CZECH IGCP NATIONAL COMMITTEE * SUMMARY REPORT * 1997

 

1. Chairpersons of the Czech IGCP National Committee

Chairman: Jan PASAVA, Czech Geological Survey

Secretary: Jindrich HLADIL, Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences CR

Date of submission of Report: November 24th, 1997

 

2. Members of the Czech IGCP National Committee:

Karel BREITER; Miloslav DURIS; Olga HODANOVA; Stanislav OPLUSTIL, Vladimir SKOCEK, Vladimir SIBRAVA, Miroslav STEMPROK, Jaroslav TYRACEK.

 

3. Number and title of projects in which the Czech Republic has participated:

 

A/ Projects with project leaders from the Czech Republic:

 

Project #357 - Organics and Mineral Deposits

Project Leader: J. Pasava

Czech Representative: B. Kribek

1997 was the last year for the IGCP #357. Activities of the Working Group have been focused on the following topics:

(1) Roles of organic matter-rich rocks in the formation of tin-polymetallic ores in the Dachang tin field, south China (Czech-Chinese co-operative project): The Dachang ore district, with about 100 millions tons of ore at 1 % Sn, is one of the largest tin producers in the world. It is located in Nadan County in the Guangxi Autonomous Region, south China and comprises the Lamo and Tongken Cu-Zn skarn proximal skarn deposit, the Changpo, Bali and Longtaoshan distal skarns, and the Dafulo, Kangma and Hui-Le vein-type black shale-hosted cassiterite-sulfide deposits. Economic tin deposits of the Dachang tin field contained, at the time of granitoid emplacement, significant concentrations of carbon in the form of black shales in the local crust. New sulfur isotope data from the Dachang tin field have confirmed that sulfides from proximal skarn deposits have sulfur derived from magmatic fluids, whereas distal skarns reflect the mixture of deep seated and bacterially reduced sulfur. A significant negative shift in the composition of sulfur isotopes at the Dafulo and Kangma cassiterite-sulfide veins and stockworks hosted in black shales, indicate very likely bacterially reduced sulfur to be a dominant source. The results have been presented at the Final IGCP #357 Meeting in Turku, Finland (August 97) and published in Pasava, J., Fan Delian, and Zentilli, M., 1997, Involvement of sulfur from black shales in the formation of tin deposits of the Dachang tin field: Evidence from sulfur isotope study. In: Mineral Deposits: Research and Exploration - where do they meet ? (Papunen, H. ed.), A.A.Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 91-94.

(2) Black shale hosted PGE (platinum group elements) mineralization of the Upper Proterozoic of the Bohemian Massif: Final results have been presented at the Final IGCP #357 Meeting which was held in conjunction with the 4th SGA Meeting in Turku, Finland (August 97). In an invited keynote lecture J. Pasava demonstrated that the distribution of PGE concentrations in the Upper Proterozoic metal-rich black shales from the Barrandian Proterozoic (Bohemian Massif) was controlled by the type and size of sedimentary environment, the character of volcanogenic-hydrothermal fluids, the organic productivity, and finally by the degree of metamorphism. The results were published by Pasava, J., Loukola-Ruskeeniemi, K., and Chernyshov, N.M., 1997, Important controls of PGE enrichment in Proterozoic metal-rich black shales. In: Mineral Deposits: Research and Exploration - where do they meet ? (Papunen, H. ed.), A.A.Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 11-14.

(3) Weathering of fossil organic matter at spoil banks and tips of coal mines: Next progress has been achieved at the study of weathering of organic matter from the Miocene brown shale in the Sokolov Basin, Czech Republic. It has been found that agrochemical and microbiological properties of the weathering products are influenced by the kerogen type and amount of pyrite in fresh rocks. Regardless the amount of the humic substance produced, the cation-exchange ability of the weathered organic matter is primarily determined by the pH of sediments. In pyrite-rich sediments, the weathered organic matter is saturated with H+ ions and does not participate in cation-exchange reactions. Moreover, low pH reduces the bacterial growth. The results have been presented at the Final IGCP #357 Meeting in Finland and published in Kribek, B., 1997, Weathering of organic matter from the Miocene brown shale (Sokolov Basin, Czech Republic): Environmental and remediation aspects. In: Mineral Deposits: Research and Exploration - where do they meet ? (Papunen, H. ed.), A.A.Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 67-70.

