Research on the surface water quality in mining influenced area in north-western part of Romania

Abstract

The paper highlights the current situation of the quality of surface water in the areas influenced by mining activities in the north-western part of Romania. In this respect a series of investigations have been conducted regarding the contamination with heavy metals of the water of the Someş and Tisa hydrographic Basins, which cover the northern part of Maramures County and the south-western area of Maramures County, respectively.The results of the comparative research refer to the period between 1999 and 2011 and reveal the specific heavy metal ions of mining activity: Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb Cd and Ni, as well as the water pH. The presented values as annual average values reveal an increase in several heavy metals after the closure of mines, which is due to the lack of effectiveness of the closure and of the conservation of the mine galleries, as well as of the impaired functioning of the mining wastewater treatment plants.

Impact of Tailings on Surrounding Streams at a Mining Area in Sierra Leone

“…From Table 2, there was a high mean concentration of Pb across locations except in GS where concentration is moderate but the mean concentrations of all sampling locations including GS were above the (WHO 2011) guideline standard of 0.01mg/l for water quality. The presence of traces of Pb in surface water constitute a growing concern [10] because human exposure to high Pb levels have considerable cumulative effects that would result in fatal health consequences [4]. The average concentration values were high for Pb obtained in this study but are lower than the peak values obtained in another study in Nigeria [25].…”

“…There is a wide array of studies on surface water quality in mining environments worldwide [8][9][10][11][12][13]. Also, in Africa several studies on surface water in mining areas were reported [14][15][16].…”

Assessment of Surface Water Quality in the Baia Mare Area, Romania

“…The surface water samples had small amounts of Fe (0.07 mgL −1 ) in sample P2 and Mn (3.903 mgL −1 ) in sampling point P3, being below the limit values. The amount of Fe (0.07 mgL −1 ) in the water samples taken in 2022 is much lower compared to the samples analyzed by Smical et al (0.55 mgL −1 ) in 2011 [16]. Instead, the amount of Mn (3.903 mgL −1 ) is almost four times higher than the value obtained by Smical et al, (1.18 mgL -1 ) [16].…”

“…The amount of Fe (0.07 mgL −1 ) in the water samples taken in 2022 is much lower compared to the samples analyzed by Smical et al (0.55 mgL −1 ) in 2011 [16]. Instead, the amount of Mn (3.903 mgL −1 ) is almost four times higher than the value obtained by Smical et al, (1.18 mgL -1 ) [16].…”

“…Water 2022, 14, 3118 2 of 14 the waterbodies way above the guideline established by the Romanian legislation, with concentration of metals ranging between 0.022 and 0.175 mgL −1 for Cu, 0.58 and 1.3 mgL −1 for Zn, 0.02 and 0.14 mgL −1 for Pb, 0.022 and 0.043 mgL −1 for Ni, 0.022 and 0.045 mgL −1 for Cd, respectively [16].…”