Vltava River Research Articles

Eutrophication of the Mastník bay of the Slapy Reservoir, Czechia

This article investigates the changes in water quality in the Mastník bay, a part of the Slapy Reservoir located at the Vltava River, during the 2015–2019 period. Due to the occurrence of drought conditions smaller streams in rural areas of Czechia have suffered from a low water quality, especially in the summer. For these reasons, the Mastník stream contributes to the abnormal eutrophication of the Mastník bay. Since the exchange of water between the bay and the rest of the Slapy reservoir has been limited, a large increase in the phytoplankton biomass has been observed in the Mastník bay. Consequently, the concentrations of chlorophyll in the Mastník bay increased over the last 15 years, with the chlorophyll-α concentration exceeding 500 μg I−1 during the summer months in several cases. Based on the concentrations of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chlorophyll and water transparency measured by this study, the Mastník bay is evaluated as being hypertrophic. In contrast, no significant effect of the Mastník bay on the concentrations of the monitored parameters has been demonstrated in the remaining parts of the Slapy Reservoir.

Kafkowski tryptyk interpretacyjny: opowiadanie „Przemiana”

The article presents the allegorical novella “The Metamorphosis” of Franz Kafka from a biblical perspective. The main character, Gregor Samsa, is compared to Job and Jesus, the New Adam, and his father to God. The images emerging in the text reveal their hidden meaning, which in a surprising way shows the connection with the “Holy Scriptures”, both with the “Old” and “New Testaments”, which may be surprising in the case of a Jewish writer from the Vltava River. The author uses Kafka’s other writings, including “Letter to His Father”, to demonstrate the autobiographical sources. Gregor Samsa–Franz Kafka sacrifices himself to the Father’s glory. The whole interpretation is inscribed in the philosophy of the Danish thinker – Søren Kierkegaard.

Pipistrellus kuhlii in the Czech Republic: 2007–2020 (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Based on 25 records (both published and new) we summarize the recent distribution of Pipistrellus kuhlii in the Czech Republic and discuss possible colonization routes. The species colonized a major part of the Czech Republic during 14 years since its first record in 2007. Based on locations and chronology of the records it seems that the eastern part of the Czech Republic (Moravia) was colonized from the south along the Dyje and Morava rivers, while in Bohemia, two possible routes may have existed: one from the south along the Vltava river from the Danube valley, and another from the east or south-east along the valley of the Svitava and Orlice rivers. Given the fact that already in 2018 the presence of P. kuhlii was confirmed in Saxony, which predated the species confirmation in the north-western and central parts of Bohemia, we do not exclude possible existence of a third colonization route along the Labe river from the north-west (Germany). All the records come from human settlements, typically cities or towns, and dates of the records suggests the year-round occurrence. At least four records (including two roosts of maternity colonies), all from Moravia, proved reproduction of this bat in the country. All examined individuals displayed pelage and skin colouration patterns typical for P. kuhlii kuhlii.

Remediation of decay tanks for high-activity radioactive waste

The paper aims to present the remediation of decay tanks for high-activity radioactive waste in UJV Řež Ltd. From 1961 to 1991, two decay tanks for high-activity radioactive waste were built in order to lower the activity over time. The paper shows procedures and technologies used for liquidation of contaminated fluid, and solid waste from both tanks as well as decontamination of surfaces of tanks and building. During the remediation works, was pursued monitoring of the environment in the areas nearby the locations of environmental burden. Throughout the remediation works T.G. Masaryk Water Research Institute p.r.i. monitored surroundings ground water and activity in nearby river Vltava.