(4) New IGCP activities: A proposal for a new IGCP Project entitled "Organics in Major Environmental Issues" which was presented and favorably met at the IGCP Sub-Regional Meeting in May 97 in Budapest (Hungary) was submitted by J. Pasava from the Czech Geological Survey to the IGCP Secretariat in Paris and registered under no. 429. Its major goals and benefits are as follows:

(a) To encourage further the existing, internationally recognized, scientific group established within IGCP #357, and to promote interactions with, and between, other groups of geoscientists (geologists, geomicrobiologists, mineralogists, petrologists, both organic and inorganic geochemists, hydrogeologists, biogeochemists), soil and health specialists, as well as environmentalists. The common interest will be different aspects of the interactions between organic matter and the environment. Acknowledging the complex issues being currently studied by the above disciplines, the proposed IGCP "Organics in major environmental issues" is intended as a means of bridging gaps between disciplines (especially between geoscientists, health and agricultural specialists), to encourage cross-fertilisation of skills and ideas, and to co-ordinate research efforts in order to be of great a value to society as possible.

(b) Some bacteria (and other organisms) have been shown to be able to dissolve and precipitate mineral phases. Through studies focused on organo-metallic complexing and organic controls on Eh and pH, some of our results should further improvement and use of microbiological and biogeochemical processes in environmental clean-up. This project should guide our Society towards uses of organic-metal interactions in environmental buffering and clean-up of heavy metal contaminated waste heaps, tailings ponds.

(c) Billions of tons of metalliferous and fossil fuel organic matter residues currently reside in the waste heaps of many historical (abandoned) deposits. Of well-established environmental concern are residues which contain iron sulphides (e.g., FeS, FeS2). Oxidation of these spoils, or drainage from disused mines, results in acid water drainage containing metals. The mining residues also contain a substantial amount of fossil organic matter. Weathering of fossil organic matter results in the formation of various types of materials, with atypical agrochemical and microbiological properties. This proposed interdisciplinary IGCP project should help our Society towards more sophisticated reclamation of these mining sites.

(d) Using the above understanding gained on historical deposits, the proposed IGCP will seek to integrate interdisciplinary studies geared towards current metal and fossil fuel mining, and especially to be able to influence environmental guidelines to be considered in future mining activities. Black shale hosted ore deposits often cause, by the release of toxic metals, acids, and radioactive gas, serious environmental harm. Our past experience gained through IGCP projects, combined with new ideas from this project has tremendous potential to contribute to a better understanding of processes leading to serious environmental harm around black shale hosted mineral deposits and possibly to predict and treat them.

(e) Since organic matter is able to immobilize some fission products, previously gained expertise on carbonaceous matter in natural fission reactors can lead towards a better understanding of radionuclide containment in solid graphitic bitumen, and its applicability to man-made radioactive waste repository designs. This project should provide our Society with extremely useful analogues to support assessment of radionuclide containment at anthropogenic radioactive waste repository sites.

(f) Research in to the factors which may contribute to climatic change have highlighted the role of the atmosphere as a transport mechanism, not only of water, but dissolved organics in aerosols, and organic particulates. Current international research is currently in progress on the characterisation of atmospheric particulates, both organic and inorganic, and recognising their significant contributions to environmental issues such as acid rain, building stone degradation, and respiratory health effects. Our interdisciplinary correlation studies therefore have the potential to identify organic atmospheric factors ranging from environmental to health deterioration, thus to help our Society to become aware of, and minimize, negative impacts on human living.

(g) Activities associated with mining, industrial, agricultural, residential, and commercial land uses, in addition to natural organic pollutants, have affected the quality of surface and ground waters. Our interdisciplinary approach will be focused on the detection of natural and anthropogenic organic pollutants and their possible fates. This project should help our Society to distinguish various sources of traceable organic pollutants in aquifers, thus contributing to the evaluation of water pollution.

