Multi-criteria analysis of soil pollution by heavy metals in the vicinity of the copper smelting plant in Bor (Serbia)

Abstract

This study highlights the consequences on soil pollution of one hundred years of manufacturing in the Copper Mining and Smelting Complex RTB--Bor (Serbia). Soil sediments were taken via a probe from the surface layer of the soil at twelve different measuring points. The measuring points were all within 20 km of the smelting plant, which included both urban and rural zones. Soil sampling was performed using a soil core sampler in such way that a core of a soil of radius 5 cm and depth of 30 cm was removed. Subsequently, the samples were analyzed for pH and heavy metal concentrations (Cu, Pb, As, Cd, Mn, Ni and Hg) using different spectrometric methods. The obtained results for the heavy metal contents in the samples show high values: 2,540 mg kg -1 Cu; 230 mg kg -1 Pb; 6 mg kg -1 Cd; 530 mg kg -1 Ni; 1,300 mg kg -1 Mn; 260 mg kg -1 As and 0.3 mg kg -1 Hg. In this study, critical zones of polluted soil were identified and ranked according to their metal contents by the multi-criteria decision method Preference Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation/Geometrical Analysis for Interactive Assistance -PROMETHEE/GAIA, which is the preferred multivariate method commonly used in chemometric studies. The ranking results clearly showed that the most polluted zones are at locations holding the vital functions of the town. Therefore, due to the high bioavailability of heavy metals through complex reactions with organic species in the sediments, consequences for human health could drastically emerge if these metals enter the food chain.

Use of enzymatic tools for biomonitoring inorganic pollution in aquatic sediments: a case study (Bor, Serbia)

“…These results suggested that elevated levels of trace elements and intense activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria may account for bad water quality at these sampling sites [28,29]. Metal processing in the Copper Smelter Complex Bor (RTB Bor) relies on an outdated processing technology, i.e., classic pyrometallurgical processing, that uses sulfur dioxide gas (SO 2 ) to produce H 2 SO 4 with less than 50% degree of utilization [30]. The Kriveljska and Bor rivers gather the waste waters from the “Jama Bor” underground mine, industrial waters from the city of Bor, drainage waters from the Veliki Krivelj tailing dam, Cerovo, Krivelj, and Bor open pit mines, and overburden waters from the Saraka stream [26,31].…”

“…Organic pollutants can also induce EISQ variation in aquatic sediments [20]. However, in the Bor area, this enzymatic bioindicator is mainly associated with inorganic pollution since such compounds are known to regulate the physico-chemical properties of water streams in this region [30,32]. …”

Burden of industrial waste and potential for recycling: technological, economic and environmental aspects

“…The annual average mean relative air humidity is 73 %, while the average atmospheric pressure is 971 mbar. The prevailing wind is WNW with an average velocity of 0.5 m s -1 ; the wind still period is over 50 % (Nikolić et al, 2010a). DOI: 10.1515/picbe-2017-0006, pp.…”

“…Due to the fact that the town was built in the near vicinity of the mine, as well as near the location of the copper smelting plant and two further mines close by, the town itself represents a serious environmental hot spot of Serbia and Europe.25 The Bor River (industrial river), representing one of the most polluted rivers in the world, flows into the Timok River, a tributary of the Danube River ( Fig. 1) (Nikolić et al, 2010a).…”

A Case Study on the Application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to Assess Agri-Environmental Measures of the Rural Development Programme (RDP 2007–2013) in Slovenia

“…Crete Tsoutsos et al [30] showed how sustainable energy planning can be done by MCA. The analysis of air pollution [31] and soil pollution [32] in an urban area in Serbia was done by Nikolić et al using MCA.…”