北京市土壤Hg污染的区域生态地球化学评价

城市土壤Hg异常/污染是中国普遍存在的重大生态环境问题。文章对北京市近1000km2范围内的地表土壤、壤中气、大气干湿沉降、大气颗粒物、大气中的Hg含量水平和空间分布模式进行了系统研究,查明北京地表土壤Hg平均含量为0.41mg/kg,大气干湿沉降物中的Hg平均含量为0.194mg/kg,壤中气Hg的平均含量为559.65ng/m3,大气颗粒物PM10和PM2.5中的Hg含量分别为0.59和0.67ng/m3,大气中的Hg平均含量为3.13ng/m3。北京市自2000年起实现了由燃煤转变为燃气的减排措施,导致干湿沉降物中的Hg沉降通量显著减少,2006年大气干湿沉降物中Hg的沉降通量1.837mg·m-2·a-1,北京市城区(近1000km2)Hg全年沉降为1837kg,空气中总Hg浓度由1998年的8.3~24.7ng/m3下降到2006年的3.13ng/m3,大气颗粒物中Hg含量由2003年的1.18ng/m3下降到2006年的0.59ng/m3(PM10)和0.67ng/m3(PM2.5),表明北京市煤改气减排措施的实施显著改善了大气环境质量。通过对土壤中Hg的存在形式研究,发现土壤中有硫化物(辰砂)及各种Hg盐(HgCl2)的含Hg矿物,Hg也可以各种吸附方式或壤中气方式存在。研究证实北京壤中气Hg与大气Hg存在显著的相关性(n=131,R=0.267,p<0.01),表明壤中气Hg是大气Hg的重要来源之一。利用2005年地表土壤总Hg与Hg释放速率的线性方程估算,土壤Hg平均释放速率为102.42ng·m-2·h-1,2005年土壤释放进大气的Hg通量为936.70kg。在查明土壤中存在大量辰砂矿物的同时,还分布有大量具有高温熔融特征的金属微球粒和玻璃质微球粒,证明燃煤和冶金烟尘是地表土壤Hg的主要来源。土壤中Hg、S、pH和辰砂颗粒浓度在空间上的高度耦合性表明,碱性条件下,土壤中高含量的S和Hg是辰砂形成的重要原因。按国家土壤环境质量标准,北京市I级土壤Hg环境质量的面积为176km2,Ⅱ级为808km2,Ⅲ级为24km2,超Ⅲ为36km2。Ⅲ级、超Ⅲ级主要分布在二环路以内的中心城区。城南(长安街为界)大气Hg环境质量明显优于城北,在北四、北五环之间的部分地区,大气颗粒Hg的环境质量为Ⅲ级或超Ⅲ级。在地表土壤Hg含量较高的中心城区,居民每天因呼吸摄入的Hg高达364ng,对人体健康构成潜在风险。根据我国"十一五"规划中每年实现10%节能减排的目标,对北京市未来50年土壤Hg含量的时空演变趋势预测,预测2050年北京因干湿沉降带来的Hg输入量为16.03kg,地表土壤释放Hg的输出量为37.36kg,明显大于Hg的输入通量,土壤Hg的环境质量将得到根本改善。预测到2040年Ⅲ级土壤Hg环境质量的区域将完全消失,到2060年以Ⅰ级土壤为主。     

淮南采煤沉陷区土壤中汞的时空分布特征

以淮南采煤沉陷区土壤为研究对象,测试分析了样品中汞的含量,结合土壤pH值、有机质含量特征,探讨了采煤沉陷区土壤中汞的时空分布特征。结果表明:与未沉陷区土壤相比,沉陷区土壤有机质破坏严重,最高下降了46%;采煤沉陷区土壤中汞的含量为0.013~0.050 mg/kg,平均值为0.027 mg/kg,69.7%的采样点超过了淮南市土壤背景值;沉陷8 a后土壤汞含量最高,为0.033 mg/kg,是未沉陷土壤汞含量的1.74倍,且随着沉陷时间的增加,土壤中汞存在富集趋势;水稻土壤汞富集能力最高,高于玉米和大豆土壤;在垂直剖面上,汞含量由表层向下依次降低;且汞与pH值表现出显著负相关,有机质与汞显著正相关。      

