Physico-chemical water properties and flora diversity under the old mining load influence (Rudnansky creek, Slovakia)

• DOI: 10.1556/606.2015.10.2.11
• Publication Date: 2015-09-11T22:18:31Z
• Authors: Lenka Angelovičová; Zuzana Boguská; Danica Fazekašová
• Keywords: 13. Climate action; 15. Life on land; TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) / általános mérnöki tudományok; 01 natural sciences; 6. Clean water; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

Mining and processing activities in the former mining Middle Spis area caused serious environmental problems. The aim of the study is to determine the content of heavy metals (Cu, As, Pb, Fe, Hg) in water and describe the flora diversity along the Rudnansky creek, which flows through the area. Chemical (pH) and physical (water conductivity, oxygen saturation) water properties were also evaluated. High values of copper and mercury were determined at the localities close to the tailing pond and mercury processing plant. Presence of plant species resistant to heavy metals, such as Calamagrostis epigejos, Arctium lappa, Cirsium rivulare, Geranium palustre, indicates toxic element pollution.