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The topic of my diploma thesis draws on my bachelor thesis, which described combustion products of selected substances in the complete combustion. The diploma thesis focused on the incomplete combustion in the same substances to make a comparison possible. In the chapter on the substances selected for burning, the substances were described theoretically first. Further, the burning was carried out, the products that came into being were collected into collection bags and sent to the laboratory of the Institute of Population Protection in Lázně Bohdaneč to be analysed. After receiving the records all possible effects on human health were carried out, and the results were compared with those of the bachelor thesis. The analyses showed that carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide appeared in all analyses, while the remaining substances differed to a minimum extent, however, they are in much higher concentrations than in the perfect combustion. I added two more substances that had not been in my bachelor thesis to those that were burnt, but in the course of two years their application became a common practice, and they play an increasingly more significant role in our life. The task of the chapter dealing with the detection technique was to find out and describe the possibilities of the commander in detecting the combustion products directly on the spot of the actual operation in the shortest possible time, to enable him to propose the protection of the firemen, and possibly to establish the possibilities of taking samples, transport to the laboratory, conducting a laboratory analysis and establishing the approximate time when he could obtain the first sampling results. All of this was focused on the possibilities of the Fire Rescue Service of the Region of South Bohemia (HZS JčK). The next chapter concerned their colleagues of the Fire Rescue Service of the Region of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, in which a questionnaire investigation was focused on them, identical with that of my bachelor thesis. As I had succeeded in including the results of my bachelor thesis into a training course, I wondered whether the knowledge would improve or not. After a comparison with the results from my bachelor thesis with the new ones the conclusions turned out to be favourable, and suggested in which way the training courses - not only for the professional units - should proceed. The results of the new questionnaire investigation, which showed an improvement, should form a basis of a campaign focusing on the non-professional public, which should be acquainted with what they breathe in the event that they burn vast variety of waste. I believe that results would be achieved even here in the form of a deeper knowledge and a better quality of the air we breathe.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de NÃvel Superior / Durante a queima do carvÃo mineral sÃo gerados vÃrios tipos de resÃduos ou subprodutos (produtos da combustÃo do carvÃo, ou PCCs). Esses produtos incluem as cinzas volantes, as cinzas pesadas ou de fundo, a escÃria da caldeira, e o gesso do FGD - Flue Gas Desulfurization.Embora alguns PCCs sejam reutilizados como matÃria-prima para a construÃÃo civil, a maioria deles à depositada em aterros ou represas de contenÃÃo. AlÃm de ocupar vastas extensÃes de terra, existe uma grande preocupaÃÃo com o fato de que produtos quÃmicos tÃxicos dos PCCs podem dissolver na Ãgua e essa Ãgua poluÃda pode lixiviar, contaminando tanto Ãguas subterrÃneas quanto superficiais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo fabricar e caracterizar peÃas cerÃmicas a partir de resÃduos da extraÃÃo do granito Asa Branca, com adiÃÃo de produtos gerados pela combustÃo do carvÃo de uma usina termoelÃtrica. Foram avaliadas a microestrutura e algumas propriedades fÃsicas e mecÃnicas dessas peÃas. Os materiais utilizados foram granito Asa Branca e o subproduto da combustÃo do carvÃo mineral ( fornecido pela Energia de Portugal â EDP), nas concentraÃÃes de 10%p, 20%p e 30%p. Para a caracterizaÃÃo das amostras foram utilizadas as tÃcnicas de: DifraÃÃo de Raios-X, FluorescÃncia de Raios-X, Microscopia EletrÃnica de Varredura (MEV), AnÃlise TermogravimÃtrica (ATG). Para a determinaÃÃo das propriedades fÃsicas foram realizados os ensaios de ContraÃÃo Superficial e MÃssica; AbsorÃÃo de Ãgua e Microdureza Vickers. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que o uso de produto da combustÃo do carvÃo mineral como reforÃo em peÃas feitas com pà de Granito Asa Branca à tecnicamente viÃvel. / During the burning of mineral coal a series of different residues or byproducts (coal combustion products, or CCPs) are generated. These byproducts include fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, and flue gas desulfurization gypsum. Although some types of CCPs can be used as alternative raw materials for construction products, the majority of them are deposited in landfills or surface impoundments. Besides the occupation of large areas there is a major concern with the fact that toxic chemicals from the CCPs can dissolve in water, and this polluted water can spread underground, contaminating both groundwater and surface waters. The present work investigated the fabrication and characterization of ceramic products made from Asa Branca granite powder with the addition of products generated by the combustion of mineral coal in a power plant. The microstructure and some physical and mechanical properties of these parts were evaluated. The materials used were Asa Branca Granite and a mixture of CCPs supplied by EDP (Energia de Portugal) which were added in the concentrations of 10, 20 and 30% wt. to the granite matrix. The following techniques were used for the characterization of the materials: X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Determination of physical properties was performed by means of Surface Contraction and Weight Loss tests; Water Absorption and Vickers Microhardness. The results showed that the use of products generated by the combustion of coal as reinforcements for the parts made from Asa Branca Granite powder is technically viable.

