ARTICLE IN PRESS
Atmospheric Environment 39 (2005) 7570–7579
www.elsevier.com/locate/atmosenv
Current and past mercury distribution in air over the
Idrija Hg mine region, Slovenia
Jože Kotnika,, Milena Horvata, Tatjana Dizdarevičb
a
Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
b
Idrija Mercury Mine, Arkova 43, SI-5280 Idrija, Slovenia
Received 7 December 2004; received in revised form 30 June 2005; accepted 30 June 2005
Abstract
Mercury in air over the Idrija region, where the world’s second largest mercury (Hg) mine is located, decreased
significantly in the last decade, from more than 20,000 ng m3 in the early 1970s to values below 100 ng m3 in the
1980s, and finally reached a level of 10 ng m3 or even lower at the summer of the year 2004.
The air concentration of Hg was continuously monitored after closure of the Hg mine. Hg0 in air was mapped in
November 2003 at over 100 locations in the Idrija region during a 3-day period under different weather conditions, and
the concentrations found were between 2.5 to over 2000 ng m3. The Hg concentration in air was mostly below
10 ng m3. The highest values were observed in the near vicinity of the former smelting plant, as well under its chimney.
Elevated concentrations were also observed at some other locations in Idrija town. Mercury evaporation from topsoil
was measured continuously for a 24 h period at two heavily polluted locations in Idrija and 50 km downstream the
River Idrijca at Bača pri Modreju. The average Hg concentration in air at Bača pri Modreju was 5.5 ng m3, with an
average Hg flux from soil to atmosphere of 34 ng m2 h1. At the site in Idrija the average Hg concentration in air was
11 ng m3 with an average Hg flux from soil to the atmosphere of 84.4 ng m2 h1.
r 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Mercury; Air; Evasion; Flux chamber; Idrija
1. Introduction
In over 500 years of Hg mining history in Idrija, over
12 million tons of Hg ore was excavated, from which
100,000 tons of elemental Hg and 7618 tons of cinnabar
was extracted (Mlakar and Drovenik, 1971; Mlakar,
1974; Cigale, 1997). During smelting of Hg ore more
than 35,000 tons of Hg was lost into the environment,
mostly to the atmosphere as Hg0 vapour was deposited
on the banks or into the River Idrijca as smelting
residues. High-Hg concentrations were found in all
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected] (J. Kotnik).
environmental compartments such as water, air, soil,
sediments and vegetation. The first extensive research on
Hg cycling in Idrija town and its vicinity started in the
early 1970s of the past century (Kosta et al., 1974). At
the beginning of the 1980s Hg production rapidly
decreased; at the same time there was an increase in
investigations of Hg cycling in Idrija. In the 1980s very
few measurements of Hg concentrations in air or other
environmental compartments were made. After 1990
Miklavčič and Horvat started systematic Hg measurements in air over Idrija. In 1994 Gosar (1997) and
coworkers started the first geochemical mapping of Hg
concentrations in air. In the last decade many researches
on Hg were carried out. Hg cycling was studied in the
1352-2310/$ - see front matter r 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2005.06.061
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J. Kotnik et al. / Atmospheric Environment 39 (2005) 7570–7579
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Nowadays, the main sources of Hg in air in Idrija are
two still active mine ventilation shafts, evaporation of
Hg from the heavily polluted surroundings of the former
smelting plant, mineralized rock dumps of primary or
partially exploited ore, outcrops of the ore deposit, and
ore residues treated in various ways (Čar, 1996).
After the Hg mine and the smeltery closure, Hg
concentrations in air have been continuously monitored
at several locations in Idrija and its surroundings.
Monitoring is mostly performed by the Mercury Mine
Research Unit.
The aim of this study was to establish the past and
current extent of Hg pollution in air over the town of
Idrija, its temporal trends and its evaporation rates.
Since Hg sources are spread all around Idrija town and
its near surroundings detailed Hg air concentration
mapping was performed to establish the main polluted
areas in the town. Temporal trends of Hg concentrations
in air were established by regular monitoring of two
locations in the centre of the town and near the two
main mine ventilation shafts. Mercury vapour flux from
ground to atmosphere was measured in order to
establish the rate of Hg exchange between soil and the
atmosphere in the main polluted areas in Idria and its
surroundings.
whole environment, together with its impacts on humans
and their health (Biester et al., 1999, 2000; Falnoga
et al., 2000; Gnamuš et al., 2000; Gosar et al., 1997a, b,
2002; Horvat et al., 2003; Kobal et al., 2004; Kocman
et al., 2004).
