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V slovenskem delu Tržaškega zaliva smo od avgusta do oktobra 2021 vzorčili rebrače vrste Mnemiopsis leidyi z namenom zbiranja podatkov o spremembah biometričnih parametrov, kemijske sestave in plodnosti osebkov med obdobjem množičnega pojavljanja. Želeli smo ugotoviti, kako vplivajo spreminjajoče se okoljske razmere na omenjene značilnosti rebrač. V teh mesecih se običajno pojavljajo v velikih količinah in ker gre za tujerodno invazivno vrsto, je treba čim bolje poznati njen vpliv na lokalni ekosistem, saj ta ni prilagojen na tako velike spremembe. Žive rebrače so lahko plenilci ali kompetitorji, ko odmrejo, pa predstavljajo veliko količino novega substrata za mikroorganizme, zato lahko pričakujemo spremembe v kroženju elementov v ekosistemu. Po analizi rezultatov smo ugotovili, da se kemijska sestava osebkov med raziskavo ni bistveno spreminjala, kljub določenim spremembam dejavnikov okolja. Vsebnost ogljika je načeloma naraščala z naraščanjem koncentracije klorofila v vodnem stolpcu. Zaznali smo spremembe pri uspešnosti reprodukcije, to je najbolj očitno glede hitrosti izleganja jajc, ki je hitrejša pri višjih temperaturah, prav tako smo opazili, da je število osebkov, ki so proizvedli jajca, bilo nižje pri nižji temperaturi. Število proizvedenih jajc je bilo precej variabilno, načeloma pa so imeli osebki z večjo maso večje število jajc. Povprečno število jajc je bilo nižje kot v podobnih raziskavah, morda zaradi vse večje oligotrofnosti tega zaliva ali izbire velikostnega razreda preučevanih osebkov. We sampled ctenophore species Mnemiopsis leidyi in the slovenian part of Gulf of Trieste between August and October 2021. We wanted to find out how the changing environmental conditions affect the biometrics, chemical composition and fecundity of said ctenophore. This species occurs in very high numbers in this part of the year, and because it is an invasive species, it can disturb the local ecosystem. The ctenophore can be a predator or a competitor with local species, and because of its seasonal occurence, it also dies off in high numbers in a relatively short period of time, which can cause disturbance in microbial degradation, resulting in a disturbed carbon cycle in the system. In our study, we concluded that the sesonal environmental changes do not have a big effect on chemical composition of individuals, but we did observe a connection with a higher carbon content with higher chlorophyll a concentrations in seawater. The temperature effect is notable when examining the speed of egg hatching, which is slower in lower temperatures. The number of eggs produced varied highly, but we noticed that the individuals with a bigger mass produced more eggs. The average number of eggs produced was lower than in the similar studies in these areas, which might be correlated with an ever higher oligotrophy in the Gulf of Trieste, or it might be due to smaller dimensions of individuals selected for the study.

The Sistiana Fault is an alleged disjunctive deformation of Microadria in the sea bottom of the Gulf of Trieste. Onshore, it is visible only in the Sistiana Bay, but towards the northeast it soon pinches-out, in structural-geometric terms it diminishes soon after the crossing of the thrust boundary of the Dinarides, or the Istrian-Friuli Underthrustig Zone, respectively. Further to the northeast, only the bending zone is developed in the External Dinarides, which stretches all the way from the Sistiana Bay to the Idrija-Žiri area. We named it the Sistiana Bending Zone. Its direction can be determined based on geological maps and is around 60°, so we conclude that the Sistiana Fault should extend approximately in this direction. In the bending zone, the Trieste-Komen Anticlinorium, the Vipava Synclinorium, the Trnovo Nappe opposite to the Hrušica Nappe and the Raša and Idrija Faults are laterally bent. The size of the bend is the largest in the Sistiana Bay, and in the east-northeast direction it decreases linearly. The general geological circumstances suggest that the Sistiana Fault has not been recently active. Sesljanski prelom je domnevna disjunktivna deformacija Mikroadrije v podmorju Tržaškega zaliva. Na površju je viden le v Sesljanskem zalivu, vendar se proti severovzhodu kmalu izklini, v strukturno-geometrijskem smislu izzveni kmalu zatem, ko preseka narivno mejo Dinaridov, oziroma istrsko-furlansko podrivno cono. Naprej proti severovzhodu je v Zunanjih Dinaridih razvita le še upogibna cona, ki se vleče vse od Sesljanskega zaliva do idrijsko-žirovskega ozemlja. Imenujemo jo sesljanska upogibna cona. Njena smer je določljiva na podlagi podatkov geoloških kart in znaša okoli 60°, zato sklepamo, da naj bi Sesljanski prelom potekal približno v tej smeri. V upogibni coni so bočno upognjeni Tržaško-Komenski antiklinorij, Vipavski sinklinorij, Trnovski pokrov nasproti Hrušiškemu pokrovu ter Raški in Idrijski prelom. Velikost upogiba je največja v Sesljanskem zalivu, proti vzhodu-severovzhodu pa se linearno manjša. Iz splošne geološke slike izhaja domneva, da Sesljanski prelom recentno ni aktiven.

While satellite remote sensing of ocean color is a viable tool for estimating large-scale patterns of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and global ocean primary production, its application in coastal waters is limited by the complex optical properties. An exploratory study was conducted in the Gulf of Trieste (Adriatic Sea) to assess the usefulness of Sentinel-3 satellite data in the Slovenian national waters. OLCI (Ocean and Land Colour Instrument) Chl-a level 2 products (OC4Me and NN) were compared to monthly Chl-a in-situ measurements at fixed sites from 2017 to 2019. In addition, eight other methods for estimating Chl-a concentration based on reflectance in different spectral bands were tested (OC3M, OC4E, MedOC4, ADOC4, AD4, 3B-OLCI, 2B-OLCI and G2B). For some of these methods, calibration was performed on in-situ data to achieve a better agreement. Finally, L1-regularized regression and random forest were trained on the available dataset to test the capabilities of the machine learning approach. The results show rather poor performance of the two originally available products. The same is true for the other eight methods and the fits to the measured values also show only marginal improvement. The best results are obtained with the blue-green methods (OC3, OC4 and AD4), especially the AD4SI (a designated fit of AD4) with R = 0.56 and RMSE = 0.4 mg/m³, while the near infrared (NIR) methods show underwhelming performance. The machine learning approach can only explain 30% of the variability and the RMSE is of the same order as for the blue-green methods. We conclude that due to the low Chl-a concentration and the moderate turbidity of the seawater, the reflectance provided by the Sentinel-3 OLCI spectrometer carries little information about Chl-a in the Slovenian national waters within the Gulf of Trieste and is therefore of limited use for our purposes. This requires that we continue to improve satellite products for use in those marine waters that have not yet proven suitable. In this way, satellite data could be effectively integrated into a comprehensive network that would allow a reliable assessment of ecological status, taking into account environmental regulations.