Impact of mining activities on soils and sediments at the historical mining area in Podljubelj,NW Slovenia

The abandoned Hg mine in Podljubelj was in operation with interceptions from 1557 to 1902. The entire operating period yielded about 110 000 tons of ore, from which 360 tons of Hg was produced. The objective of the research project was to establish the contents and spatial distribution of Hg in soils and stream sediments in the vicinity of the mine. On an area of 88 ha the soil was sampled in a 100 × 100 m grid. Two soil horizons (0–5 cm and 20–30 cm) were sampled in order to distinguish between geogenic and anthropogenic Hg sources. It was established that on an area of about 9 ha Hg content in soil exceeds The New Dutchlist action value for Hg (10 mg/kg). Total Hg concentrations in soil samples vary between 0.17 and 719 mg/kg, with a mean of 3.0 mg/kg. Mercury contents in stream sediments range from 0.065 to 1.4 mg/kg, with a mean of 0.64 mg/kg. The highest determined value in soils was found in the area around the former roasting furnace, where the ore was processed. Increased Hg concentrations were also found on the mine waste dump (108 mg/kg). Mercury contents in soils generally decrease with soil profile depth and with the distance from the mine and from the roasting furnace location. Mercury also appears in higher concentrations along the road that runs through the valley, which results from the use of Hg-bearing ore residues in road construction. The average enrichment factor (EF) of Hg in topsoil with respect to subsoil is 3.3. Calculated enrichment factors show higher values also for Cd (3.2), Pb (2.7), Ca (2.4) and P (1.9). The average enrichment factor of Hg in topsoil with regard to the established Slovenian soil averages (EF_slo) is 19. EF_slo of other determined chemical elements do not exceed 3.0.     

The nature and distribution of Cu,Zn, Hg,and Pb in urban soils of a regional city: Lithgow,Australia

This study investigates the concentration and spatial distribution of Cu, Zn, Hg and Pb in the surface (0–2 cm) soils of a regional city in Australia. Surface soils were collected from road sides and analysed for their total Cu, Zn, Hg and Pb concentrations in the <180 μm and <2 mm grain size fractions. The average metal concentration of surface soils, relative to local background soils at 40–50 cm depth, are twice as enriched in Hg, more than three times enriched in Cu and Zn, and nearly six times as enriched in Pb. Median surface soil metal concentration values were Cu – 39 mg/kg (682 mg/kg max), Zn – 120 mg/kg (4950 mg/kg max), Hg – 44 μg/kg (14,900 μg/kg max) and Pb – 46 mg/kg (3490 mg/kg max). Five sites exceeded the Australian NEPC (1999) 300 mg/kg guideline for Pb in residential soils. Strong positive correlations between Cu, Zn and Pb, coupled with the spatial distribution of elevated soil concentrations towards the city centre and main roads suggest traffic and older housing as major sources of contamination. No spatial relationships were identified between elevated metal loadings and locations of past or present industries.     

广东省普宁市土壤硒的分布特征及影响因素研究

开展了广东省普宁市区域土壤硒调查研究,采集了413个表层土壤样品(0～20 cm)和103个深层土壤样品(> 150 cm),测定了土壤全硒含量,据此研究土壤硒分布特征及其影响因素。结果表明,普宁市土壤全硒含量变化于0. 16～2. 01 mg/kg,平均值为0. 63 mg/kg,总体上处于中硒及高硒水平,不存在缺硒和硒过剩土壤。砂页岩风化形成的赤红壤全硒含量较高,平均值达0. 86 mg/kg,以侏罗系页岩母质发育的土壤全硒含量最高,平均值达0. 89 mg/kg;三角洲第四系沉积物发育形成的水稻土全硒含量最低,平均值为0. 41 mg/kg。回归分析表明,土壤全硒含量与铁铝含量、有机碳含量具有极显著正相关,与p H呈极显著负相关。影响普宁市土壤硒含量的主要因素是成土母质,土壤p H、有机碳和铁铝含量及土地利用方式对土壤全硒含量分布与富集也有一定的影响。     