Little Moscow on the Vltava river – Russian communities in the Czech Republic in the context of socio-political order and homeland security

The central concern of this paper is the growing influx of Russian migrants to the Czech Republic and the consequences for political and social order. With nearly 40,000 migrants, Russians are the fourth biggest foreign community in Czechia. Due to their material status, the history of bilateral relations, and the significant role of their homeland in Czech politics, the growing Russian community poses a problem for Czech society. The fear of Russian dominance – in political as well as economical dimensions – as well as resentment about the communistic era, is still present among Czech people. Although most Russians come to Czech to study or to do business and are not engaged in political activity, relations between migrants and the host society can be strained. Mutual prejudices make themselves felt in moments of the political crisis between two countries, such as the recent row over Soviet monuments in Prague. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the Russian community could easily become a tool for Kremlin propaganda. Russians appreciate the opportunity to live in a rich, liberal and democratic society and even though they keep strong emotional ties with their homeland they are not keen to affirm all of Moscow’s deeds.

Historical Structures and Technical Heritage on the Elbe-Vltava Waterway

The paper describes the past development of the Elbe-Vltava waterway (EVW) and focuses on the documentation and presentation of the historical structures which were built for the rivers’ continuous navigability. Modern modifications of the waterway started at the beginning of the 19th century and focused mainly on regulatory work aimed at widening, straightening and deepening the fairway and removing the narrow fairway sections. In 1896, the Commission for Channelling the Vltava and the Elbe Rivers in Bohemia was established. The commission began implementing a plan to canalise the Elbe-Vltava waterway. On the EVW, a cascade of 34 barrages have been built, which are connected by their backwaters and ensure year-round navigability of the Vltava River from the Slapy Dam to the town of Mělník (92 km) and the Elbe River from the town of Chvaletice to the city of Ústí nad Labem (172 km). The last section of the Elbe River between Ústí nad Labem and the border with the Federal Republic of Germany (41 km) has so far been made navigable only by historical regulation works. Barrages on the EVW are typically composed of a weir structure, a navigation lock, a hydroelectric power plant producing renewable energy and a fish pass or sport whitewater canal. Most of these structures were built in the first half of the 20th century and represent a huge and unique technical heritage that still serves its purpose. The development of the EVW objects was documented in detail. The result is a software designed as a computer application with a web interface, which also serves for the presentation of technical heritage using original and modern technologies. Database operations enable the sharing of more information resources by competent organizations in the area of management, operation and maintenance of objects on the EVW. The system contains detailed descriptions of individual objects including their main technical parameters. For all the barrages were also systematically documented archival historical documents, maps, drawing documentation, photo gallery and for the most important barrages a description of the architectural design. The research also focused on mapping the development of regulatory adjustments of the Elbe River based on preserved historical documentation from the 19th and 20th centuries and the first aerial photographs since 1938. The presentation for the general public is complemented by an index of prominent personalities who contributed to the development of the EVW. There is also an explanatory dictionary of technical elements and objects on the EVW, including functional diagrams. Tourist attractions around the waterway are also included in the software.

Spatial distribution of native fish species in tributaries is altered by the dispersal of non-native species from reservoirs

Reservoirs are known to alter temperature and flow regimes, shift nutrient cycles, reduce downstream species diversity and enable a predominantly upstream spread of non-native species. However, information about the seasonal dynamics of the spread of non-natives from a reservoir to its tributaries and the further consequences regarding the spatial distribution of native species is rare. We observed the occurrence of fish in the Vltava River and its tributaries (Elbe catchment area, central Europe) upstream of the Lipno Reservoir for five consecutive years. We radio-tagged two non-native and four native species. To detect assemblage spatial variability, we sampled sites in the study area by electrofishing twice per year (spring and autumn). We expected seasonal trends in non-native species appearance in upstream reservoir tributaries and, conversely, low motivation of native fishes to descend to the reservoir. By analysing nearly 3000 individuals of 21 species from the longitudinal profile of the study area, we observed an effect of reservoir distance on the native species ratio in the upper Vltava catchment area, i.e., an increase in distance increased the native species proportion, and the opposite was observed for non-native species. Analyses of 3798 tracking positions of 193 tagged individuals showed massive spring dispersal of non-native species from the reservoir to the main tributary, the Vltava River, and their return to the reservoir for wintering. Their upstream movement positively correlated with an increase in flow rate. Native Salmo trutta showed a specific shift from the Vltava River to smaller streams during the summer, when the presence of non-native species in the Vltava River was most significant. These findings indicate that non-native species repeatedly spread from the reservoir to the upstream river stretch and its tributaries and potentially compete with native species for resources.