Za lažje razumevanje, s kakšnimi ekološkimi posledicami bi se srečali in kako bi morali ravnati v primeru, da bi ob ladijski nesreči v slovenskem morju prišlo do iztekanja goriva, sem v začetku magistrske naloge predstavil lastnosti morja ter podrobneje opisal značilnosti Tržaškega zaliva. Čeprav naloga obravnava samo onesnaževanje morja z nafto in derivati, sem na hitro predstavil vrste onesnaževanja, opisal procese, ki se pojavijo ob razlitju oljnega madeža v morje ter kako se madež širi in razgrajuje. Sledi ocena onesnaženosti Tržaškega zaliva z vidika vsebnosti ogljikovodikov. V nadaljevanju je s simulacijo predstavljena nesreča ladje Capodistria, kako in kam bi se oljni madež širil ter kako bi ukrepali, če bi ob nesreči res prišlo do razlitja. Priložen je tudi načrt zaščite in reševanja ob ekoloških nesrečah. Glede na to, da sem navtik, sem se osredotočil bolj na navtični del, in sicer sem skušal ugotoviti, kakšne spremembe bi lahko uvedel ladjar (Giuliana Bunkeraggi S.p.A.) oz. Slovenija, da do nesreče sploh ne bi prišlo. Ker je od omenjene ladijske nesreče minilo že tri leta, sem predstavil, s kakšnimi sredstvi smo bili opremljeni takrat, oz. s kakšnimi pomanjkljivostmi smo se srečali takrat in s katerimi se danes. V zaključnem poglavju sem predstavil promet vseh ladij, ki so vplula v slovenska pristanišča v letu 2019. S tem sem želel opozoriti, da imamo v slovenskem morju zelo gost ladijski promet, z njim pa tudi veliko možnost za ladijsko nesrečo. Ravno zaradi tega razloga sem v magistrski nalogi navedel nekaj preventivnih rešitev, s katerimi bi lahko preprečili oz. povečali pripravljenost na ladijsko nesrečo in posledičnim onesnaženjem morskega okolja. Magistrsko nalogo sem zaključil s spoznanji, kako smo bili na takšno onesnaževanje pripravljeni v času nesreče ladje Capodistria in kako smo danes. Ugotovil sem, da se je stanje v Sloveniji izboljšalo, med drugim smo pridobili tudi novo ekološko plovilo. Uprava za pomorstvo je zaposlila pristaniškega kapitana, ki bo pri takšnih nesrečah odigral zelo pomembno vlogo. Z novo stavbo Uprave za pomorstvo naj bi do konca letošnjega leta pridobili novo opremo za nadzor ladijskega prometa. Z omenjenimi pridobitvami bi v primeru onesnaženja ukrepali veliko hitreje, kar je zelo pomembno, saj bi tako oljni madež odstranili hitreje, z manj posledicami in manjšo možnostjo, da madež doseže obalo. Velika pomanjkljivost pa se je pokazala z izgubo ladje Marina N., ki je bila v času nesreče ladje Capodistria v stalni pripravljenosti na onesnaževanje za celotno Jadransko morje in bi prav ona lahko odigrala pomembno vlogo pri takšnih onesnaženjih. For a better understanding of what ecological consequences we would encounter and how we should act if the fuel flowed out in the event of a ship accident in the Slovenian sea, I presented the properties of the sea and described in detail the characteristics of the Gulf of Trieste at the beginning of my master's thesis. Although this thesis deals only with the pollution of the sea with oil and derivatives, I briefly presented the types of pollution, described the processes that occur when an oil slick spills into the sea, and how the slick spreads and decomposes, followed by an assessment of the pollution of the Gulf of Trieste in terms of hydrocarbon content. Further on, I presented a simulation of the oil tanker Capodistria accident, how and where the oil slick would spread, and how to act if a spill would occur in this particular incident. Given that I am a sailor, I primarily focused on the nautical aspect and tried to determine what changes could have been introduced either by the shipowner (Giuliana Bunkeraggi S.p.A) or by Slovenia to prevent the accident. As three years have passed since the mentioned incident, I presented the means that were at our disposal and the shortcomings we encountered at that time, and what deficiencies we are facing today. In the final chapter, I presented the traffic of all ships that entered Slovenian ports in 2019. With that, I wanted to point out that we have very dense shipping traffic in the Slovenian sea, which enhances the chance of a shipwreck. For this reason, I have listed some preventive solutions that could avert or increase readiness for a shipwreck and the consequent pollution of the marine environment. I completed my master's thesis with discoverings about how we were prepared for such pollution at the time of the Capodistria shipwreck and how we are prepared for it today. I learned that the situation in Slovenia has improved. Among other things, we also acquired a new ecological vessel. The Slovenian Maritime Administration employed a port captain, who will play a very important role in such incidents. Alongside the new building of the Maritime Administration, supposedly new equipment for ship traffic control will be acquired by the end of this year. With these acquisitions, we would be able to act much faster in the event of pollution, which is extremely important, as it would remove the oil slick faster, with fewer consequences and with a lesser chance of the slick reaching the shore. The loss of the ship Marina N., which was in constant readiness for pollution for the entire Adriatic Sea at the time of the Capodistria accident, has shown as a big downside because this particular ship could play an important role in such types of pollution.

Velika pliskavka (Tursiops truncatus) je ena izmed bolj preučevanih vrst kitov na svetu in edina stalno živeča vrsta kitov v severnem delu Jadranskega morja in s tem tudi v slovenskem morju. V Sloveniji se podatke o stanju populacije velike pliskavke zbira od leta 2002. Interakcije in konflikti med delfini in ribiči v Sredozemskem morju so zelo pogost pojav. Te so lahko za delfine kot tudi ribiče pozitivne, negativne ali nevtralne. Raziskava je potekala znotraj Tržaškega zaliva (slovenske teritorialne vode, del hrvaških in italijanskih teritorialnih vod) od leta 2002 do vključno leta 2015. Preučevali smo interakcije med velikimi pliskavkami in različnimi tipi ribiških ladij (s pridneno in pelagično vlečno mrežo). Prav tako smo znotraj naloge opravili analizo količine ulova slovenskega ribištva. Ugotovili smo, da se količina skupnega ulova pelagičnih in pridnenih vlečnih mrež skozi leta zmanjšuje s statistično značilnim trendom. Interakcije delfinov z ribiškimi mrežami kot del njihove prehranjevalne strategije je dobro poznano vedenje. Izmed 455 opažanj smo v 68 (14,9 %) opazili interakcijo delfinov z ribiško ladjo. V 38,2 % so delfini sledili pelagičnim vlečnim mrežam in 62,8 % pridnenim vlečnim mrežam. Kljub temu da količina skupnega ulova z leti pada, se trend opažanj interakcij med delfini in ribiškimi ladjami ne zmanjšuje. Velikost skupin delfinov, ki so sledili vlečnim mrežam, je bila večja kot velikost skupin delfinov brez vključene interakcije. Znotraj opaženih skupin smo opazili tudi prisotnost mladičev. Statistično pomembnih razlik med prisotnostjo mladičev, ko so bile skupine v interakciji ali brez nje, nismo opazili. Da zapleti v ribške mreže predstavljajo hudo grožnjo različnim vrstam kitov, kažejo številne študije. Znotraj naše raziskave smo ugotovili, da ribolovne aktivnosti vplivajo na telesne poškodbe velike pliskavke tudi znotraj Tržaškega zaliva, a večina prisotnih telesnih poškodb znotraj opazovane populacije pripada agresivnim medsebojnim interakcijam. Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is one of the most studied species of cetaceans in the world and the only permanently living species of cetaceans in the northern part of the Adriatic Sea and thus in the Slovenian Sea. Data on the population of bottlenose dolphin have been collected in Slovenia since 2002. Interactions and conflicts between dolphins and fishermen in the Mediterranean are a very common occurrence. These can be positive, negative or neutral for dolphins as well as fishermen. The survey was conducted within the Gulf of Trieste (Slovenian territorial waters, part of the Croatian and Italian territorial waters) from 2002 to 2015. Within the scope of the task, we also analyzed the catch volume of Slovenian fisheries. We found that the total catch of pelagic pair trawlers and bottom trawlers has been decreasing over the years with a statistically significant trend. Dolphin interactions with fishing nets as part of their dietary strategy are well known behaviors. Of the 455 observations, an interaction of dolphins with a fishing vessel was observed in 68 (14,9 %). In 38,2 %, dolphins followed pelagic pair trawlers and 62,8 % bottom trawlers. Although the amount of total catches has been declining over the years, the trend of observations of interactions between dolphins and fisheries has not decreased. The size of the dolphin groups following the trawls was larger than the size of the dolphin groups with no interaction involved. The presence of calves was also observed within the observed groups. No statistically significant differences were observed between the presence of calves when the groups were interacting with or without it. Numerous studies indicate that entanglements in fish nets represent a serious threat to different species of whales. Within our research, we found that fishing activities affect on injuries of bottlenose dolphins also within the Gulf of Trieste, but most of the injuries occurring within the observed population belong to aggressive interactions between dolphins.

