Ecology-geochemical assessment of environmental pollution around karabash cu smelte

About the author:

Yuriy G. Tatsiy, Dr. Tech. Sci., Senior Scientific Researcher, Laboratory of Evolution Biogeochemistry and Geoecology, Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, named after V.I. Vernadskiy, Russian Academy of Sciences

Abstract:

As a result of continuous large-scale copper-smelting production in Karabash area was formed technogenicgeochemical anomaly. The results of chemical analysis of field collected samples allow to evaluate the distribution of heavy metals and arsenic in air, surface water, soil and sediments in the area of influence of Karabash copper smelter. The comparison of the obtained results with data obtained before the smelter modernization does not show a cardinal changes in the situation. Despite the significant reduction in pollutant emissions, atmospheric pollution index in a residential area is 6.6, which corresponds to the high level of pollution. Pollution of soil, surface water and sediments by heavy metals remains sufficiently high. The restoration of soil cover and re-vegetation outlined in the period of closed smelter (1990-1998) was slowed down. At the same time, the territory of Karabash geotechnogenic anomaly is the natural-technogenic test area, which makes it possible to study degradation and restoration of environment in a changing technological load.

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