浙西典型石煤矿山周边耕地富硒土壤地球化学特征及影响因素

为系统研究石煤矿山周边耕地富硒土壤地球化学特征及影响因素,在浙江省常山县辉埠石煤矿山周边耕地采集了表层土壤样品144件、农产品甘蔗样20件、土壤垂向剖面土壤样6件、岩石样5件和地表水样3件。通过样品Se、有机质、As、Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn、Ni、Hg、Cr等元素含量指标测定和统计,探究了该区富硒土壤地球化学特征。结果表明:区内表层土壤硒含量主要集中于0.47~1.34 mg/kg之间,平均含量0.87 mg/kg,远高于浙江省平均值,且硒含量高值区与辉埠石煤矿的走向一致;硒含量随着土壤深度增加而逐渐下降;89.58%的土壤样品和65%的甘蔗样品达到富硒标准,但存在土壤和农产品Cd等主要重金属元素含量超标的生态风险。土壤硒含量均值在寒武系下统荷塘组最高(1.31 mg/kg),奥陶系中—下统最低(0.64 mg/kg);旱地硒均值略高于水田,但差异不显著(p>0.05);硒含量均值高低变化为粗骨土>石灰岩土>水稻土>红壤。研究认为,土壤硒含量受地质背景、土壤类型和有机质等因素的影响,含石煤层黑色岩系和碳酸盐岩等富硒地层是形成富硒土壤的主要因素,小部分与矿山开采等人类活动有关。     

Spatial distribution of heavy metals in soils: a case study of Changxing,China

Six hundred and sixty-five soil samples were taken from Changxing County in Zhejiang Province, China, to characterize the spatial variability of Hg Cd, Pb, Cu, As and Cr. The geostatistics and geographic information system (GIS) techniques were applied, and the ordinary kriging and lognormal kriging were used to map the spatial patterns of the six heavy metals. Hg, Pb, Cu and As were fitted to the spherical model with a range of 85.75, 82.32, 86.10, and 23.17 km, respectively. Cr was fitted to the exponential model with a range of 6.27 km, and Cd was fitted to the linear model with a range of 37.66 km. Both Pb and Cu had strong spatial dependence due to the effects of natural factors including parent material, topography and soil type. Hg, Cd, Cr and As had, however, moderate spatial dependence, indicating an involvement of human factors. Meanwhile, based on the comparison between the original data and the guide values of the six metals, the disjunctive kriging technique was used to quantify their pollution risks. The results showed that only Cd and Hg exhibited pollution risks in the study area. The pollution source evaluated was closely corresponded with the real discharge of industrial production and the application of organomercury pesticides. The results of this study provide insight into risk assessment of environmental pollution and decision making for agricultural production and industrial adjustment of building materials.     

Spatial pattern of heavy metal concentration in the soil of rapid urbanization area: a case of Ehu Town,Wuxi City,Eastern China

