Nina Mali | Geological Survey of Slovenia (original) (raw)

Papers by Nina Mali

Research paper thumbnail of Passive Sampling with Active Carbon Fibres in the Determination of Organic Pollutants in Groundwater

Water, 2022

Legislation addressing the quality of groundwater and increasing concerns over public health call... more Legislation addressing the quality of groundwater and increasing concerns over public health calls for the development of analytical methods that can produce accurate and precise results at the ppt level. Passive sampling has been recognised as a helpful tool in identifying various organic pollutants in groundwater, even when their presence had not yet been identified through conventional groundwater quality monitoring. The article presents an analytical method involving a simple and cost-effective passive sampling device using Zorflex® activated carbon fibres (ACFs) for the qualitative monitoring of a broad range of organic pollutants in water in a single run. The applicability of the method developed was tested in three hydrogeological studies. In the first case, we present a non-targeted qualitative screening and a list of 892 different contaminants detected in the groundwater in Slovenia. In the second case, we discuss the presence and origin of organic compounds in the groundwa...

Research paper thumbnail of Occurence of pesticides in Dravsko polje aquifer

Geologija

V članku predstavljamo rezultate raziskave pojavnosti in koncentracij pesticidov v podzemni vodi ... more V članku predstavljamo rezultate raziskave pojavnosti in koncentracij pesticidov v podzemni vodi Dravskega polja v obdobju 2013-2015. Na podlagi rezultatov smo ocenili prostorsko razširjenost pesticidov v podzemni vodi in jo povezali z rabo prostora. V obdobju dveh let smo odvzeli 76 vzorcev podzemne vode na 19 različnih lokacijah. V podzemni vodi smo določili 15 pesticidov z njihovimi metaboliti. Najpogosteje določen pesticid v podzemni vodi je še vedno atrazin in njegov razgradni produkt desetilatrazin. Sledijo mu metolaklor, terbutilazin in njegov razgradni produkt desetilterbutilazin. Pesticidi alaklor, dimetenamid, metazaklor in terbutrin niso bili določeni. Analiza zaznanih pesticidov z rabo prostora kaže na višje vrednosti na območjih z intenzivno kmetijsko dejavnostjo. V severnem delu Dravskega polja, južnem robu mesta Maribor, so koncentracije pesticidov manjše, povišane vrednosti pesticidov pa se pojavljajo v južnem delu Dravskega polja, kar sovpada tudi z intenzivnejšo kmetijsko rabo tal na tem območju. Z vrednotenjem razmerij med razgradnim produktom in primarnim pesticidom iz naslova atrazina in terbutilazina (DAR in DTA/TBA) smo ocenili »starosti« onesnaženja. Presenetljiva je visoka pojavnost atrazina, ki je lahko posledica starih bremen, počasne razgradnje in hidrogeoloških pogojev ali pa uporabe atrazina po uveljavitvi prepovedi uporabe.

Research paper thumbnail of Isotope Oxygen18 as Natural Tracer of Water Movement in a Coarse Gravel Unsaturated Zone

Water Air and Soil Pollution, 2009

The unsaturated zone of an aquifer serves as a water reservoir which discharges water and eventua... more The unsaturated zone of an aquifer serves as a water reservoir which discharges water and eventual pollution to the saturated zone for a relatively long period after the cessation of surface input. Effective protection of a water resource requires detailed knowledge of transport mechanisms through the unsaturated zone with regard to its protective function. The article presents the application of

Research paper thumbnail of Review of emerging organic pollutants in groundwater in Slovenia

Research paper thumbnail of A GIS based SINTACS model for assesing aquifer vulnerability

Research paper thumbnail of Water transport monitoring in an unsaturated zone – Case study: lysimeter Selniška dobrava (Slovenia)

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of water resource exploitation options using the MIKE SHE integrated hydrogeological modelling package – case study Selniška Dobrava

Research paper thumbnail of The use of environmental isotopes in groundwater flow study in the unsaturated zone of the Selniška Dobrava coarse gravel aquifer (Slovenia)

Research paper thumbnail of Možnosti pojavljanja kokcidiostatikov v okolju - The possibility of occurrence of coccidiostats in the environment