Površine morskih nevretenčarjev naseljujejo številni mikroorganizmi, kar se kaže v veliki pestrosti sestave pritrjenih mikrobnih združb. Dosedanje raziskave mikrobioma meduz so pokazale prisotnost raznolikih in specifičnih bakterijskih združb, ki so različne v različnih okoljih, se razlikujejo med populacijami meduz in so le malo podobne združbam v okolni vodi. Z metodami molekularne biologije (denaturacijska gradientna elektroforeza (DGGE) in bakterijske genske klonske knjižnice), mikrobiološkimi tehnikami gojenja in različnimi tehnikami mikroskopiranja (epifluorescentna in vrstična elektronska mikroskopija (SEM)) smo preverili prisotnost bakterij pri meduzah, ki se redno pojavljajo v Tržaškem zalivu, tj. Aurelia sp., Chrysaora hysoscella in Cotylorhiza tuberculata. Rezultati so potrdili, da so bakterijske združbe, ki so asociirane z meduzami, različne od združb, prisotnih v okolni morski vodi. Sestava združbe se razlikuje med različnimi vrstami meduz kot tudi med posameznimi telesnimi deli meduze. Posnetki elektronske vrstične mikroskopije so pokazali, da epidermis sestavljajo številne knidocite in da je prekrit s številnimi cilijami. Mukus, ki prekriva površino, se lušči v obliki mukusnih krp. Z mikroskopijo smo prisotnost bakterij potrdili izključno v sloju mukusa. Na podlagi taksonomske analize gena za 16S rRNA so bile v združbah prisotne bakterije razredov Alphaproteobacteria in Gammaproteobacteria, med njimi Ruegeria, Phaeobacter, Pseudoalteromonas, Vibrio in Alteromonas, ter rodov Burkholderia, Cupriavidus, in Achromobacter razreda Betaproteobacteria. Hkrati smo pokazali, da v polzaprtem ekosistemu, Velikem jezeru na otoku Mljet (južni Jadran), celoletna prisotnost meduz Aurelia sp. 5 lahko vpliva na sestavo naravne populacije bakterij. S postavitvijo obogatitvenega eksperimenta smo pokazali, da razgradnja nehomogenizirane odmrle meduzne biomase poteka počasneje kot razgradnja homogenizirane meduze. Ob razgradnji je prišlo do sprememb v strukturi bakterijske združbe in do akumulacije amonija in ortofosfata v okolju. Surfaces of marine invertebrates are colonized by different microorganisms, resulting in formation of diverse microbial communities. Recent studies on jellyfish microbiomes, revealed presence of diverse and specific bacterial communities, which differ between environments, jellyfish populations and are distinct from seawater assemblages. Using molecular biology (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and bacterial gene clone libraries) and culture based methods, and different microscopic techniques (epifluorescence and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)), we examined the presence of bacteria on jellyfish, regularly present in the Gulf of Trieste, Aurelia sp., Chrysaora hysoscella and Cotylorhiza tuberculata. Results confirmed that bacterial communities associated with jellyfish are distinct from sea water assemblages. Bacterial community composition differs between different jellyfish species and between individual body parts of medusa. SEM microscopic technique revealed that the jellyfish epidermis contains numerous cnidocytes and is densely covered by cilia. Surface is covered with thin mucus layer, that dissolute off the surface in form of mucus sheets. Using microscopy, presence of bacteria was detected exclusively in mucus. Based on the 16 rRNA gene taxonomic analysis, bacteria of classes Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria, among them Ruegeria, Phaeobacter, Pseudoalteromonas, Vibrio and Alteromonas, and genera Burkholderia, Cupriavidus and Achromobacter of the class Betaproteobacteria, were present in the association. Additionally, results showed that in semi- closed ecosystem, the Big Lake of Mljet Island (South Adriatic), the year-round presence of jellyfish Aurelia sp. 5, may affect the community composition of natural bacterial assemblage. With enrichment experiment we showed, that bacterial degradation of whole dead jellyfish is slower, in comparison with homogenized jellyfish. Degradation resulted in change of bacterial community structure and accumulation of ammonium and orthophosphate.

The available classical diagnostic methods, due to many disadvantages, do not allow effective detection of pathogenic enteric viruses in environmental samples. Due to low concentrations of pathogenic viruses in the sea, it is important to develop an effective concentration procedure for their successful detection. In the first part of the doctoral thesis, we focused primarily on the development of a protocol for an effective concentration of pathogenic enteric viruses in coastal water samples. Monolithic chromatographic columns (BIAseparations) were used for the concentration of rotaviruses and noroviruses, prior to the detection with reverse transcription quantitative PCR in real time (RT-qPCR). We tested the efficiency of concentration using columns of various chemical properties and selected pathogenic enteric viruses (rotavirus and norovirus). Among them, hydrophobic interaction monolithic column (CIM® C4) was the most effective. CIM C4 was used to optimize the concentration step and tested in waters with different salinities. The presence of concentrated viruses was confirmed by RT-qPCR and transmission electron microscope. We have developed a protocol that enables rapid concentration of viruses in coastal waters of various salinities and can be used on-site. The presence of RoV and NoV was surveyed, using the developed concentration protocol, prior to one-step RT-qPCR molecular detection, in the inner part of the Bay of Koper, in mussel farming areas and a swimming area. Rotaviruses, noroviruses and fecal indicator bacteria were frequently detected in the inner part of the Bay of Koper. Rotaviruses and noroviruses were detected in the studied area, with higher rates close to the outfall of the wastewater treatment plant in the estuary of river Rižana and were also detected in the middle of the Bay of Koper and in areas used for recreation and mussel farming. The results show that water bodies, which are otherwise defined as suitable for bathing or mussel farming, based on the results of fecal indicator bacteria, still contain low concentrations of pathogenic enteric viruses. In addition to human pathogenic enteric viruses and faecal coliforms, changes in abundance of bacteria and virus particles were studied in relation to temperature, salinity, inorganic and organic nutrient concentrations in the organically polluted Rižana estuary. Preliminary results showed spatially and seasonally changes in bacterial and viral particles abundance, and bacterial composition spatially and seasonally. However, seasonality plays a greater role in bacterial dynamics. Klasične diagnostične metode, zaradi številnih pomanjkljivosti, ne omogočajo učinkovitega odkrivanja, sledenja in določanja patogenih virusov v okoljskih vzorcih. Zaradi nizkih koncentracij patogenih virusov v morju je zato pomembno razviti učinkovit postopek koncentriranja virusov kar bi omogočilo njihovo nadaljnjo uspešno odkrivanje. V prvem delu doktorske naloge smo se osredotočili predvsem na razvoj protokola za koncentriranje patogenih virusov v vzorcih obalne morske vode. Za koncentriranje patogenih rotavirusov in noravirusov smo uporabili monolitske kromatografske kolone (BISseparations), za njihovo detekcijo pa metodo kvantitativnega PCR v realnem času (RT-qPCR). Učinkovitost koncentriranja izbranih modelnih patogenih virusov (rotavirusov in norovirusov) smo optimizirali s uporabo različnih kromatografskih kolon s specifičnimi kemičnimi lastnostmi. Rezultati so pokazali, da je bila hidrofobna interakcijsko-monolitna kolona (CIM® C4) najučinkovitejša. Zato je bila ta kolona izbrana za nadaljnjo optimizacijo procesa koncentriranja virusov in testiranje morske vode različnih slanosti. Prisotnost virusov po koncentriranju smo potrdili z uporabo presevnega elektronskega mikroskopa kot tudi z uporabo RT-qPCR. Razvili smo protokol, ki je uporaben na terenu in ki omogoča hitro koncentriranje virusov v morskih vodah različnih slanosti. V nadaljevanju smo z novim postopkom koncentriranja virusov in z metodo RT-qPCR preverjali prisotnost RoV in NoV, in sicer v vzorcih izoliranih iz notranjega dela Koprskega zaliva, iz področja školjčišč in iz področja kopališč. Ugotovili smo, da so vzorci iz notranjega dela Koprskega zaliva vsebovali rotaviruse in noroviruse in bakterije, ki indicirajo na možnost onesnaženosti morske vode s fekalijami. Onesnaženost z rotavirusi in z norovirusi je bila znatnejša predvsem v področju izliva čistilne naprave v reko Rižano. Ne glede na to pa smo onesnaženost zaznali tudi v sredini Koprskega zaliva in območjih školjčišč in kopališč. Zanimivo je, da so tudi tisti vodni predeli kopališč in školjčišč, ki so glede na teste z indikatorskimi bakterijami uvrščeni kot varni, vsebovali nizke koncentracije patogenih virusov. Poleg samega določanja patogenih virusov in indikatorskih bakterij pa smo testirali tudi kako temperatura, slanost, anorganska in organska hranila v organsko onesnaženem ustju reke Rižane vplivajo na prisotnost celokupnega števila prisotnih bakterij in virusnih delcev. Preliminarni rezultati teh testiranj so pokazali visoke in hitre spremembe v koncentraciji preučevanjih virusov in bakterij še zlasti v odvisnosti od prostorskih in sezonskih vplivov. Letni časi so še posebej vplivali na spremembe v koncentracijah indikatorskih bakterij.

