Current Projects – Karst Research Institute
Description of the experimental river basin:
STUDY ABOUT THE CONTAMINATION TRANSFER IN THE FLOOD WAVES OF THE REKA RIVER
The Reka River flows along the Brkini syncline of Eocene flysch rock and receives surface runoff from an area of 442 km2 (Rojšek 1987). It also receives water from two karst springs, Bistrica and Podstenjšek, and disappears underground into the Škocjan Caves. Due to the industries in Ilirska Bistrica, its quality after 1966 seriously deteriorated and was titled the “Dead” River. After the closing down of TOK (Factory of Organic Acids) in Bistrica in autumn 1990 the river’s quality improved, but many minor polluters remained.
By observing the flood waves following precipitation events, we were trying to establish the extent of contamination transfer along the Reka River, which then enters the Škocjan Caves. In May 1999 we recorded a flood wave with a maximum flow of 19.3 m3/s and in March 2000 a flood wave with a maximum flow of 112 m3/s. The specific probes allowed for continuous measurements of the level, temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity of the Reka River, and the simultaneous sampling of water. The samples were analysed as to the content of carbonates, calcium, magnesium, chlorides, nitrates, sulphates, o-phosphates, COD, and BOD5. 5.
Measurement results:
PDF:
Reka
- VAL-5-1999 quality
Reka - VAL-5-1999 measurements
Reka
- VAL-3-2000 quality
Reka - VAL-3-2000 measurements - discharge
Reka - VAL-3-2000 measurements - chemical parameters
EXCEL:
Reka
- VAL-5-1999 quality
Reka - VAL-5-1999 measurements
Reka
- VAL-3-2000 quality
Reka - VAL-3-2000 measurements - discharge
Reka - VAL-3-2000 measurements - chemical parameters
Photo Gallery of the Experimental River Basin:
