DISCOVER

Centuries of mining and industrial activity in the catchment area of the River Drava particularly in the Meža Valley have left a significant environmental legacy. Soils, sediments, and water bodies are now contaminated with high concentrations of potentially toxic elements such as zinc, arsenic, cadmium, antimony, and lead. These persistent substances can spread widely, accumulate in plants and animals, and pose risks to both humans and the environment. Traditional environmental monitoring methods often focus only on total concentrations of these elements. While useful, these methods dont tell us where the pollution comes from, how it moves through the environment, or how much of it poses an actual risk. The DISCOVER project aims to develop and apply cutting-edge analytical strategies to study the sources, behaviour, and fate of these elements in this historically burdened region by identifying their unique chemical fingerprints. Advanced analytical techniques based on mass spectrometry will be used to determine not only the elemental quantities but also their chemical forms and isotopic signatures key information for identifying pollution sources and geochemical processes. In addition, innovative passive sampling techniques will be used to assess the elemental availability for biological uptake by plants and animals. Throughout the project, water, soil, and sediment samples will be collected from different locations, analyzed in the lab, and used to create models that show how contamination changes over time and space. This will give scientists, decision-makers, and local communities valuable insights into where pollutants are coming from, how dangerous they are, and what can be done to reduce the risks. Ultimately, DISCOVER aims to improve how we monitor pollution and manage environmental health risks especially in regions with a long history of mining and industry. DISCOVER is a collaboration between environmental and analytical chemists from Montanuniversität Leoben (Austria) and the Jožef Stefan Institute (Slovenia). Together, they will develop new and innovative analytical tools for environmental monitoring using the Drava region as a model system and help pave the way for cleaner, safer ecosystems.