V diplomski nalogi obravnavamo procese odlaganja in sproščanja nafte na obalo in z obale v primeru naftnega razlitja. Prikazali smo različne načine določanja maksimalne kapacitete zadrževanja nafte na obali in ugotovili, da je ta odvisna predvsem od tipa obale in vrste nafte. Na podlagi zasnovane klasifikacije tipov obale v Sloveniji smo izbrali primer odseka peščene in prodnate obale, za katera smo izračunali maksimalno zadrževalno kapaciteto obale. Za račun smo uporabili preprosto empirično enačbo, ki ponuja ugodno razmerje med številom potrebnih in razpoložljivih podatkov ter v literaturi ovrednoteno zanesljivostjo rezultatov. Račun smo izvedli v programu Microsoft Excel, v katerem smo izdelali preglednico, ki omogoča hitro in enostavno računanje. Pristop, ki smo ga izbrali, omogoča razmeroma preprosto vgradnjo v numerične modele širjenja naftnih madežev in bi lahko prispeval k večji zanesljivosti tovrstnih modelov. Za izbrana odseka peščene in prodnate obale smo izvedli tudi račun sproščanja nafte z obale, pri katerem smo predpostavili, da je zapolnjena maksimalna kapaciteta obale. Ugotovili smo, da se proces sproščanja nafte s peščene obale zaključi že po nekaj dneh, medtem ko je pri prodnati obali proces daljši za tri do štiri velikostne rede. Poznavanje količine sproščene nafte v morje in časa sproščanja za različne tipe nafte in obale lahko ustreznim službam omogoči smiselno ukrepanje oziroma zaščito predelov obale, ki bi jih sproščena nafta lahko dosegla. In the thesis, we discuss the processes of stranding and release of oil on the coast and off the coast in the case of an oil spill. We presented different ways of determining the maximum oil–holding capacity of the beach, and established that the retention mainly depends on the types of coastline and type of oil. Based on the classification of the coastline types in Slovenia, we chose a section of sandy and gravelly coastline as an example. For these types of coastlines, we calculated maximum oil–holding capacities of the coast. In calculations, we used a simple empirical equation that offers favourable ratio among the number of necessary and available data, and good reliability of the results estimated in literature. Calculations were performed in Microsoft Excel, using a newly created table that enables fast and simple calculations. The chosen approach enables relatively simple installation into numerical models of oil spills, and could contribute to higher reliability of such models. For the chosen sections of sandy and gravelly coastlines, we also carried out calculations of oil release off the coast, in which we presumed that the maximum capacity of the coast is filled up. We established that the process of oil release off a sandy coast is completed in a few days, while on a gravelly coast it lasts longer for three to four orders of magnitude. The knowledge on the quantity of oil released to the sea and the time of release for different types of oil and coastlines is important. It can enable the corresponding services to intervene reasonably and to protect the coastline sections that could be reached by the released oil.

