Mineralogical and Geochemical Research in a Contaminated Environment near the Abandoned Poproc Sb Deposit (Slovakia)

摘要

The area surrounding the abandoned Poproc antimony deposit in Slovakia contains high concentrations of toxic contaminants, mainly sulfide-related minerals. Pollution resulting from historic mining was observed in the area adjacent to the Agnes mine adit, with Sb concentrations ranging from 4 700--10 000 mg.kg~(-1); the maximum As concentration in soil samples was 56 900 mg.kg~(-1). High levels of Sb, As, and other elements in the investigated area were associated with the locations of long-term outflows. This study focused on the migration of the toxic elements in environment, their binding on Fe-oxyhydroxides or other natural sorbents, and mechanisms by which these contaminants may enter the food chain.