Dynamics and evolution of heavy metal water pollution in the Plovdiv region (Bulgaria)

The presented note is reporting some midterm results of the NATO "Science for Peace" Program Project SiP 973739 "WATMETAPOL" gained by scientists from the Geological Institute, BAS - Sofia (in collaboration with BRGM, Orleans - France and the University of Antwerp - Belgium) and financed for a period of 3 years (2001-2004) (224 000 EUR).
   The main project goals are:
   • To establish the distribution, speciation and interactions of heavy metal pollutants and As in soil surface and groundwater in the Plovdiv-Asenovgrad region and the pollutants changes with time;
   •To develop a 3D GIS modeling of surface and groundwater pollution sensitivity and GIS based pollution-risk assessment tools and methods;
   • To develop a predictive coupled geochemical and transport computer model for studying the evolution of the pollution with the aim of limiting its harmful effects.
   The obtained results will be submitted to the end users: Ministry of Environment and Waters Government of Plovdiv Region, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.