., &lt;I&gt;Tilia cordata&lt;/I&gt; Mill., &lt;I&gt;Betula verrucosa&lt;/I&gt; Ehrh.]. The assessment of the experimental object at the age of 7 years indicated that as a result of the application of stabilizate and FDG gypsum there was an increase in porosity, water-retaining capacity, soil alkalinity and carbonate content; the soil-forming process was characterized by a decrease in soil alkalinity whereas the high alkalinity of the soil horizon treated with this amendment did not negatively influence the growth vitality of most tree species taxa used for reforestation.

A fossil Vallisneria plant (Hydrocharitaceae) from the Early Miocene freshwater deposits of the Most Basin (North Bohemia)

A new fossil species of Vallisneria ( V. janecekii Bogner & Kvaček, sp. n., Hydrocharitaceae) is reported from Early Miocene freshwater lake deposits of the North Bohemian brown coal basin (Czech Republic). It is based on a single fragmentary sterile plant bearing two clusters of ribbon-shaped widely serrulate leaves on a short rhizome. It is a potential producer of seeds described from equivalent and slightly older deposits in Saxony (Germany) as Vallisneria ovalis Mai.

Most, the Town that Moved: Coal, Communists and the 'Gypsy Question' in Post-War Czechoslovakia

Abstract As Czechoslovakia's communist planners continually increased norms for power and coal production in the 1950s through 1970s, the sprawling surface mines of the north Bohemian brown coal basin expanded voraciously, swallowing 116 villages and parts of several larger cities by 1980. Infamously, the entire historic centre of Most was obliterated in order to expose over 85 million tons of coal. Planners envisioned a new city of Most as a model of socialist modernity. Deriding Most's old town as a decaying capitalist relic, officials lauded New Most's spacious and efficient prefabricated high-rises. Adding to the contrast, the majority of Old Most's remaining inhabitants by 1970 were Roma (Gypsies). For communists, the Roma evoked an old order of segregation, class oppression and bad hygiene. By relocating Roma to modern housing, they could 'liquidate once and for all the Gypsy problem'. This article examines the rhetorics of modernity employed as communists sought to 'solve' intertwined coal, gypsy and housing 'problems' in the city of Most. At the crossroads of several related modernising projects in the twentieth century, Most provides insight into connections between ethnic cleansing, social and environmental engineering and urban planning.