Jožef Stefan Institute
Department of Environmental Sciences

Jamova 39
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Slovenija

T: +386 1 5885 355
F: +386 1 5885 346

Group for Biogeochemistry


Head: Prof. Dr. Milena Horvat

Research areas:

  • Development of methodologies for risk assessment of contaminated sites, especially mercury pollution in and around Idrija
  • Research on mercury biogeochemical cycling in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
  • Modelling of mercury cycling in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems with emphasis on the development of an erosion model in the catchment of the river Idrijca
  • Research on the metabolism of some metals and metalloids (Hg, Cd, Pb, As, Se) in humans, animals, plants and cell cultures with emphasis on the following studies:
    • Biotransformations and kinetics of single elements (Hg, As, Se)
    • Studies of cellular defence and resistance mechanisms against metal toxicity, especially selenium accumulation and excretion and induction of some proteins (metallothioneins, selenoprotein P)
    • Incorporation of selenium into selenoproteins and metallothioneins
    • Influence of pollutants on oxidative stress and lysosomal membrane damage
  • Cooperation in wider medical and public health research, for example:
    • Influence of arsenic trioxide on different forms of cancer (acute promyelocytic leukaemia, multiple myeloma, astrocytoma)
    • Mechanisms of mercury retention with selenium in retired miners from the Idrija mercury mine
    • Professional exposure to mercury
    • Influence of Tiomersal on dialysis patients and children
    • Influence of dietary mercury intake on man, in particular newborns
  • Development of chemical and biological methods for monitoring environmental pollution
  • Development of analytical techniques for arsenic speciation (AsIII, AsV, monomethyl arsenic and dimethyl arsinic acid, arsenobetaine, trimethylarsenic oxide, trimethylarsonium ion and the four most common arsenosugars) and antimony (SbIII and SbV)
  • Development of analytical methods for speciation of mercury in biological and environmental samples (total Hg, MeHg, EtHg, DMHg, Hg(II), Hg(0), chemical fractionation of mercury)
  • Speciation of mercury in air (Hg(0), reactive and particulate Hg)
  • Methods for following mercury transformations using stable and radioactive isotope tracers
  • Metrology in environmental measurements (certification of reference materials, organisation of comparison tests and education)
  • Participation in standardisation of analytical methods
  • Development of methodologies for data analysis using artificial intelligence and machine learning tools

Technological research areas:
  • Mass balances of pollutants in industrial processes with emphasis on combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), waste incinerators and cement factories
  • Mercury cycling in biological waste treatment plants
  • Technologies for mercury removal from waste and contaminated areas
  • Bioremediation of contaminated areas
  • Tracking tectonic activity (together with the Centre for Radon)

Staff: