Projects / Programmes
Groundwaters and geochemistry
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.06.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Geology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P470 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Hydrogeology, geographical and geological engineering |
| P420 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Petrology, mineralogy, geochemistry |
Groundwater, geochemistry, hydrogeology, natural resources, drinking water, mineral water, unsaturated zone, groundwater protection, groundwater exploitation, radioactivity, natural state, anthropogenic impacts, heavy metals, sediments, information system, soils;
Researchers (23)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Research programme "Groundwater and Geochemistry" comprises different branches of geology in order to deepen our understanding of geological phenomena and their influences on the consequences of human activity in the natural environment. Geological environment with its processes is very extensive and complex, and its understanding therefore acquires synergetic cooperation of scientists from different branches of geology united in one scientific programme.
The major objective of the programme is to assess the impacts of anthropogenic activities on the natural environment with regard to natural geological circumstances. Our research will be focused on all phases that can be found in the environment, with the emphasis on the solid and liquid phase. Chemical and mineral composition, physical characteristics and structure of soils, rocks and sediments, as well as their weathering products, are factors that determine and control different components of the environment: response to natural disasters, water supply, fertility, vulnerability, geomorphology, slope stability, as well as toxicity and buffering potential.
Studies conducted by the programme group will be focused on anthropogenic intake of substances on the surface and transport of pollutants through soils into the groundwater. The emphasis will be on soils, urban materials and overbank sediments among the studied natural media, heavy metals and organic pollutants among the studied substances, and mining, industry and traffic among the factors. Apart from the knowledge of geological processes that lead to the formation of soils, sediments and rocks, our studies will enable quantitative determination of geochemical connections between rocks, as the source of the substance, and the products of weathering with surface and groundwater. It will also enable quantitative definition of groundwater flow and the involved geochemical processes with their mass balance.
Significance for science
The program complies with the studies of natural and anthropogenic processes in the Earth’s surface. It contributed to the basic knowledge of the geological environment, and at the same time solved methodological problems of investigations and practical work in the field of environmental protection. Because of its exceptionally diverse geological composition, industrial development and urbanization, Slovenia can, despite its small surface, provide good possibilities of acquiring scientific knowledge important also for many other countries. Results of the program “Groundwaters and geochemistry” provide answers to many unsolved questions about regional hydrogeological composition. By developing new conceptual models of water bearing structures, bases for performing investigations according to the newest methodologies were formed. Information about the applicability of the most advanced geochemical, microbiological and isotope methodologies and technologies for studying substance transport in fissure and intergranular aquifers were of interest in the international scientific environment. New scientific findings about physical and chemical processes took place in the medium as the consequence of ground-rock-water-pollutant-air interactions, and about the factors influencing them may also be expected. The research results contributed to new scientific knowledge about the role of the unsaturated zone and of the physical and chemical processes going on in pollutant transport. Work on this program upgraded the methodology for developing hydrogeological conceptual models in different structures, especially in the part related to the description of pollutant movement characteristics in the aquifer, thus contributing to the explanation of their influence upon environment. The results of our research met the objectives of contemporary investigations in the world on this topic. The investigations also significantly contributed to a better understanding of the impact of climatic changes on hydrological processes, which is at present a very topical issue worldwide. Investigation results provided new scientific knowledge about geochemical processes. This knowledge is important for the development of the geological field of research and also of other basic branches of geology, e.g. petrology, sedimentology or stratigraphy. Research result have specific importance for enhancing the knowledge about the complex chemical composition of the Slovenian territory (rocks, weathered rocks, water, soil, stream and flood sediments, selected plants and urbane sediments). They enabled first preliminary definition of geochemical signature of carbonate rocks in surface materials and the assessment of the anthropogenic environmental load due to industry, agriculture, urbanization, traffic, military activities etc.
Significance for the country
The main advantage of the program ‘’Groundwater and geochemistry’’ is that it makes an important contribution to one of the main strategic goals of Slovenia, that is to the improvement of quality of life and health. Measures for performing the fifth development priority of the Strategy of development of Slovenia (integration of measures to reach sustainable development) include also the supply of safe water, maintaining good status and regulation of waters, and sustainable use of natural resources. Integrated and comprehensive water supply in the Republic of Slovenia demands optimal management of existing water resources, especially with underground water resources, which are a major source of drinking water. The research contributes to the knowledge of water resource availability, as well from the point of their quantity as also quality and degree of pollution. Special attention is devoted to further investigations of cross-border aquifers which are extremely sensitive from the point of view of management and protection. The Republic of Slovenia must have a good knowledge of the natural properties of cross-border water bodies, their environmental hazard and pollution load on both sides of the border. Only in this way it is possible to adequately protect the national interest in the area of drinking water resource exploitation. We are intensively cooperating in the implementation of the WFD (Water Framework Directive, 200/60/ES) in Slovenia. One of its demands is that each member state identifies problematic areas, where waters are in a bad qualitative state due to ecological pressures, requiring remedial measures. For a correct assessment of groundwater quality the natural background of individual chemical components in groundwater has to be identified. Up to the present, data about natural backgrounds have not been systematically measured, collected and processed, therefore the part of the investigations was dedicated to the identification of natural backgrounds of individual hydrochemical components in groundwater in different hydrogeological or lithological types of water structure. The results of the investigations are important for the state Slovenia as the manager of water resources and for other drinking, thermal, mineral and spring water consumers. Water supply companies, food producing and marketing companies, and companies in tourism will thus get guidelines for a sustainable exploitation of fissure and intergranular aquifer systems with thermal, mineral or drinking water, and for performing quantitative and qualitative monitoring, which will contribute to a long-term economic and investment development of the companies. The results contribute to the development strategy of the country and local municipalities in the field of water supply, tourism, agriculture and other activities.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
