Scholarly record

STREAM SEDIMENT CONTAMINATION FROM AREAS AFECTED BY SB MINING IN SLOVAKIA

P. Sottnik, M. Petrak, V. Cavajda, J. Cizniar

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. Three localities Poproc (in eastern part of Slovakia), Medzibrod 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. Sampling point of stream sediments represented natural background, the sources of contamination as well as whole creeks to the confluence with bigger water recipient. The samples had been transported, dried by atmospheric temperature and netting to the fraction below 1 mm. The pH (in water and in 1M KCL) and conductivity was determined in all samples. Five representative samples from each locality was chosen for total chemical analysis and for sequence analyses. For sequence analyses was used simplified 3-step BRC analyse with focus to determinate bioavailability of some contaminates presented in stream sediment samples.

Publication details

Back to publication list