Geobotanical labs
Rules for work in the laboratories of geobotanical group
Rules for work in the labs
The geobotany group has currently two laboratories – the Sediment lab (ground floor, door 28) and the S 17 and analytical scales lab (basement). Furthermore, there is a study common room for students and so-called „inžovna“ (behind the common room). All of them are being managed by Blanka Kuklíková (blanka.kuklikova@natur.cuni.cz, regularly to be found in inžovna). In case of any questions do not hesitate to contact Blanka.
Since the labs are rather frequently used, Google Calendars were created: Geobot. laborka (the main labs including analytical scales) and Fotokomora (door 57, room of Karl Rudolph's laboratory for palaeoecology https://www.natur.cuni.cz/biology/botany/structure/palaeoecology?set_language=en).
If you are not allowed to write into the calendar, contact Blanka for access rights.
If you need to work in any of our labs, reserve the time window in the correct calendar. Do not forget to write your whole name, e-mail address and what work you do or which part of the lab you need (e.g. soil grinding, fume hood). This allows for more people to coordinate their work. Please be aware that under any circumstances the digital reservation has priority!
Important links:
Calendar Geobotanická laborka
Calendar Fotokomora
Website of Karl Rudolph's laboratory for palaeoecology
Reference library
Inžovna, its inhabitants and equipment – analytical scales
A large number of devices and various equipment are deposited in geobotany, which are available for the students to help them with their fieldwork. The final list of all the equipment available is online (Working information, Equipment and electronics, Equipment to borrow). It includes GPS devices, maps of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, metal detectors, various sensors (e.g. for humidity, temperature…), of course, relevé frames, snowshoes etc.
Please do not borrow anything without contacting the manager first! Everything is being lent in exchange for a signature.
Blanka represents the organizational component and cares for:
- things in need of regular maintenance or inspection
- communication with companies: ordering chemical substances and equipment, providing complicated repairs etc.
- buying collective stuff unless it is highly technical
- preparing equipment, distilled water etc. if required
- helping with running the lab experiments or individual apparatuses if notified on time
- taking care of the growth chambers (filling and emptying the water reservoir, exchanging light bulbs)
- communication with the department of building administration: regular maintenance as well as large contracts
- providing for the labs and the common room to run smoothly, keeping it clean and reminding those who do not do it, refilling items of every-day use (dishcloths, jar, printing paper, toners)
- almost constant help considering things like where are beakers of this size, where to put my samples and I need a relevé frame
In case you need assistance with any of the above-listed activities (or anything else we did not think of), do not hesitate to ask for it.
Analytical scales
Currently, there are two scales in scale room (S17 lab) with analytical precision:
- newer Precisa d=0,00001
- the newest Mettler Toledo d=0,000001.
If you need to weigh (especially if you need to do it for a long time), reserve the scales in the Calendar.
All visitors of the labs and the common room, please respect the following lab rules
1. Everybody who works in the lab must be familiarized with the safety regulations.
The regulations are on a wall in the lab next to the growth chamber. We ask all new students, colleagues, part-timers and external employees of the department to study the regulations and certify their knowledge by signing the attached signature sheet. Follow these instructions! Rather dangerous chemicals are used in the lab frequently, so take this into considerations even if you only water plants with a beaker or use it as a glass for drinking. Do not believe the previous user washed it properly and don't forget to follow basic safety and lab rules:
- Eating, drinking and smoking are not allowed.
- All chemical substances must be poured on a tray.
- If working with dangerous substances (acids, alkalis, solvents) protective gear must be worn – gloves, glasses, lab coat (you can borrow one in inžovna).
- Volatiles can be only worked with in the fume cupboard (powered and pulled down).
- When making deionized water, the container must be placed in the sink. Water supply must be cut off on time.
- If you spill acid or alkali on yourself:
- Immediately wash it with water
- Neutralize with neutralizing solvent:
- 5 % NaHCO3 when burnt by acid
- 5 % H3BO3 when burnt by alkali
- Put a calming cream on it (Pantenol, Calcium cream) – in the first aid kit behind the door.
- All dangerous substances spilt on the floor must be neutralized immediately with sorbent from the blue bucket (dust it from the edges to the centre).
- Before you leave, check if windows are closed and water is turned off.
- Before you leave, wash your hands.
2. Keep all rooms clean! In the labs, all used chemicals must be returned to the lockers, all glassware must be washed properly and the desks must be wiped clean. Broken glass goes to the bin labelled GLASS! Tidy the lab even if you want to come again the next afternoon. Be aware that you are not the only user, other people need to work there too and lessons are held there on a regular basis!
3. Label everything with your name!
Samples deposited in the basement lab must be legibly marked with the name of the owner and year of collection. In the case of bachelor and master students, the name of the supervisor is most welcome as well. Samples of large amounts (e.g. soil) must be put in boxes. Label everything on which you are working at the moment (grinding, sample concentrating, biomass drying)!
If you are leaving for a short period of time (like for a lunch), put all dangerous chemicals into the lockers and label your work with name, reason and length of absence (e.g. on lunch, be back at 2).
4. We have several refrigerators in the lab and the common room. Please, try to respect the following separation: fridges in the common room - food and drinks; fridges in the hall and in the labs - samples.
5. If you need to buy any chemical substances, ask Blanka first before buying them needlessly. We can also order chemicals from the faculty storage on your grant.
Document Actions