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Report
for the period Jan. 2004 - Dec.
2004
WP1 – Project organization
Field trips
The following field trips used for sampling were performed in 2004, as the continuation since 2003:
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February 10-12, 2004: In situ physico-chemical measurements and sampling for laboratory chemical analyses of surface and spring water at Plitvice and Bihać areas.
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May 03-05, 2004: In situ physico-chemical measurements and sampling for laboratory chemical analyses of surface and spring water at Plitvice and Bihać areas.
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July 14-18, 2004: In situ physico-chemical measurements and sampling for laboratory chemical analyses and for δ 13C in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) of surface and spring water at Plitvice and Bihać areas. Sampling of water for noble gases, CFC and SF6 measurements at 4 springs in Plitvice area and 4 springs at Bihać area. Sampling of additional surface lake sediments from location near the mouth of Rječica brook in Lake Kozjak.
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September 21-24, 2004: In situ physico-chemical measurements and sampling for laboratory chemical analyses of surface and spring water at Plitvice and Bihać areas, as well as of two water depth profiles in lakes Prošće and Kozjak.
Sampling points
Sampling points of spring and surface waters in both Plitvice National Park area and Una River catchment area (including Bihać region) were chosen during the kick-off meeting in April 2003. We continued with sampling in 2004 at the same sampling points. In the meantime some sampling points were rejected for further analyses.
In addition, in September 2004 sampling of water of two depth profiles on lakes Prošće (25 m) and Kozjak (45 m) were performed. In situ measurements were done for each 1 m depth, while other chemical analyses were performed for each 5 m.
a) Surface waters
Surface water (lake water and springs) were taken from 19 points at Plitvice National Park region (Fig.1) and 14 points in Una river catchment area (Fig.2).
b) Lake sediments
Five locations for sampling of surface sediment cores, 50 cm long, were chosen in four lakes of Plitvice Lakes system (Fig.3). In Lake Kozjak two locations were selected: one where no eutrophication process is observed (K-1, water depth 21 m), and the other near the mouth of Rječica brook (K-2, water depth 2 m), where eutrophication process is more expressed.
WP2 – Hydrogeological recognition
Most relevant data necessary for hydrogeological studies were collected during the first year of investigation. Some additional springs; ponors and hazards were checked during sampling campaigns connected with other scientific partners who have accompanied us on the project.
WP3 - Sampling and laboratory analyses
a) Atmosphere
Sampling of precipitation for stable isotopes and tritium measurements and sampling of atmospheric CO2 for 14C measurement were organized in co-operation with the Research Centre “Academician Ivo Pevalek” at Plitvice Lakes on a monthly basis, within the signed subcontracting agreement with the management of the Plitvice National Park. Samples have been collected since July 2003.
Laboratory analyses:
Stable isotopes (2H, 18O) To be performed by Partner No.2
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H and 14 C measurements To be performed by Partner No.3b) Water
In situ physico-chemical measurements (Fig.4a) and sampling for laboratory analyses to be performed by the Ruđer Bošković Institute staff were continued in three-month sequences (cf. Table 1). The same sequence was established for sampling of water for trace elements analyses, which were performed at Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona (Partner No.1). In September 2004 physico-chemical measurement of two depth profiles (Lake Prošće and Lake Kozjak) was realized. Sampling of water for noble gases (3H/He), CFC and SF6 analyses was performed by the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geosciences (Partner No.2).
Sampling of spring and surface waters for stable isotope analyses (2H, 18O) has been perfomed on monthly basis by the Plitvice National Park staff and the Bihać University staff (Partner No.6), and waters have been sent to Partner No.2 for measurement. Sampling of 4 springs of the Una river area is performed by the Bihać University staff on monthly basis and sent to Ruđer Bošković Institute for 3H measurement. Monthly sampling started in July 2003 and has been foreseen for 2 years, until July 2005.
In situ measurements:
Temperature
pH
Conductivity
dissolved O2 (to be performed by partners No.3 and No.6)
Laboratory analyses:
DOC (dissolved organic carbon)
TC (total carbon content)
IC (inorganic carbon)
CO2
Anions (F-, Cl-, NO2-/N, NO3-/N, HPO42-/P, SO42-, HCO3-, Cations (Ca2++ Mg2+, Na+, K+, NH4+) (to be performed by Partner No.3 and No.6)
3H in four springs from Una river catchment area (to be performed by Partner No.3)
Trace elements (B, Al, Cr, Sr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ba, Pb) (to be performed by Partner No.1)
2H, 18O and 13 C in surface and spring waters
Noble gas and 3H/He
CFC (chlorofluorocarbons) and SF6 (to be performed by Partner No.2)
c) Sediments
In July 2004 additional sampling of sediment cores from Lake Kozjak was performed by SCUBA divers. Because of the lack of material from cores taken in 2003 they were sampled again at the location K-2 near the mouth of brook Rječica with the most pronounced eutrophication process. Sediments were frozen and transported to Zagreb laboratory. Sediments taken in 2003 were cut into pieces and sent to different partners for analyses, while those collected in July 2004 will be cut and sent for analyses soon.
Following analyses were performed or are in course:
Measurement of the anthropogenic (137Cs, 134Cs, 241Am) and natural (210Pb, 214Pb, 214Bi) radionuclides; stable isotopes 13C, 18O (to be performed by Partner No.2).
