Heavy metal distribution in karst soils from Croatia and Slovakia

With the use of the optimised three-step BCR sequential-extraction procedure it was possible to assess the mobility of selected elements in soil profiles from Croatian and Slovakian karst terrains. The soils in the Croatian karst were enriched in Cr, Ni, V, Mn, Cu, Cd and Mo, while soils from the Slovak Karst had high Pb and Zn concentrations. It was determined that the elements were most readily mobilised from the topsoil and the degree of mobility decreased with depth. Cr and Ni were mainly bound to the residual fraction, and Pb in the oxidisable fraction. Cu mobility was high in samples treated with agrochemicals throughout the soil profile.     

Genetic model of uranium mineralization in the Permo-Triassic sedimentary rocks of the Stara Planina eastern Serbia

One deposit and four occurrences of uranium minerals in the Permo-Triassic sedimentary rocks of the Stara Planina in eastern Serbia were ascertained using data from years of multidisciplinary geological research. The minerals are the fissure-filling type, and were assigned to the exogenic mineralization group, being mostly epigene in nature. Relevant geological information was used to derive a genetic model of uranium mineralization in the Permo-Triassic sedimentary rocks of the Stara Planina. The model explains the formation of Permo-Triassic rocks and three stages of the complex process of U mineralization. The genetic model treats: (1) the primary sources of the uranium; (2) the mobility of uranium; and (3) accessory metals from the parent rocks to their deposition in host rocks and the postmineral change in ore bodies. A geochemical barrier zone was identified in the sedimentary rocks that contained uranium mineral ore. This geochemical barrier area included crescent-shaped, flat-lens, or vein-like ore bodies. The U-containing mineral described is comparable with those from the relatively common fissure-filling uranium minerals found around the world.