Description
Because most of the practices monitoring metal contamination in the environment use concentration data alone, evaluation of the range and source apportionment is often complicated. This project aims to develop a novel methodology for tracing the degrees of pollution and its sources using a combined biogeochemical approach with emphasis on “non-traditional” (nickel, cadmium, copper) and “traditional” (lead) metal isotope fingerprinting, combined with concentration, mineralogical and microbiological data from various environmental samples, such as snow samples, lichens and mosses, soil profiles and peat cores. The project will focus on two polluted areas in Norway and the Czech Republic, more precisely the Barents region (Norwegian-Finnish-Russian border with smelters and metal processing industries) and in the Upper Silesian region (Czech-Polish border with metal and coal processing industry). This approach will allow a precise evaluation of pollution sources, their contributions to the contamination and exact range and it becomes a powerful tool for environmental analysis, monitoring, risk assessment and subsequently for decision-making.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to develop a methodology of pollution tracing based on metal isotope fingerprinting using a combination of various environmental samples in two polluted areas in Norway and the Czech Republic, more precisely the Barents region (Norwegian-Finnish-Russian border where several smelters and metal processing industries are located) and in the Upper Silesian region (Czech-Polish border with an intensive metal and coal processing industry). Methods of sample preparation, pretreatment and analyses were developed within the project’s framework. The time- and area-dependent evolution of the pollution was assessed using concentration and isotope analyses of “non-traditional” (Ni, Cd, Cu) and “traditional” (Pb) systems. Additionally, new methods using microbial communities as indicators of metal pollution were used. This complex approach enables identifying and quantifying separate pollution and natural sources and when coupled to concentration and mineralogical data, it becomes a powerful tool for environmental analysis, monitoring, risk assessment and subsequently for policy decision-making. The project’s aims set have been successfully fulfilled. Procedures of isotope (Cd, Cu, Ni) measurements were developed in laboratory experiments with actual environmental samples (snow, lichens, mosses, soils, PM10 atmospheric particles) and the combination of isotope, concentration and mineralogical analyses was proposed as a powerful approach for identifying pollution sources together with the associated drawbacks. The project consortium included the Project Promoter from the Czech Republic (Czech University of Life Sciences Prague) and two Project Partners from Norway (NIBIO, formerly Bioforsk, and NGU), each having a specific indispensable role. Besides scientific publications, we presented a certified methodology for sample pretreatment, analyses and result interpretation. The results obtained from the project provide important insights and advancements in the identification of sources of atmospheric pollution and are beneficial not only for the scientific community, but also for relevant local authorities dealing with air quality.
Summary of bilateral results
Methodology for using different environmental samples for tracing atmospheric pollution, including sample collection, pre-treatment, analyses and result interpretation. We proposed a methodology of pollution tracing in industrial areas. Six peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals and one certified methodology. All the partners contributed significantly to the project within their specific specialization. The formed consortium enabled an important scientific collaboration within the project. Due to the complex nature of the project, the partnership was crucial for its implementation. The partners contributed evenly and created a strong consortium. The formed partnership enabled to publish joint articles in highly ranked journals and created a platform for subsequent projects. The topic of atmospheric pollution is of great environmental importance worldwide. The project included a majority of female researchers and was widely promoted.