Coccidiostats are veterinary pharmaceuticals used for prevention and treatment of coccidiosis. Th... more Coccidiostats are veterinary pharmaceuticals used for prevention and treatment of coccidiosis. They pose a
potential environmental risk because of their widespread use in veterinary medicine. In large quantities they are
used as feed additives for poultry. They enter the environment mostly through the use of manure from treated
animals, which is a substantial source of coccidiostats since up to 95 % of consumed coccidiostats are excreted
unchanged. In Europe, 11 coccidiostats are permitted, which differ in their mechanism of action. Through soil
fertilization on agricultural areas coccidiostats are transferred via manure into surface water and groundwater.
They could be used as indicators of agricultural pollution. The presence, transport and concentration of coccidiostats
in the environment are still largely unknown. This article provides an overview of coccidiostats, their use, efficiency
and occurrence in the environment. It describes the factors influencing their occurrence in the environment. An
overview of literature on the topic of coccidiostats in the environment is presented. In the case of the Drava field
the potential environmental concentration of the coccidiostat monensin in the environment was established. The
assessment took into account the number of chickens on a chosen farm, the related arable land and the properties
of monensin. It was found that due to fertilization with chicken manure we can expect predicted environmental
concentrations (PEC) of monensin in soil up to 0,30 mg/kg and in groundwater up to 80,4 µg/l.

Research paper thumbnail of Pregled novih antropogenih organskih onesnaževal v podzemni vodi v Sloveniji - Review of emerging anthropogenic organic pollutants in groundwater in Slovenia

Emerging organic compounds EOC are substances which have been only recently determined as polluta... more Emerging organic compounds EOC are substances which have been only recently determined as pollutants, and substances which have been newly developed or discovered in the environment. EOC in groundwater can cause adverse effects on the environment and human health. They enter into the natural environment as a result of various anthropogenic activities. The article provides an overview of emerging organic pollutants that occur in groundwater. These compounds are drug residues, substances originating from personal care products, pesticides, veterinary products, food additives, nanomaterials, industrial and other compounds found in wastewater. The article describes the main sources and the presence of EOC in groundwater, pathways and potential impacts (risks). An overview of EOC detection research in the world is presented. Within the review of Slovenian studies the investigations dealing with the determination of wide spectrum of EOC presence in groundwater, with drug residues in groundwater and waste water, or with the development of analytical methods for these substances were analyzed. From the entire analysis we inferred that we must be aware of the possible presence of EOC risk in groundwater even in small concentrations. To reduce the yet to some extent unknown risks, it is necessary to determine EOC threshold values in groundwater and their impact. In the future it will be necessary to identify new pollutants, to develop new analytical methods to determine their sources and routes, and in particular, to establish monitoring for these substances.

Research paper thumbnail of Isotope Oxygen-18 as natural tracer of water movement in a coarse gravel unsaturated zone

The unsaturated zone of an aquifer serves as a water reservoir which discharges water and eventua... more The unsaturated zone of an aquifer serves as a water reservoir which discharges water and eventual pollution to the saturated zone for a relatively long period after the cessation of surface input. Effective protection of a water resource requires detailed knowledge of transport mechanisms through the unsaturated zone with regard to its protective function. The article presents the application of isotope methods in the study of groundwater transport processes in the unsaturated zone of Selniška Dobrava coarse gravel aquifer. Emphasis is given to the use of environmental isotopes as natural tracers in the study of groundwater dynamics in the unsaturated zone. The estimation of groundwater flow characteristics was based on experimental work in lysimeter. Based on long-time isotope investigations with the use of lumped parameter models some water flow parameters (mean residence time, mean matrix flow velocity) in the unsaturated zone were calculated. The results were compared with tracing experiment results in the same lysimeter.

Research paper thumbnail of Tracing of water movement through the unsaturated zone of a coarse gravel aquifer by means of dye and deuterated water

Environmental Geology, 2007

To better understand the movement and transport of water and pollution through the coarse gravel ... more To better understand the movement and transport of water and pollution through the coarse gravel unsaturated zone, the presented research was conducted to estimate water flow and transport processes with a tracing experiment in a lysimeter in the Selniška Dobrava. A combined tracing experiment was performed with deuterated water and the fluorescent dye-uranine. The fastest and dominant flow velocities were calculated based on injection time, the first tracer appearance time and the time of highest concentration. Mean flow velocity and vertical dispersion were estimated by an analytical best-fit method using onedimensional convection-dispersion model. Deuterium was confirmed as an ideal conservative tracer and a more suitable tracer than dye (uranine) for the study of water flow in the unsaturated zone of a coarse gravel aquifer. The retardation factor of the dye as compared with deuterium was 1.13-1.75, which is in agreement with previously published results. Artificial tracers, especially deuterated water, were also identified as a very useful tool to assess other properties and differences in water flow in the unsaturated zone of a coarse gravel aquifer such as velocity and dispersion.