 

Project #405 - Anthropogenic Impact on Weathering Processes

Project Leaders: P. Sulovsky and J. Zeman

Czech Representatives: P. Sulovsky a J. Zeman

In the following text, the achievements of the Project are divided in three more specific areas which resulted from the interest poll among the IGCP #405 participants. Assessment of the degree and rate of building stone weathering./ The degree and rate of weathering of stones and its anthropogenic aspects can be seen from various angles. The most important approaches represented by the IGCP #405 participants are:

(a) -assessment of the degree of weathering of stones exposed to polluted atmosphere can be based on classification of weathering forms occurring on stones (Fitzner); potential subjective aspects of this approach can be minimized by the use of selected physical and chemical parameters - abrasion pH, bulk density, cation exchange capacity, weathering indices and some petrochemical modules (Jovic 1996); newly developed non-destructive methods of physical testing are currently being introduced in practice (ultra-sound and acoustic-wave testing - Blum 1996, Kohler 1996, stable isotopes study - Torfs, Buzek 1996).

(b) "dry" field exposure experiments (Bruggerhoff 1996, Mirwald 1996) are suggested for both selection of stone materials appropriate in building and monument restoration and for monitoring environmental influences;

(c) laboratory simulation of enhanced weathering in climatic cabinets (Gabriel & Inkpen 1996, Murphy 1996, Girardet et al. 1996, Mirtic 1996) and modeling of the kinetics and thermodynamics of salts action on stone (Aires-Barrios, 1996) leads to formulation of more realistic models of rock weathering in acid conditions.

Dynamics and thermodynamics: The most usual method of assessing damage or potential damage of acid deposition to the environment is through the use of the critical load concept. Central to calculations of critical loads are the inputs of base cations to the soil by the weathering of soil minerals. Thus it is necessary to have accurately calculated mineral weathering rates if we are to produce reliable critical load maps for use by legislators. There were evaluated the contributions of the three main approaches to the weathering process assessment (watershed net flow modeling, laboratory experimental kinetics and thermodynamics stability determination). Most of these approaches are integrated in PROFILE code - the integrated computer model for transferring laboratory data on weathering kinetics to field conditions (Sverdrup, Alveteg). Acid mine drainage and weathering: It was currently stated (Zeman et al., 1996) that the role of bacteria in mine materials weathering and acid drainage had been highly underestimated. The presence of bacteria (especially of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans) increases the rate of weathering and acid production more than 30 times. The first contacts were established with the working group of IGCP 379: "Karst Processes and the Carbon Cycle" (1995-1999). There is an effort to co-ordinate some parts of these programs especially where they consider the role of CO2 in surface processes.

 

B/ Projects with active working groups in the Czech Republic:

 

Project #335 - Biotic Recoveries from Mass Extinctions

Project Leaders: D.H. Erwin and E.G. Kauffman

Czech Representative: J. Hladil

Czech WG has organized the Final IGCP #335 Meeting entitled "Conference Recoveries '97" in Prague. Recoveries '97 Prague, the Final Conference of IGCP 335. The conference aimed to attract larger spectrum of scientists - including biologists, environmentalist, system analysts, physics. The conference was focused on technically precise presentations (high-tech equipment of the new IKEM Center). Virtual presentations on line (WEB-connected people) were advantage of this conference. Sixty attendants represented America, Europe, Asia, Australia and North of Africa. The main result of the conference is better understanding of the systems as they are working in complexity, the times of simple causalities "forced in systems" seems to be overcome. The main task for close future is "rehabilitation" and better understanding the biotic evolution. Published contributions by Czech participants: Cejchan, P. - Hladil, J., eds. 1997. Abstract Book, UNESCO-IGCP Project #335 "Biotic Recoveries from Mass Extinctions", Final Conference "Recoveries'97", pp. 63 + 3 Appendix. Press Malak Co. Ricany u Prahy. (c) Eurocongress Center. Praha ;/ Cejchan, P. - Hladil, J., eds. 1997. Field Trip Book, UNESCO-IGCP Project #335 "Biotic Recoveries from Mass Extinctions", Final Conference "Recoveries'97", pp. 38. Press Malak Co. Ricany u Prahy. (c) Eurocongress Center. Praha.