Škodljive učinke onesnaženja lahko določimo z merjenjem specifičnih odzivov na onesnaženje – z biomarkerji. Izmeril sem aktivnost acetilholinesteraze (odgovor na onesnaženje z organofosfatnimi in karbamatnimi pesticidi) in koncentracije metalotioneinov (odgovor na onesnaženje s težkimi kovinami) v klapavicah, ki so bile nabrane na štirih vzorčnih mestih. Izračunal sem kondicijski in gonadosomatski indeks klapavic ter izmeril okoljske parametre morske vode (temperatura, koncentracija kisika, slanost in pH). Meritve sem opravljal v pomladnem in v jesenskem obdobju leta 2011, da bi ugotovil, ali se vrednosti izmerjenih biomarkerjev razlikujejo med sezonami in med vzorčnimi mesti. Izbrana vzorčna mesta so bila: školjčišče ob Debelem rtiču (vzorčno mesto 00DB), marina v Kopru (vzorčno mesto 00TM) ter školjčišči v Strunjanskem (vzorčno mesto 0024) in Piranskem zalivu (vzorčno mesto 0035). Največjo aktivnost acetilholinesteraze (AChE) sem izmeril v klapavicah iz Strunjanskega zaliva (119 ± 18 μmol min-1 mg-1 v pomladnem vzorčenju in 114 ± 6 μmol min-1 mg-1 v jesenskem vzorčenju) in v klapavicah iz školjčišča ob Debelem rtiču (118 ± 11 μmol min-1 mg-1 v pomladnem vzorčenju in 109 ± 11 μmol min-1 mg-1 v jesenskem vzorčenju). Najnižjo aktivnost AChE sem izmeril v klapavicah z vzorčnega mesta 00TM v Koprskem zalivu: 75 ± 6 μmol min-1 mg-1 v pomladnem vzorčenju in 60 ± 7 μmol min-1 mg-1 v jesenskem vzorčenju. Izmerjena aktivnost AChE v klapavicah z vzorčnega mesta 0035 v Piranskem zalivu je bila 97 ± 12 μmol min-1 mg-1 v pomladnem vzorčenju ter 86 ± 8 μmol min-1 mg-1 v jesenskem vzorčenju. Najvišje koncentracije metalotioneinov (MT) so bile izmerjene v jesenskem vzorčenju, v klapavicah iz vzorčnega mesta 0035 v Piranskem zalivu, in sicer 79 ± 9 µg MT g-1 mokre mase vzorca. Najnižjo vsebnost MT v klapavicah sem izmeril jeseni, v vzorcih iz Koprskega zaliva (vzorčno mesto 00TM): 50 ± 6 µg MT g-1 mokre mase. V jesenskem času so bile koncentracije MT v vzorcih iz Strunjanskega zaliva (vzorčno mesto 0024) 75 ± 7µg MT g-1 mokre mase ter v vzorcih iz školjčišča ob Debelem rtiču (vzorčno mesto 00DB) 67 ± 15 µg MT g-1 mokre mase. Spomladi so bile koncentracije MT med vzorčnimi mesti bolj izenačene: na vzorčnem mestu 00TM je bila koncentracija MT 60 ± 3 µg MT g-1 mokre mase, enako na vzorčnem mestu 0035 v Piranskem zalivu (60 ± 10 µg MT g-1 mokre mase tkiva) ter 65 ± 9 µg MT g-1 mokre mase v vzorcih na vzorčnem mestu 00DB ob Debelem rtiču in 68 ± 10 µg MT g-1 mokre mase v vzorcih na vzorčnem mestu 0024 v Strunjanskem zalivu. Značilno nižjo koncentracijo MT sem izmeril na vzorčnem mestu 00TM v Koprskem zalivu v jesenskem vzorčenju. Razlik v koncentraciji MT med sezonama nisem ugotovil. Sezonskih razlik v aktivnosti AChE med vzorčnimi mesti nisem našel. Ugotovil sem, da je aktivnost AChE v klapavicah z vzorčnega mesta 00TM v Koprskem zalivu in v klapavicah iz Piranskega zaliva (vzorčno mesto 0035), v obeh sezonah značilno nižja, kar kaže na trajno izpostavljenost višjim koncentracijam onesnaževal, ki zavirajo AChE v primerjavi s preostalimi vzorčnimi mesti. The detrimental effects of pollutants can be determined by measuring specific responses to pollutants - biomarkers. I had measured activity of the enzyme acetycholinesterase (response to organophosphorous and carbamate pesticides) and concentrations of metallothioneins (response to pollution with heavy metals) in Mediterranean mussels, collected at four sampling sites. Condition and gonadosomatic index were calculated in Mediterranean mussels and abiotic parameters of sea water (temperature, oxygen concentration, salinity and pH) were measured. Measurements were done in spring and autumn periods during year 2011 in order to find out if values of measured biomarkers were different between seasons and sampling sites. Selected sampling sites were: mussel farms at Debeli rtič (sampling site 00DB), marina Koper (sampling site 00TM) and mussel farms in Bay of Strunjan (sampling site 0024) and in Bay of Piran (sampling site 0035). Highiest activity of acetycholinesterase (AChE) was measured in the Mediterranean mussels from Bay of Strunjan (119 ± 18 μmol min-1 mg-1 in spring and 114 ± 6 μmol min-1 mg-1 in autumn) and in mussels from mussel farm Debeli rtič (118 ± 11 μmol min-1 mg-1 in spring and 109 ± 11 μmol min-1 mg-1 in autumn). The lowest AChE activity in both seasons were measured from mussels at sampling site 00TM in Bay of Koper: 75 ± 6 μmol min-1 mg-1 in spring and 60 ± 7 μmol min-1 mg-1 in autumn. Measured activity AChE from sampling site 0035 in Bay of Piran was 97 ± 12 μmol min-1 mg-1 in spring and 86 ± 8 μmol min-1 mg-1 in autumn. The highiest concentrations of metalothioneins (MT) were measured in autumn sampling in mussels from Bay of Piran: 79 ± 9 µg MT g-1 wet mass. The lowest values of MT were measured during autumn sampling (50 ± 6 µg µg MT g-1 wet mass) in mussels from Bay of Koper (sampling site 00TM). During autumn period concentrations of MT among sampling sites were more equal: at sampling site 00TM 60 ± 3 µg µg MT g-1 wet mass, similarly at sampling site 0035 in Bay of Piran (60 ± 10 µg µg MT g-1 wet mass) and 65 ± 9 µg µg MT g-1 wet mass at sampling site 00DB at Debeli rtič and 68 ± 10 µg µg MT g-1 wet mass in samples from sampling site 0024 in Bay of Strunjan. Significantly lower concentration of MT was measured at sampling site 00TM in Bay of Koper in autumn. No differencies between seasons were found. No seasonal changes between sampling sites were found in activity of AChE. I found out that the activity AChE in mussels from sampling site 00TM in Bay of Koper and in mussels from Bay of Piran (sampling site 0035) was significantly lower in both seasons, which points out chronic exposure to higher concentrations of pollutants which inhibit AChE in comparison with others sampling sites.

Razlitij nafte v morskem okolju ni mogoče povsem preprečiti, zato skušamo zmanjševati njihove posledice. V ta namen se razvijajo modeli širjenja in razgradnje nafte. Model NAFTA3d, deluje na osnovi metode sledenja delcev, njegov rezultat pa so koncentracije nafte ob izbranih časih. Modelu je bil dodan modul delujoč po metodi trajektorij, s katerim je prikazana verjetnost pojava naftnega madeža. V prvem delu naloge prikažemo teoretično ozadje matematičnega modeliranja širjenja nafte v morju ter opišemo potek in zahteve odziva na razlitje. Prikažemo tudi možen nadaljnji razvoj metode trajektorij. V drugem delu opišemo obe metodi in delovanje uporabljenega modela. Predstavimo izdelan program za avtomatizacijo grafičnega izpisa. V tretjem primerjamo rezultate izračuna koncentracij in metode trajektorij z več simulacijami v Tržaškem zalivu in Severnem Jadranu ter analiziramo uporabnost simulacij s trajektorijami. Prikažemo prednosti in slabosti metode trajektorij. Raziskava kaže, da je novi modul najbolj primeren za odziv na razlitje pri taktičnem načinu modeliranja, njegovi največji prednosti pa sta velika hitrost izračuna ter enostaven in učinkovit prikaz celotnega ogroženega območja na eni sami karti. V zaključku predlagamo način praktične uporabe simulacij po metodi trajektorij. Oil spills in the marine environment cannot be prevented entirely. In order to diminish their consequences, numerous oil spreading and weathering models have been developed. The NAFTA3d model is based on the particle tracking method, its results are oil concentrations at specified times. A new module based on the trajectory method showing the probability of oil slick occurrence was added to the model. The thesis first describes theoretical background of mathematical oil spill modelling in the marine environment as wall as the course and demands of an oil spill response. We show possible further development of the trajectory method. The second part describes both methods and functioning of the model. A graphic printout automation program developed in the scope of the thesis is presented. In the third part we present the results of performed simulations and analyse the suitability of the trajectory method by comparing concentrations and trajectories in the Gulf of Trieste and in the Northern Adriatic. We depict the strengths and weaknesses of the trajectory method. The study reveals that the new module is most suitable for oil spill response modelling, its major advantages being high computational speed as well as simple and efficient presentation of the entire area at risk on a single map. Finally, we propose a procedure for practical use of the trajectory method.

V diplomski nalogi smo obravnavali vpliv prostorskega povprečenja dejanskega vetra na cirkulacijo v Tržaškem zalivu. Dejanski veter, podan v resoluciji 150 x 150 m, smo povprečili prek štirikrat in na dva načina devetkrat večjih območij, za vsako uro dvainsedemdeseturne simulacije. Simulacije hidrodinamike smo izvedli z modelom PCFLOW3D ter rezultate izrisali na globini 0,5 m in 10,5 m. Zaradi majhnih razlik med slikami hitrostnih polj tokov smo rezultate obdelali še numerično. V obeh slojih smo opazili večje razlike v tokovih le ob obalah, ob odprtem robu in bližje dnu, kjer je vpliv robnih pogojev večji, drugod so razlike minimalne. Za nadaljnje delo lahko uporabimo katerokoli izmed obravnavanih povprečenj dejanskega vetra, saj napake prostorskega povprečenja vetra ne presegajo nezanesljivosti simulacij modela PCFLOW3D in vhodnih podatkov. The thesis addresses the impact of spatial averaging of actual winds on the circulation in the Gulf of Trieste. The given wind fields were averaged from resolution of 150 x 150 m over four- and ninefold larger areas, the latter in two ways, in each hour of the seventy-two hour simulation period. Hydrodynamic simulations were performed with the PCFLOW3D model. The results were mapped at the depths of 0.5 m and 10.5 m. Due to small differences between the currents we also analysed the results numerically. In both layers we observed significant differences in currents only near the coastline, at the open boundary and closer to the seabed, where the boundary conditions have greater impact, while elsewhere the differences were minimal. Any of the examined wind averaging techniques may be used for further modelling, as the error of the space averaging does not exceed the inaccuracy of the PCFLOW3D model and of the input data.

