Stars and STEM Stories
GLOBE Czech Republic: Students Reveal Significant Pollution in Their Local Water Stream
Václav, Jan, and Martin (above) are not average teenagers. As
part of the Eco-Club of Břidličná Elementary School in Břidličná,
Czech Republic, they were spending much of their free time making
observations around the local water stream. That is how they first
noticed a significant decline in the aquatic life, indicating water pollution.
With the help of modern sensors and under the guidance of their teacher, Mrs. Květa Děrdová, they began researching the conductivity, pH, temperature, and nitrate concentrations at multiple sites along the 7-km-long stream that crosses three villages using GLOBE Hydrosphere Protocols. Their research revealed high levels of contaminants around certain pipes, indicating sewage discharge from households, with conductivity levels measuring up to 30 times higher than normal.
How Measurement at Site Was Done
At first, we measured the value of water conductivity. This number showed the amount of free dissolved substances in the water. Then we took a sample of water for chemical analysis and determined the nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia levels, showing the degree of pollution in the stream. We repeated the exact procedure at each specific measuring site, thanks to which we were able to specify where exactly and to what degree the pollution was present. —Václav Repáň, one of the research trio (Edited testimony from English subtitles from this video)
From Data to Action
The students meticulously documented their research over the course of three years (2021–24) and created an interactive map (screenshot below) that shows specific pollution sources and data.
Václav, Martin, and Jan did not only highlight the water
pollution problems they also actively sought a solution! The students
started information campaigns among the residents and local
authorities of all three affected villages. Their efforts were not in
vain: The mayor of Ryžoviště, a village with no access to a sewage
network, has requested financial support from regional authorities to
build a local water treatment plant. This gives hope that the water
ecosystems will significantly improve in the future.
The students regularly share their activities on the project website and social media to provide updates on the current situation of the stream.
One Success After Another
The work of students not only caught the attention of the Czech media, but they also won the students recognition and awards at numerous prestigious events.
At the 2024 GLOBE Virtual Student Conference, their project was praised by NASA scientist Peter Falcon and earned them a financial award in the category of “Collaboration with the Local Community.”
These students also showcased their work at the 2024
GLOBE Conference in Mělník, Czech Republic, and were praised by
former GLOBE Implementation Office Director Tony Murphy. Recently,
they won third place at the 2024 Danube Art Master Competition in the
category “International Winner – Teens” with a short
video about their project.
GLOBE Heroes
Václav, Martin, and Jan are real GLOBE heroes and so are their two mentors. Besides the relentless help and support of their teacher, Mrs. Děrdová, the students also benefited from the expertise of Martin Rulík, hydrobiologist (and GLOBE scientist) from the University of Olomouc, Czech Republic, with whom they regularly consulted their project.
The help of the Czech GLOBE team is also much appreciated, to whom GLOBE educators can always reach out for methodical support or feedback on their projects.
The Project Team and Research Areas Keeps Expanding
The student trio teamed up with other local students and are currently also researching on microplastics pollution as well as the influence of microclimate on the water quality and aquatic wildlife of the stream.
Are you interested about their findings? Stay tuned! The students will present their results at the Best of GLOBE Europe and Eurasia 2025 Conference on 4–5 February 2025.
Learn more about GLOBE Czech Republic.
Images courtesy of Zuzana Havlínová.