The feeling has been expressed by the participants of the IGCP #335 Final Meeting that system theory about crises and recoveries on our planet has been progressing slower than could be applied by our technologies. Theory and experiments have been starving and they have no real concentration in capital, man power, and, of course, in aims. The participants feel "crisis" in crises theory and technologies. Or does it mean a crisis of entire "science"? Czech group contributed to the IGCP #335 through fine scale analysis and handling with samples. This direction represents correlation of seasonal thanatocoenoses, which were biased by fluctuating environmental and diagenetical factors (Oligocene, Miocene, Paleozoic). Adequate tools and technologies have been developed. Second direction was represented by refinements in bioevent definitions (graptolites, complex assemblages, ichnoassemblages, etc.). Third direction was theoretical: refugia as a biotic source for recovery have been studied and modeled. In addition, significance of solar activity cycles has been supported (cooperation of paleoenvironmentalists and physics, astronomists). Co-operation continued with the IGCP #386 (H. Geldsetzer - Canada) and IGCP #421 groups (J. Talent and R. Feist, Australia and France), IUGS-IPA Associations of Herpetologists (Z. Rocek - Czech Rep.), Coral and Porifera Studies (K. Oekentorp - S. Rodriguez, Germany and Spain), etc. (Permo/Triassic and end-Devonian recoveries, Quaternary models - M. Shiskhin Russia, E. Whitney-Smith USA).

 

Project #360 - Global Geochemical Baselines

Project Leader: A.G. Darnley

Czech and Central European Representative: M. Duris

The map of sampling distribution on the territory of the Czech Republic was prepared for the FOREGS (Forum of European Geological Surveys) Geochemistry Task Force coordinating center in Finland, within the framework of the project "Global Reference Network Cells". In Europe, the results of the Global Reference Network sampling will be used, as recommended by IGCP #259 and #360 projects, as reference material to adjust those separate data sets to the same level. The final product will then be the geochemical baseline data sets of Europe, to which new or earlier national geochemical mapping data can be calibrated. The sampling will be carried out in FOREGS countries by the end of September 1998. The FOREGS geochemical sampling is of European contribution to the IGCP #360 and the International Union of Geological Sciences and International Association of Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry Working Group on Global Geochemical Baselines. The whole project, including analyses and reporting, must be completed by September 2001, according to the decision of the FOREGS Directors.

 

Project #362 - Tethyan and Boreal Cretaceous

Project Leaders: H. Leereveld and J. Michalik

Czech Representative: M. Bubik

Magnetostratigraphy, biostratigraphy and paleobiogeography were the main topics investigated by the Czech group during the 1997. Petr Pruner, Miroslav Krs and others continued Magnetostratigraphic investigations of key sections across Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary. Their results together with results of calpionellid biostratigraphy by Vaclav Housa refine the magnetostratigraphic subdivision of this interval and allow interregional correlation (Spain, Italy, Moravia, Slovakia). Petr Skupien brought more biostratigraphic data from the Lower Cretaceous of Silesian unit based on dinocysts. Group M. Bubik, L. Svabenicka and M.Bak applied the integrated microbiostratigraphy (calcareous nannofossils, foraminifers, radiolarians) on the Maastrichtian-Paleocene of the Magura Flysch. The investigations on the Lower Cretaceous boreal ammonites in Outer Western Carpathians (Z. Vasicek & J. Michalik), boreal agglutinated foraminifers and thecamoebians in the north Tethyan margin (M. Bubik) and Tethyan turritellids in the Cenomanian - Turonian of the Bohemian (H. Kolmann, L. Peza & S. Cech) provided important paleobiogeographical data. The project terminates in 1997.

 

Project #369 - Comparative Evolution of Peritethyan Rift Basins

subproject: Magmatism and Rift-Basins Evolutions

Project Leaders: W. Cavazza, A. Robertson and P. Ziegler

Czech Correspondent: J. Ulrych

Czech scientists have been active within the Subproject 2a "Magmatism and Rift Basins Evolution". It has been found that the K/Ar age of 25.6 Ma links Rip Hill with the main volcanic episode of the young volcanism in the Bohemian Massif. 87Sr/86Sr (0.7036-38) and 143Nd/144Nd (0.5128) are consistent with HIMU OIB from a sub-lithospheric source. Olivine-poor nephelinite can be derived from carbonated nephelinic magmas in association with high explosive pyroclast-rich volcanoes. The very low Mg-value (48.5), low contents of compatible elements as Cr, Ni, Co, Sc, lack of mantle-type xenoliths and high contents of incompatible elements (REE = 600 ppm, U, Th, Nb, Ta) gives the evidence on differentiation of primary magma. Mineral association reveals common features with carbonated alkaline ultramafic lamprophyres from the vicinity of Rip Hill. This fact should anticipate their mutual genetic association within the Rip volcanic center. The results which came out of the co-operative Hungarian-Czech research project have been published in the paper Ulrych, J. et al. (1997), Geochemically anomalous olivine-poor nephelinite of the Rip Hill, Czech Republic. An international workshop on Magmatism and Rift Basin Evolution, planned on September 98 is being actively prepared by the Czech WG.

