Petrák M., Čavajda V. & Šottník P., 2011: The distribution of potentially toxic elements in stream sediments at localities of the abandoned Sb deposits Dúbrava and Medzibrod (Nízke Tatry Mts.). Acta Geologica Slovaca, 3, 2, 143–151. (in Slovak with English summary)

Distribúcia potenciálne toxických prvkov v riečnych sedimentoch na lokalitách opustených Sb ložísk Dúbrava a Medzibrod (Nízke Tatry)

The distribution of potentially toxic elements in stream sediments at localities of the abandoned Sb deposits Dúbrava and Medzibrod (Nízke Tatry Mts.)

Marián Petrák, Vladimír Čavajda & Peter Šottník

Katedra ložiskovej geológie, Prírodovedecká fakulta, Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave, Mlynská dolina, 842 15 Bratislava; petrak@fns.uniba.sk

Abstract

This paper is focused on distribution of contamination in stream sediments surrounding of the abandoned Sb deposits of Dúbrava and Medzibrod. Our work aimed to define the accumulation of the mine-derived potential toxic elements (As, Sb) in stream sediments and to characterize their relatively mobility. Method of three step sequence analyses was used for better understanding physical - chemical processes of fixation, mobility and transportation of metals. We compared results from extraction with total contents of these elements for detection of potential values of migration in investigated element. Main pollutants of stream sediments are antimony and arsenic, with relatively higher concentrations of Fe, SO₄^2-. The highest amounts of arsenic and antimony in stream sediments were estimated in Fe oxides, oxyhydroxides. Antimony may also form water-soluble compounds fractions in sulphates.

Key words: antimony, arsenic, abandoned Sb deposit, stream sediments, sequence analyse, Dúbrava, Medzibrod

Manuscript received: 2011-03-21

Revised version accepted: 2011-10-14