USING THE AUTOMATIC VECTORISATION METHOD IN GENERATING THE VECTOR ALTIMETRY OF THE HISTORICAL VLTAVA RIVER VALLEY

The article describes, in detail, the generation procedure of vector altimetry of an upper and middle course of the Vltava River historical valley. By the historical valley, the shape of the river valley before the construction of dams on the Vltava River in the second half of the 20th century is understood. The vector altimetry will serve as the base for creating a 3D model of this valley. The initial input data were old maps, specifically scanned first-edition prints of the State Map 1 : 5 000 - Derived (SMO-5). By combining automatic and manual vectorisation, the altimetry component of these maps (contour lines and spot elevations) will be converted to a vector format. Individual processing steps, including the description of automatic vectorisation in the ArcScan extension to the ArcGIS system, together with examples of the results, are presented in the text below.

Akarsuların Önemi ve Farklı Kullanımları Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme

Doğal kaynaklar insanların yerleşim alanı seçiminde önemli faktörler olmuştur. Bu nedenle ilk yerleşmelerin çoğu su kenarlarında kurulmuştur. Su kaynaklarının insan üzerindeki fiziksel ve psikolojik yönden olumlu etkileri her zaman insanları suya çekmiştir. Bu çalışmada Avrupa ve ülkemiz örneğinde akarsuların farklı kullanımlarının belirlenmesine yönelik araştırmalar yapılmıştır. Bu kapsamda yurt dışı kentlerden Sırbistan’ın Belgrad ve Novi Sad kentlerinden geçen Sava ve Tuna Nehirleri (2014 ve 2016), Çekya’nın Prag kentinden geçen Vltava Nehri ve Karlovy Vary kentinden geçen Hluboka Nehri (2014 ve 2016), Macaristan’ın Budapeşte kentinden geçen Tuna Nehri (2014 ve 2017), Ukrayna’nın Kiev kentinden geçen Dinyeper Nehri (2018) ve yakın çevrelerinde incelemeler yapılmıştır. Yurt içi kentlerinden ise Nevşehir’in Avanos ilçesinden geçen Kızılırmak Nehri (2016), Edirne’den geçen Meriç Nehri (2017) ile Eskişehir’den geçen Porsuk Çayı (2018) ve yakın çevrelerinde sörvey çalışmaları yapılmıştır. Çalışmada örnek olarak seçilen akarsular ve yakın çevrelerinde en çok tercih edilen kullanımlar belirlenmiştir. Bu tespitin akarsu kenarlarında yapılacak peyzaj düzenlemelerinde alana getirilebilecek kullanım türünün belirlenmesinde rehberlik edeceği düşünülmektedir.

Occurrence depth of juvenile freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera) in a river bed tested by experimental mesh tubes

Sediment depth preference was tested on 1-year-old freshwater pearl mussel juveniles. Mesh tubes allowing vertical migration with a possibility to leave hyporheic space, filled with 1–2-mm granulometry size substrate and populated with groups of juveniles, were placed in the natural river bed of the Tepla Vltava River, Czech Republic. The depth position of the juveniles was recorded after 1- and 2-month exposure during the summer and after 8 months including wintering. The juveniles showed a tendency not to stay on the sediment surface, but to penetrate into a very shallow depth, and to accumulate and stay 2–3 cm deep in the substrate in the summer period. No juvenile was found below 8 cm sediment depth, neither in the summer nor after wintering. In the experimental tubes, various survival rates (0–100%) were recorded in close relation to substrate oxygenation development at the tested sites. Oxygen decrease was accompanied by juveniles trying to escape the hyporheal.

Sorption of anthropogenic radionuclides onto river sediments and suspended solids: dependence on sediment composition

The purpose of the study is to explore the sorption behaviour of anthropogenic radionuclides in the Vltava River catchment in the Czech Republic, which could be influenced by an assumptive severe nuclear accident. Radionuclide sorption was described by distribution coefficients between water and sediment or suspended solids, respectively. Then, possible correlations between radionuclide sorption and sediment properties were investigated using simple and multiple regressions. The sorption of radionuclides was affected by sediment granularity and mineralogical composition, each radionuclide having its group of influencing sediment parameters.

