THALLIUM DISTRIBUTIONS IN SOILS AFFECTED BY Pb-Zn MINING AND METALLURGICAL ACTIVITIES IN MITROVICA REGION, KOSOVO

摘要

A study on the effects of Pb-Zn mining and smelting activities on soil in Mitrovica area, Republic of Kosovo, was carried out. The levels of thallium were determined in the 156 top-soil samples (0-5 cm) using inductively coupled plasma -mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Data analysis and construction of the map were performed using the Statistica (ver. 9), AutoDesk Map (ver. 2008) and Surfer (ver. 9) software. The average of thallium level in the soil for the entire study area (301.5 km2) amounted to 0.33 mg/kg with a range of 0.05-7.7 mg/kg. The average content of Tl exceeds the European average value by 2.75-fold. Distribution of Tl was mainly in central and northeastern part of the study area, especially in the surrounding areas of zinc smelter and sulfuric acid and fertilizers processing factories in the city of Mitrovica and around the lead smelter in the city of Zvegan; as well as in the alluvial plains of the river Iber. In the south of the study area (the city of Vushtrri) soils are less affected with these potentially emission sources of thallium.