Major and trace elements in paddy soil contaminated by Pb–Zn mining: a case study of Kočani Field, Macedonia

Dolenec, Tadej and Serafimovski, Todor and Tasev, Goran and Dobnikar, Meta and Dolenec, Matej and Rogan, Nastja (2007) Major and trace elements in paddy soil contaminated by Pb–Zn mining: a case study of Kočani Field, Macedonia. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 29. pp. 21-32.

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess
the bulk chemical composition as well as the
extent and severity of heavy metal contamination
in the paddy soil of Kocˇani Field (eastern Macedonia).
The results revealed that the paddy soil of
the western part of Kocˇani Field is severely contaminated
with Pb, Zn, As and Cd in the vicinity
of the Zletovska River due to irrigation with
riverine water that is severely affected by acid
mine and tailing effluents from the Pb–Zn mine in
Zletovo. The detected total concentrations of
these metals are far above the threshold values
considered to be phytotoxically excessive for
surface soil. The paddy soil in the vicinity of the
Zletovska River was also found to exhibit elevated
levels of Ba, Th, U, V, W, Mo, Cu, Sb, Bi,
Ag, Au, Hg and Tl, with concentrations above
their generally accepted median concentration
values obtained during this study. A correlation
matrix revealed that the Mn and Fe oxides/
hydroxides are the most important carrier phase
for several trace elements, with the exception of
rare earth elements (REEs). These also represent
a major sink for the observed heavy metal pollution
of thesoil. REEs are mostly associated with
two phases: light (L)REEs are bound to K-Al,
while heavy (H)REEs are bound to Mg-bearing
minerals. Although there is no direct evidence of
a health risk, the paddy soil in the vicinity of
Zletovska River needs further investigation and
an assessment should be made of its suitability for
agricultural use, particularly in view of the highly
elevated concentrations of Pb, Zn, As and Cd.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Natural sciences > Earth and related environmental sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences
Depositing User:	Goran Tasev
Date Deposited:	22 Nov 2012 08:15
Last Modified:	22 Nov 2012 08:15
URI:	https://eprints.ugd.edu.mk/id/eprint/1604

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