Thallium in Technosols from Allchar (North Macedonia): Isotopic and speciation insights

Vanek, Ales and Đorđevic, Tamara and Mihaljevič, Martin and Vanokova, Maria and Fizkova, Karolina and Zadorova, Tereza and Vokurkova, Petra and Galuškova, Ivana and Penižek, Vit and Drábek, Ondrej and Tasev, Goran and Serafimovski, Todor and Boev, Ivan and Boev, Blazo (2024) Thallium in Technosols from Allchar (North Macedonia): Isotopic and speciation insights. Environmental Pollution, 357 (124413). pp. 1-8. ISSN 0269-7491

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Abstract

Allchar (North Macedonia) mining area is known for anomalous background Tl concentrations. In this study, we combine accurate detection of Tl stable isotope ratios with data on mineralogy/speciation and chemical extraction of Tl in Tl-contaminated Technosol profiles. We demonstrate that Tl in the studied soils varies significantly in both concentration (500 mg/kg-18 g/kg) and isotopic composition (− 1.6 and +3.2 of ε205Tl, a ~0.5‰ spread), which is due to changes in the phase chemistry and/or mineralogy of Tl. Moreover, the observed 205Tl/203Tl ratios do not reflect the extent to which individual soils undergo Tl isotopic fractionation during mineral weathering and soil formation. Clearly, they reflect the initial isotopic signal(s) of the primary ore or ore minerals, and thus, the general history or type of their genesis. As the Tl carriers, various types of Tl–Me-arsenates, mixtures of jarosite and dorallcharite and minor Mn-oxides predominated. We revealed intense adsorption of Tl by the identified Mn-oxides (≤6.7 at.%). It is hypothesized that these phases are of key importance in the fractionation of Tl isotopes, meaning at this type of secondary oxide-soil solution interface. However, model studies involving primary/secondary components (sulfides, sulfates, oxides and arsenates) are required to understand the mechanisms that may lead to post-depositional Tl isotopic redistribution in soils, as well as Tl isotope systematics in mining wastes in general.

Item Type:	Article
Impact Factor Value:	7.6
Subjects:	Natural sciences > Earth and related environmental sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences
Depositing User:	Goran Tasev
Date Deposited:	28 Jun 2024 09:08
Last Modified:	28 Jun 2024 09:08
URI:	https://eprints.ugd.edu.mk/id/eprint/34362

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