In the initial mining activities in the Idrijca Valley
(1490–1508) only carboniferous schist containing
elemental Hg was excavated. Hg was extracted by
panning. It is estimated that about 180 tons of Hg was
lost to the environment, mostly to the River Idrijca.
After the discovery of cinnabar ore (1508), panning was
completely replaced by smelting the ore in simple clay
vessels. The Hg ore was smelted at several locations
around Idrija until 1652, when a new smelting plant was
built on the left bank of the Idrijca. Smelting residues
were discarded into the river. The smelting recovery was
around 65%. It is estimated that in that period around
13,000 tons of Hg was lost to the environment, mostly to
the atmosphere and into the River Idrijca. After 1868
smelting facilities were gradually moved to the right
bank of the river; up to the end of the Second World
War the smelting furnaces were changed several times.
In that period recovery was about 75%: most Hg
(around 20,000 tons) was lost into the atmosphere,
and some of it sank into the ground or was dumped as a
byproduct into the river. In the period 1963–1968
new modern rotatory furnaces were built and the
smelting recovery increased to 92%. Smelting residues
contained 0.005% (Fig. 1). In the period between 1960
and 1995 more data about Hg production and smelting
recovery exist (Fig. 2). During that period 4.2 106 tons
of Hg ore was excavated from which 9777 tons of
commercial Hg was produced. About 243 tons of Hg
was lost into the environment. Of that amount 168 tons
of Hg was deposited in landfill as smelting residue, 60
tons was emitted into the atmosphere by flue gases, and
15 tons of Hg was released to the River Idrijca in
condensation water. In 1995 the last rotary furnace
ceased operation.
2. Methods
2.1. Site description
The world’s second largest mercury deposit is located
in the very narrow Idrijca Valley, in the town of Idrija,
50 km W of Ljubljana. Along the valley the River Idrijca
flows through the town of Idrija and merges with the
River Soča (Isonzo in Italy) about 40 km downstream
from Idrija. The River Idrijca joins the River Soča in the
middle stretch at the village of Most na Soči. Both rivers
have torrential characteristics. As the mountains (Julian
Amount (×106 kg)
60
50
Hg extracted
40
Hg lost
30
Recovery
20
10
0
1
0
49
-15
08
1
9
50
-17
85
1
6
78
-19
45
1
6
94
-19
60
1
1
96
-19
77
1
3
98
-19
Fig. 1. Production of Hg during mine operation.
95
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
% recovery
Hg production during Idrija Hg mine operation
70
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J. Kotnik et al. / Atmospheric Environment 39 (2005) 7570–7579
Fig. 2. Losses of Hg during smelting of Hg ore in the period between 1961–1995 (estimated from Idrija Hg mine archives).
Fig. 3. Sampling and measurement locations.
Alps) block air circulation from the northern Adriatic
Sea to the north, annual precipitation is very high and
ranges between 2400 and 5200 mm yr1. The average
winter temperature (between 1960 and 1995) is 5.4 1C,
average summer temperature 10.4 1C and average yearly
temperature in the valley 2.7 1C.
High peaks and steep mountain slopes prevent air
circulation in the valley. The most common winds follow
the geography of the valley. In its upper part the most
common wind direction is S–N and in the lower parts
the prevailing wind direction is E–W. Due to the steep
mountain slopes severe erosion occurs.
Total Hg concentration in air was measured at several
locations in the town of Idrija, and downstream the
River Idrijca to Most na Soči. The study area and
locations are presented in Fig. 3.
The Idrija Hg deposit extends in a NW–SE direction
for 1500 m. It is 300–600 m wide and 450 m thick. In the
period of 500 years of its exploitation 156 ore bodies
were found, 15 in carboniferous shales and 141 in
Permian and Lower and Middle Triasic beds. Cinnabar
is the main ore mineral. In carboniferous shales native
mercury occurs in significant amounts.
