Projects / Programmes
Alps as a potential regional water resource for Slovenia
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.06.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Geology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P005 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Geology, physical geography |
| P470 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Hydrogeology, geographical and geological engineering |
Alps, hydrogeology, groundwater, water resources, environment protection, natural isotopes
Researchers (12)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Large quantities of high-quality drinking water are stored in the Slovene Alpine region, however, they have been exploited to a relatively small extent. Due to this area's geographic properties (inconvenient relief, extreme climatic conditions), the degree of land use is low, as well as regards urbanisation as also agricultural and industiral utilisation.
From the point of view of drinking water protection this is a favourable situation, resulting in a substantially decreased pollution load of drinking water resources, reflected also in their good quality.
In addition to having a low exploitation rate, alpine water resources are also quite poorly investigated. The proposed project therefore intends to make a detailed study of aquifers in the mountains of the Julijske and Kamniško-Savinjske Alps, Karavanke and Pohorje. The aquifers will be studied with regard to disposable quantities and questions related to the quality and protection of drinking water. Slovenia has to finally obtain reliable estimates of potentially extractable quantities from alpine aquifers, a definition of the most perspective areas, their vulnerability and risk for pollution. It has to be determined how to establish possible changes in the quantity and quality of investigated water resources and how to capture water so that the least possible harm shall be done to the existing natural balance of this area. The most adequate research methods will have to be found for determining substance transport in the saturated and unsaturated zone of alpine aquifers, the use of natural and artificial tracers and approaches to the interpretation of acquired results.
We expect that the research will offer new methodological approaches to the investigation of hydrogeological conditions in the alpine region and also contribute to a better knowledge of regional hydrogeological situation
