Along with the Drava Valley (about 400 km2), chemical analyses of 160 soil samples and stream sediments have been performed in order to determine a critical soil pollution as a consequence of river transport. The Valley has been a place of mining and smelting activities since the Antique period that reaches its maximum in the middle of last century. Long lasting operation of mining and smelting (such as Bleiberg/Plajberg in Austria, Cave del Predil/Rabelj in Italy and Mežica in Slovenia) left high levels of Cadmium, Zinc and Lead in alluvial sediments, only in Slovenia is 85 km2 of alluvial sediments is critically polluted with zinc, lead and cadmium.
F.30 Professional assessment of the situation
COBISS.SI-ID: 2597973One of the major goals of GeoZS are strengthening an international scientific cooperation network and partnership with other former Yugoslav countries, improvement of material research standards, exploiting the research and technological demonstration results as well promoting the GeoZS to regional centers of excellence. Our researches are mainly focused on mining and metallurgical processes which are obviously the biggest destructors of environment. These include e.g. B&H (Ironworks Zenica); Slovenia and Croatia (the Drava valley; Experimental geochemical map of Slovenia and Croatia); Kosovo (Pb- Zn mine Trepča and Pb smelter Zvečan–Kosovska Mitrovica); Macedonia (Cu mine Bučim, Pb smelter Veles, thermoelectric power plants, etc.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 3000917Technological innovation and inventions led to very intensive anthropogenic impact, especially in upper part of Drava (numerous mines and smelters). This influence on a chemical composition of floodplains along the entire Valley. Based on the previous research (Šajn et al, 2011), the proposed project is a continuation of such studies, mainly focused on the Hungarian lower part of Drava, which are important arable areas. The aim of project is to extract a potential risk assessment of natural river habitats and wetlands, trans-boundary impact of PTE, and to deliver a coordinated research approach, involving experts active in various disciplines, and consequently to build a large synergistic effect. The joint results will represent an important contribution to regional risk assessment of PTE as well as their dynamics in the food web.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 2952277The alluvial sediments of Drava river record the contamination from upstream mines and smelters. These floodplains are covered by fertile agricultural lands and act as diverse riverine habitats. At the same time, these important areas are sensitive receptors of PTE (Potentially Toxic Elements) contamination originating from upstream mining and industrial areas. In order to study the impact of contamination on soil microbiota the samples from topsoil depth: (0-10cm) and subsoil (depth: 50-60cm) samples were collected, along the Hungarian-Croatian border river Drava. Results show that there is a significant difference between alluvial plain and river terrace sediment contamination, while soil depth (topsoil vs subsoil) seems to be an important factor for soil microbial activity
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 3002965