 

Project #373 - Correlation, Anatomy and Magmatic-Hydrothermal Evolution

of Ore-Bearing Felsic Igneous Systems in Eurasia

Project Leaders: R. Seltmann, R.I. Grauch and A. Kremenetsky

Czech Representative: K. Breiter

1997 was the first year of the project. Czech Working Group with 10 scientists representing Czech Geological Survey (Prague), Faculty of Science, Charles University (Prague) and Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences (Prague) has been formed on March 11, 1997 with the aim to: (1) co-ordinate research on granites in the Bohemian Massif, (2) organize annual meetings, (3) organize an international symposium on the genetic significance of phosphorus in fractionated granites, and (4) start preparation of monograph on Mineralizations Genetically Related to Granites in the Bohemian Massif. Several research proposals relevant to the project scope were submitted to the Czech Grant Agency and Czech-Austrian AKTION Agency for funding. A 2 days field trip studying and sampling selected types of the Moldanubicum granites was organized in the co-operation with Austrian specialist. Preparation of the international conference has been launched and about 400 copies of the first circular were distributed to potential IGCP #373 participants. Selected scientific results have been presented in the IAVCEI Conference in Mexico and the 4th Biennial SGA Meeting in Turku, Finland. A workshop on granites (February 1998) and the international conference on Genetic Significance of Phosphorus.. (September 1998), are under intensive preparation.

 

Project #378 - Circumalpine Quaternary Correlations

Project Leader: C. Schluechter

Czech Representative: P. Havlicek

Works on Stratigraphy of the Central European Quaternary - an introduction chapter to the correlation of the glacial episodes, and on correlation of local stratigraphical charts, have been finished. Planned meetings in Slovenia and France were canceled due to local financial problems. Czech WG has offered to organize the 1998-meeting in the Czech Republic in the association with the Czech Geological Survey. The following reports have been finalized: (1) Stratigraphy of the Central European Quaternary, (2) Boundary Pliocene/Pleistocene, (3) Neotectonics. Extended abstracts of these reports will be published in the Bulletin of the Czech Geological Survey - Anthropozoicum, No. 24 in Prague. This publication will be available before the XV.INQUA-session planned in 1999 in South Africa. There is an offer to print maps for this session in Prague.

 

Project #386 - Response of the Ocean/Atmosphere System to Past Global Changes.

Project Leaders: H. Geldsetzer, D.M. Banerjee, L.R. Kump, Z. Sawlowicz and H. Strauss

Czech Representatives: J. Hladikova and J. Hladil

Preparation of the data was concentrated on Ordovician/Silurian and Devonian/Carboniferous boundary intervals. In the both intervals, new biotic, chemical and paleomagnetic data have been processed. The finalized studies deal with the Late Devonian. Hladikova, J., Hladil, J., and Zuskova, J., 1997, Discrimination between facies and global controls in isotope composition of carbonates: carbon and oxygen isotopes at the Devonian reef margin in Moravia (HV-105 Krtiny borehole). Journal of the Czech Geological Society, 42 (1-2):1-16, Praha. Detailed isotope - environment conclusions about the Devonian have been presented at the Devonian System Symposium of Rochester: Hladil, J., 1997, Bohemian (NGM) and Moravian (SLM) Devonian: General Featuresand Windows for Finer Scaling. The Amadeus Grabau Symposium, International Meeting on Cyclicity and Bioevents in the Devonian System, Abstract Book, p. 31. University of Rochester, July 20-27, 1997. Rochester, NY. / Crick, R.E., Ellwood, B., El Hassani, A., Feist, R., and Hladil, J., 1997, Magnetosusceptibility Event - and Cyclostratigraphy (MSEC): Its use in Characterizing the Eifelian-Givetian Boundary Sequence, the Kacak-Otomari Event, and in Determining the Duration of the Eifelian and Givetian. The Amadeus Grabau Symposium, International Meeting on Cyclicity and Bioevents in the Devonian System, Abstract Book, p. 23. University of Rochester, July 20-27, 1997. Rochester, NY.

