Projects / Programmes
An integrated methodology for the remediation of an area impacted by the past mining activity
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P003 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
| P300 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Analytical chemistry |
| P305 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Environmental chemistry |
| B700 |
Biomedical sciences |
Environmental health |
Mercury, modelling, scenarios, mass balance, remediation
Researchers (19)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Highly elevated levels of mercury compounds in all environmental compartments of the whole impact area of the Idrija Mercury Mine due to centuries of mercury mining have had a negative impact on human health as well as on the entire ecosystem. The main objective of the proposed project is development of tools and strategies for reliable measurements and simulation of mercury levels in all environmental compartments and their influence on terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. The methodology consists of a set of physical, biological and chemical measurements, management of collected data and development, calibration and application of models for short- and long-term predictions of mercury transport and transformations. The improved models will serve as tools for assessment of the environmental impact, and, by use of relevant socio-economic scenarios, as decision-support tools for evaluation of different remediation measures in the mercury-polluted area. More specific objectives of the project are: (1) to develop and calibrate (on the basis of measurements) an integrated environmental modelling tool for simulation of transport and transformations of mercury in all environmental compartments (soil, water and air) and fluxes between the compartments (2) to collect and manage measured data in a database (both existing data and data from measurements performed in the frame of the proposed project) (3) to compile relevant socio-economic data in the impacted area (4) to develop and validate scenarios in which it will be possible to compare different remediation measures (5) perform short- and long-term simulations using the integrated model for the Idrija Mercury Mine impact area and evaluate consequences of different measures in the impact area. The proposed methodology is in agreement with European Mercury Strategy and the results of the project will also contribute to general knowledge about mercury cycling in the environment, particularly at the interfaces between different environmental compartments.
Significance for science
The project consists of modelling research systematically supported by geochemical and biological studies, enabling us to understand the biogeochemical transformations of Hg in contaminated aquatic environment. The research participate in solving the question of Hg impact on microbial activity and the factors governing production and degradation of MeHg in the environment. Moreover, this study help answering the question why high Hg concentrations are not always reflected in high MeHg concentrations. Answers also define some factors governing the bioaccumulation of MeHg in food webs. The results permit comparison with other places where production and degradation of MeHg, one of the most dangerous pollutants, occurs. Complementary chemical, biological and physical measurements was performed in a mercury contaminated area in an integrated manner in order to provide the basis for meaningful and cost-effective monitoring strategies and to support modelling framework for short and long-term predictions of mercury behaviour in such areas.
For the first time a state-of-the-art integrated modelling system was developed, which helped to (1) improve our understanding of several patterns of the mercury cycle in the contaminated environment combining river catchment and coastal environment and (2) integrate these finding into decision support system and therefore contribute to the implementation of the EU Directive on Mercury and the EU Framework Water Directive.
This project incorporates environmental science coupled with socio-economics, which is an innovative feature.
Significance for the country
One of the tasks of the Idrija Mercury Mine is to study the environmental impact of long-time mining and as much as possible diminish its harmful influence to the environment and inhabitants as much as possible. The proposed project significantly contribute to the evaluation of the impact and consequences of mining in the whole Mercury mine impact area. Measurements of concentrations in different environmental compartments and the development and implementation of a data-base of measurement data provide evaluation of mercury pollution trends. The modelling tools was used to determine the state of pollution in both narrow and wide impact area of the Mine and help to determine short- and long-term influence of different remediation measures. The modelling tools contribute to decision-making about integral management within the Idrijca and Soča River catchments, i.e. land use, water management (irrigation, possible new hydro-power plants and / or other objects in the river system) and to decide the optimum remediation measures that are necessary in order to diminish harmful impacts of mercury mining to the environment.
The project provides the scientific base and tools for the elaboration of an environmental risk management for the considered area in order to estimate the anthropogenic impact, to manage the polluted area and to propose the most adequate techniques for rehabilitation of the affected areas. The research was focused on the development of tools (data bases / methodologies / models) that can be further used in similar studies. The obtained results are fundamental in order to protect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems affected by mercury contamination. Moreover, the project includes the compilation of existing data, performance of reliable methods and measurements and the prediction of mercury in the ecosystems.
All the deliverables (database, methodology and the integrated modelling tool) and the results of measurements and model simulations obtained in the frame of the proposed project help to implement the monitoring programme in the wider Idrija region. The results of such monitoring in combination with newly developed routines and models represent a powerful tool in decision making and for further development of the considered area. The results of the modelling tools are also applicable in wide area of technical activities, connected to the catchment and coastal area management, such as erosion prediction and protection, water management, flood protection, sediment transport, water quality prediction etc.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
2009,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
2009,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
