Abstract
For the purpose of this study, 181 soil samples were collected from three post-mining areas (Miedzianka Mt. (62), Karczówka Mt. (61), and Rudki (58)) in the Holy Cross Mountains, south-central Poland. Collected samples were dried, disaggregated, and digested in a closed microwave system. All solutions were analyzed for Hg concentrations with cold vapor-atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS) technique using a continuous flow vapor accessory. The average Hg concentrations and the upper limits of geochemical background (UBG) were as follows: Miedzianka Mt. Hg 0.501 mg kg−1, UBG 0.312 mg kg−1; Karczówka Mt. Hg 0.150 mg kg−1, UBG 0.180 mg kg−1; Rudki area Hg 0.216 mg kg−1, UBG 0.193 mg kg−1. The use of a spatial distribution map of mercury concentrations integrated with computed geochemical factors and results of cluster analysis showed a direct relationship between mercury contents and mining activity conducted in these areas. Only in the case of Miedzianka Mt., this relationship was visible and probably resulted from the presence of tennantite (Cu,Fe)12As4S13 in soil samples, which was also confirmed with the factor analysis. Higher Hg concentrations in soil samples from Karczówka Mt. and Rudki resulted from the presence of clay and other secondary minerals that increase the mercury adsorption from atmospheric deposition. Fossil fuel and biomass combustion was classified as the main anthropogenic source of the metal, but the neighborhood of a cement factory may be taken under consideration. Our results showed that the use of integrated geostatistical models allows for better data visualization and interpretation.
Highlights
Abandoned mining areas belong to the most dangerous uncontrolled sources of pollutants (Kim and Hyun 2015)
Anthropogenic and geogenic sources of mercury have been identified in mine-impacted soils from three post-mining areas using the integrated map of mercury spatial distribution, computed geochemical factors (BG, local enrichment factor (LEF)), and results of the cluster analysis
The use of the combined geostatistical model confirmed a direct relationship between the mercury content and historic mining operations
Summary
Abandoned mining areas belong to the most dangerous uncontrolled sources of pollutants (Kim and Hyun 2015). For several years, these areas have gained significant attention to scientific community (Bori et al 2016; Bosso and Enzweiler 2008; Castillo et al 2013; Gałuszka et al 2016; Sheoran et al 2010; Xu et al 2017). These areas have gained significant attention to scientific community (Bori et al 2016; Bosso and Enzweiler 2008; Castillo et al 2013; Gałuszka et al 2016; Sheoran et al 2010; Xu et al 2017) This is not surprising, given the fact that many of them have not been submitted to the recovery program.
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