In the Smrekovec Volcanic Complex, the intrusion of the Kramarica Sill caused a series of prograde and very rare and unique retrograde hydrothermal reactions such as the alteration of chlorite to randomly interlayered corrensite-chlorite. The estimated temperature range is 300-150°C. The reaction is important for the studies of recently active volcanic-hydrothermal systems exploited for electricity production or direct use as it may influence the reservoir quality and the fluid production.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2568533
In this study, we developed, described and tested a novel method, the GLA method, to detect active tectonic uplift or subsidence along river courses. It is a modification of Hack's SL-index method in order to overcome the disadvantages of the latter. The core assumption of the GLA method is that over geological time river profiles quickly adjust to follow an exponential decrease in elevation along the river course. Any large deviation can be attributed to active tectonic movement, or to disturbances in erosion/sedimentation processes caused by an anthropogenic structure (e.g. artificial dam). During the testing phase, the locations of identified deviations were compared to the locations of faults, identified on a 1:100,000 geological map. Results show that higher magnitude deviations are found within a maximum radius of 200 m from the fault, and the majority of detected deviations within a maximum radius of 600 m from faults or thrusts. Comparison of deviation magnitudes against PSInSAR measurements of vertical displacements in the vicinity revealed that in spite of the very few suitable points available, a good correlation between both independent methods was achieved. The GLA method was applied to the three test sites where previous studies have shown active tectonic movements. It shows that deviations occur at the intersections between active faults and river courses, as well as also correctly detecting active uplift, attributed to the increased sedimentation rate above an artificial hydropower dam, and an increased erosion rate below. The method gives promising results, and it is acknowledged that the GLA method needs to be tested in other locations around the world.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2578261
In a complex succession of volcanic and volcaniclastic deposits in the Smrekovec Volcanic Complex, coarser-grained rocks contain alteration minerals with higher temperature stability ranges (laumontite-chlorite-(chlorite-smectite)-albite) than those in coarse-grained tuffs (analcime-heulandite-(chlorite-smectite)), or in fine-grained vitroclastic tuffs (heulandite-clinoptilolite-(chlorite-smectite)). The occurrence is related to convective – advective flow of hydrothermal fluids. In the two-phase area gases separated from denser liquids that were unable to continue to ascend and out flowed downward, preferentially through the layers with higher permeability.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2505045
Different grain size fractions of clastic sediments (40–65, 0.5–3, and ( 0.5 mm) from the Divje babe 1 cave were chemically analysed. Divje Babe 1 is one of the most important palaeolithic sites in Slovenia, where a Neanderthal flute made of bone was discovered. In the chemical composition of the medium and fine fractions, four groups of variables were revealed. Vertical distributions of P2O5, SiO2, and U in the fine fraction suggest five geochemical boundaries. A negative correlation between the content of SiO2 and cavernously corroded clasts (indicating humidity), indicates dominantly aeolian transport of non-carbonate material into the cave. The chemical characteristics of non-carbonate materials indicate that source rocks probably belong to the Triassic volcanic, volcanogenic and terrigenous sedimentary rocks. Formation and transformation of cave sediments were affected by climate and to some extent by duration of sediment exposure to surface conditions on the cave floor. Congelifracts, a product of frost action, and cavernously corroded clasts, a result of corrosion by condensation and percolating water, were formed before being covered by younger sediments. Thus, the distributions of congelifracts and cavernously corroded clasts can be used to interpret climate changes in the period of 39.7 to 116.1 ka, with at least four hiatuses lasting from 9.0 to 39.7 ky. Based on the relative abundance of congelifracts, the palaeoclimate record can be correlated with global temperature changes established by oxygen isotopes ?18O from the Greenland ice. The results were published in 2 papers in the same journal, placed in the first quartile.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2430037
