Latest Academic Works
Source apportionment of Pb in PM10 from the Upper Meža Vally by the use of advanced analytical techniques
Knowledge of the pollution activity at the mining and smelting sites and assessment of contamination levels at different sites is not always sufficient for reliable conclusions regarding lead (Pb) provenance and contributions from sources. Pb isotopes have long been used as ‘fingerprints’ of the source of Pb recorded in environmental …
Strontium isotope composition: : insights into geological and environmental influences on the provenance studies of dairy products and timber
This dissertation aimed to explore the potential of Sr isotope ratio analysis, combined with multi-elemental profiling, as a tool for geographic discrimination, focusing on two projects: tracing the provenance of cheese/milk from Naxos, Greece (Project 1), and wood in the Eastern Carpathians, Romania (Project 2). The goal was to understand …
Isotopic fingerprint of water from source to tap
Rapid population growth and increasing water demand places a serious strain on both quantity and quality of available local water resources. Climate change puts additional pressure by altering the water balance, affecting recharge conditions, and contributing to pollution and water degradation. Addressing these issues requires water management strategies that enhance …
Tracing origin of food using stable isotopes of light and heavier elements
This dissertation examines two main topics. The first topic is focused on the potential of strontium (Sr) isotope analysis to characterise milk and truffles as selected food commodities, traditionally important for Slovenia. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio for determining the provenance of bovine milk and truffles originating from different regions of Slovenia …
Tracing mercury in the wider Idrija region using stable isotopes
Mercury, a toxic element, known for its physical and chemical properties, spreads throughout the environment and is found in various ecosystems, including water, air, soil, and biological systems. The natural mercury cycle begins beneath the earth's crust, where it rises to the surface and is released into the air through …
Metrology of mercury measurements in the air
Atmospheric mercury (Hg) plays an important role in the biogeochemical Hg cycle. Hg species in the atmosphere are present in very low concentrations. While gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) is relatively inert, gaseous oxidized (GOM) and particulate-bound (PBM) mercury are highly reactive. These characteristics of atmospheric Hg species make the speciation …
Authenticity and traceability of food and food flavourings using a stable isotope approach
Food fraud or economically motivated adulteration has been an issue throughout history. Even today, it remains a significant and growing problem, driven by globalisation, economic opportunity and the low probability and severity of punishment. Fraud is a concern for food producers, consumers, regulatory agencies and scientific organisations, and food fraud …
Method for the determination of uranium isotope ratios and its application as a novel geochemical tracer
U and Th isotopic composition have been proven to be a valuable tool in environmental science, oceanography, hydrology, geology, nuclear forensics, and science-based archaeology. These applications require simultaneous detection of both minor and major isotopes at high accuracy. Often, the amount of sample or concentration of U and Th are …
CO2 dynamics in a river system: mass balance, hydrological, geochemical and biochemical impacts
A 3-year systematic investigation (2007–2010) of water chemistry using conventional and stable isotope tracers helped us delineate hydro-biogeochemical processes in the karstic Krka River watershed. By mineralogical and stable isotopic examination of tufa deposits and combining the results with water chemistry, we were able to evaluate the suitability of tufa …