Projects / Programmes
Optimization and validation of new indicator systems in complex
environmental matrices
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.04.05 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
Analytical chemistry |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T270 |
Technological sciences |
Environmental technology, pollution control |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.04 |
Natural Sciences |
Chemical sciences |
nanosensors, biosensors, modeling, metrology, mercury
Researchers (26)
Organisations (4)
Abstract
Due to mercury (Hg) toxicity, cumulative health effects and potential for accumulation in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems has resulted in extensive research of its emissions, transport, reactions and fate in various environmental matrices as well as effects on human health and environmental sustainability. Mercury is released into environment from a various anthropogenic and natural sources. Mercury exists in a large number of physical and chemical forms with a wide range of properties and the conversion between these different forms provides the basis for mercury’s complex distribution pattern in local and global cycles and for its biologic enrichment and effects. Because of continuing concern over mercury in the environment and its deleterious effects on human health, obtaining new mercury detection methods that are sensitive, selective, rapid, facile, cost-effective and applicable to environmental and industrial settings is an important goal. The basic idea of this proposal is to develop effective and robust sensors for aqueous mercury detection that can operate autonomously for longer periods of time, while at the same time ensure continuous high quality data, by combining the existing state-of-the-art technologies with still experimental and theoretical approaches. The sensors developed will be based on (1) the classical chemical principles but adopted for continuous on-line measurement modes in industrial (wet scrubber in the flue gas desulphurisation) and environmental settings (former mercury contaminated site); (2) improved understanding of the biosensors performance in contaminated sites; and (3) optical chemical sensors principles using interactions with nanoparticles for use in industrial and environmental applications. The combination of sensors will allow the determination of the following species in the aqueous solutions: dissolved elemental mercury (DGM), divalent mercury (Hg(II)) compounds, and bioavailable Hg fractions. The goal is also to ensure that sensors have appropriate sensitivity to operate at relevant concentration. Metrological support will be elaborated along with sensors development to provide comparable results, which requires well set calibration procedures to secure traceable measurement results. The sensors will be applied in former mercury mining area and the industrial settings (FGD) and will be combined with the development of improved modelling tools for both environmental and industrial applications that will be based on real-time modelling approach. The project combines the complimentary expertise of two public research institutions and two SMEs in Slovenia and four well experienced international partners from Norway, Italy, Russia. The interdisciplinary (analytical chemistry, geochemistry, microbiology, and engineering) and inter-sectorial research environment (public and private partnership), in which young researchers will also be involved, will provide unique opportunity for transfer basic research results into practise and provide excellent grounds for young researcher’s career development. Moreover, the project is timely and relevant due to research and policy priorities set by the EU framework programme related to Environment and Climate Change, and will enable effective collaboration in EU consortia and provide forums for further exploitation of the project results.
Significance for science
The chemistry of mercury in industrial and the environment settings is very complex. Normally, the concentrations of Hg and its species in aqueous media are very low. In addition, transformations and partitioning between different phases are dynamic processes, which cannot be well identified using classical analytical chemistry. The development of methods for continues in-line measurements are therefore needed to improve the understanding of mercury behaviour. Consequently, improved measurement infrastructure can significantly enhance the development of modelling tools with diagnostic properties. Understanding of the chemistry in industrial and natural environment is fundamental for the development of clean technologies in which mercury is not emitted into the environment (air, water, solid wastes). In the environment mercury behaviour depends on numerous factors (redox, pH, bacteria, light, T, presence of other chemicals…). In order to improve the environmental models, chemical modules need to be improved. Therefore, the main contribution of the present proposal is to improve the performance of chemical modules used in modelling chemical contaminants in industry and the environment. Regarding the fact that the market has no similar optical detection system yet for continuous monitoring of mercury ions this nano-based optical chemical sensor will be an important contribution. Namely, current detection methods work on an irreversible principle and thus do not reflect the actual stage of potential water body toxicity. Development of new nanomaterials for on-line sensor applications provide numerous advanced tools with increased sensitivity, selectivity, and smaller instrumentation for a much lower price. The scientific field of bioavailable mercury still remains poorly scientifically covered. With the development of new biosensor cells we will contribute to the new methodology for measuring the bioavailability of mercury on cyanogenic microorganisms. Fractionation and speciation of some elements in complex systems is a challenge, as the identification and characterization of individual chemical species at low concentrations is often a subject of analytical artefacts. These can be caused by sampling and sample handling before final analysis. In most cases unstable compounds need to be identified, which are important for model verification and validation. Continuous measurements will significantly contribute to the improved understanding by providing high time frequency data. The use of novel and advanced analytical tools will significantly improved our understanding and knowledge of the chemistry of mercury and other contaminants in complex aqueous media. Real time measurements and associated modelling tools represents innovative approach with high diagnostic tools in environmental technologies and remediation of contaminated sites. The project coordinator already obtained two EU funded project to continue the work: EU MASSTWIN "Spreding excellence in mass spectrometry" and EURAMET EMPIR MercOx project "Traceability of oxidised mercury".
Significance for the country
The project was presented as the applied research build on basic research principles. This is the reason that two SMEs are involved in the study (IOS and IFB). The understanding of chemistry of mercury (and some other elements) and its integration into the modelling framework will provide excellent tools for applied research. Without science based knowledge the uncertainty of modelling results inhibit practical applications. The work will be implemented with industrial partners, however, without their direct financial contributions at this basic research stage. This will include the Thermopower station in Šoštanj. The knowledge gained in the proposed project will be directly applicable in the optimization of the clean devices during the construction and operation. Additional co financing will further be explored among the companies that intend to proceed with their business in China, Eastern Europe and Russia, and the Slovenian market as well. New sensors will be useful in the field applications and will overcome classical analytical artefacts (sampling, sample handling). Improved measurement infrastructure will provide better control tools for contaminated sites, where mobility from polluted sites to less contaminated sites can occur. The potential users in Slovenia are waste water treatment plants, fossil fuel based energy sectors and cement production facilities. In addition, thermal treatment of waste requires similar technologies for removal of contaminants and will have to be optimized. With the development of a biosensor system, we will be able to continuously measure bioavailable mercury in the environment. Research will be carried on the influence of microorganism on mercury transformation, mutual interactions between Hg resistant and Hg non-resistant bacteria, which will provide insight in new possible ways of bioremediation of environment. IOS and IFB developed a prototypes of sensors as a commercial product that would enable measuring different environmental chemical pollutants. This is important in the context of new spin-off enterprises to be developed. The improved modeling tools will directly be applicable in projects where contaminated environment are planned for the development of the economy in the region. Resource management (forest, water use and management) may greatly mobilize Hg stored in soils and other reservoirs. Using models, appropriate scenarios can be simulated and investigated in terms of costs and benefits. As an example, we mention planned installation of liquefied gas terminals in the Gulf of Trieste. The installation and operation of NLGs in this contaminated environment will greatly enhance the mobility of mercury in contaminated sediments. On line measurement tools and improved modelling can be of great help in decision making, providing the uncertainty is not too large.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