Hg evaporation from the ground was measured at two
heavily contaminated locations shown in Fig. 3. The
location in Idrija was chosen in the close vicinity of the
former smelting plant on a meadow, which was heavily
polluted by airborne Hg originating from the smelting
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J. Kotnik et al. / Atmospheric Environment 39 (2005) 7570–7579
Table 1
Average agronomic characteristics of the topsoils where Hg flux
measurements were conducted (adopted from Gosar et al.,
1996; Gnamuš et al., 2000; Horvat et al., 2002; Kocman et al.,
2004)
Location/parameter
Bača pri Modreju
Idrija
pH in KCl ()
pH in water ()
Phosphorus—P2O5/mg 100 g1
Potassium—K2O/mg 100 g1
Organic matter (%)
Total N (%)
C/N ratio ()
H+/meqv 100 g1
Na+/meqv 100 g1
K+/meqv 100 g1
Ca+/meqv 100 g1
Mg+/meqv 100 g1
Cationic exchange capacity
Org. C (%)
% sand
% silt
% clay
T–Hg (mg Hg g1)
MeHg (ng g1)
Cinnabar
7.3
7.6
5.1
5.0
3.9
0.18
12.6
1.91
0.0015
0.036
19.3
4.33
25.5
2.3
72.8
15.5
11.7
76.0
3–6
Up to 10%
7.2
7.6
8.6
10.8
7.9
0.54
8.5
5.04
0.0018
0.105
24.8
8.46
38.4
4.6
39.1
36.7
24.2
333
65–97
plant. The second location was approximately 40 km
downstream the Idrijca at Bača pri Modreju, in a
meadow, regularly flooded by the river, which carries a
significant amount of eroded Hg to the River Soča and
further to the Gulf of Trieste (Biester et al., 2000;
Bonzongo et al., 2002; Covelli et al., 1999, 2001;
Faganeli et al., 2003; Gosar et al., 1997a, b; Hines
et al., 2000; Horvat et al., 1999, 2002; Kocman et al.,
2004; Rajar et al., 2000; Širca et al., 1999; Z̆agar et al.,
2001).
Topsoil from alluvial plains (at the Bača pri Modreju
site) contains less potassium, organic carbon and
organic matter, have a higher C/N ratio and somewhat
lower cation exchange capacity compared to soil at the
site in Idrija. As regards texture, alluvial soil is coarsegrained, while fine-grained material prevails at the site in
Idrija. As regards to macroelements, calcium is the most
abundant, followed by magnesium and sodium in soils
at both locations (Kocman et al., 2004). Inorganic
parameters and Hg concentrations of soils collected at
both locations are presented in Table 1 (adopted from
Gosar et al., 1997a; Gnamuš et al., 2000; Horvat et al.,
2002; Kocman et al., 2004).
2.2. Analytical devices
Total Hg concentrations were continuously measured
since 1999. Measurements were performed by a GARDIS Mercury Analyzer—1A+. The instrument is an
7573
atomic absorption spectrometer using a two-stage gold
amalgamation system. The detection limit of the
analytical device is 1 ng m3 with a precision of 1%.
The upper limit of detection is 1000 ng m3.
Mercury mapping and flux measurements were
performed using a Zeeman Mercury Analyzer RA915+. The analyzer operation is based on differential
atomic absorption spectrometry using high-frequency
modulation of light polarization. The detection limit of
the instrument for ambient air, industrial and natural
gases is 2 ng m3 at a flow rate through the instrument of
20 l min1. The accuracy of the method is 20%.
2.3. Mercury mapping
The mapping of air Hg concentrations in Idrija town
was performed during 30 October to 4 November 2003.
The weather conditions during the period of Hg
measurements were not very favourable. Wind speeds
were very low in the prevailing S–N direction. Heavy
rainfall and associated low temperatures decreased Hg
evaporation from the ground, which consequently lead
to very low-Hg concentrations at certain locations.
Hg mapping over the town of Idrija was performed
using a portable Zeeman RA-915+ Hg analyzer
installed in a car traversing the roads of the area. The
geometrical coordinates were given by a Magellan
Meridian portable GPS receiver. Both values (Hg
concentration and geographical coordinates) were recorded by a portable computer through a appropriate
software. The concentration values recorded at individual points were further smoothed into a map using a
computer routine (Golden Software Surfer v. 8.0).
The data sampling times lasted from 2 to 7 h. Air
temperatures were between 6 and 15 1C at the time of
sampling. It should be noted that the measured values
refer to 1.5 m above the road surface.
