Projects / Programmes
Vulnerability assessment and identification of suitable remediation measures in degraded ecosystem – a case study of the Idrija mercury mine region
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P305 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Environmental chemistry |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.05 |
Natural Sciences |
Earth and related Environmental sciences |
mercury, Idrija, contamination, modelling, remediation
Researchers (1)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
25622 |
PhD David Kocman |
Control and care of the environment |
Head |
2010 - 2012 |
357 |
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0106 |
Jožef Stefan Institute |
Ljubljana |
5051606000 |
90,742 |
Abstract
Five centuries of mercury (Hg) mining and ore processing operations in the town of Idrija left behind intense pollution, not only in the vicinity of the mine but also in the wider Idrija area. The impacted area consists of the terrestrial ecosystems throughout the Idrija and Soča River catchments, freshwater ecosystems of the Idrijca and Soča as well as the coastal environment of the Gulf of Trieste. The main objective of the present proposal is to develop a framework of integrated environmental models/tools for the selection of suitable remediation measures/scenarios in the Idrija Hg-mine region, based on the vulnerability and sensitivity assessment of this degraded ecosystem. The approach will base on the Geographical Information System (GIS) framework and will integrate environmental databases, mercury fate and transport models, and multi criteria procedures. The modelling approach will enable short- and long-term predictions of mercury pollution in different environmental compartments of the impacted area. Based on the modelling results, suitability of different measures will be evaluated by testing different rehabilitation scenarios. Regarding the objectives to be fulfilled in the frame of the project, the project can be divided into the following steps: (1) collection and management of different environmental and socio-economic data (both existing and from measurements performed in the frame of the proposed project) in the GIS supported database management system; (2) experimental work designed based on the previously established knowledge about the most critical points of environmental quality in the study area in order to gather relevant data and information needed for ecosystem vulnerability assessment, modelling and scenario development; (3) development of integrated modelling framework by coupling of different modelling tools (terrestrial Hg mass balance, geochemical equilibrium and ecological risk assessment model); (4) evaluation of suitable remediation measures in the proposed project based on a multi-criteria analysis carried out via the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) supported by GIS, taking mercury’s environmental functioning and its fate, different environmental scenarios and socio-economic parameters into account. In this way, the proposed project will contribute to a science-based and cost-effective environmental management planning in the Idrija region.
Significance for science
The problem of mercury released from contaminated surfaces into the global environment was recognised quite some time ago. Globally, within the UNEP (United Nation Environment Programme) programme several mercury strategies were proposed. Within these strategies, one of the priorities is also the remediation of existing contaminated sites, which is an important challenge that would significantly contribute to limiting emissions of Hg to the environment. As mercury is very persistent in the environment and its toxicity is elicited at very low concentrations, effective remedial methods need to be applied to lower mercury levels, especially in heavily polluted ecosystems. Although different deterministic and empirical mercury models have been developed so far, their results are highly uncertain, mainly due to gaps in knowledge regarding key mechanisms that affect different patterns of mercury cycle in the environment. In addition, the fate of mercury strongly depends on the site specific local conditions. Moreover, due to the specific properties of mercury (e.g., transformations from one chemical form to another and between environmental compartments) remediation of contaminated sites can be quite complex and expensive. However, there is no generally agreed approach for remediation actions in the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems at such sites. At the same time there are still many unknown regarding the quantity of mercury which is released from contaminated areas and potentialy represent a long-term impact on health of humans and ecosystems. Therefore, an integrated model approach, which is the result of the project, is an example of a comprehensive and scientifically-based approach in studying and managing of mercury-contaminated areas. The project represents an interdisciplinary approach to the issue of contaminated sites, which with proper site specific adjustments can be applied in other environments contaminated with either mercury or other pollutants.
Significance for the country
The problem of mercury pollution in the area of Idrija is one of the biggest environmental challenges Slovenia is facing. Namely, mercury pollution in this area has a regional character, spreading the influence through Idrijca and Soča River catchments all the way to the Gulf of Trieste. As such, it requires an integrated policy on economic, environmental and social development, as this is the only way to control and manage the consequences of current pollution and especially to prevent the increased risk in the future. The results of the project contribute significantly to the science-based and efficient environmental management in the area of the Idrija mercury mine, covering different aspects (e.g. prevention and erosion prediction, water and flood management, sediment transport, water quality...). The results of implemented spatially-based modelling approach can serve as a tool for managers to select appropriate remediation and remedial actions, because among other things, it allows analysis of potential environmental impacts of decision making and insight in uncertainties associated with these decisions. In addition, the methodologies developed within the project and data collected can be used during the implementation of the ongoing environmental monitoring programmes in the wider Idrija region.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
