Projects / Programmes
Biological and geochemical cycles
January 1, 1999
- December 31, 2003
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
| 1.04.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
|
| 1.06.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Geology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P305 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Environmental chemistry |
| P300 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Analytical chemistry |
| P005 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Geology, physical geography |
| P004 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Biochemistry, Metabolism |
| B700 |
Biomedical sciences |
Environmental health |
| B690 |
Biomedical sciences |
Occupational health, industrial medicine |
Researchers (13)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0106 |
Jožef Stefan Institute |
Ljubljana |
5051606000 |
90,724 |
Abstract
The main objective of the programme is the to study the role of essential and toxic elements in biological and geological systems. Stable and radioactive isotopes will used to trace the sources, transport and transformation of important trace elements in the environment. Mathematical models for simulation of environmental processes will be developed, calibrated and verified. Mass spectrometric measurements of light bioelements (H, C, N, O, S) in solid, liquid and gaseous samples will be used in a number of different studies such as identification of the sources of groundwater and surface water contamination (e.g. nitrates). Groundwater mixing, retention time, average altitude of aquifer recharge and communication among sources/aquifers, as well as tracing water currents in lakes and in the marine environment will be addressed using environmental isotopes as natural tracers. The biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nitrogen in recent marine and lacustrine sediments will also be studied. The accumulation of and chronology of sediment formation of sediment will be determined by the use of the radioactive nuclides 14-C, 210-Pb and 137-Cs. The use of stable isotopes and other geochemical parameters will be used to study sedimentation and paleoecological processes of selected trace elements and determine the level of eutrophication in water systems impacted by various anthropogenic sources of pollution. Compound specific stable isotope ratios and biomarkers will be implemented in studies of environmental changes in sedimentary systems. The biogeochemical cycle of mercury and other elements in contaminated environments will be studied including (i) the effect of environmental factors on transformation, transport and distribution of mercury in the environment; (ii) development, validation and application of methods to study methylation and demethylation mechanisms of Hg and fluxes at the sediment/water/air interfaces and (iii) studies of the bioavailability, biokinetics of uptake and release of various Hg forms in terrestrial and water organisms. Mathematical models for long-term simulation of the main transport and transformation mechanisms will be validated and calibrated. The role of chemical and physical forms of essential and toxic trace elements (As, Se, Sb, Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Hg, I) in biological systems will be addressed in studies of their uptake, metabolisms, biological effects and distribution in organisms, including man. Analytical methods for determination of main element species will be developed and used in studies of their biological binding (e.g. subcellular distribution, binding to lipoprotein and protective proteins – metallothioneins, ..) and their interactions (such as Hg-Se-As, As-Se) and role in the lipid peroxidation process. The interdisciplinarity of the work proposed requires collaboration with other programmes and institutes.
Most important scientific results
Final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report
