Content:
The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events, along with the associated floods and mass movements, is one of the greatest challenges of modern civilization. Intense precipitation and flooding can cause erosion and transport of large amounts of both natural and anthropogenic material. The redistribution and remobilization of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is particularly concerning. The ENLIL project addresses the impacts of such weather events on pollutant displacement, with a focus on PTEs, changes in their physico-chemical properties, and, to some extent, the effects of these events on human health. These types of events and processes are especially pressing and scientifically relevant in previously contaminated areas, such as the Upper Meža Valley, which is burdened with lead, zinc, and cadmium pollution and it was heavily affected by floods in August 2023. Therefore, the Upper Meža Valley was selected as the project’s test area.
The main objectives of the project are:
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To determine the consequences of extreme weather events on the geochemical properties of the test area and identify any changes in environmental contamination before and after such events;
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To identify areas that were affected by erosion and material accumulation during the extreme weather event;
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To assess the factors influencing the redistribution and changes in the physico-chemical properties of elements and their solid carriers under the impact of extreme rainfall events;
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To evaluate the contribution of mining waste to the pollution of watercourses and river sediments in the context of extreme rainfall events;
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To assess the sources and stability of solid element carriers before and after the event;
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To assess the health risks to children in the Upper Meža Valley, considering all sources and pathways of lead exposure;
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To consolidate existing and newly acquired data on the geochemical state of the environment in the Upper Meža Valley into a shared database, which will serve as the basis for further geochemical investigations in this area and beyond.
Project phases:
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WP1: Project management
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WP2: Consolidation of existing geochemical data
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WP3: Analysis of spatial factors— conditioning factors for the occurrence of slope mass movements, GIS calculations, interpretation
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WP4: Sampling, field measurements, laboratory sample preparation
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WP5: Analysis of elemental composition
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WP6: Analysis of morphological and chemical properties of solid particles using SEM/EDS and FE-SEM/EDS/EBSD
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WP7: Modelling of children’s lead exposure using the IEUBK model
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WP8: Visualization and interpretation using statistical and GIS tools, assessment of sources and stability of solid PTE carriers before and after the floods, preparation of publications.
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