E. coli je termotolerantna koliformna bakterija iz družine Enterobacteriaceae in je vedno prisotna v iztrebkih sesalcev in ptičev. Večina sevov je prisotna tudi v prebavnem traktu ljudi in predstavlja pomemben del naše črevesne flore. E. coli skoraj nikoli ne najdemo v vodi ali tleh, ki niso fekalno onesnažena. V izogib okužbam v morskem okolju oziroma z morsko hrano je potrebno poskrbeti, da oboje ustreza zahtevam - kopalne vode morajo zadostiti minimalnim higienskim zahtevam, v školjkah iz školjčišč pa je določeno najvišje dovoljeno število E. coli. V diplomski nalogi smo se osredotočili na pregled dejavnikov, ki vplivajo na odmiranje E. coli v morski vodi. Za račun spreminjanja koncentracije bakterij s časom je v uporabi Chickov zakon, kjer se koncentracija računa s pomočjo eksponentne stopnje odmiranja. V literaturi smo poiskali enačbo, ki zajema kar največ dejavnikov, vendar pa so ti, zaradi svoje kompleksnosti, omejeni na merljive fizikalne dejavnike. V obravnavanih izvedenkah Mancinijeve enačbe so to intenzivnost sončnega sevanja ter globina, temperatura in slanost vode. Z značilnimi podatki za Tržaški zaliv smo najprej opravili občutljivostno analizo, nato pa z enačbo izračunali stopnjo umrljivosti tudi za realne merjene podatke, ki jih je posredovalo podjetje Harpha Sea d.o.o. Enačba je primerna za vgradnjo v numerične modele, ki so v uporabi na UL FGG. Z izboljšanimi modeli bo mogoče oceniti, kakšna je v slovenskem morju verjetnost onesnaženja kopalnih voda in školjčišč z E. coli. E. coli is a thermo-tolerant coliform bacterium from the family Enterobacteriaceae present in the faeces of mammals and birds. Most strains can also be found in the human gastrointestinal tract and represent an important part of our intestinal flora. E. coli is rarely found in water or soil without faecal contamination, making it suitable for detecting faecal contamination. To avoid infection in the marine environment or with seafood it is important to ensure that both meet the requirements - bathing water must meet minimum hygiene requirements while shell farms must not surpass the highest allowed number of E. coli in seashells. In this thesis we examined the factors affecting E. coli decay rate in seawater. Chick's law is used to calculate the changes in concentration of bacteria with time, where concentration is calculated using the exponential decay rate. We identified the equation that includes most of the impacts however, due to the complexity of factors influencing the decay, they are limited to measurable physical factors. In Mancini's equation these are the intensity of solar radiation, water depth, temperature and salinity. With characteristic data for the Gulf of Trieste we first performed a sensitivity analysis, then calculated the decay rate also for the data obtained from the company Harpha Sea d.o.o. The equation is suitable for implementation in numeric models used at UL FGG. With the improved models it will be possible to evaluate the likelihood of pollution in bathing waters and seashell farms in Slovenian waters.

Evropska zakonodaja od vseh članic zahteva pripravo načrta preprečevanja onesnaženja obalnega pasu in ukrepov ob morebitnem onesnaženju, pri čemer določa, naj država ob pripravi tovrstnega načrta deluje smotrno in ne pavšalno. Tudi Republika Slovenija bo tak načrt potrebovala in ta diplomska naloga, ki podaja pregled nad tipi in ranljivostjo celotne slovenske obale, je lahko podlaga za nadaljnje študije z vidika preprečevanja onesnaženja obalnega območja z nafto. V okviru diplomske naloge smo najprej preučili dve kategorizaciji tipov obale. Fingasova (2000) zajema glavne tipe obal, ki se pojavljajo po svetu, razdelitev obal Catta in Etheridgea (2006) pa se osredotoča na obale Severne Amerike. Na podlagi ocen teh avtorjev smo izdelali svojo kategorizacijo, v kateri smo ocenili ranljivost vseh tipov obale, ki se pojavljajo v Sloveniji z oceno ranljivosti od 1 do 5. Ocene smo naknadno popravili z ozirom na specifične lastnosti vsakega odseka obale – pri tem smo upoštevali dostopnost za procese čiščenja, posebno namembnost odsekov obale in druge lastnosti. In all EU countries the European legislation demands the preparation of a plan for the prevention of possible coastline contamination and of mitigation measures in such events. The legislation also states that such a plan should be rational and not too general. The Republic of Slovenia will need such a plan and this thesis, offering an overview of the types and vulnerability of the entire Slovene coastline, can be used as the basis for further studies of preventing oil pollution in the coastal area. We first describe two categorizations of coastline types. The Fingas (2000) categorization covers all major types of world coastlines while Catto and Etheridge (2006) focus on North American coasts. Based on their studies we created a new categorization, which includes vulnerability indexes for every type of coastline present in Slovenia on a scale from 1 to 5. The basic ratings were further improved with regards to some specific properties of each coastline section the accessibility for cleanup efforts, special uses of the coastline sections and other properties were taken into account.

