Projects / Programmes
Groundwaters and geochemistry
January 1, 2009
- December 31, 2013
| 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 |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.05 |
Natural Sciences |
Earth and related Environmental sciences |
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 (22)
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
In the field of groundwater investigations is the research group focused on groundwater flow in various types of aquifers, solute transport and human impact. New scientific views on hydrodynamics and physical-chemical and biological processes in fractured aquifer systems with spring and mineral waters could be expected. They are essential for prediction of fluids dynamics and a contaminant spreading. The objective of the research programme is to progress in the knowledge of source, transport and decomposition processes of pharmaceuticals in groundwater. Groundwater flow pattern in the karst aquifers is predisposed by irregular distribution of channels and fissures. Therefore, hydrological modelling in karst areas is an issue and a challenge for the hydrogeological scientific community. Results of a study in a catchment of Rižana karst spring and developed hydrological model with capability of simulation of daily discharge under different hydrological conditions and its ability to assess impact of different foreseeable changes in the catchment (e.g. land-use, climate) on hydrological processes, represent a contribution to the karst aquifers modelling on a regional scale. The expected outcome of the research of human impact on groundwater is to progress in the knowledge of source, transport and decomposition processes of pharmaceuticals in groundwater. Scientific results contribute to a better understanding of the role of the unsaturated zone and its physical-chemical processes in pharmaceuticals transport. Some new findings about the exposure of drinking water consumers to pharmaceutical residues were gained. Despite a significant progress in understanding the relationship between parameters of a recharge area and hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater, the knowledge on this is still scarce, particularly with regard to specific chemicals and isotopes that are not frequently used in hydrogeological practice, such as a large part of trace elements and a major part of gamma ray emitters. New scientific comprehensions on geochemical processes that are important for the development of science were gained. Also important is the contribution to the understanding of environmental issues, natural state of the environment and anthropogenic impact on the environment. Specifically, the programme complement the knowledge about complexity of chemical composition of environment. Special emphasis was given to the development of advanced data processing techniques and methods of linear and nonlinear mathematical models, based on the application of modern mathematical analysis such as PCA (Principal Component Analysis), and ANN (Artificial Neural Network) to the distribution and transport of heavy metals in the environment. Studies are focused on anthropogenic intake of pollutants on the surface and their transport through soils into the groundwater. Beside the estimation of environmental impacts and the evaluation of the state of environment, the objective of the research is also risk assessment, as well theoretical-methodological as also practical. The research programme enables monitoring of the impacts of polluters to soil, sediments and water flow. The data on chemical load on the environment and impacts on groundwater are used above all for environmental protection and sustainable development planning, especially for the determination of impacts on health of people and animals, for agriculture, forestry and spatial planning
Significance for the country
A comprehensive water supply in Slovenia demands an optimal management of existent water resources, especially with groundwater, which represents the principal source of drinking water. Available water resources should be well known, as well from the point of view of quantity and quality as also regarding the degree of their pollution. The Alps play an important role in accumulating and supplying water to large parts of the continent. The increase of temperature of around +2oC during the past century in the Alps is more than twice the rate of average warming of the Northern Hemisphere. In addition future climate projections, show continuously rising temperatures until the end of the 21st century. As in the past the projected temperature rise for the Alps is higher compared to Europe as a whole which makes Alpine regions highly vulnerable. Quantification of the impact of climate changes on catchment scale is a basis for adaptation measures to the foreseen changes in water management, especially in the segment of water related hazard and water supply. In order to achieve that we developed in the Upper Soča river basin a system that is based on the integration of climate model data and hydrological modelling and represent a tool that could be implemented in variety of issues, related to water management. Hydrochemical comoposition of groundwater plays a key role in assessing the adequacy of a water source when planning the exploitation of groundwater. Therefore it is expected that the results of the research will be usefull in various fields of groundwater use. In Slovenia more than 40 % of the area consists of carbonate rocks. Aquifers in those rocks contain around 60 % of dynamic reserves of groundwater that is used for water supply of more than one third of Slovenian population. Developed modelling approach, which has been successfully tested in complex karst terrain could be adapted to many other karst water resources in Slovenia. The results of the research on fissured aquifers are important also in the sense of natural heritage preservation and protection. It should be particularly pointed out that an efficient management of mineral waters will assure safeguarding and protection of this natural heritage. Besides, any occurrences of interesting geologic structures, minerals or fossils that are found during the field mapping, are recorded and indicated on the geological map. Results of the research will define the local and regional geochemical conditions, allow the understanding of processes and causes of the environmental changes and contribute to the regional sustainable spatial planning. The obtained data about chemical composition will be important for the environmental protection and sustainable development, as well as for the determination of the pollution impacts to the human health, agriculture, forestry and future land use. All of the above mentioned will contribute to the better development of Slovenia. The results of numerous geochemical studies of the natural distribution and the proportion of anthropogenic heavy metals in the environment, especially in areas of former mining and smelting in Slovenia will be one of the guiding principles for future remedial action. Our programme group includes also graduate and post-graduate students whose diploma and doctoral theses are thematically related to our research programme. Some graduates are after completing the study included into the group as young researchers, and after finishing their doctoral theses as researchers. Senior researchers take part in the education of new staff as lecturers and mentors.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