<p>Mercury contamination in aquatic ecosystems is a concern as anaerobic aquatic sediments are the primary regions of methylmercury production in freshwater and coastal regions. Methlymercury is a bioaccumulative neurotoxin, and human exposure to methylmercury can result in impaired functioning of the central nervous system and developmental disabilities in children. To minimize the risk of human exposure to methylmercury, it is important to be knowledgeable of the various sources which can supply mercury to aquatic ecosystems as well as have a complete understanding of the biogeochemical processes which are involved in methylmercury production in aquatic systems. In this dissertation work, both mercury biogeochemical speciation in anaerobic aquatic sediments and sources of mercury to aquatic systems were addressed. </p><p>The biogeochemical speciation of mercury is a critical factor which influences the fate and transformation of mercury in aquatic environments. In anaerobic sediments, mercury chemical speciation is controlled by reduced sulfur groups, such as inorganic sulfide and reduced sulfur moieties in dissolved organic matter (DOM). The formation of mercury sulfide nanoparticles through stabilization by dissolved organic matter (DOM) was investigated in precipitation studies using dynamic light scattering. Mercury sulfide nanoparticles (particle diameter < 100 nm) were stabilized through precipitation reactions that were kinetically hindered by DOM. To further investigate the interaction between DOM and metal sulfides, similar precipitation studies were performed using zinc sulfide and a number of DOM isolates (humic and fulvic acids) representing a range of DOM properties. The results of these experiments suggest that the mechanism of metal sulfide particle stabilization may be electrostatic or electrosteric, depending on the nature of the DOM molecule.</p><p>The mercury that is methylated in aquatic systems enters these environments via a number of sources, including atmospheric deposition, landscape runoff and other industrial and municipal activities. In two separate field studies, two potential sources of mercury to aquatic systems were investigated: landscape runoff and coal combustion products. The mercury loading to aquatic environments from these sources and their potential for transformation to methylmercury were investigated.</p><p>Landscape runoff from a Duke University campus catchment (Durham, NC) was identified as a source of mercury to a stream-wetland. The source of mercury to the runoff was likely from a `legacy' source of mercury; the historic application of mercury fungicide compounds to turf grass during the 20th century. Downstream of the point where the runoff was discharged to the stream-wetland, methylmercury concentrations were detected in stream sediments (up to 11% of total mercury), suggesting that this legacy mercury could be transformed to methylmercury. </p><p>The environmental impact of coal combustion products (CCPs) with respect to mercury and methylmercury was also investigated in a river system (Roane County, TN) that was inundated with fly ash and bottom ash from the Tennessee Valley Authority Kingston coal ash spill in 2008. Elevated total mercury and methylmercury sediment concentrations (relative to upstream sediments) were detected in regions impacted by the ash spill, and our biogeochemical data suggested that the ash may have stimulated methylmercury production in river sediments.</p><p>The results of this dissertation work address the formation of mercury sulfide (along with zinc sulfide) nanoparticles in anaerobic aquatic sediments. In the current mercury methylation paradigm, dissolved mercury species such as Hg(SH)02(aq) and HgS0(aq) are assumed to be the only mercury species that are available for methylation. The results of this dissertation work suggests that in previous studies, HgS0(aq) may have been mistaken as mercury sulfide nanoparticles which may be formed in under supersaturated conditions (with respect to HgS(s)) where DOM is present. Mercury sulfide nanoparticles are a mercury biogeochemical species that has been largely ignored in the research literature and whose role in the mercury biogeochemical cycle and in mercury methylation remains to be investigated.</p><p> This dissertation work also identifies potential sources of mercury to aquatic systems, namely, landscape runoff and CCPs. Atmospheric deposition is currently considered to be the major source of mercury to inland aquatic water bodies compared to sources such as landscape runoff and CCPs. However, in the watershed studied in this dissertation, landscape runoff was identified as a larger source of mercury than atmospheric deposition, suggesting that these so-called `minor' sources may actually be major sources of mercury to watersheds depending on land usage, and should be considered in watershed models. Furthermore, the environmental hazards of mercury-associated with CCPs has typically been determined through leaching experiments, such as the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), which are not representative of environmental conditions and do not predict that CCPs may influence mercury methylation in aquatic sediments. Thus, in this dissertation work, we suggest that leaching protocols such as the TCLP should be re-evaluated. </p><p>Overall, this dissertation work will be useful in future studies examining mercury speciation and bioavailability to methylating bacteria in aquatic sediments, and the formation of metal sulfide nanoparticles in aquatic systems. Additionally, data on sources of mercury will be useful in developing policies for the regulation of these sources and in assessing the risk to human health from mercury methylation.</p> / Dissertation

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Fire presents a significant risk of the formation of toxic combustion gases. These substances further endanger fire squad units and nearby residents. Toxic gases are responsible for almost 50% of all fire casualties and cause one third of fatal casualties. The amount and composition of gases depend to a great extent on the conditions of thermal degradation especially temperature and the amount of oxygen in the surrounding atmosphere. Prevention or minimisation of consequences of formation of toxic gases involves a rapid and a quality analysis. For this purpose, the methods that proved to be the best suited are gas chromatography and mass spectrometry combined with micro-extraction to solid phase. This work involves analysis of combustion products of selected materials and study of their toxic characteristics. These are especially wood, oil products, various types of rubber and plastic materials. Using analysis of these combustion gases more than 300 hundred substances have been identified. These are especially carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, volatile organic substances, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, etc. Monitoring of combustion gases was performed even in the vicinity of large fires. The findings were complemented by information from expert studies and events of past years. In case of identified substances which present the greatest health risk, the most significant toxic characteristics were described with emphasis on acute exposition, symptoms of intoxication and possible consequences. Following all these facts protection measures are suggested in relation to the formation of toxic combustion gases.