Seasonal Dynamics and Winter Occurrence of Non-native Species - Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) in the Czech Republic

The study aims to evaluate changes in occurrence of the Mandarin Duck, Aix galericulata (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Czech Republic in 2008–2019 with focus on winter months (December, January and February) 2007/08–2018/19. Seasonal dynamics of occurrence was evaluated for years 2008–2019 by comparison of 3831 observations. The highest number of observations comes from winter period (36.7%), if we exclude data from South Moravian Region (with whole year occurrence), it is 48%. In winters 2007/08–2018/19 occurrence of 772 birds was detected, most of them with determined gender – 469 males (63.4%) and 271 females (36.6%). In winter periods 2007/08–2010/11 the occurrence was concentrated in the Central Bohemian Region (Vltava river). Since the winter 2011/12 the centre of occurrence was in the South Moravian Region which is related with a formation of stable breeding population in that region. Pattern of the highest number of observations in a winter period lasts but the highest numbers of observed birds are possibly of the Czech origin.

Vodní měkkýši Zoologické zahrady hl. m. Prahy [Aquatic molluscs of Prague Zoo

The Prague zoological garden is one of the most famous zoos in Europe. It covers an area of 58 ha on the right bank of the Vltava River (a tributary of the Elbe River). Aquatic molluscs of this zoo were studied mostly in 2019. Altogether 17 species were found at various outdoor habitats such as an old oxbow of the Vltava River, artificial pools, wetlands and small watercourses. Poor communities consisting of 1–4 species were found in most sites while 5–6 species were recorded at only four sites. Bithynia tentaculata, Gyraulus albus, and the non-native Physa acuta and Gyraulus parvus belonged among the most often recorded species. More diverse communities and numerous populations of aquatic molluscs were found mainly at sites overgrown with vegetation. On the contrary, it was difficult to find molluscs in habitats poor in vegetation with predatory pressure (e. g. water birds) and eutrophication.

Vodní měkkýši Sázavy a vybraných přítoků se zaměřením na ohrožené a nepůvodní druhy [Aquatic molluscs of the Sázava River and its selected tributaries with a focus on threatened and non-native species

This paper presents the results of a malacological survey of the Sázava River and its tributaries conducted over the last 20 years. The Sázava River (Czech Republic, Central and Eastern Bohemia) is one of the major tributaries of the Vltava River. Altogether 45 species of aquatic molluscs were found at 221 sites located at the Sázava River and its tributaries. More than 60% of recorded species of the Sázava River and its tributaries are common and widespread. The population of critically endangered Margaritifera margaritifera in the Jankovský potok is near extinction. Other threatened bivalves Pseudanodonta complanata, Unio crassus and Sphaerium rivicola were recorded in the Sázava River. Populations of U. crassus were also found in several tributaries (Blanice, Hejlovka, Martinický potok) while in the Sázavka Brook and the Želivka River only a few individuals were found. Gyraulus acronicus, a rare gastropod in the Czech Republic, was recorded in the Blanice River and several dam reservoirs. Four non-native species (Potamopyrgus antipodarum, Physa acuta, Gyraulus parvus, Dreissena polymorpha) were found in the monitored streams and reservoirs but usually in a relatively small number of localities. Most of these were located in the lower section of the Sázava River, Švihov dam reservoir and some tributaries.

The central European flood of 1572 and its local-scale effects as revealed by a damage inventory

ABSTRACTA cyclone in July 1572 caused a catastrophic flood in the catchments of the Upper Danube and Vltava rivers. A previously unpublished inventory dating to 1574 enabled local-scale insight into the effects of the cyclone. The degree of destruction was inventoried for 355 subjects of the Benedictine Abbey of Admont, Austria. The location of 150 damaged buildings was possible due to registers, cadastres and other geographical sources. Spatial analysis revealed that most of the properties damaged were located near watercourses at alluvial fans. A significantly greater amount of damage was revealed for properties, which would be nowadays located in moderate- and high-risk hazard zones. Only 18.7% of the properties damaged in 1572 were located inside modern hazard zones. By using methodological approaches of history, environmental history and geography, we show that it is possible at local scale to reconstruct the spatial pattern, magnitude and intensity of a cyclone ca. 450 years after the event.

