Projects / Programmes
Urbana hidrogeologija ? študij transportnih procesov ostankov zdravil v prodnih vodonosnikih (Slovene)
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.06.08 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Geology |
Environmental geology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.05 |
Natural Sciences |
Earth and related Environmental sciences |
Researchers (11)
Organisations (3)
Significance for science
The objective of the research project was to progress in the knowledge of transport and decomposition processes of pharmaceuticals in groundwater. The research improved the detection methods of individual pharmaceutical indicators and a better scan of pharmaceuticals presence in the groundwater was made. This is the basis for the study of pharmaceuticals transport in an aquifer. The pharmaceuticals in aquifers was not treated only as pollutants but also as tracers and indicators for understanding the dynamics of pharmaceutical decomposition processes and technology improvement with the intention of providing more water supply safety.
With modifications of existing analytical procedures the concentrations of carbamazepine, propifenzona and caffeine were determinate. With the derivatisation MTBSTFA (N-(and-butildimetilsilil)-N-methiltrifluoroacetamid) hormones estrogen (ethinyl estradiol, alpha-estradiol, beta-estradiol, estriol) were measured to a concentration of the order of ng /l. With a view to ensuring greater security of drinking water supply we have improved the technology of qualitative determination of pharmaceuticals in groundwater with passive samplers. Development and application of passive sampling methods for water sampling is undergoing intensive development in the world and it is of spatial importance to follow suit in Slovenia. Passive sampling methods with granular activated carbon have been used in observations of groundwater in Ljubljana and Maribor. The development of passive sampling method, which allows the sampling of a representative samples, requires an innovative approach.
Pollutant spread in the aquifer still remains a research topic of interest in hydrogeology, and the role of the unsaturated zone in this regard has not been explained completely. Results of the tracing experiment contributed to a better understanding of the role of the unsaturated zone and its physical-chemical processes in selected pharmaceuticals transport (caffeine, carbamazepine, propyphenazone). Similar experimental case study in the unsaturated zone was not found in the literature. For selected substances retention times in high permeable unsaturated zone were determined.
The work on the project improved the methodology for the construction of hydrogeological conceptual models especially in the part related to pollutant movement in the aquifer, thus explaining their impact on the environment.
On the basis of results the estimation of health due to the consummation of drinking water contaminated with pharmaceuticals in Ljubljansko polje and Vrbanski plato was performed. Some new findings about the exposure of drinking water consumers to pharmaceutical residues and about their possible effect on health were gained.
Scientific results contributed to new knowledge about the source, transport and degradation of pharmaceutical residues in groundwater and to the improvement of methodological instruments. With the project we are involved in the current research trend in the world in this field.
Significance for the country
Environmental legislation regulating surface and groundwater quality and drinking water supply, does not directly treat pharmaceuticals as parameters which influence drinking water and health standards, but only indirectly. European water frame directive (COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption) in 4th article and Regulations about drinking water (OG RS 19/04, 35/04, 26/06, 92/06) in 3rd article, cite that “the drinking water is health-safe if it does not contain substances in concentrations which alone, or in combination with other substances, present danger to human health”. An unambiguous answer to the question in which concentration various pharmaceuticals have impact on human and animal health is still not known. Therefore the precedence principle was followed that health safety is ensured if this kind of substances are present in the lowest possible concentrations, or under the detection limit of analytical methods. Research results will actively contribute to the creation of European policy in the sphere of drinking water and water supply.
The project 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 will contribute to the knowledge of water resource availability, as well from the point of their quantity as also quality and degree of pollution. The results of the investigations will be important for the state as the manager of water resources and for other drinking water consumers. The results will contribute to the development strategy of the country and local municipalities in the field of water supply.
The project research group develops laboratory testing methods with a low detection level and reports results for parameters which are not routinely tested, thus enabling also a wider use of these methods. By applying these methods in practice, a health risk control is set up in the areas of Ljubljana and Maribor. The methods could also be transferred to other Slovenian environments, where pollutants in drinking water sources or in the drinking water itself are not being monitored.
Control over the concentration of pharmaceutical pollutants in drinking water resources can serve as an additional tool in taking decisions about necessary reconstructions or new constructions of sewage systems, beside the already used indicators in decision-making processes, such as e.g. the age of the network. In this way decisions about the use of investment funds for municipal infrastructure planning are made rationally and on additional scientific grounds. In these cases immense savings can be reached, because investments in this sector reach the value of a million or several million Euros. Besides, a timely use of these results in practice can prevent a long-term pollution of water resources to a degree which would make them inadequate for public drinking water supply. This again means savings in the investments into drinking water production devices or savings in the investments into new water resources. The use of specific knowledge related to the application of established laboratory testing methods, and of the knowledge which enables the transfer of information to the decision-making level, demands also new workplaces. In this way, the project research group results contribute also to a more extensive development of Slovenian society.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
