SEDIMENT QUALITY IN SMOLNНK CREEK

8th International Scientific Conference - SGEM2008, www.sgem.org, SGEM2008 Conference Proceedings/ ISBN: 954-918181-2, June 16-20, 2008, Vol. 2, 161-164 pp

ABSTRACT

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD), resulted from the oxidation of sulphide-bearing rocks, is
one of the most significant environmental challenges facing the mining industry
worldwide. AMD impacts stream and river ecosystems by increasing acidity, depleting
oxygen, and releasing heavy metals. They may occur during mining operations or long
after a mine has been abandoned. Smolník is an abandoned mine in the east of Slovakia
that contribute AMD to rivers and streams. AMD from the Smolník mine (shaft Pech),
influences not only water quality in Smolník creek, but also sediment quality. Sediment
can than act as a potential sink for many hazardous contaminants, because pH
increasing favours the adsorption of heavy metals on particulates and sediments.

The paper deals with transport and sediment–water partitioning of heavy metals (e.g.
Fe, Cu, Zn, Al) in Smolník creek polluted by acid mine drainage from shaft Pech.

Keywords: acid mine drainage, sediment quality, heavy metals