Heavy metal contamination of topsoils around a lead and zinc smelter in the Republic of Macedonia

Distribution of Chemical Elements in Attic Dust as Reflection of Their Geogenic and Anthropogenic Sources in the Vicinity of the Copper Mine and Flotation Plant

“…Significant emission sources that contribute to atmospheric pollution with heavy metals for the territory of the Republic of Macedonia appear to be all mines and drainage systems and smelters near the cities of Veles, Kavadarci, and Tetovo (Barandovski et al 2006(Barandovski et al , 2008Stafilov et al 2003Stafilov et al , 2010a. In the eastern part of the country, the occurrence of some metals (Au, Mg, Al, Sc, Ti, V, and Cu) in air is related to a presence of a copper mine and flotation near Radoviš.…”

Industrial contamination of soil related to some active and closed mine facilities in the Republic of Macedonia

“…[2] and in topsoil for entire study area 220 mg kg -1 [3], it was found that in studied area the Pb average is 34-times higher than in the World, 36.1-times higher than European and 5.41-times higher than Macedonian (this region) averages. In regards to zinc where the average in World soils is 90 mg kg -1 [3], European topsoil 68 mg kg -1 [2] and an average in topsoil for the study area is 280 mg kg -1 [3], it was found that in the studied area an average concentration of Zn is 19.7-times higher than World average, 26.1-times higher than European and 6.35-times higher than Macedonian average (for this region).…”

“…Similar to the previous two heavy metals (Pb, Zn) we analyzed cadmium geochemistry (World average 0.35 mg kg -1 Cd [1], European average 0.12 mg kg -1 Cd [2], an average for the entire study area 7.7 mg kg -1 Cd [3]), and we found that an average concentration of Cd was 120-times higher than the World average, 350-times higher than the European average and higher than Macedonian average (for this region) for 5.45-times.…”

Regional Variation in the Incidence of Congenital Hypothyroidism in Macedonia

“…Another factor in the variation of the number of CH cases may be exposure to other environmental factors such as chemical agents toxic to the thyroid gland, e.g., dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyl [26]. For instance, the 30-year-old smelting factory for zinc and lead situated in the center of the town of Veles, Vardar region, is one of the environmental hot spots in Macedonia [27]. Moreover, a ferronickel smelter plant located in the surrounding area of the town of Kavadarci, as the largest Macedonian and European ferro-nickel producer for many years, is the reason for natural and anthropogenic enrichment with heavy metals in the Vardar region [28][29][30].…”