2.4. Mercury flux measurements
Hg evasion was measured using the ‘‘flux chamber’’
technique (Schroeder et al., 1989; Xiao et al., 1991; Kim
and Lindberg, 1995; Ferrara et al., 1998). The increase
of mercury concentration inside the chamber was
measured as a function of time. The flux chamber was
constructed from a 5-mm-thick Plexiglas, which allows a
low-chamber blank and good penetration of solar
radiation. Dimensions of the flux chamber were
60 60 30 cm with a removable bottom plate. All
fittings and tubing were made from Teflon and were acid
pre-cleaned. A teflon tube for sampling the external air
was fixed on the upper part of the chamber. The external
and internal air was measured at a constant flow rate of
2 l min1. Three inlet ports allowed ambient air to enter
the chamber. The lower edges of the chamber were
sealed using surrounding soil to limit the infiltration of
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Average Hg concentration in air over Idrija
0.7
Smelting of
contaminated material
0.6
10000
0.5
1000
0.4
0.3
100
0.2
10
1
1970
Amount (×106 kg y-1)
Hg concentration (ng m-3)
100000
0.1
1975
1980
Idrija town
1985
1990
Near smeltery
1995
2000
0
2005
Hg production
Fig. 4. Average Hg concentrations in air over Idrija Town since 1970 (adopted from. Kosta et al., 1974; Gnamuš et al., 2000; Gosar et al.,
1997a, b).
outside air. The chamber blank was around 3 ng m3.
The external air concentration was measured every
15 min, while the internal chamber concentration was
measured and recorded every second. The average
concentration for the 15 min period was then calculated.
The rate of mercury exchange was calculated using the
following equation (Ferrara and Mazzolai, 1998;
Ferrara et al., 2000; Poissant and Casimir, 1998):
F¼
ðC i C e Þ Q
,
A
where F is the Hg flux (ng m2 h1), Ci and Ce are the
chamber internal and external Hg concentrations in
ng m3, Q is the flow rate through the chamber (m3 h1)
and A is the chamber surface area. A very similar
approach using the’’flux chamber’’ technique is described in more detail by Ferrara and Mazzolai (1998)
and Ferrara et al. (1998).
3. Results and discussion
3.1. Past Hg distribution in air over Idrija town
High emissions of Hg into the environment resulted in
elevated Hg levels in all parts of the environment in the
Idrijca Valley. The main reason for high-Hg concentrations in air during Hg mine operation was insufficient
smelting of cinnabar ore. In the period between 1961
and 1995 it is estimated that more than 60 tons of Hg
was lost to the atmosphere due to smelting activities
(Fig. 2) (estimated from the archives of the Idrija Hg
mine). The average Hg concentration in smelting plant
flue gases was 17.9 mg m3 (20 kg day1). In the early
1970s, when Hg production was the highest, Hg
concentration in air in Idrija town could reach even
20,000 ng m3 (Kosta et al., 1974) (Fig. 4). In the late
1970s and 1980s the Hg concentrations in air in the town
decreased rapidly to values below 100 ng m3 with the
same downward trend of Hg production. The Hg
concentration in air reached levels of over 1000 ng m3
in 1995 during smelting of heavily contaminated soils
and residue material. After that time, when Hg
production stopped, the Hg concentration in air
decreased dramatically and reached a level of 10 ng m3
or even lower at the summer of the year 2004.
As a consequence of smelting activities all the
surroundings of the former smelting plant are heavily
contaminated with Hg. Since the beginning of 1970s the
Hg concentration in air near the smeltery decreased
significantly but still remains high and even today it can
reach a value of 3000 ng m3 (Fig. 4).
Hg concentrations in air in the town of Idrija have
been continuously monitored since the beginning of
1999 by the Idrija Mercury Mine Research Unit. The Hg
concentration is measured once per month at two
locations in the town and near the two Hg mine
ventilation shafts (Fig. 5). Since 1999 Hg concentrations
exceeded 100 ng m3, and even in two cases 1000 ng m3,
but only near the Inzaghi shaft. The general trend at all
four locations is the same. Concentrations were only
slightly higher near the ventilation shafts than in the
town, due to closing-down work in the mine. A
significant decrease of average concentrations near the
shafts was observed in 2002 and 2003. At all four
locations higher concentration levels were observed
in summer, most probably due to higher soil and
air temperatures, and stronger solar radiation, and
consequently higher evaporation rates of Hg from
polluted soils. Unfortunately, the wind speed and
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Fig. 5. Hg concentrations in air near Hg mine ventilation shafts and in Idrija Town.
direction was not measured together with concentration.
