The Novotroitsk tailing dump influence on the arsenic and heavy metals accumulation in living organisms

Abstract

To determine the Novotroitsk gold-arsenic deposit dumps influence on the ecological situation, soil samples were taken from 4 wells drilled in the tailing dump territory. The Southern Urals species plant material typical Samples were collected within a 2 m radius from the wells. Wool, muscle tissue, liver, and kidney samples were taken from the European moles caught on the dump. The comparison objects were plants and animal tissues samples from background areas at a distance of > 15 km from the tailing dump. In the samples, the elements’ contents were determined, incl. arsenic and heavy metals by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Heavy metals increased content in the soil was found, and the average content of arsenic exceeded the maximum permissible concentration in soils by 1256 times. As and Hg large amounts were also found in plant samples. In the mole wool and tissues, the As accumulation was noted 181.3 - 273.9 times higher than the background values, Hg - 9.9 - 70.8 times and somewhat less pronounced - copper, lead and zinc. The research results are recommended to be taken into account when organizing reclamation and reclamation measures, as well as mining waste storage and disposal.