HEMRIS

The Municipality of Ankaran is a small town, situated on the northern shore of the Gulf of Koper. The eastern part of the town is occupied by the Port of Koper , and the western part is protected as a landscape park – the Landscape park Debeli rtič. The park, that has been established by the Municipality in 2018, takes up 140 ha of land mostly along the shores from Valdoltra to Lazaret and the other 160 ha is a marine protected area. The economy of the Municipality relies mostly on tourism and agriculture – winegrowing and olivicolture.  

Ankaran has population of 3.300 inhabitants. It is the second smallest municipality in Slovenia, taking only 8 km2. It is one of the four Slovenian municipalities, situated on the sea, and it borders Italy. One third of the area is taken by the Port of Koper and this has a big impact on the life in Ankaran.  

The HEMRIS (Heavy Metals Removal in Slovene Riviera) project aims to monitor, assess, and mitigate heavy metal contamination in the coastal waters of the Municipality of Ankaran, especially near the Port of Koper, and in the Marina Izola, all located within the Gulf of Koper. Using the innovative iMERMAID electrochemical sensor for the detection of heavy metals, the project will provide regular, in-situ monitoring to replace infrequent and delayed laboratory analyses. A feasibility study of the 4D Scavenger technology will also be carried out to evaluate its potential for selective removal and recovery of hazardous metals in local conditions. Activities include field testing, parallel laboratory validation, stakeholder engagement, and the development of a scale-up roadmap. The project will contribute to cleaner waters, compliance with EU environmental directives, and improved public health and marine biodiversity. 

Expected results:

1. Validated heavy metals monitoring system – Successful deployment and validation of the iMERMAID heavy metal sensor in coastal water sites of Gulf of Koper. 
2. Feasibility assessment for remediation – Comprehensive technical and economic feasibility study of the 4D Scavenger solution for integration into marina Izola water treatment system. 
3. Environmental data and impact analysis – Creation of a dataset on heavy metal levels in target sites, cross-validated with accredited laboratory tests, to guide pollution reduction measures. 
4. Stakeholder engagement and awareness – Strengthened collaboration among local authorities, marinas, environmental agencies, and the public through workshops, awareness campaign and training. 
5. Scalability roadmap – A practical plan for replicating and expanding iMERMAID and 4DS solutions to other coastal sites in Slovenia and the wider Adriatic region. 

• HEMRIS Summary