Projects / Programmes
Remediation model for garden soils in Upper Meža valley
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T270 |
Technological sciences |
Environmental technology, pollution control |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.05 |
Natural Sciences |
Earth and related Environmental sciences |
soil remediation model, urban area, soil washing, soil pollution, heavy metals
Researchers (1)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
25506 |
PhD Neža Finžgar |
Plant production |
Head |
2011 - 2013 |
86 |
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The European Environmental Agency has reported that so far 300 000 sites across the EU were identified as definitely or potentially contaminated, with an estimation of 1.5 million of such contaminated areas in total. In order to prevent toxic substances from entering into organisms and to consequently lower their impact on human health, the contaminated soils have to be remediated. None of the existing soil remediation technologies developed in industrial scale is appropriate for remediation of soils from Upper Meža Valley, where the soil developed on carbonate parent material and is rich with organic matter.
The Upper Meža Valley has been exposed to more than 300 years of active Pb mining. Soils in the valley, including agricultural land, are polluted primarily with Pb but also with Zn, As and Cd. Most of the contaminated land is constrained within Crna municipality where Pb-smelting plant was closed only two decades ago. Vegetable and recreational gardens in the Upper Meža Valley (Črna and Mežica municipality) are the object of the current soil remediation project.
The new soil washing technology for soils with high content of toxic metals was developed in laboratory scale (Finžgar in Leštan, 2008; Pociecha in Leštan, 2010; Voglar in Leštan, 2010). Metals are removed in the ex situ process of soil washing with the water solution of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The EDTA-metal complexes are removed from the washing solution with electrochemical processes. This technology includes the recycling of process waters and EDTA and after remediation the soils can be re-used as a plant growth substrate.
Residents of contaminated areas, in particular children, are directly exposed to soil. When planning the remediation of soils in urban areas, the following topics need to be considered: small parcellization and ownership, non-homogeneous soil type due to different soil use, uneven soil contamination and pressure of public opinion.
The aim of the proposed project is to optimize the remediation technology for metal polluted soils with the purpose of its application in industrial scale and to prepare a soil remediation plan for the gardens of Upper Meža Valley that will meet the social, economic and ecological criteria of the area. To achieve the objectives of the proposed project, garden soils in Upper Meža valley will be classified and extraction procedure for selected soil types optimized. All classified soil types of Upper Meža valley will be remediated in pilot scale with two technologies (recycling of process water and recycling of EDTA and process water). After remediation bioavailability of Pb, Zn, Cd and As soil will be determined. Costs of remediation and social acceptance of soil remediation action will be assessed.
Significance for science
Pollution of soils with metals is a worldwide problem. Such soils present a risk to humans and environment and needs to be remediated, especially backyards and gardens of populated areas where close soil-contact can be expected. Data on the topics, which will be investigated in the proposed project, are currently scarce in the scientific literature: ? new remediation technologies that enable removal of metals from polluted soil, ? application of new soil remediation technology in pilot scale, ? soil remediation social acceptance in society on polluted area, ? soil remediation placement in other phases of area remediation. The new soil washing technology for soils with high content of toxic metals was developed in pilot scale. Metals are removed in the ex situ process of soil washing with the water solution of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The EDTA-metal complexes are removed from the washing solution with electrochemical processes. This technology includes the recycling of process waters and EDTA and after remediation the soils can be re-used as a plant growth substrate. The proposed technology of this project is the only technology that enables removal of metals from the soil developed on carbonate parent material and is rich with organic matter. Preparing the entire remediation model on settled/urban area, from assessment of total soil volume for remediation to return of remediated soil to excavation area, is essential step for realization of the new remediation technology. New soil remediation technologies will enable EU member countries to realize the Soil Thematic Strategy and to remediate all the contaminated areas where contamination affect human and environmental health. We belive the results will represent a substantial contribution to the scientific development and expertise.
Significance for the country
There are several contaminated sites in Slovenia. The best known and well documented is the soil pollution with Pb, Zn and Cd in Upper Mežica Valley. Unfortunately, new contaminated sites are discovered yearly: Cd-contaminated soil around Jesenice (metallurgical industry), Pb-contamination near Litija (Pb mining and smelting), numerous old Cu-polluted vineyards in Primorska region, contamination with Pb in major cities (Ljubljana, Domžale) due to traffic, industrial site of an old zinc smelter in Celje, etc. According to European Environment Agency, there are 80,000 metal-contaminated sites in Europe only. The results of this project will make rehabilitation of the aforementioned metal-contaminated sites possible. Remediation of contaminated soil is essential for maintaining human health in contaminated areas, as well as for the areas’ continual development. Implementation of stricter environmental laws limiting food production on contaminated land may decrease the availability of farm-land. Already the Slovenian farmer and consumer organisations refuse to recognize organic/ecological farming (one of the key orientations in Slovenian agricultural production) on soils contaminated with heavy metals. However, remediation technologies, especially for heavy-metal-contaminated soils, are poorly developed – many of them are suitable only for very specific areas or soil features, some are even environmentally questionable. None of the existing technologies is suitable for metal extraction in Upper Mežica Valley. This project is proposed from a company who will use the results of the research in his economic activity The results have a significant impact on the socio-economic development of Republic of Slovenia. The results obtained are in line with the strategic aims of the development priorities as stated in the Development Strategy of Slovenia
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2011,
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
