CHARACTERIZATION OF THE WASTE WATERS FROM “PERNIK” CENTRAL PREPARATION PLANT (BULGARIA) AND THEIR ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS

3rd International Scientific Conference - SGEM2003, www.sgem.org, SGEM2003 Conference Proceedings/ ISBN: 954-918181-2, June 9-13, 2003, 327- 334pp

ABSTRACT

Twenty three (23) waste water samples, seven (7) soil and twenty two (22)
plant ones from the region of the “Pernik” Central Preparation Plant (CPP) are a
subject of study. A season method of sampling has been used . The water samples
have been taken as follows: 1) water coming in the plant for preparation; 2) water,
used during the dressing; 3) water used to transport the slime and fly ash; 4) water,
running out of the slime storage; 5) water, that is draining. They have been tested
by: ICP for Hg, Al, Cd, As, Zn, Cu, Pb, Mn, Li, Sr; classical analytical chemistry
for K, Na, Ca, Mg, I, Br, F, HBO2, NO2, NO3, NH4, H2SiO3, PO4, Cl, CO3, HCO3,
SO4 and radiology for U, Ra226 and β-radioactive. The soil and plant (including
cultivated and wild ones) samples as well as the dry rest from water samples have
been analyzed by semiquantitative emission spectral, atomic absorption, X-ray
fluorescence, powder X-ray diffraction and SEM analyses.
It has been established that technological waters from “Pernik” CPP get rich
in NO2, NO3, SO4, Li, Ba, Mo, Na, P, F, V, Ti, Mn, As, Cu and other components,
their contents reaching high concentration and making them unfit even for
industrial needs. The soil in the region of the study comprise high concentrations
of Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Li, S, etc. For the increased contents of some of the elements
(Li, S, La, Br) there has been confirmed the impact of the waste waters.
Particularly sound confirmation regarding the waste waters effect in the region of
the CPP is the increased concentration of a number elements in the ashes of
cultivated and wild plants – Sr, Pb, Ba, Co, Ni, Mn, Li, V, Ti, Cu, Zn, Sn, Ag, etc.
This, in its turn, directly or indirectly, influences the health condition of the
population in Pernik region.

Key words: waste waters, coal preparation, chemical composition,
environment