Water pollution in gold mining industry: a case study in Roşia Montană district, Romania

The preliminary study of streams and rivers from the Roşia Montană area revealed that the concntration of heavy metals— Cd, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Zn—are above accepted limits. The gold extraction method is based on flotation. The most important pollution sources are mine tailings. The determinations were performed for samples collected in: April 2004, July 2004, September 2004, November 2004, February 2005 and May 2005. The highest concentrations were found for cadmium in September 2004: 0.17 mg/L; for copper in September 2004: 1.38 mg/L; for manganese in July 2004: 239.4 mg/L; for lead in May 2005: 0.54 mg/L; and for zinc in September 2004: 35.37 mg/L;. This study involved three small rivers (streams) that flow into the Mureş River and finally into the Danube River, having a great impact on human health and environmental stability in the area. In May 2005, a sample of drinking water from the mining district was also collected.     

The content of some microelements in mineral waters from Covasna and Harghita Romanian districts

Using two analytical techniques, CSV/ASV and ICP–AES, the concentration of some microelements (lead, zinc, manganese) in mineral waters from the Covasna and Harghita districts of Romania were determined. The optimum parameters for the voltammetric determination of manganese, copper, zinc and lead were established (electrolyte, deposition time, pulse duration, pulse amplitude, etc.) and then the content of these elements in twelve samples of mineral water were determined. The results obtained by both techniques led to the conclusion that the concentration of microelements in mineral waters from Covasna and Harghita districts is connected to the mineral content underground.