Thai Ambassador visited the wetland in Hájek near Karlovy Vary

Ambassador H.E. Phasporn Sangasubana, accompanied by diplomat Srisurath Sukavarodom from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand in the Czech Republic, visited the wetland in Hájek near Karlovy Vary. Miroslav Černík from CXI TUL gave them a tour of the site and introduced them to the Wetland+ technology. The Ambassador expressed interest in the excursion to Hájk during her visit to the University of Liberec in June this year.

How does the remediation of ecological load from water and soil work? Heavily contaminated water flowing from the old landfill flows through reactive and sorption fields in which iron, peat or wood chips are installed. The final treatment is provided by plants in an artificial wetland. The system of reactive and sorption fields covers an area of 0.75 hectares in the Grove, has been in operation since September 2021 and is now treating water with an efficiency of up to 97%.

"Wetland+ technology dispenses with the construction of treatment plant buildings, chemicals and other environmental burdens, and also does not disturb the landscape because the reactive and sorption fields with iron and peat can be hidden at ground level. This contributes to biodiversity as wetland crops grow in the landscape. It is also an almost maintenance-free technology that can operate for years without further human intervention. Only once every few years is it necessary to refill the iron in the tanks," says Miroslav Černík, head of the international implementation team of the LIFEPOPWAT project and director of the Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovations at the Technical University of Liberec (CXI).

We have more research topics to collaborate on, not only in the field of water and soil purification, but also in other research activities. That is why we have invited the Ambassador to visit our university again in the autumn, where we will also present her other projects and innovations from our research. We believe that cooperation with Thai institutions can bring mutually positive results for the benefit of both countries.