The HEMRIS (Heavy Metals Removal in Slovene Riviera) initiative is dedicated to protecting the coastal and inland waters of the Slovene Riviera from heavy metal contamination (e.g., copper, zinc, cadmium, lead), which threatens ecosystems, public health, and the local economy. Current management is hindered by limited monitoring and outdated treatment systems.
HEMRIS employs a dual innovative strategy:
- Monitoring: Piloting the iMERMAID heavy metal sensor (based on stripping voltammetry) for rapid, on-site heavy metal measurements in water.
- Remediation: Conducting a feasibility study of the 4D Scavenger (4DS) technology, designed to selectively remove and recover hazardous metals.
This combined approach ensures faster detection and explores practical solutions for reducing concentrations in marinas, ports, and inflows to the Gulf of Koper.
The Municipality of Ankaran leads the nine-month implementation in close collaboration with local stakeholders and environmental agencies. The project actively engages the community through roundtables, awareness campaigns, and educational workshops.
Over its duration, HEMRIS will validate the iMERMAID sensor, evaluate the 4DS system, generate high-quality environmental data, and build regional capacity for the long-term adoption of the technologies. By integrating innovation and strong stakeholder engagement, HEMRIS will provide a replicable model for addressing heavy metal contamination across coastal regions in Europe.
