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News older than one year.
Toxic metals revealed to be absorbed by mycorrhizal fungi at plant roots
Jan Borovička and his co-workers have published a study on the accumulation of toxic metals and other elements in ectomycorrhizal roots of Norway spruce (Environmental Pollution, Impact Factor: 4.839). Their research was conducted in the Příbram area, subjected to long-lasting man-induced pollution from ore mining and processing. When compared to non-mycorrhizal tiny spruce roots and organic soils, concentrations of metals (cadmium and silver in particular) were significantly elevated in ectomycorrhizal roots. This phenomenon can be attributed to metal-binding capacity of fungal mycelia. These results support the hypothesis that mycorrhizal fungi may protect host plants against heavy metal toxicity in polluted environments.
Microbial precipitates in old iron ore mines (central Bohemia)
One of the preserved galleries in the former iron-ore mining district of Zdice (35 km SW of Prague) originated between 1950 and 1965. The iron-rich layer, Ordovician (460 million years) in age, was found to be of low thickness and low grade to be economic. The present study of the gallery is focused on presently forming secondary precipitates of iron and calcium compounds. It is likely that some of the precipitates are microbially induced, with a significant involvement of iron bacteria. Photo gallery.
Petr Štorch has been elected as a chairman of the International Subcommission on Silurian Stratigraphy
RNDr. Petr Štorch, DrSc. from the Institute of Geology CAS has been elected as a new chairman of the International Subcommission on Silurian Stratigraphy ICS, IUGS. He will take the helm for next four years (2016-2020) after 35th International Geological Congress to be held in Cape Town, South Africa in August 2016.
How much dust is there floating in the atmosphere? Up to five billion tons every year, a geologist says
Tomáš Hrstka, the current leader of the Atmospheric Dust Project of the Strategy AV21 programme, was invited to Czech Radio to talk (in Czech) about the present trends of this hazardous component in our everyday environment. At this occasion, he also mentioned a new technique which has been applied: fully automated, high-throughput analyses of element and mineral compositions applied to samples of dust deposits. Tomáš Hrstka has significantly contributed to the development of these techniques internationally.
Fulbright research scholarship granted to Lukáš Ackerman
Scientist Lukáš Ackerman was granted prestigious Fulbright scholarship for his 3-month long stay at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego, USA, planned for autumn 2016. The purpose of his project is to unravel the behavior of highly siderophile elements and Re-Os isotopes in highly differentiated alkaline volcanic rocks.
A geological-speleological expedition in China
In early June, a geological-speleological expedition participated by Michal Filippi returned from China. This joint expedition of the Czech Speleological Society (Z. Motyčka, L. Matuška, R. Šebela), Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (M.F.) and the Institute of Karst Geology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhang Yuan Hai) examined and evaluated the potential for geological and speleological research in unexplored areas close to Xiaonanhai, Zhenba, and Sanyuan cities in Shaanxi Province, central China. The expedition resulted, among others, in the discovery of several new remarkable caves. Of special value was the extension of co-operation with workers of the Institute of Karst Geology and emerging co-operation with geologists of the Chinese Geological Survey. For documentary photos click here.
Further improvement in the rating of the Bulletin of Geosciences journal
The recently announced Impact Factors for 2015 showed an increase in the IF of the Bulletin of Geosciences from 1.515 in 2014 to 1.700. At the moment, it is the third best rated journal in the Czech Republic and the 18th best rated palaeontological journal world-wide. This success has been also contributed by members of the Editorial Board – staff members of the Institute of Geology CAS, v.v.i. (Jindřich Hladil, Ladislav Slavík, Petr Štorch, Jan Wagner and Jaroslav Zajíc).
Football match between representatives of paleocontinents Laurussia vs. Gondwana
A football match belongs among the traditions of international ichnologic congresses (Ichnia), which have been held every four years since 2004. This yearʼs Ichnia 2016 took place in the town of Idanha-a-Nova at the western border of Portugal. Radek Mikuláš played the entire match as a goalkeeper of Gondwana (marked by an arrow on the photo); however, he did not prevent a close defeat of his team 2 : 3.
The Encyclopedia of Clay Minerals succesful in the "Dictionary of the year 2016" contest
Otto Wichterle Award 2016
Prof. Jiří Drahoš, President of the Czech Academy of Sciences, decorated twenty-one young scientists with the Otto Wichterle Award in Lanna Villa in Prague on Monday, May 30, 2016. One of the Award holders was Tomáš Přikryl of the Institute of Geology of the CAS, v.v.i.
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