Stable thallium isotope systematics in natural geosystems

Ing. Kateřina Vejvodová

Disertační práce

Abstract:

This thesis provides an insight into the behaviour of thallium (Tl) and stable Tl isotopes in soils, peats and throughout the metallurgical Zn process. The key mechanisms/processes controlling Tl soil geochemistry were studied. For example, it was found that Mn-oxides and associated redox reactions can influence both Tl sorption and Tl isotopic fractionation and even the enrichment of the heavy Tl isotope (205Tl) in soils. Thallium isotopes were able to confirm the geogenic origin of Tl and the soil processes that occur within the profile. Thallium in peat samples was immobile, however, the variations in Tl isotopic ratios allowed to pinpoint the input of Tl with both geogenic and local anthropogenic sources. In the leaching experiment with peat, sphalerite displayed to be the less stable Tl-containing sulphide compared to galena and pyrite, making it responsible for the Tl mobilization into peat. Thallium’s conservative nature was clearly shown within the peat samples; however, Tl was not as conservative as Pb, and even less conservative under extreme acidic conductions. Nevertheless, peat proved to be a suitable archive for historical Tl atmospheric deposition. Metallurgical waste materials derived by sulphide processing in the Zn smelter at Bukowno (Poland) displayed insignificant Tl isotopic variations between the initial smelter feed sulphide concentrates and the waste materials, with minimum isotopic effects, making it difficult to use the Tl isotopic ratios as a source proxy.

Keywords

isotopic fractionation, soil, thallium, peat, industrial waste, Mn-oxides

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 14. 2. 2023

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: doc. RNDr. Aleš Vaněk, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Jiřina Száková, CSc., prof. Ing., Radim Vácha, externi

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta agrobiologie, potravinových a přírodních zdrojů

Doktorský studijní program / obor:
Agricultural Specialization / Exploitation and Conservation of Natural Resources