Urbanization has an important effect on the soil ecosystem. Anthropogenic activities during urban sprawl are the sources and methods of migration, transition, and concentration of heavy metals in the soil. In this paper, the Yangtze River delta, the fastest urbanization area in China, was selected to study the influence of urbanization on heavy metal concentration in the soil. The analysis was performed on 218 samples collected from a typical industrial town in the delta. The content of six heavy metals (Hg, Cd, As, Pb, Cu, and Zn) was measured, which showed that the soil was seriously polluted by heavy metals, particularly Hg. In the study area, human activities were the major factors for the heavy metal concentration in the soil. The average content of Hg in the 0–500 m zone from the urban core was 1.4 mg/kg, about five times higher than the grade II threshold of the Chinese Environmental Quality Standard for Soils. The content of Hg, Cd, Pb, and Cu decreased gradually with increasing distance from the core of the built-up area, especially Hg. The influence of the anthropogenic activities was found to be anisotropic, and effects in the direction of 315° and 225° were most significant. Hg pollution in the 225° direction of the study area was more serious. These results suggested that the urbanization process affects not only the content but also the spatial pattern of heavy metal concentration in the soil.     

Distribution and speciation of mercury in soil in the area of an ancient mercury ore roasting site,Frbejžene trate (Idrija area,Slovenia)

In the initial period of mining activities in the Idrija basin (the16^th and the first half of the17^th centuries), Hg ore processing was performed at various small-scale roasting sites in the woods surrounding Idrija, by roasting ore in earthen vessels. The recovery rate of this method was very low; about half of Hg was lost, causing soil contamination and considerable amounts of waste material that could potentially leach Hg into the surrounding environment. The main aims of present geochemical study were to determine the contents, vertical distribution and speciation of Hg in soils at the roasting site at Frbej?ene trate in order to verify the extreme pollution of ancient Hg ore roasting sites in the Idrija area and to establish their significance in the wider spatial contamination of soils and aquatic systems. Soil sampling was performed at the area of the former roasting site. The organic matter-rich surface soil layer (SOM) and underlying mineral soil were sampled at 63 sampling locations. Mercury speciation was performed using Hg thermo-desorption-AAS to distinguish cinnabar from potentially bioavailable forms. The results indicate extremely high Hg concentrations with a maximum of 37,000 mg/kg in SOM and 19,900 mg/kg in mineral soil. The established Hg median in soil was 370 mg/kg and in SOM 96.3 mg/kg. Spatial distributions of Hg in SOM and soil showed very high Hg contents in the central area and decreased rapidly with distance. The results of Hg thermo-desorption measurements indicated the presence of cinnabar (HgS) and Hg bound to organic or mineral soil matter. A significant portion (35–40%) of Hg in the investigated soil and SOM samples was comprised of non-cinnabar compounds, which are potentially bioavailable. It has been shown that soils contain high amounts of potentially transformable non-cinnabar Hg, which is available for surface leaching and runoff into the surrounding environment. Therefore, contaminated soils and roasted residues at the studied area are important for persistent Hg release into the aquatic ecosystem.     

水稻土中Hg,Cd,Pb和As的空间变异性特征及相关影响因素探讨--以四川孝泉地区为例

以四川孝泉地区水稻土为研究对象,利用地质统计学方法,系统地研究了水稻土中Hg,Cd,Pb和As含量的空间分布特征和空间变异性特征,就可能的影响因素进行讨论并得出结果:1)孝泉地区水稻土中Hg,Pb和As含量的空间自相关尺度分别为10.4km,3.8km和5.1km,且为中等程度相关;Cd在所研究的尺度上不表现明显的空间相关性。2)城镇生活、生产废弃物无序排放,铁路、公路运输,农业施肥、灌溉等因素对孝泉地区水稻土中Hg,Cd,Pb和As含量的空间变异性均有不同程度的影响。3)运用地质统计学方法处理多目标地球化学调查数据能有效地提取地球化学变量的空间结构信息并能在不同尺度上检验取样网度的合理性。     

Controlling factors and environmental implications of mercury contamination in urban and agricultural soils under a long-term influence of a chlor-alkali plant in the North–West Portugal