Research paper thumbnail of Passive Sampling with Active Carbon Fibres in the Determination of Organic Pollutants in Groundwater

Water, 2022

Legislation addressing the quality of groundwater and increasing concerns over public health call... more Legislation addressing the quality of groundwater and increasing concerns over public health calls for the development of analytical methods that can produce accurate and precise results at the ppt level. Passive sampling has been recognised as a helpful tool in identifying various organic pollutants in groundwater, even when their presence had not yet been identified through conventional groundwater quality monitoring. The article presents an analytical method involving a simple and cost-effective passive sampling device using Zorflex® activated carbon fibres (ACFs) for the qualitative monitoring of a broad range of organic pollutants in water in a single run. The applicability of the method developed was tested in three hydrogeological studies. In the first case, we present a non-targeted qualitative screening and a list of 892 different contaminants detected in the groundwater in Slovenia. In the second case, we discuss the presence and origin of organic compounds in the groundwa...

Research paper thumbnail of Occurence of pesticides in Dravsko polje aquifer

Geologija

V članku predstavljamo rezultate raziskave pojavnosti in koncentracij pesticidov v podzemni vodi ... more V članku predstavljamo rezultate raziskave pojavnosti in koncentracij pesticidov v podzemni vodi Dravskega polja v obdobju 2013-2015. Na podlagi rezultatov smo ocenili prostorsko razširjenost pesticidov v podzemni vodi in jo povezali z rabo prostora. V obdobju dveh let smo odvzeli 76 vzorcev podzemne vode na 19 različnih lokacijah. V podzemni vodi smo določili 15 pesticidov z njihovimi metaboliti. Najpogosteje določen pesticid v podzemni vodi je še vedno atrazin in njegov razgradni produkt desetilatrazin. Sledijo mu metolaklor, terbutilazin in njegov razgradni produkt desetilterbutilazin. Pesticidi alaklor, dimetenamid, metazaklor in terbutrin niso bili določeni. Analiza zaznanih pesticidov z rabo prostora kaže na višje vrednosti na območjih z intenzivno kmetijsko dejavnostjo. V severnem delu Dravskega polja, južnem robu mesta Maribor, so koncentracije pesticidov manjše, povišane vrednosti pesticidov pa se pojavljajo v južnem delu Dravskega polja, kar sovpada tudi z intenzivnejšo kmetijsko rabo tal na tem območju. Z vrednotenjem razmerij med razgradnim produktom in primarnim pesticidom iz naslova atrazina in terbutilazina (DAR in DTA/TBA) smo ocenili »starosti« onesnaženja. Presenetljiva je visoka pojavnost atrazina, ki je lahko posledica starih bremen, počasne razgradnje in hidrogeoloških pogojev ali pa uporabe atrazina po uveljavitvi prepovedi uporabe.

Research paper thumbnail of Isotope Oxygen18 as Natural Tracer of Water Movement in a Coarse Gravel Unsaturated Zone

Water Air and Soil Pollution, 2009

The unsaturated zone of an aquifer serves as a water reservoir which discharges water and eventua... more The unsaturated zone of an aquifer serves as a water reservoir which discharges water and eventual pollution to the saturated zone for a relatively long period after the cessation of surface input. Effective protection of a water resource requires detailed knowledge of transport mechanisms through the unsaturated zone with regard to its protective function. The article presents the application of

Research paper thumbnail of Review of emerging organic pollutants in groundwater in Slovenia

Research paper thumbnail of A GIS based SINTACS model for assesing aquifer vulnerability

Research paper thumbnail of Water transport monitoring in an unsaturated zone – Case study: lysimeter Selniška dobrava (Slovenia)

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of water resource exploitation options using the MIKE SHE integrated hydrogeological modelling package – case study Selniška Dobrava

Research paper thumbnail of The use of environmental isotopes in groundwater flow study in the unsaturated zone of the Selniška Dobrava coarse gravel aquifer (Slovenia)

Research paper thumbnail of Možnosti pojavljanja kokcidiostatikov v okolju - The possibility of occurrence of coccidiostats in the environment