Raziskave so bile opravljene na več raziskovalnih postajah v Tržaškem zalivu in v lagunah Marano in Grado. Gre za okolja, v katerih vladajo različne fizikalne, kemijske in biološke razmere. Cilj doktorskega dela je bil preučiti povezave med organsko snovjo (OM) in živim srebrom (Hg) v omenjenih okoljih ter ugotoviti, kako različni okoljski dejavniki in različen izvor OM ter Hg vplivajo na morebitne povezave in njihov obseg. Tržaški zaliv je onesnažen s Hg iz rudnika Hg Idrija, laguni pa sta podvrženi vplivu dveh oblikHg iz dveh ločenih virov. En je prav tako idrijski rudnik, medtem ko je drugi nedolgo nazaj delujoča kloralkalna tovarna, locirana v zgornjem delu toka reke Aussa, ki se izliva v maranski sektor lagune. Delo se je osredotočalo na povezave med OM in Hg v vodnem stolpcu in sedimentih obeh sistemov. Izkazalo se je, da je organska snov v vodnem stolpcu Tržaškega zaliva pomemben vezalec Hg in tudi drugih kovin, povezav med njimi pa v sedimentih ni bilo mogoče zaznati. Podobno se je izkazalo tudi pri analizi vzorcev iz lagun. Razlike v povezavah med OM v vodnem stolpcu in sedimentih sopovezane z različno sestavo in strukturo OM, saj je v sedimentih večinoma mogoče najti močno rekalcitrantno OM, medtem ko je OM v vodnem stolpcu bolj biodostopna in vsebuje več funkcionalnih skupin, ki omogočajo vezavo kovin. V Tržaškem zalivu oz. celotnem severnem Jadranu občasno prihaja tudi do tvorbe makroagregatov, velikih skupkov OM. Raziskovanje mehanizmov njihove tvorbe in razgradnje ter sestave in strukture je izjemnega pomena, saj je s tem omogočentudi vpogled v dinamiko naravne OM v Tržaškem zalivu. Ob analizi netopne frakcije makroagregatov so bile zaznane visoke koncentracije nekaterihkovin, kar je kazalec vključitve mineralnih delcev v strukturo. Analiza topnega dela makroagregatov je pokazala, da ima raztopljena OM makroagregatov enake lastnosti in sposobnosti vezave Hg kot naravna OM v tem okolju. Združitev metode ultrafiltracije in uporabe radioaktivnih ali stabilnih izotopov bi v prihodnje pomembno pripomogla k še natančnejšemu poznavanju mehanizmov, ki vodijo do povezav med OM in kovinami v okolju. OM ima velik vpliv na biogeokemijsko kroženje Hg, saj je pomembna z vidika napajanja mikrobnega metabolizma, s tem pa tudi tistih mikrobov, ki vodijo pretvorbe Hg. Z izvedbo eksperimentov v okoljih, v katerih ima OM različen izvor, različen izvor ima pa tudi Hg, je bila potrjena hipoteza o pomembnosti biološke dostopnosti tako OM kot Hg pri tvorbi MeHg. Research was conducted in various experimental stations throughout Gulf of Trieste and Grado and Marano Lagoon. Ecosystems observed are governed by different physical, chemical and biological conditions. The main aim of this research was to investigate the existence and extent of interactions between organic matter (OM) and mercury (Hg). The influences of various environmental conditions were also studied. The most important factor in our study was the effect that the origin, thus structure and composition, of OM as well as Hg has on the existence and extent of interactions. Gulf of Trieste is contaminated with Hg from Idrija mercury mine whereas Hg found in Lagoon has two origins. One is Idrija mercury mine, while the other is chloralkali plant operating until recently and situated upstream of Aussa River. Aussa River is as an Aussa-Corno river system discharged into the Lagoon. During the researchdissolved and sedimentary OM and its interactions with Hg were investigated. It turned out that dissolved OM present in water column plays animportant role as Hg and other metal complexation agent, however no conclusive evidence was found that interactions between sedimentary OM and Hg exist. Similar results were obtained also on samples from the lagoon environment. It was concluded that the absence of interactions in sediments was a consequence of OM quality, meaning that its recalcitrance does not support Hg binding in the extents as water column OM does. Water column OM is apparently more bioavailable and contains functional groups more suitable for metal binding. Macroaggregates, large aggregates of OM, are relatively regularly formed in the waters of northern Adriatic, also in waters of Gulf ofTrieste. Knowledge on mechanisms of macroaggregate formation and degradationis necessary, since it offers an invaluable insight into dynamics of natural OM as well. Analyses on macroaggregate matrix showed high metal concentrations which suggested an incorporation of inorganic particles, while the results on interstitial soluble portion of macroaggregates revealed similar to identical properties in terms of structure and metal binding capacity as natural OM. In future the combined usage of ultrafiltration and radioactive or stable isotopes could prove to be invaluable tool for identifying the mechanisms behind interactions between OM and Hg. OM is one ofthe most important actors in the biogeochemical cycle of Hg, since it servesas a fuel for microbial metabolism. It supports also the microbes responsible for transformations of Hg. The experiments performed in different environments where OM and Hg have different origins allowed us to confirm the hypothesis on importance of bioavailability of OM and Hg in the formation of MeHg.

Pri projektiranju konstrukcij na obali in proč od obale je potrebno poznati projektno višino vala za oceno sil na obalo in konstrukcije. Z analizo ekstremnega valovanja smo ocenili značilne višine valov z določenimi povratnimi dobami. Določili smo tudi najprimernejšo porazdelitev in obseg parametra razpona valov v Tržaškem zalivu. Pridobili smo vse razpoložljive podatke z boj v Tržaškem zalivu in desetletni niz rezultatov valovnega modela WAM. Vhodni podatki za analizo ekstremnega valovanja so prilagojeni (popravljeni) rezultati valovnega modela WAM. Ker izračunane višine valov modela podcenjujejo meritve boj, je bilo potrebno izračune prilagoditi s korekcijskimi razmerji. Slednja so določena na podlagi valovne klime, model pa je validiran glede na različne statistične parametre med merjenimi podatki na boji Vida in rezultati valovnega modela. V diplomskem delu prikazujemo enačbe in postopke, potrebne za izračun maksimalne višine valov, v delo pa je vključena tudi ocena maksimalne višine vala glede na globino vode. Diplomska naloga vsebuje tudi analizo valovne in vetrovne klime za Tržaški zaliv. Dobljeni rezultati povratnih višin valov so prve okvirne vrednosti za projektante in izvajalce konstrukcij na obali in proč od obale v Tržaškem zalivu. Design wave height is an important parameter for evaluating forces on the coast and both onshore and offshore constructions. Extreme wave analysis was performed in order to evaluate the significant wave height for given return periods. Furthermore, the most probable distribution and range of spread parameter were defined for the Gulf of Trieste. All available data from buoys in the Gulf of Trieste and a ten-year set of results of the wave model WAM were obtained. A modified (corrected) data set of wave model results was used as input data for the extreme wave analysis. The calculated wave heights from the model underestimates measurements at the buoy. Therefore, it was necessary to modify the model results with correction factors, which are based on the wave climate. The model validation is based on structural relations between measured data on buoy Vida and the results of the wave model. In the thesis we describe the equations and procedures required for calculation of the significant wave height for a given return period. Moreover, the evaluation of the depth-limited maximum wave height is included. In addition, the thesis provides the wind and wave climate analysis for the Gulf of Trieste. The calculated return wave heights are the first estimates aimed for designers and construction contractors onshore and offshore in the Gulf of Trieste.

Z Lagrangevim modelom Nafta3D smo izvedli simulacije zadrževalnega časa vode v Tržaškem zalivu na osnovi hitrostnih polj, pridobljenih z modelom NAPOM. Model Nafta3D smo prilagodili drugačnemu vnosu hitrostnih polj in drugačni začetni porazdelitvi delcev. Račune smo izvedli s hkratnim umerjanjem vertikalnega koeficienta turbulentne difuzije (Dv) za vsako simulacijo posebej s povprečnimi dnevnimi hitrostnimi polji za leto 2012. Razpon možnih zadrževalnih časov za posamezno obdobje računa smo izračunali po metodi drsečega zaporedja intervalov. Določili smo tudi okvirne sezonske vrednosti zadrževalnih časov in območja ustreznih Dv. Zadrževalni čas v obdobjih močnega vetra znaša približno 5 dni, v obdobjih šibkega vetra pa nad 20 dni. Primerjali smo število preostalih delcev v računskem območju v slojih ob gladini in pri dnu in pokazali, da je pri šibkem vetru zadrževalni čas vode v pridnenih slojih veliko daljši kot v slojih ob gladini. Izvedli smo še enostavno statistično analizo in preverili morebitno povezavo med jakostmi vetrnih napetosti in zadrževalnimi časi. Gre za prvi poskus tovrstnega modeliranja v Tržaškem zalivu, zato predstavlja naloga predvsem osnovo za nadaljnje raziskave, hkrati pa smo pokazali tudi pomanjkljivosti modela Nafta3D, ki jih je potrebno odpraviti za izvedbo zanesljivejših simulacij zadrževalnega časa v prihodnje. The Langrangian model Nafta3D and the velocity calculated with the NAPOM model were used to compute the residence time of water in the Gulf of Trieste. The Nafta3D model had to be upgraded by adjusting the input of velocity fields and the initial distribution of particles. All simulations required manual calibration of the vertical turbulent diffusivity coefficient (Dv). Daily averaged velocity fields for the entire year 2012 were used in simulations. The range of possible residence times was computed using the moving sequence approach. The approximate seasonal range of residence times was determined together with the corresponding range of Dv. Within the high wind periods the residence time is about 5 days it exceeds 20 days in low wind periods. The number of residual particles along the water column was determined in order to prove that in low wind conditions the residence time in the surface layers is significantly lower compared to the bottom layers. A simple statistical analysis was performed in order to determine possible relationship between the surface wind stress and the residence time. As the first attempt of residence time modelling in the Gulf of Trieste, the thesis represents a valuable basis for further research. Furthermore, we pointed out the necessary improvements in the Nafta3D model for more accurate computations of the residence time in the future.

