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The project called ”Košice – Biotic and Abiotic Components of the Environment” was developed in cooperation between the Luxembourg Ministry of Environment and Slovak Ministry of Environment in 1993 – 2000. This project also includes, but was not limited to, geochemical and environmental characteristic of natural waters, river sediments, winter precipitation and soil in the area of Košice. Hydrogeochemical quality of natural water Strong anthropogenic pollution is the main and common feature of surface waters in the Košice region. The total mineralization of the Hornád River ranged from 300 to 380 mg.l-1 at the entry into the region, and it was increased to the value of 456 – 504 mg.l-1 when leaving the region. This increase can be associated with the production of secondary pollution. Quality of river sediments The place of origin of river sediments pollution in the Ida brook is probably of geogenic and anthropogenic nature, which lies in the region outside the investigated area, near the village Zlatá Idka, where the Ag-Au-Sb system of veins was mined in the past. The Sokoliansky potok brook has also a feature of increased level of river sediment pollution, where the sewerage system from the area of VS Ž and U.S. Steel is drained. It is manifested mainly by the increased content of Fe and by anomalous areal content of Zn and by anomalous spot content of Sb, Sn, Pb and As.The sludge-drying bed of the Municipal Heating Plant east of Košice is also an anom alous area. The As content is excessive. The mining activity of Magnesite Works in the Košice – Bankov locality caused the increased Mg content, and in the Ťahanovce locality, in the surroundings of the magnesite raw material processing plant there is an increased content of Cr, As and Pb.Geochemistry of snow The highest level of snow pollution can be observed south of Košice. The concentration of Fe and Mn, total mineralization and pH exceeded the parameters monitored in this area. The integrated iron- and steel works is the source of pollution here. The second area with the highest level of pollution is the City of Košice itself. The values are lower here in comparison with the southern part of the region with prevailing higher total mineralization and higher content of nitrates, chlorides and iron. It is assumed that it originates mainly from motor transport, heating plant and other local sources. Soil pollution It follows from the results of works that processes of physical and chemical degradation of soils, mainly their contamination with heterogeneous substances and acidification, are the most serious problem in the Košice region. These devastated soils can be found at Bankov, after exploitation of magnesite, in the neighbourhood of VS Ž, but locally throughout the whole territory of the city.Areal contamination with As, Bi, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni and Zn has been ascertained in alluvial soils of the Hornád River. Contamination with Hg, Mo and AS has been indicated in the area of the former Magn esite Plant in Ťahanovce. |
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| Page Editor: Lucia Byšická |
This page was last updated: 20.2.2002 |