Abstract
The results of investigations (SEM/EDS and AAS) of a peat deposit, spanning 13,000 years of peat accumulation, are shown. The peat deposit is located in a region of shallow occurrence of Zn–Pb ores, near Tarnowskie Góry town, within the Cracow–Silesia district (southern Poland). Exploitation of lead, silver and iron during the medieval times (Twelfth and thirteenth century) was confirmed by historical documents whereas there are no unambiguous data showing that there was metal mining during the Romanian or earlier times in the region. The peat deposit is located within the influence of atmospheric Pb and Zn emission from a nearby Zn–Pb smelter. Two vertical peat profiles were investigated (120 and 140 cm depth of profile) showing variable concentrations of Zn up to 713 mg kg−1, Pb up to 317 mg kg−1, Cd up to 13 mg kg−1 and Tl up to 31 mg kg−1. The highest concentrations were recorded for the uppermost peat layers. SEM and EDS investigations revealed the occurrence of metalbearing, submicroscopic mineral components: Fe, Mn, Ti and Zn oxides and Zn and Pb carbonates. The top layer of the deposit contained Zn, Pb and Cd sulphides. The occurrence of aggregates of Au–Ag, Cu–Zn and Au–Ag–Cu alloys can be possibly related to pre-historical mining and smelting or be explained by geochemical transformations. The preservation of carbonates and oxides in the peat is discussed, indicating a generally neutral to alkaline peat water chemistry and maintenance of an oxidized environment in the fen.
Highlights
Regions rich in precious metal deposits focused human attention from the dawn of history
The peat deposit is located in a region of shallow occurrence of Zn–Pb ores, near Tarnowskie Gory town, within the Cracow–Silesia district
One of the most important centre of early Pb–Ag and Fe mining in Europe was the Silesia–Cracow district (Southern Poland), where the mining activities were documented to occur since the late twelfth century (Molenda 1984)
Summary
Regions rich in precious metal deposits focused human attention from the dawn of history. Starting from the early medieval period (eleventh and twelfth century), an intensive development in Cu, Sn, Ag, Pb, As and Fe ore mining took place in Europe, documented by historical data and confirmed using geochemical investigations (Merrington and Alloway 1994; Renberg et al 2002; Monna et al 2000). Most of the proofs of early mining were lost during times of the later exploitation, especially intensive in the seventeenth century. This cause the need to look for alternative sources of evidences, including geochemical data. The identification of early anthropogenic sources of metal dispersion is difficult, because in such regions, natural geochemical aureoles of metals enrichment are formed, due to shallow occurrence of the ores. The most often investigated, metal enriched alluvium and soils, where the metal-bearing
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
