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We examined 14 archived samples of shale for the chemical and 13C isotopic composition of residual gases produced as part of rock-crushing operations at a hammer mill. Results were compared with data on maturity from Rock-Eval pyrolysis and vitrinite reflectance measurements. The samples originated from three different formations (Mikulov Marls, Ostrava Formation, and Liteň Formation) located in the Czech Republic. For comparison, we examined a gas-prone shale sample from the Polish Silurian. We used changes in the chemical and isotopic composition of released gases to evaluate the isotope fractionation during gas loss and retroactively calculated the initial content of gas in the shale samples. The gas content estimates (in L of gas per ton of rock) correspond with the maturity parameters of the shales. Calculated isotope fractionation for the gas release was −3‱ for both methane and ethane. The archived samples primarily lost methane (up to 90%), with subsequent changes in the content of ethane and higher hydrocarbon levels.

A total of 152 aerosol and spider web samples were collected: 96 spider's webs in karst areas in 4 European countries (Czech Republic, France, Italy, and Slovakia), specifically from the surface environment (n = 44), photic zones of caves (n = 26), and inside (aphotic zones) of caves (n = 26), 56 Particulate Matter (PM) samples from the Sloupsko-Sosuvsky Cave System (speleotherapy facility; n = 21) and from aerosol collected from the nearby city of Brno (n = 35) in the Czech Republic. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) were isolated from 13 (13.5%) spider's webs: 5 isolates of saprophytic NTM (Mycobacterium gordonae, M. kumamotonense, M. terrae, and M. terrae complex) and 6 isolates of potentially pathogenic NTM (M. avium ssp. hominissuis, M. fortuitum, M. intracellulare, M. peregrinum and M. triplex). NTM were not isolated from PM collected from cave with the speleotherapy facility although mycobacterial DNA was detected in 8 (14.3%) samples. Temperature (8.2 °C, range 8.0–8.4 °C) and relative humidity (94.7%, range 93.6–96.6%) of air in this cave were relatively constant. The average PM2.5 and PM10 mass concentration was 5.49 µg m−3 and 11.1 µg m−3. Analysed anions (i.e., F−, Cl−, NO2−, SO42−, PO43− and NO3−) originating largely from the burning of wood and coal for residential heating in nearby villages in the surrounding area. The air in the caves with speleotherapy facilities should be monitored with respect to NTM, PM and anions to ensure a safe environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 281 guano samples were collected from caves (N = 181) in eight European countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia) and attics in the Czech R. (N = 100). The correlation of detection of mycobacteria between Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) microscopy and culture examination and qPCR was strong. ZN microscopy was positive in guano from caves (58.6%) more than double than positivity in guano from attics (21.0%; p < 0.01). From 89 mycobacterial isolates (73 isolates from cave guano and 16 isolates from attics' guano), 68 (76.4%) isolates of 19 sp., ssp. and complex were identified as members of three Groups (M. fortuitum, M.chelonae, and M. mucogenicum) and four complexes (M. avium, M. terrae, M.vaccae, and M.smegmatis). A total of 20 isolates (22.5%) belonged to risk group 1 (environmental saprophytes), 48 isolates (53.9%) belonged to risk group 2 (potential pathogens), and none of the isolates belonged to risk group 3 (obligatory pathogens). When comparing bat guano collected from caves and attics, differences (p < 0.01; Mann–Whitney test) were observed for the electrical conductivity, total carbon, total organic, and total inorganic carbon. No difference (p > 0.05; Mann–Whitney test) was found for pH and oxidation-reduction potential parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After briefly introducing the sedimentology of two Eifelian-Frasnian carbonate sections in Belgium and Moravia, this paper focuses on the comparison of the magnetic susceptibility (MS) curves. The Ardennes section shows highly variable facies, with an alternation of ramp, platform and mound environments. Detrital inputs are locally very important. Time-equivalent facies in the area of the Moravian Karst correspond to rather pure carbonate platform facies, mostly composed of Amphipora beds. The first analysis of long-term trends in Devonian MS in Belgium and Moravia shows a remarkable similarity, despite a very different background of palaeogeographical setting, facies, sedimentary rate and retrogradation-progradation history. However, a relative independence of the MS and the distal-proximal curves, deduced either from the microfacies record (Ardennes) or from shoreline shifts (Moravia) is observed. This questions the nature of the forcing mechanisms that must at least be active at the inter-regional scale. Moravia and the Ardennes are located along the same palaeolatitude, perhaps suggesting some climatically driven mechanisms, responsible for the input of the detrital fraction responsible for the MS in these sediments. Trade winds are potentially responsible for transportation of dust and its widespread distribution in intertropical areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma-ray logs from boreholes in the Middle–Upper Devonian carbonate platform of Moravia display tripartite anomalies at locations, where lithological and biostratigraphic data suggest the occurrence of 4th order sedimentary cycle boundaries. Further, where sedimentary boundaries have been changed by later development of caves (usually phreatic caves changed to unroofed caves––erosion), the carbonate infillings in these corroded cycle boundaries are marked by another pattern that consists of a smooth symmetrical peak on gamma-ray activity in vertical section. The details procured using gamma-ray spectrometric and magnetosusceptibility methods suggest that the upper peak of the tripartite pattern corresponds solely to uranium concentration (flooding surface). The middle peak is marked by a thorium signal and a magnetosusceptibility response from paramagnetic minerals (paleosols). The lower peak corresponds to trapped uranium and microbial magnetite in cemented rock pores (originally dysoxic microenvironments in calcite). The boundaries marked with filled caves display only one broad and symmetrical uranium-related peak, and the thorium peak that is roughly similar to that seen at normal boundaries, but it is shifted slightly downward. At boundaries with caves the magnetosusceptibility peaks are shifted downward considerably, and may even occur within the underlying host rock. The question of whether these patterns are a primary imprint of early diagenetic influences or a much later redistribution that originated during pressure solution and cementation, was answered by study of Late Quaternary sections on San Salvador Island, Bahamas. This pragmatic test on young carbonate sediments confirmed the early origin and fixation of these geophysical patterns. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The impact of residential villages on the nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in streams flowing through them has not been studied in detail. Water and sediments of streams are highly susceptible to anthropogenic inputs such as surface water flows. This study investigated the impact of seven residential villages in a karst watershed on the prevalence and species spectrum of NTM in water and sediments. Higher NTM species diversity (i.e., 19 out of 28 detected) was recorded downstream of the villages and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) compared to sampling sites upstream (i.e., 5). Significantly, higher Zn and lower silicon concentrations were detected in sediments inside the village and downstream of the WWTP's effluents. Higher phosphorus concentration in sediment was downstream of WWTPs compared to other sampling sites. The effluent from the WWTPs had a substantial impact on water quality parameters with significant increases in total phosphorus, anions (Cl - and N-NH 3 - ), and cations (Na + and K + ). The results provide insights into NTM numbers and species diversity distribution in a karst watershed and the impact of urban areas. Although in this report the focus is on the NTM, it is likely that other water and sediment microbes will be influenced as well., (© 2023. The Author(s).)