Naslov
Biomonitoring of Mercury, its Compounds and Other Trace Elements in the Vicinity of Natural Gas Treatment Plant Facilities

Autori
Horvat, Milena ; Špirić, Zdravko ; Jačimović, Radojko, Kotnik, Jože ; Fajon, Vesna ; Smrke, Janja ; Jereb, Vesna ; Logar, Martina ; Zvonka, Jeran

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Izvornik
V: BioMAP : book of abstracts 3rd International Workshop on Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Pollution (with emphasis on trace elements) / Zvonka Jeran, ur., - Ljubljana : IAEA i Jožef Stefan Institute, 2003

Skup
3rd International Workshop on Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Pollution (with emphasis on trace elements)

Mjesto i datum
Bled, Slovenija, 21.09.2003. - 25.09.2003

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Natural Gas; Trace Elements; Mercury; lichens; Biomonitoring

Sažetak
Natural gas contains various forms of inorganic and organic Hg species. In order to control and improve the efficiency of an industrial facility for mercury removal from natural gas at the INA-Naftaplin gas treatment plant, Molve, Croatia, a comprehensive environmental monitoring program, including mercury measurement in air, was established. Generally, total mercury concentrations in air are very low (e.g. below 10 ng.m-3) and therefore potentially subject to analytical errors (e.g. contamination). In order to control Hg contamination in air, a cost effective method, based on biomonitoring using in-situ lichen species and/or transplanted lichens specie Hypogymnia physodes was developed and optimised in recent years. The present work represents further refinement of the methodology including normalisation to geochemical background. In the present study two geographical areas were studied: (a) the INA Naftaplin Gas Treatment Plants in Croatia, where the efficiency of an industrial facility for removal of Hg from natural gas was investigated, and (b) the mercury mining area, Idrija, Slovenia. The lichen Hypogymnia physodes from a pristine area was transplanted to representative locations presented for periods of 3, 6 and 12 months during 2000/2003. In addition soil samples were collected at all sampling locations for geochemical and calculation of enrichment factors. Samples of soil samples were prepared according to standard procedures for determination of trace and major elements in soil. Determination of total mercury was performed by cold vapour atomic absorption CV AAS and MeHg by extraction/ethylation/chromatographic separation and detection by CV AFS, while other elements were performed by the instrumental neutron activation analysis INAA. The results shawed that the concentration levels of practically all elements are increased with time. These increases are mainly connected with a deposition of local soil dust, which is confirmed with the normalization of the original data for transplanted lichens with Sc. The elements that can be directly associated with the natural gas pumping and processing facilities are Hg, Ba and Br. An estimate was made for the average concentrations of Hg in the air, which was considerably elevated at stations close to technological setting for natural gas tretament, particularly during the exposure period from 6 to 12 months. The approach was validated by in Idrija with continuous monitoring of Hg in air as well as in lichens. Apart from Hg some other elements were closely evaluated. A number of elements that showed an increased enrichment in lichens are those probably associated with agricultural activity (Cu, Pb, Zn) as well as engine exhausts (Pb, Sb, Ni) or smelting and burning of fossil fuels (Sr, Zn).

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biotehnologija

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