Abstract
This paper explores how the chemistry of the Wilga River is affected by the sedimentation ponds at the former Soda “Solvay” Plant in Krakow. Despite the revitalization of the sedimentation ponds about 30 years ago, the chemistry of the samples was characterized by high EC (from 845 to 3000 µS cm−1), high concentration of Cl− (up to 800 mg L−1), Ca (up to 270 mg L−1), and SO42− (up to 115 mg L−1), and a high value for Na (up to 270 mg L−1) was noted—surface water quality standards were exceeded. The effect of high mineralization by those elements, generated in wastewater during soda waste production, were noted to have seasonal and vertical variability. We concluded that, despite the industrial shutdown and revitalization processes, the drainage of industrial water can have serious and long-term negative effects on quality of water and the Wilga River ecosystem. The Wilga River is one of the most important examples of important environmental problems in urban areas.
Highlights
Mine drainage is the process of generating wastewater as a result of industry and mining, and it has a huge influence on the environment
Observation of chemical changes in the Wilga River is all the more important because the sedimentation ponds of the former Soda “Solvay” Plant are in Krakow, where the population density is high (780,000 people) and the need to use recreational areas is important
The pH of the Wilga River in the researched area was at an appropriate level according to the standard for human consumption
Summary
Mine drainage is the process of generating wastewater as a result of industry and mining, and it has a huge influence on the environment. Harmful are the acidification of water (AMD, which results in a pH below 3.5) and concentrations of iron (in the forms of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ) and trace elements, especially Mn2+ , Zn2+ , Cd2+ , Pb2+ , Cu2+ , Ni2+ [1,2,3]. In the areas where polymetallic ores are found, ground and surface water contain large amounts of residual metals such as Ag, Au, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sb, Sn, W, Zn (from direct mining) and. The pollution of surface waters by AMD is still a global problem [7,8,9]. Water pollution occurs in other industrial areas besides mines
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