Geochemical studies in the urban area of Idrija with a focus on mercury. The research is a comprehensive and detailed geochemical study of urban materials in our oldest mining town, it's in Idrija. The studied area represents a specific example of the urban environment, which is due to 500-year mining extremely polluted. The systematic study of soils, sediments and household dust were directed in determining the content and spatial distribution of mercury and other metals in these materials. Chemical species of mercury, water-soluble and gastro bio-available concentrations of mercury were determined, which is a novelty in research in Idrija. Urban materials in Idrija are heavily loaded with mercury, which is present in a form that can be migrated into deeper parts of the soil or groundwater and may cause potential negative consequences for the local population. The determination of the water-soluble and gastro bio-available of mercury in these materials is an important and useful information for understanding the extremely high concentration of total mercury in this area. Doctoral thesis represents an important contribution to the development of scientific knowledge on the geochemical processes in the urban environment of Idrija, which is heavily polluted with mercury.
D.09 Tutoring for postgraduate students
COBISS.SI-ID: 1181022A 3-year geochemical and isotopic study of groundwaters has been conducted in the aquifers composed of the most representative lithological and lithostratigraphic units observed in Slovenia in order to determine the impact of lithological structure of aquifer, recharge area climatic characteristics and land use on the groundwater chemical and isotopic composition. Groundwater was sampled at 87 sampling locations, including springs, boreholes and wells, which were evenly distributed throughout the territory. Sampled groundwater is mostly modern with precipitation recharge of Atlantic and Mediterranean air masses. Determination of the isotope altitude and continental effects in groundwater provided additional information on the groundwater recharge. The prevailing process influencing Slovenian groundwater composition is dissolution of carbonate rocks which are the most abundant rock type present in Slovenia and to a lesser extent the dissolution of silicate rocks in the areas with dominating igneous and metamorphic rocks. Natural influences on the groundwater geochemistry are also linked to vicinity to the sea side. In lowland alluvial plains groundwater chemical composition reflects agricultural activities and fertilizer uses, because the soil type and climate of the plains are favourable for agricultural harvest production. Additionally, urban land use with decrepit and improper sewage systems or septic tanks, and de-icing roads in densely populated cities are reflected in groundwater geochemistry. Beside general occurrence of observed parameters in groundwater this study also provides the information on the spatial variation of parameters, interpretation of geochemical processes present in the aquifers, and determination of the natural background levels for chemical parameters which sources are mostly of anthropogenic origin.
D.09 Tutoring for postgraduate students
COBISS.SI-ID: 3287035In the year 2014 the work on Slovenian Water Management Plan for the Ministry for Environment and Spatial Planning was continued. It deals with integral water management policy, including the groundwater chemical and quantitative status estimation and proposal of measures for improvement of chemical and quantitative status of water bodies, which are at risk and they will not achieve good chemical and quantitative status till the year 2015. In the scope of Slovenian Water Management Plan, Geological Survey of Slovenia was responsible for groundwater management issues. I series of reports we elaborated methodology and evaluation of available and exploitable groundwater quantities of individual groundwater bodies, we determined prohibitions, conditions and restrictions of thermal water use and shallow groundwater use for heat pumps, we upgraded analysis of pressures and impacts, investigated groundwater dependent ecosystems and elaborated a model for decision-making of effectivity of measures to improve quality state of groundwaters.
F.24 Improvements to existing system-wide, normative and programme solutions, and methods
COBISS.SI-ID: 2347605Doc. dr. Mateja Gosar is editor in chief of the of scientific periodical review Geologija. Geologija is a central Slovenian scentific journal with a 50 year history and tradition. It has an international advisory board. In Geologija publish Slovenian and foreign authors. Contributions cover the fields of geological mapping, stratigraphy, paleontology, mineralogy, mineral deposits, hydrogeology, environment protection, geochemistry, geohazards, seismology, geoinformatics and related activities.
C.05 Editorial board of a national magazine
Geologia Croatica is a scientific journal of the Croatian Geological Survey and the Croatian Geological Society, dealing with all aspects of Earth sciences, with emphasis on the Dinarides, the Adriatic/Mediterranean region, Pannonian Basin and/or karst issues. It is published three times per year in English and is highly respected in the international scientific community.
C.04 Editorial board of an international magazine