Coccidiostats are veterinary pharmaceuticals used for prevention and treatment of coccidiosis. Th... more Coccidiostats are veterinary pharmaceuticals used for prevention and treatment of coccidiosis. They pose a
potential environmental risk because of their widespread use in veterinary medicine. In large quantities they are
used as feed additives for poultry. They enter the environment mostly through the use of manure from treated
animals, which is a substantial source of coccidiostats since up to 95 % of consumed coccidiostats are excreted
unchanged. In Europe, 11 coccidiostats are permitted, which differ in their mechanism of action. Through soil
fertilization on agricultural areas coccidiostats are transferred via manure into surface water and groundwater.
They could be used as indicators of agricultural pollution. The presence, transport and concentration of coccidiostats
in the environment are still largely unknown. This article provides an overview of coccidiostats, their use, efficiency
and occurrence in the environment. It describes the factors influencing their occurrence in the environment. An
overview of literature on the topic of coccidiostats in the environment is presented. In the case of the Drava field
the potential environmental concentration of the coccidiostat monensin in the environment was established. The
assessment took into account the number of chickens on a chosen farm, the related arable land and the properties
of monensin. It was found that due to fertilization with chicken manure we can expect predicted environmental
concentrations (PEC) of monensin in soil up to 0,30 mg/kg and in groundwater up to 80,4 µg/l.

Research paper thumbnail of Pregled novih antropogenih organskih onesnaževal v podzemni vodi v Sloveniji - Review of emerging anthropogenic organic pollutants in groundwater in Slovenia

Emerging organic compounds EOC are substances which have been only recently determined as polluta... more Emerging organic compounds EOC are substances which have been only recently determined as pollutants, and substances which have been newly developed or discovered in the environment. EOC in groundwater can cause adverse effects on the environment and human health. They enter into the natural environment as a result of various anthropogenic activities. The article provides an overview of emerging organic pollutants that occur in groundwater. These compounds are drug residues, substances originating from personal care products, pesticides, veterinary products, food additives, nanomaterials, industrial and other compounds found in wastewater. The article describes the main sources and the presence of EOC in groundwater, pathways and potential impacts (risks). An overview of EOC detection research in the world is presented. Within the review of Slovenian studies the investigations dealing with the determination of wide spectrum of EOC presence in groundwater, with drug residues in groundwater and waste water, or with the development of analytical methods for these substances were analyzed. From the entire analysis we inferred that we must be aware of the possible presence of EOC risk in groundwater even in small concentrations. To reduce the yet to some extent unknown risks, it is necessary to determine EOC threshold values in groundwater and their impact. In the future it will be necessary to identify new pollutants, to develop new analytical methods to determine their sources and routes, and in particular, to establish monitoring for these substances.

Research paper thumbnail of Isotope Oxygen-18 as natural tracer of water movement in a coarse gravel unsaturated zone

The unsaturated zone of an aquifer serves as a water reservoir which discharges water and eventua... more The unsaturated zone of an aquifer serves as a water reservoir which discharges water and eventual pollution to the saturated zone for a relatively long period after the cessation of surface input. Effective protection of a water resource requires detailed knowledge of transport mechanisms through the unsaturated zone with regard to its protective function. The article presents the application of isotope methods in the study of groundwater transport processes in the unsaturated zone of Selniška Dobrava coarse gravel aquifer. Emphasis is given to the use of environmental isotopes as natural tracers in the study of groundwater dynamics in the unsaturated zone. The estimation of groundwater flow characteristics was based on experimental work in lysimeter. Based on long-time isotope investigations with the use of lumped parameter models some water flow parameters (mean residence time, mean matrix flow velocity) in the unsaturated zone were calculated. The results were compared with tracing experiment results in the same lysimeter.

Research paper thumbnail of Tracing of water movement through the unsaturated zone of a coarse gravel aquifer by means of dye and deuterated water

Environmental Geology, 2007

To better understand the movement and transport of water and pollution through the coarse gravel ... more To better understand the movement and transport of water and pollution through the coarse gravel unsaturated zone, the presented research was conducted to estimate water flow and transport processes with a tracing experiment in a lysimeter in the Selniška Dobrava. A combined tracing experiment was performed with deuterated water and the fluorescent dye-uranine. The fastest and dominant flow velocities were calculated based on injection time, the first tracer appearance time and the time of highest concentration. Mean flow velocity and vertical dispersion were estimated by an analytical best-fit method using onedimensional convection-dispersion model. Deuterium was confirmed as an ideal conservative tracer and a more suitable tracer than dye (uranine) for the study of water flow in the unsaturated zone of a coarse gravel aquifer. The retardation factor of the dye as compared with deuterium was 1.13-1.75, which is in agreement with previously published results. Artificial tracers, especially deuterated water, were also identified as a very useful tool to assess other properties and differences in water flow in the unsaturated zone of a coarse gravel aquifer such as velocity and dispersion.