Qualitative and semiquantitative X-ray diffraction (DRX) analyses; trace elements (to be performed by Partner No.1)
14C analyses; organic fraction analyses (to be performed by Partner No.3)
WP4 – Creation of the Geographic Information System (GIS)
WP5 – Elaboration of elements for establishing a hydrogeological model
During the year 2004, all relevant data obtained by previous hydrogeological studies were transformed in the digital formats. All collected data about springs, ponors and hazards were checked during the three short field trips in May (five days), July (ten days) and September (five days). Fieldwork was partly performed during the sampling campaign with other scientific partners who have accompanied us on the project.
The most important aim of mentioned field trips was to get relevant information about pollution sources in the area, as well as the information about war activities in the area. The significant problem was the fact that entire area is poorly inhabited, so it is not easy to get relevant information. In spite of that we have managed to get impression about most important and in the same time, the most significant events and processes for the study. We also manage to get official location map of existing mine fields in the Croatian part of the investigated area. Within few days we are about to get the same situation of mines for the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During this phase satellite image interpretation was made in order to update CORINE Land Cover database, and to get an actual land cover database for defined area based on standards applied in Europe. The result of the interpreted CORINE Land Cover base is CLC2000, which is representing the land cover of year 2000. This interpretation will produce important data for establishing of hydrogeologic model.
WP6, WP7, WP8 - Case studies
Case studies have been concentrated to anthropogenic influence to the Plitvice Lakes system caused mainly by tourist influence (WP4), determination of pollution status of Una River upstream and downstream from town Bihać (WP5), as well as to investigation of water supply capacities in Bihać region on Bosnian side of the investigated area (WP6).
Sampling and analyses have been continued during 2004 on a monthly or three-months basis, depending on the type of analyses. Sampling of additional sediment cores at the location Kozjak K-2 were performed in September 2004.
Physico-chemical measurements of water, including temperature, pH values, conductivity and dissolved oxygen, were performed in situ at each sampling point. Other chemical analyses were performed in laboratory. Results are given in reports of particular participants (Participant No.3, Participant No.6). Results of trace element analyses (B, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Cr, Sr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ba and Pb) are given in particular report of Partner No.1.
Qualitative and semiquantitative analyses of lake sediments from Plitvice region were performed parallel to the analyses of water. Calcite is the major component, except for the column corresponding to Kozjak Lake K-2, in which relative variations are perceived for the calcite and dolomite content. Detailled results, including particular diffractograms, are given in the report of Partner No.1.
Analyses of sediment cores were performed by gamma spectrometry using a low-background, well-type, high-purity germanium detector. Activities of anthropogenic (137Cs, 134Cs, 241Am) and natural (210Pb, 214Pb, 214Bi) radionuclides were measured in order to determine the sedimentation rate in lakes. For Lake Kozjak a mean sedimentation rate was established to be 1.3 mm/a from 210Pb and 1 mm/a from 137Cs, while for Lake Prošće the rates are 3 mm/a and 2.3 mm/a, respectively.
WP9 – Dissemination activities
1. S.Babinka, A.Suckow, N.Horvatinčić: Anthropogenic pollution in Croatian and Bosnian karst waters and lake sediments ; Isotope Hydrology Laboratory, August 18, 2004, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna.
2. S.Babinka, A.Suckow, N.Horvatinčić: Anthropogenic pollution in Croatian and Bosnian karst waters and lake sediments . Int. Workshop on the Application of Isotope Techniques in Hydrological and Environmental Studies, UNESCO, Paris, France, September 6-8, 2004 (oral presentation). Book of abstracts, p.23 24.
3. J.Kapelj, S.Kapelj, D.Singer: Spatial distribution of dolinas and its significance for groundwater protection in karst terrain . XXXIII IAH Congress “Groundwater flow understanding from local to regional scales”, Zacatecas City – Mexico 11-15 October, 2004 (oral presentation). Book of extended abstract.
4. N.Horvatinčić, B.Obelić, J.Barešić, R.Čalić, S.Babinka, A.Suckow, I.Krajcar Bronić: A geochemical and isotope hydrogeological study of eutrophication process in the Plitvice Lakes, Croatia . Int. Conf. on Isotopes in Environmental Studies – Aquatic Forum, IAEA-CN-118, Monte Carlo, Monaco, October 25-29, 2004 (oral presentation). Book of abstracts, p.133 134.
5. S.Babinka, A.Suckow, R.Van Geldern: Untersuchung der anthropogenen Verschmutzung der Seesedimente und Karstgewässer im Nationalpark Plitwizer Seen und der Stadt Bihać in Kroatien und Bosnien-Herzegowina . – Austauschsitzung, Hannover, November 17-18, 2004.
WP11 – Co-ordination
The general administration of the consortium has been carried out by the project co-ordinator (Partner 1) and the assistant co-ordinator (Parnter 3) who takes care on co-ordination among the partners from Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The partners from Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina met during four field trips which were organized in 2004. The efficient information flow between the members of the consortium is guaranteed by regular exchanging of e-mails in order to successfully realize the goals of this project. The assistant co-ordinator visited Barcelona by the end of November in order to help the principal co-ordinator in preparation of the annual report.
