Assessment of air pollution originating from copper smelter in Bor (Serbia)

Air quality monitoring was performed at the measuring sites in the urban-industrial and suburban zone during the period 2005–2007 in Bor (Serbia). Arsenic, lead, cadmium, copper and sulphur dioxide are predominantly of industrial origin as a result of copper production in the study area. The smelter, which is a part of the Mining-Metallurgical Complex Bor, is the major pollution source. As and SO₂ are the pollutants which pose the biggest threat for the inhabitants of the Bor area, since the measured concentrations exceed the proposed limit values. The obtained concentrations showed that the endangered areas are in close vicinity of the smelter, as well as in the directions of the prevailing winds. By grouping these pollutants into separate clusters, the results of cluster analysis confirmed high loads of As and SO₂ in the air. The results of principal component analysis showed that copper production has major influence on air pollution.