This study aims at assessing the extent of total mercury (Hg) contamination in urban and agricultural soils under long-term influence of a chlor-alkali plant, located at about 1 km away from a town centre. Moreover, it aims at identifying the main factors controlling Hg contents’ distribution and associated potential hazards to environment and human health. The median value of total Hg for soil surface layer (0–10 cm) was 0.20 mg/kg (data ranging from 0.050 to 4.5 mg/kg) and for subsurface layer (10–20 cm) 0.18 mg/kg (data ranging from 0.046 to 3.0 mg/kg). The agricultural area showed higher Hg concentrations (ranging from 0.86 to 4.5 mg/kg) than urban area (ranging from 0.05 to 0.61 mg/kg), with some results exceeding target values set by the Dutch guidelines. Mercury concentrations observed in the studied area are more likely to be associated with the influence of the chlor-alkali plant and with the use of historically contaminated sludges and water from a nearby lagoon in agriculture, than to the impacts of urban development. The statistical correlations between Hg concentrations and soil properties suggest that anthropogenic metal sources should influence the spatial distribution more than the geological properties. Although the Hg emissions were drastically reduced 10 years ago, the area under influence of the chlor-alkali plant is still facing potential health and environmental threats arising from soil contamination.     

北京市平原区土壤中硒的含量和分布

通过对北京平原土壤硒含量调查和研究,发现北京平原分布有高硒土壤,其特征为沿平原区西部山前断续出现,在北京市区零星分布。表层土壤硒含量为0.04～5.26 mg/kg,平均值为0.20 mg/kg,深层土壤硒含量为0.043～0.22mg/kg,平均值为0.081 mg/kg,总体趋势是硒在表层土壤富集;各类岩石中以炭质页岩中含硒量最高,北京西部富硒炭质页岩的风化可能为平原区土壤硒的来源。相关性分析表明,土壤中Se与有机质呈正相关性,有机质对表层土壤Se具有强烈的吸附与固定作用。     

A modified EK method with an I<Superscript>−</Superscript>/I<Subscript>2</Subscript> lixiviant assisted and approaching cathodes to remedy mercury contaminated field soils

Wanshan mercury mine is the largest cinnabar deposit in Guizhou, China. Few effective methods had been achieved to remedy Hg heavily contaminated field soils. In this paper, a modified EK method with approaching cathodes (AC-EK) and an I⁻/I₂ lixiviant was described to remedy mercury-contaminated field soils near Wanshan mercury mine. Paddy Soil I and Paddy Soil II were sampled and contained 576.73 ± 45.50 and 491.35 ± 4.73 mg/kg Hg, respectively. Although they contained 6.9 and 9.4% organic matter respectively, more than 92 and 89% Hg were removed by AC-EK within 5 days. Removal ratio increased by 0.21 and 0.68 times using EK process with ACs over that with one single cathode (SC-EK). AC-EK method saved nearly 26.4–28.1% electric power as compared to SC-EK method. As an I⁻/I₂ lixiviant solution was used to solubilize HgS(HgO) during EK process, the bonding of Hg to organic functional S groups should be less important than the binding to inner sites of organic matter in soil. The relationship between EK remediation effect and soil organic matter content was fitted to a linear model. It turned out that when soil OM increased by 1.0%, EK removal ratio (%) of Hg would decrease by 2.63%.     

Levels of selected potential harmful elements (PHEs) in soils and vegetables used in diet of the population living in the surroundings of the Estarreja Chemical Complex (Portugal)

