MATRIX CHARACTERIZATION AS A TOOL OF INVESTIGATION OF RISK HEAVY METALS BEHAVIOUR IN THE ENVIRONMENT

In this paper the matrix characterization of chosen solid environmental samples and assessment of its impact on the association of risk metals with mineral phases of these samples, which makes their mobility in the environment, is presented. Results of X-ray diffraction analysis, determination of total carbon contents (TOC, TIC) and constituent elements have confirmed differences in the mineralogical composition of samples. In the soil and sediment samples, more than 80 % content of mineral forms of silicon and silicates was determined, moreover sediment contains also carbonates. In the sample of gravitation dust sediment (GDS), high (approx. 80 %) content of amorphous material was determined. The rest was formed from a wide variety of minerals. In comparison with two other samples under study, amount of GDS in the environment is least, but in spite of this it significantly influences input of heavy metals to the soils, particularly in the industrial areas

Sediment matrix characterization as a tool for evaluating the environmental impact of heavy metals in metal mining, smelting, and ore processing areas

In this work, the matrix characterization (mineralogy, total and local chemical composition, and total organic (TOC) and inorganic carbon (TIC) contents) of different types of sediments from mining-and metallurgy-influenced areas and the assessment of the impact of the matrix on the association of potentially hazardous metals with the mineral phases of these samples, which affect their mobility in the environment, are presented. For these purposes, sediment samples with different origins and from different locations in the environment were analyzed. Anthropogenic sediments from metal-rich post-flotation tailings (Lintich, Slovakia) represent waste from ore processing, natural river sediments from the Hornad River (Kosice, Slovakia) represent areas influenced predominantly by the metallurgical industry, and lake sediments from a water reservoir Ruzin (inflow from the Hornad and Hnilec Rivers, Slovakia) represent the impact of the metallurgical and/or mining industries. The total metal contents were determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, the local chemical and morphological microanalysis by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and the TOC and TIC contents by infrared (IR) spectrometry. The mobility/bioavailability of Cu, Pb, and Zn in/from sediments at the studied areas was assessed by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and acetic acid (AA) extraction and is discussed in the context of the matrix composition. The contents of selected potentially hazardous elements in the extracts were determined by the high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS FAAS).Web of Science1903art. no. 15