Low ventilation of the valley could be an important
cause of higher summer concentrations.
3.2. Mapping of air Hg concentrations
At the end of October and at the beginning of
November 2003 Hg concentrations in Idrija and its
surroundings were measured in detail. Mercury mapping
in the Idrija Valley was carried out using two different
approaches. The approach using the differential absorption lidar technique is described in detail by Groenlund
et al. (2005). The second approach was performed using
a portable absorption spectrometer installed in a car
together with GPS measurements. Hg concentrations
were measured at more than 100 locations in Idrija and
its surroundings (Fig. 6). Weather conditions for that
particular day are shown on the figure. Hg concentrations were relatively low (mostly below 25 ng m3) on all
three maps, but Hg concentrations near the former
smelting complex completely dominate the map. Elevated Hg levels were found along the Idrijca Valley
(25–50 ng m3) and near Anthony’s mine entrance (up to
200 ng m3) in the vicinity of a carboniferous shale
natural outcrop. A similar detailed mapping was
performed by Gosar et al. in 1994 (1997). Comparison
of the results obtained in 1994 and 2003 shows a similar
spatial distribution that strongly depends on the
geography of the valley, but much lower Hg concentrations in air in 2003. The dependence of Hg in air upon
wind, temperature and moisture was also observed
(Gosar et al., 1997a, b). The Hg concentration in air in
Idrija and surroundings was mostly below 10 ng m3.
Near the former smelting plant Hg concentrations
increased rapidly, even up to 3000 ng m3. It seems that
the former smelting plant remains the main source of Hg
in air over the Idrija Valley. The spatial and vertical
distribution of Hg in the valley depends mostly on wind
and temperature conditions. Comparison of the results
with those obtained by Gosar et al. (2002) for Hg in soil
and attic dust in the upper Idrijca Valley shows very
similar values that mostly depend on the geography of
the valley.
3.3. Soil–air Hg flux
Factors important in controlling the temporal variability of Hg emissions on a daily basis include sunlight,
temperature, precipitation and atmospheric turbulence
(Lindberg et al., 1979; Klusman and Webster, 1981; Kim
et al., 1995; Gustin et al., 1997; Zhang and Lindberg,
1999; Poissant et al., 1999; Gustin et al., 2003; Gustin,
2003). Sunlight is the dominant factor controlling Hg
emissions (Coolbaugh et al., 2002; Gustin et al., 2003).
The addition of moisture to soils has also been
demonstrated to significantly increase emissions
(Lindberg et al., 1998; Engle et al., 2001; Kocman
et al., 2004). However the dominant factor controlling
the magnitude of flux is substrate Hg concentration,
which is most often dictated by the geological setting of
the area (Gustin, 2003).
Daily Hg evaporation trends measured at Bača pri
Modreju and in Idrija are shown in Figs. 7 and 8
together with average air concentration and air temperatures. Topsoil at both locations contains quite high
levels of Hg (Table 1). The chemical and physical
characteristics of soil, data on Hg content and its
speciation for both locations were described elsewhere
(Table 1) (Gosar et al., 1997a, b; Gnamuš et al., 2000;
Horvat et al., 2002; Kocman et al., 2004). At the site
Bača pri Modreju (46.142871N, 13.772051E) topsoil
contains about 76 mg Hg kg1. Other samples from same
site show similar values (Gosar et al., 1997a, b; Horvat
et al., 2002). Hg exchange between soil and the atmo-
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J. Kotnik et al. / Atmospheric Environment 39 (2005) 7570–7579
Fig. 6. Air Hg concentration maps in Idrija and its surroundings (log scale).
Fig. 7. Hg evaporation from soil at Bača pri Modreju (in ng m2 h1).
sphere was measured on 7 September, 2004, a sunny,
late summer day with an average daytime temperature
of 25 and 11 1C during the night (daily average 16.3 1C)
with a weak E wind. The average Hg concentration
during the 24 h measurements was 5.5 ng m3
(2.0–11.5 ng m3), with an average Hg flux from soil to
atmosphere of 34.0 ng m2 h1 (10.0–64.7 ng m2 h1).