This study was carried out to analyze the distribution and soil–plant transfer of selected potential harmful elements (PHEs: As, Hg and Zn) in soils and in two edible horticultural crops (cabbage, Brassica oleracea L., and tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). randomly sampled in kitchen gardens/small farms around one of the most important and old Portuguese industrial areas (Estarreja Chemical Complex-ECC). The results show that 46% and 11.5% of the soils present high total As (12–532 mg/kg) and Hg (6.6–13.65 mg/kg) concentrations that exceed protective health Canadian soil quality guidelines. Soil As and Zn available fractions are also of concern for groundwater and crops contamination as more than 84% of the samples were above the trigger value proposed by the German legislation for both elements (0.4 and 2 mg/kg, respectively). In the horticultural crops the cabbage leaves concentrate more the PHEs (max.: 3.5, 0.08 and 746 mg/kg dw for As, Hg and Zn, respectively) than the tomato fruit (max.: 0.4, 0.02 and 82 mg/kg dw, respectively). The highest concentration of the study PHEs in soils and horticultural crops were found near sewage outlets that are chiefly related to historical industrial activities mostly from arsenopyrite roasting and a chloralkali plant. The values of estimated bioaccumulation and bioconcentration coefficients suggested exclusion mechanisms for transfer of As to edible cabbage and tomato tissues and cabbage Zn tolerance capacity. The concentration of the PHEs in the edible horticultural crops tissues were not directly related with respective soil total concentration or available fractions, specially for As and Hg. Sampling locations with the highest concentrations of As, Hg, Zn in soil and vegetable foodstuffs should be sites to foregoing research and human daily intakes should be investigated in order to evaluate potential health risks.     

中国汞的地球化学空间分布特征

20世纪80年代以来中国积累了岩石、土壤和水系沉积物中的大量可靠的汞分析数据和图件,为分析汞的地球化学空间分布特征提供了依据.从空间分布上看,从中国北部到南部,从西部到东部,土壤和水系沉积物中汞的含量背景值逐渐增高,汞在以干旱荒漠区、半干旱荒漠区、黄土地区和高寒山区为主的西部和北部呈低背景,在东部的森林沼泽区和半湿润低山丘陵区为中等背景,在南部的湿润低山丘陵区、热带雨林区和高山峡谷区为高背景,尤其在以云南东南部、贵州、广西西部、湖南西部岩溶区为中心的低温成矿域内,无论岩石、土壤还是水系沉积物,汞含量背景值达到最高.一般情况下,岩石、土壤和水系沉积物之间的汞含量具有继承性,在地理空间分布上呈明显的对栽应关系,并且土壤和水系沉积物之间的汞含量具有相近性,土壤和水系沉积物较岩石更为富集汞.     

Sorption of inorganic mercury and monomethyl mercury in an iron–humus podzol soil of southern Norway studied by batch experiments

Considerable fractions of the Hg content of lake and river systems in Scandinavia are discharged from the soil of the catchments. An important soil type in Scandinavia is the iron–humus podzol. The sorption characteristics of this soil type for inorganic Hg(II) and monomethyl mercury were investigated by batch experiments. The solubility of Hg²⁺ and CH₃Hg⁺ in the soil horizons containing organic matter increases with increasing pH of the soil solution by favoring the formation of solute organic matter–mercury complexes. While the solubility of Hg²⁺ is strongly dependent on complexation to dissolved organic matter, the solubility of CH₃Hg⁺ is more dependent on ion exchange. The concentration of solute inorganic Hg(II) increased with increasing temperature probably because of an increase in the concentration of dissolved organic carbon. There was no effect of temperature on the concentration of solute CH₃Hg⁺. At pH values where inorganic mercury–hydroxo complexes are formed, inorganic Hg(II) is efficiently sorbed to the metal oxides of the mineral soil. The soil–water distributions of inorganic Hg(II) in the different soil horizons were described by Freundlich isotherms or linear isotherms for common and contaminated mercury contents in the soils.     