Persistent water pollutants: case of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid in the Czech Republic

Reuse and recycling of products composed of natural matter is relatively without significant environmental problems. However, recycling of products produced using modern synthetic technologies often brings new challenges. Our analysis has shown that substitution of citric acid with artificial substance of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid causes important environmental problems. The case study carried out in the Elbe river basin shows that the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid concentration standard has been exceeded, particularly from confluence of the Vltava and Elbe rivers. Open questions and tasks for future technological development and environmental policies are formulated, particularly the idea to replace artificial substances with nature-based ones. This would enable better introduction of circular economy ideas in the use of resources.

High Throughput Bioacoustic Monitoring and Phenology of the Greater Noctule Bat (Nyctalus lasiopterus) Compared to Other Migratory Species

Conventional monitoring tools are seldom effective for studying the ecology of rare and elusive mammals. In the present study, we use automated ultrasound detectors to provide information about seasonal activity of the greater noctule bat (Nyctalus lasiopterus), the largest and one of least known European bats. We selected localities within Central Europe with diverse geomorphological contexts, including rivers of different sizes and mountain passes. The study demonstrates the capability of the automatic recording approach to achieve bioacoustic discrimination of this species, but also pointed to the persistent need of integrating results from automatic classification software applications with the feedback from manual approaches. The high throughput capacity of the assay proved to be efficient, and the regular occurrence of the species was identified at two localities. These locations are associated with two known and intensely used migratory corridors of winged animals going through Vltava River valley and Cervenohorske Saddle in Jeseniky mountains, as illustrated also by the activity patterns of other migratory species. Together with the occurrence of spring and autumn peaks in activity, these findings are in concordance with the plesiomorphic condition in pipistrelloid bats, showing also migratory behavior, and represent further indirect evidence of migration of the greater noctule. This pattern could be facilitated by the trophic niche of the species, involving predation of migrating songbirds. Differences in phenology of migratory species observed at particular sites likely mirror position of the locality in relation to migration flyways, seasonal and geographic variation in prey availability and energy demands etc. Further application of bioacoustic monitoring and other tools is necessary to obtain detailed information about the range and movement ecology of the species in higher latitudes.

Transformation of the Vltava Historical Riverine Landscape within the Modern Times

Transformation of the Vltava Historical Riverine Landscape within the Modern Times

3D Model of Historical Vltava River Valley: Combination of Sources

Abstract. Within the framework of the project “Vltava – transformation of historical landscape as a result of floods, dams creation and land-use changes along with cultural and social activities in the river neighbourhood” funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, we deal with many aspects of the Vltava River, considering the significant changes that have taken place in its history. In this paper, we are focusing on the reconstruction of the historic Vltava valley as of 1950s, the period just before the construction of the dam reservoirs cascade on the Vltava River. The aim is to create DTM, which will be the basis of visualizations and analyses of the old river bed.

Depiction of Line Features on Folded Maps on Example of Old Maps of the Vltava River

Abstract. Under an ongoing research project being concerned with the Vltava river in Czech Republic, it is being dealt with various aspects of the riverine landscape, considering the significant changes that have taken place in its history and also the fact that the Vltava represents the most important and longest Czech river. This paper aims to introduce a narrow part of the ongoing research – selected old multi-sheet map works connected with the river and outline the process of utilizing similar cartographic works within greater projects processing geospatial data. These maps represent predecessors of general (‘military’) surveys of the whole Czech Lands and pose a great representative of hand-written large-scale maps created without any known geometric network and may be appropriately compared with the First Military Survey maps also lacking geometric network but bringing a great amount of topographic content.