Onesnaženost voda velja za enega ključnih ekoloških problemov današnjega časa. V Sloveniji in Sredozemlju je v rekah in morju poleg običajnih onesnaževal v visokih koncentracijah prisotno tudi živo srebro. Kot del reševanja problema onesnaženosti voda pri nas in v svetu razvijamo matematične modele, s katerimi je možno določiti obseg onesnaženja in možnosti sanacije. Model PCFLOW3D je 3D baroklini matematični model, ki ponuja možnost modeliranja hidrodinami čnih in nekaterih okoljskih spremenljivk v realnem času. V okviru disertacije smo model PCFLOW3D nadgradili z dvema konceptualnima pelagičnima modeloma za nižji del prehranjevalne verige, s konceptualnim bentoškim modelom mineralizacije organske snovi v sedimentih, z empiričnim modelom valovanja za Tržaški zaliv in z empiričnimi modeli za določanje skalarnih polj nekaterih okoljskih spremenljivk ter zvrsti živega srebra v Sredozemskem morju. Pri razvoju konceptualnih modelov smo se opirali predvsem na deli Crispi in sod. (2002) in Fennel in sod. (2006), pri razvoju empiričnih modelov pa smo uporabili metodi modelnih dreves (program Weka) in ANFIS kombinacijo mehke logike in nevronskih mrež (program Matlab Fuzzy Logic Toolbox). Nadgrajeni model PCFLOW3D ponuja možnost kvantitativnega modeliranja fosfatov, nitratov, amoniaka, kisika, zooplanktona, koncentracije klorofila-a in dveh velikostnih razredov fitoplanktona in detrita. Med procesi v vodnem stolpcu upošteva mineralizacijo detrita, nitrifikacijo, agregacijo manjših delcev v večje ter izmenjavo kisika med vodo in atmosfero. Bentoški model je namenjen določanju vpliva procesov mineralizacije organske snovi v sedimentih (aerobne respiracije, nitrifikacije in denitrifikacije) na vrednosti spremenljivk v vodnem stolpcu. Kombinirani bentoško-pelagični model omogoča ekološko modeliranje odprtih in priobalnih morij ter celinskih voda, z nekaj popravki pa ga lahko uporabljamo tudi za modeliranje kroženja ogljika ali drugih elementov. Empirični model valovanja za Tržaški zaliv ponuja možnost napovedi povprečne in vrčne periode valov, povprečne in maksimalne višine valov, srednje smeri potovanja valov in razpršenosti valov pri vršni periodi. Vhodne spremenljivke so pretekle vrednosti hitrosti in smeri vetra, sunkov vetra, privetrišča ter hitrosti in smeri tokov v vrhnjem sloju morja iz meteorološke napovedi vhodnih spremenljivk lahko značilne vrednosti valov napovemo za poljubno število ur vnaprej. Rezultati modela so primerljivi z rezultati fizikalnih modelov valovanja, če jih uporabimo v priobalnih območjih s kompleksnimi hidrodinamičnimi in meteorološkimi pogoji. Model valovanja lahko v prihodnje uporabimo za modeliranje vpliva valovanja na resuspenzijo sedimentov z dna ter s tem povezanih sprememb koncentracije na delce vezanih onesnaževal v vodnem stolpcu in v sedimentih Tržaškega zaliva. Empirični modeli za določanje skalarnih polj konduktivnosti, transmisije in kisika v Sredozemskem morju so zelo dobro ocenjeni (r t 1.0) primarno so namenjeni natančnejšemu določanju koncentracije zvrsti živega srebra, ki je od njih odvisna. Empirični modeli za določanje skalarnih polj celokupnega, elementarnega, reaktivnega, monometil in dimetil živega srebra v Sredozemskem morju so slabˇse ocenjeni, iz strukture modelov pa lahko zaključimo, da na koncentracijo zvrsti živega srebra v Sredozemskem morju najbolj vplivajo koncentracija kisika, prisotnost delcev organske snovi in intenziteta svetlobe. Podobni empiriˇcni modeli za določanje koncentracije živega srebra v vodnem okolju, ki jih v prihodnje lahko razvijemo z orodji mehkega računanja ali z drugimi naprednejšimi metodami umetne inteligence, ponujajo v kombinaciji s konceptualnim bentoško-pelagičnim modelom in ostalimi moduli modela PCFLOW3D možnost določitve skalarnih polj zvrsti živega srebra v Sredozemskem morju ali na drugih območjih s podobno problematiko. Today, water pollution is considered to be one of the major ecological problems. In Slovenia and the Mediterranean, mercury, among other pollutants, is present in high concentrations. One of the ways to tackle the problem of water pollution is to use mathematical models that can help in determining the level of pollution and the possible ways of sanitation. The PCFLOW3D model is a 3D baroclinic mathematical model, which enables us to model hydrodynamic and some environmental variables in real time. In the dissertation, the PCFLOW3D model was upgraded with two conceptual pelagic models for the lower trophic level, with a conceptual benthic model of organic matter mineralization in sediments, with an empirical wave model for the Gulf of Trieste and with empirical models for scalar fields of certain environmental variables and of the concentrations of mercury species in the Mediterranean region. The two lower trophic level models were based primarily on Crispi et al. (2002) and Fennel et al. (2006). The empirical models were generated using two artificial intelligence tools, namely model trees (Weka software) and the ANFIS combination of fuzzy systems and neural networks (Matlab Fuzzy Logic Toolbox software). With the upgraded PCFLOW3D model it is possible to quantitatively model the concentration of phosphates, nitrates, ammonium, dissolved oxygen, zooplankton, chlorophyll-a and two size classes of phytoplankton and detritus. Among the processes in the water column it takes into account the mineralization of detritus, nitrification, aggregation of smaller organic particles into larger ones and the exchange of oxygen between water and atmosphere. The benthic model is designed to determine the impact of aerobic mineralization, nitrification, and denitrification in sediments on the concentration of environmental variables in the water column. The combined benthic-pelagic model enables us to simulate the biogeochemical cycling of the listed variables in open oceans, on continental margins and in continental waters, and, with only little additional upgrade, it can be used to model the carbon cycle or the cycle of other important elements or complexes. The empirical wave model for the Gulf of Trieste forecasts average and peak wave period, average and maximum wave height, mean direction of wave propagation and spread at peak period. The input variables are: past values of wind speed and direction, fetch, speed, and direction of currents in the top water layer from the meteorological forecast of the input variables waves can be forecasted even 72 hours ahead. The results of modelling are comparable with those of physical wind-wave models, if used in near shore sites with complex hydrodynamic and meteorological conditions above all the forecast of wave height can be used well with r t 0.95. In future, the model can be used to quantify the impact of waves on the resuspension of sediments and the consecutive change in concentration of mercury species in the water column of the Gulf of Trieste. Empirical models for scalar fields of conductivity, transmission and dissolved oxygen concentration in the Mediterranean Sea are very well correlated with measurements (r t 1.0). These models can be used for a more accurate determination of concentrations of mercury species in the water column which depends on them. The empirical models for scalar fields of total, elementary, reactive, monomethyl and dimethyl mercury in the Mediterranean Sea are estimated as worse, but from the structure of the model trees it can be concluded that the concentration of mercury species in the Mediterranean Sea is most influenced by the concentration of dissolved oxygen, the concentration of organic matter and light intensity. In future, similar empirical models for the determination of mercury species concentration in water compartments can be generated with other artificial intelligence tools, among which the methods which combine induction and deduction seem most suitable. The combination of such models and the benthic-pelagic conceptual PCFLOW3D model can be used to determine the scalar fields of mercury species in the Mediterranean Sea or in other water compartments with similar pollution problems.