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FOLIA GEOGRAPHICA 2013 (22), LV., pp. 95-107

Kontaminácia Vybraných Zložiek Životného Prostredia Vplyvom Starých Environmentálnych Záťaží

Contamination of Selected Environmental Components as the Result of Environmental Loads

Lenka Angelovičová A*, Zuzana Boguská B, Danica Fazekašová C, Vladimír Solár D

Received: May 30, 2013 | Revised: June 28, 2013 | Accepted: September 10, 2013

A* University of Prešov, 17. novembra 1, 080 01 Prešov, Slovakia
lenka.angelovicova@gmail.com (corresponding author)
B University of Prešov, 17. novembra 1, 080 01 Prešov, Slovakia
boguskazuzana@gmail.com
C University of Prešov, 17. novembra 1, 080 01 Prešov, Slovakia
danica.fazekasova@unipo.sk
D University of Prešov, 17. novembra 1, 080 01 Prešov, Slovakia
vladimir.solar@unipo.sk

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Abstract

Safe and high-quality groundwater is essential for environmental quality and human health. Contaminated waters can become sources of undesirable substances that may infiltrate other environmental components. Former mining areas, where metal ores were mined and processed over long periods, are among the most heavily polluted regions by heavy metals in Slovakia. This study aims to determine the content of heavy metals (Cu, As, Pb, Fe, Hg) in Rudniansky Creek, which flows through an environmentally burdened and unhealthy former mining area, and to describe the flora diversity along the creek. Additionally, selected chemical (pH) and physical (water conductivity, oxygen saturation) properties of the water were evaluated. Above-limit values of copper and mercury were detected at localities close to the tailing pond and mercury processing plant, resulting from inadequate safety measures. The plant species composition indicates the presence of toxic elements, leading to the prevalence of species resistant to heavy metals, such as *Calamagrostis epigejos*, *Arctium lappa*, *Cirsium rivulare*, and *Geranium palustre*.

Key words: Heavy metals, old environmental loads, flora diversity

Summary

Contamination of Selected Environmental Components as the Result of Environmental Loads

Anthropogenic contamination of surface water is typically attributed to municipal and industrial waste, excessive use of agricultural fertilizers, and mining or related processing activities. The Middle Spiš region, a former mining area, is heavily polluted with heavy metals, particularly mercury and copper, due to long-term mining and processing activities combined with inadequate safety measures. This study aimed to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, As, Pb, Fe, Hg) in water samples from Rudniansky Creek, based on the distance of sampling points from the tailing pond and mercury processing plant, and to assess the influence of these metals on selected chemical and physical water properties. Additionally, the study evaluated the flora diversity and occurrence frequency of plant species along the creek.

The heavy metal content varied depending on the proximity to pollution sources. The highest copper concentration (23 μg/l), exceeding the limit value, was recorded at a sampling point near the tailing pond and processing plant. Mercury concentrations reached the limit value (0.1 μg/l) at all sampling points, with exceedances of 3.4 and 3 times the limit at localities 3, 4, and 5, respectively. The pH values ranged from 7.75 (alkaline) to 8.6 (strongly alkaline). A significant positive correlation (P<0.01) was found between copper and iron concentrations, as well as between total mercury content and water conductivity.

The flora composition did not vary significantly with locality position. However, species such as *Calamagrostis epigejos*, *Arctium lappa*, *Cirsium rivulare*, and *Geranium palustre* were notably present, indicating their wide ecological valence and resistance to heavy metal pollution. Species diversity, assessed using the Shannon Diversity Index, was generally low across all sampling sites, except at localities 3 and 4, where low to moderate diversity was observed.

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