Scholarly record

SEQUENCE ANALYSES OF STREAM SEDIMENTS FROM ABANDONED SB-MINING AREAS (POPROC AND DUBRAVA) IN SLOVAKIA

P. Sottnik, B. Lalinska, M. Sutriepka, L. Jurkovic

Abstract

Sb-mineralization had been exploited in many localities in Slovakia. Contamination of environment by Sb, As and other heavy metals is specific problem of Slovak mining regions. Natural background for groundwater in Slovakia was appointed to 1 $\mu$g/l for Sb and 5 $\mu$g/l. Two localities Poproc (in eastern part of Slovakia) and Dubrava (in The Low Tatras) are abandoned Mining areas where the stibnite ores had been exploited for many years. These areas represent high potential environmental risk because of transport and accumulation of contamination in different parts of environment (waters, stream sediments, soil). Abandoned galleries and tailings impoundments material with high concentration of toxic elements (especially As and Sb) occurs on the both localities. High contamination of waters, soils and stream sediment in Poproc had been detected during previous study. The highest limit C for stream sediments had been exceeded for As and Sb in all samples (Kaliciakova et al., 1996). Two representative sets of stream sediments samples were taken on these localities - 12 in Poproc and 31 in Dubrava. Samples of stream sediments have been taken by the same methodology as the samples taken for the Geochemical Atlas of Slovakia. The samples were taken to document uncontaminated places, places representing sources of contamination, and all stream of contaminated creek up to their confluence with the main water recipient. Wet samples were transported to the Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences laboratories, where they have been dried under atmospheric temperature and netted to the 1mm fraction. The basic characterization of stream sediment (determination of ph, Eh a Ec) had been realized at first on all taken samples. Some chosen representative samples will be sent to the 5-steps BRC sequential analyse and both complete sets of samples will be analysed in our laboratory by 3-steps sequential methodology with an accent on bioavailability of different contaminants.

Publication details

Back to publication list