This paper presents a comparison between persistent scatterer interferometry (PSI) monitoring results and the in situ displacement measurements. The landslide occurred after a heavy rain event in November 1990. The material on the deposit is Boršt hydrometallurgical waste from the extraction process of the ammonium diuranate (yellowcake) from uranium ore, excavated at adjacent uranium mine Žirovski vrh. Although the landslide did not directly endanger people, site re-mediation works were undertaken due to the possibility of subsequent environmental problems. PSI campaigning in the Škofjeloško Cerkljansko area, where the mining waste from the uranium ore mill is situated also detected displacements, most probably indicating a creeping process. The high correlation values between the movements of the benchmarks and the PSs confirm that the re-mediation works were effective as fluctuations in displacement values of the landslide were very similar to those of the PSs. Nevertheless, although there are several limitations in comparing the two different datasets, the PSI technique can be complementary to conventional in situ methods, mainly in areas where long term monitoring is required.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2234197
Importance of SEM/EDS single particle analysis for differentiation between various sources of metals in the environment is shown on a case study of solid metal-bearing particles in snow deposits from the area of Žerjav. The results showed that solid particles in snow are represented by scarce geogenic-anthropogenic particles originating from lead-zinc ore minerals (cerussite, sphalerite) in mine waste deposit, and by numerous Pb, Sb- and Sn-bearing oxides and sulphides. According to their morphologies and chemical composition, anthropogenic particles formed at high temperatures during melting of lead, antimony and tin alloys, which are basic components of used lead-acid batteries. Furthermore, the quantities of anthropogenic particles decrease with increasing distance from the Pb-processing plant, which indicates that Pb processing is their predominant source.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2193237
This paper presents the impacts of, the ecological investment in ironworks (dust filter installation) and construction works at a highly contaminated brownfield site, on the chemical composition of household dust and street sediment in Celje, Slovenia. The evaluation is based on two sampling campaigns: the first was undertaken 1 month before the ecological investment became operational and the second 3 years later. The results show that dust filter installations reduced the content of Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, W and Zn on average by 58% in house dust and by 51% in street dust. No reduction was observed at sampling points in the upwind direction from the ironworks. By contrast, the impact of the construction works on the highly contaminated brownfield site was detected by a significant increase (on average by 37%) of elements connected to the brownfield contamination in street dust. Such increase was not detected in house dust.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1963093
LCA analysis is a useful tool for the assessment of environmental impacts and greater transparency in the industry. Producers require LCA analysis for marketing, and even more for improvement of their products and processes. The mining/quarrying industry is a sector of industry where are very few Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools, and where the role of LCA has been poorly investigated. Given the unique features of mining LCA’s a common methodology in presented and was implemented within the Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management (SARMa) Project (www.sarmaproject.eu) in order to boost adoption of LCA in the aggregate industry in South Eastern Europe. The proposed methodology emphasizes the importance of resource efficiency and recycling in the context of a Sustainable Supply Mix of aggregates for the construction industry.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2033749
The objective of this investigation was to study the distribution of chemical elements in topsoil and subsoil, focusing on the identification of anthropogenic (human made) and geogenic (natural) element sources in a former metallurgic industrial area. The study was based on comparisons of statistical parameters, spatial distribution of selected elements, and the results of cluster and factor analyses. Two natural geochemical associations and one anthropogenic association were identified. The natural geochemical associations: Al-Ca-Ce-K-La-Li-Nb-Rb-Sc-Ta-Ti-Th-V-Y and Co-Cr-Na-Ni-Mg are influenced mainly by lithological factors. The anthropogenic association Ag-Bi-Cd-Cu-Hg-Mo-Pb-Sb-Zn is the result of past iron metallurgy.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1905493
Humans have used mineral resources since prehistoric times. People who could build better shelters were better protected from the weather and potentially from enemies as well. Over time, the technologies of mineral exploration, extraction, processing, and use have advanced. Both the variety of resources exploited and the applications to which they are put have expanded dramatically. This chapter mainly examines mineral scarcity, its major consequences, and the relationship between interstate conflict and cooperation. The exploration of alternative concepts of scarcity include physical, situational, political, and social scarcity, along with mineral conflicts and cooperation. The concepts of intra-industry, international, and intergovernmental cooperation, and mutual benefits, are also been examined. It is argued that mineral conflicts, the emergence of sustainable development, and real and perceived scarcity are playing a major role in creating and exploring the mineral policies.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1886293