Environmental Hazards Associated with Heavy Metals at Ľubietová Cu-deposit (Slovakia)

This article reports the results of our studies about environmental hazards which are connected to the presence of heavy metals at Ľubietová Cu deposit (Slovakia), whose distribution depends on the geochemical behaviour of the elements. The heavy metal contamination of soils and technogenous sediments shows an irregular spatial distribution at the dump-field. The study of heavy metal content in surface water, drainage water and groundwater was carried out both during dry and rainy periods. Surface water, as well as groundwater, is mainly contaminated by Fe, Cu and As. The health risk is mainly posed by the mineral water Linhart because of its radioactivity and its high Fe, Cu, Cd and Pb contents. Speciation of As and Sb in the country components (soil, sediments, water, plants) showed that there are both As3+, Sb3+ and the less toxic As5+ and Sb5+ species present. Our studies also concerned plant tissues degradation in heavy metal contaminated conditions. Calculation of the average value of Total Acidity Production (TAP) and of the average value of Neutralization Potential (NP) is discussed, suggesting that the potential of acid mine drainage water formation is limited. Free sorption capacity of natural sorbents (clay minerals and hydrogoethite) for some heavy metals was also proved.