The highest evaporation rate was observed during
evening and early night hours between 7 pm and 1 am,
when the air temperature fell and become closer to the
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Fig. 8. Hg evaporation from soil in Idrija (in ng m2 h1).
soil temperature (around 12 1C). Higher evaporation
rates during this period are also connected to the
moisture content in topsoil, which increased after sunset
due to the evening dew. These phenomena coincide with
measurements performed in wetlands of the St. Lavrence
River (Canada) (Poissant and Casimir, 1998; Poissant et
al., 2004) with similar characteristics to the site at Bača
pri Modreju (regular flooding, temperatures, solar
radiation, latitude, etc.), which shows that the Hg flux
in the studied area under dry conditions was strongly
correlated with soil temperature. They suggest that the
air–soil flux under dry conditions was more related to
thermodynamic processes such as enthalpy of volatilization than to solar radiation and air temperature.
The weather conditions at the site in Idrija
(46.010461N, 14.029481E) were similar to those at Bača
pri Modreju, with a slight S wind that changed direction
near midnight from N to S. The average air temperature
was 15 1C (8–31 1C). In the past, the Hg concentration in
topsoil was heavily impacted by airborne Hg from the
former smelting plant (the distance from the smelting
plant is less than 200 m, the former smeltery chimney is
200 m above the site). The Hg concentration in topsoil
was 333 mg Hg kg1 (Kocman et al., 2004). Other
authors reported similar values for the nearby area,
with the exception of the very close vicinity of the former
smelting plant (Gnamuš et al., 2000; Gosar and Šajn,
2001; Gosar et al., 2002). The average Hg concentration
in air was 11 ng m3 (2.4–33. 5 ng m3) with an average
Hg flux from soil to the atmosphere of 84.4 ng m2 h1
(20.7–80.9 ng m2 h1) (Fig. 8). The highest flux values
were observed between 1 and 3 pm with a slight increase
during evening and early night hours. This coincides
with measurements at the Bača pri Modreju site. The
daytime peak can be related to solar radiation and
photo-reduction of HgS, Hg chloride-containing phases,
and Hg bound to Fe oxides and organic materials in soil
(Poissant and Casimir, 1998; Amyot et al., 2000;
Poissant et al., 2004; Gustin, 2003). Higher Hg evasion
during the night suggests that the air–soil Hg flux was
more related to the moisture content (evening dew) and
to the thermodynamic processes.
A comparison of these fluxes to those obtained by flux
chamber at the Hg mine of Mt. Amiata in Italy (Ferrara
et al., 1998) shows values of a similar order of
magnitude. Of course weather conditions, soil and air
temperature, air and soil Hg concentration and soil type
influence the measured results and can explain the
difference between the sites.
4. Conclusions
We can only guess the level of mercury concentrations
in air over the town of Idrija during the first four
centuries of operation of the world’s second largest Hg
mine. Nevertheless, there are some indications and old
records that allows speculations on Hg contamination in
the town of Idrija, such as the description of Theophrastus von Hohenheim Paracelsus in 1572: ‘‘All who
live there are crippled and paralysed, partly asthmatic,
partly benumbed, without hope of ever being completely
healthy’’ or Walter Pope, an Oxford professor, who
wrote in 1663 about the ‘‘healing powers’’ of the waste
water: ‘‘The waste water is so saturated with mercury that
it heals itchiness and other similar discomforts’’ (cf. Čar
and Dizdarevič, 2002).
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J. Kotnik et al. / Atmospheric Environment 39 (2005) 7570–7579
In the last decade, after the final operation of the
smelting plant, concentrations of Hg in Idrija decreased
rapidly and reached levels from more than 1000 ng m3
to values below 10 ng m3. Seasonal variations in Hg
concentrations in air were observed during regular
monitoring. There are some locations around ventilation
shafts, natural outcrops and near the former smelting
plant where concentrations remain high. But it
seems that after more than 500 years of continuous
pollution by Hg, Idrija and its surroundings are slowly
recovering.
Acknowledgements
This research was financed by The Ministry of
Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of
Slovenia and by the European Union in the framework
of the EUROCAT project. The authors wish to thank
Dr. Antony R. Byrne for suggestions and linguistic
corrections.
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