Projects / Programmes
Identification of Pb sources in the upper Mežiška valley based on Pb isotope composition
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.04.06 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
Geochemistry |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P305 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Environmental chemistry |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.04 |
Natural Sciences |
Chemical sciences |
Pb pollution, Pb isotopes, source identification and apportionment, MC-ICP-MS, dust particles, upper Mežica valley
Researchers (10)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0106 |
Jožef Stefan Institute |
Ljubljana |
5051606000 |
18 |
Abstract
In the upper Mežica valley lies the largest lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) ore deposit in Slovenia with a long history of mining activity. As a consequence, the upper Mežica valley is excessively polluted with Pb, Zn and other toxic elements. Because Pb, by inhalation and ingestion of contaminated dust particles, food and water, is transmitted to the body, workers and surrounding residents have had significantly elevated Pb levels in the blood. After the closure of the mine and the smelter and the introduction of severe remedial measures, the burden on the environment and people started to decrease. In the last few years, Pb levels in the blood, especially of small children, have started to stagnate or even grow. The reason for this is the re-release of Pb, since also the Pb content in the dust particles started to grow. The emphasis of the previous research in the upper Mežica valley was primarily on the burden of the environment with Pb and its distribution in the environment. A more detailed study of potential Pb sources in dust particles and an assessment of the contribution of individual sources has not yet been made. Therefore, in the proposed project, we will determine the isotope composition of Pb in environmental samples from the area of the upper Mežica valley in order to identify the sources of pollution of dust particles with Pb. In order to achieve this, we will: (1) determine the isotope composition of Pb in various environmental samples (ore, ore wastes, soil, sand from sandbanks, macadam roads and nests, river sediment, discharges from industrial facilities; (2) determine the isotope composition of Pb in dust particles and compare it with the composition of individual sources. The isotope composition of Pb will be determined by an inductively coupled plasma multicollector mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS). Furthermore, (3) we will determine the distribution of Pb concentration between different fractions according to the particle size in samples of ore wastes, sand, soil and sediments; (4) evaluate the bioavailability of Pb in ore waste samples and river sediments, occasionally used for surfacing of macadam roads and banks; and (5) assessed the main sources of pollution and their contribution to the pollution based on the collected data, which will be the basis for appropriate measures to prevent or reduce pollution of the environment with Pb in the upper Mežica valley, which will have a positive impact on the health of the surrounding population.
Significance for science
Stable isotope techniques allow not only reliable results of the isotopic ratios of elements in the environmental samples but also identification of pollutant sources, on the basis of which we can take effective measures for the remediation of sites contaminated with Pb. Despite their widespread use in the environmental field, these isotopic tools are hardly used in Slovenia. The proposed project will generate the acquisition of appropriate knowledge in the field of the use of isotopic techniques for determining Pb sources which contribute the most to pollutant exposure and burden on the population in Upper Mežiška valley. In the framework of the project, one doctoral and/or master's student will be educated in the field of determination of isotope relations Pb in environmental samples with MC-ICP-MS. The training of young staff will significantly contribute not only to the dissemination of knowledge, but also to competent and professional decision-making in the planning and preparation of appropriate measures to reduce the Pb pollution burden in Mežiška valley. The project will represent a model of good practice in isotopic techniques for treacing pollution sources in the environment and will serve as a support to decision makers in solving other open pressing environmental issues in Slovenia.
The application of the Pb isotopes to track its sources in the environment on a global scale is well known. However, due to the complexity of the pollution problem in Mežiška valley where several different sources of Pb are possible, as well as the interlinking of historical anthropogenic sources and the existing processing industry of Pb, a new approach to the data processing is needed. In addition to the Pb isotopes and the total Pb concentrations, other parameters, such as the percentage of bioavailable Pb, multi-element analysis and GIS tools, will be used. The project, therefore, will represent an example of an efficient use of these tools in a very complex environment, where it is necessary to determine and evaluate individual pollution source in order to introduce appropriate measures for improving the quality of the environment and the population health.
Furthermore, through publications in international scientific journals, we will contribute to the visibility of our researchers and Slovenia on the international arena. Several young researchers will be involved in the project, who will partially perform their tasks as part of this project. Knowledge gained in this project will be transferred to postgraduate training.
Significance for the country
We expect that the results of the project will enable accurate determination of the sources of pollution of the dust particles with Pb, which will provide a basis for the preparation of appropriate remediation measures. After the remediation, the quality of the environment and consequently population health will increase. The extent of absences from work due to illness will decrease which will have a positive impact on the local economy.