Temporal variability of selected heavy metals in automobile soils

Studies on seasonal changes of heavy metal concentration in soils provide vital information for best management options at all times. The study investigated temporal variation in concentration of heavy metals in three towns having automobile service centres in Imo State. The study site is characterized by two major seasons in a year. Heavy metals were found in both arable and automobile soils, but more concentrations were recorded on the latter. Mean values of Cd, Cr, Ni, Hg and Pb were 6.2 mg/kg, 4.7 mg/kg 6.5 mg/kg, 0.02 mg/kg and 71.9 mg/kg respectively in the dry season while 2.9 mg/kg Cd, 2.2 mg/kg Cr, 1.9 mg/kg Ni, 0.01 mg/kg Hg and 51.9 mg/kg Pb were recorded during the rainy season of the experimental period. Higher values of heavy metal concentration were found in automobile soils as follows: 18.1 mg/kg Cd, 12.0mg/kgCr, 16.3 mg/kg Ni, 4.8 mg/kg Hg and312.8 mg/kg Pb in rainy season, and 15.1 mg/kg Cd, 8.1 mg/kg Cr, 11.9 mg/kg Ni 2.7 mg/kg Hg and 267.9 mg/kg Pb. However, Cd showed highest variability in arable soils during the dry season (CV=79%) while Hg varied widely in automobile soils in the rainy season (CV=54%).     

贵州万山汞矿区稻田土壤汞的分布及污染特征

受历史汞矿开采活动影响,万山汞矿区稻田遭受了严重的汞污染。为了查明万山汞矿区稻田土壤的汞污染现状以及评估其环境质量改善情况,系统采集了受汞矿区影响的五条主干河流沿岸稻田土壤进行汞含量分析,评价总汞和甲基汞污染程度及其生态风险,并与2008年以来该区域稻田土壤汞数据进行对比。结果表明,研究区稻田土壤的总汞含量为0.21~207 mg/kg,几何平均值为(4.26±4.83)mg/kg;甲基汞含量为0.42~13μg/kg,几何平均值为(1.81±1.93)μg/kg。59%的稻田土壤处于重度汞污染,75%的稻田土壤存在极强的汞潜在生态风险。与已往数据相比,稻田土壤汞含量在2012年后呈下降趋势,基本反映了当地汞防治措施的执行效果。为了避免稻田土壤汞污染引起的安全健康风险,今后应采取除污染源治理以外的土壤修复措施或风险管控措施。     

Heavy metal distribution and contamination in soils of Thane–Belapur industrial development area,Mumbai, Western India

There is a growing public concern over the potential accumulation of heavy metals in soil, owing to rapid urban and industrial development in the last decade in India. Therefore, an attempt was made to investigate the pollution caused due to excessive accumulation of heavy metals in soils near Thane–Belapur industrial belt of Mumbai. Soil samples were collected from surrounding industrial areas and were analyzed for toxic/heavy metals by X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The analytical results indicate that the soils in the study area were enriched with Cu, Cr, Co, Ni and Zn. The concentration ranges were: Cu 3.10–271.2 mg/kg (average 104.6 mg/kg), Cr 177.9–1,039 mg/kg (average 521.3 mg/kg), Co 44.8–101.6 mg/kg (average 68.7 mg/kg), Ni 64.4–537.8 mg/kg (average 183.6 mg/kg) and Zn 96.6–763.2 mg/kg (average 191.3 mg/kg). The visualization of spatial data is made by preparing distribution maps of heavy metal concentration in soils and co-relation diagrams. These results highlight the need for instituting a systematic and continuous monitoring of the study area for heavy metals and other forms of pollution to ensure that pollution does not become a serious problem in future.     

Environmental geochemistry of mercury in the area of emissions of the Karabashmed copper smelter

Mercury emissions during production of blister copper at the smelter Karabashmed are roughly estimated. The high mercury content in the atmospheric dust, soils, lake sediments of the Karabash geotechnogenic system shows that emissions of the plant are the main source of environmental contamination. The mercury content in soils of residential territory ranges within 0.2–11.4 mg/kg, reaching 15 mg/kg in soils of the impact zone. The maximum mercury content in the bottom sediments of Lake Serebry is 32 mg/kg. The high degree of contamination by other elements of emissions (Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Cd) is also demonstrated. Obtained results justify the need for the instrumental control of mercury in emissions.