 

Project #421 - North Gondwanan Mid-Palaeozoic Biodynamics

Project Leader: R. Feist and J.A. Talent

Czech Representative: J. Kriz and J. Hladil

1997 was the first year of the Project. Czech WG has contributed by the preparation of fauna and flora databases, as well as to the development of appropriate mathematical tools. In biota, the main emphasis has been devoted to graptolites, bivalves, trilobites and corals. In plate tectonic, the arc-backarc settings have been studied in Central European Variscides. The first geochemical and basin-analytic evidence has been found for Devonian magmatic arcs (potential barriers for dispersal of marine fauna). Six Czech scientists participated in the Inaugural Meeting of the IGCP #421 in Vienna, September 17-22. The following three talks were delivered and published in the book of abstracts: Patocka, F., and Hladil, J., 1997, Indications of magmatic-arc / back-arc settings in the northern part of the Bohemian Massif during Early Paleozoic. Berichte d. Geol. Bd. Wien, p. 45-46./ Kalvoda, J., 1997, Conodonts and foraminifers at the Tournaisian-Visean boundary. Berichte d. Geol. Bd. Wien, p. 36./ Kriz, J., 1997, Silurian Bivalvia - Evolution, Paleoecology and Paleogeography. Berichte d. Geol. Bd., Wien, p.42.

 

4. IGCP meetings held in the Czech Republic in 1997

Project #335 - Biotic Recoveries from Mass Extinction - Czech WG hosted the Final Meeting of the Project #335 - Prague, September 12-14, 1997. 80 scientists from Europe, Asia, north Africa, America and Australia. Pre-conference trip on Sept. 11 (1 day). Post-conference trips on Sept. 15 and 16 (2 days). Organized by J. Hladil and P. Cejchan et al..

Project #357 -"Weathering of Fossil Organic Matter" - Czech WG Meeting (Prague, November 27-28, 1996), about 30 participants - organized by B. Kribek from the Czech Geological Survey, Prague. A book of Proceedings has already been published (B. Kribek, editor, 1996, Weathering of fossil organic matter. Proceedings of the Czech IGCP 357 WG Meeting, Prague, November 26-27, Czech Geological Survey, 141 pp., ISBN 80-7075-237-8.

Project #405 - The meeting ENVIWEATH'97 - Czech WG Meeting with an international participation (Bratislava, November 24-26, 1997). Conference themes: (1) Weathering in acid conditions, (2) Weathering of industrial waste. The number of registered participants is about 50; 7 invited speakers. The contributions will be published in Geologica Carpathica – Vol. Clays.

 

5. IGCP meetings planned for 1998

Project #369 - Workshop on Magmatism and Rift Basins Evolution - Czech WG Meeting will host an annual international meeting - Liblice Chateau, September 7-11.

Project #378 - Annual International Meeting of the IGCP 378 - the date and venue will be given later.

Project #405 - Workshop "The role of clay minerals in weathering processes", connected with 15th Conference on Clay Mineralogy and Petrology organized by the Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, and the Czech Geological Survey (Brno branch) Brno, September 6 - 10, 1998.

Project #421 - Possible workshop of Czech participants within the conference Pre-Variscan Terrane Analysis of Gondwanian Europe,Dresden, Germany (April 28 - March 4, 1988)

 

6. Other relevant information

We are delighted to inform IGCP Secretariat that in order to promote IGCP activities in the Czech Republic, the Czech IGCP National Committee has raised among domestic industry and also locally based foreign companies some extra funds to its, in 1996 established special foundation with the aim to help students, junior and senior scientists actively working in the field of IGCP. We have been able to provide 15 grants in 1997 covering contributions to travel and accommodation costs, organizational expenses related to National Working Group Meetings and also limited material supply demands to individual scientists and their labs. This would not have been possible without generous donations coming from: CEVA Mokra a.s., TVX Bohemia Dulni a.s. and Severoceske doly a.s. and we highly appreciate their concern. Promotion of IGCP activities in the Czech Republic resulted in the preparation and submission of two new IGCP proposals: (1) V. Cermak et al. :Climate and Boreholes (1998-2002) and (2) J. Pasava:Organics in Major Environmental Issues (1998-2002). Major participation between MAB and IGCP is planned within the new IGCP project "Organics in Major Environmental Issues" if it is approved.