Издатель: CRC Press , Место издания: London , Год издания: 2010

The distribution of chemical elements (Zn, Cu, Fe, Pb, Cd, As, Sb, Be) in the water and bottom sediments of the Belovo swamp-settler was investigated in our integrated study of geochemistry, geophysics, and hydrobiology. This swamp collects drainage escaping from clinker heaps made up of waste of pyrometallurgical smelting of sphalerite concentrate. Water in the swamp has high TDS with extremely high contents of toxic elements. Bottom sediments in the swamp are the mixture of hydrogenic secondary Cu, Zn, Fe and other elements minerals. High metal concentrations lead to drastic changes in biota: phytoplankton, zooplankton, and bacteria communities. About 90% of zooplankton individuals have a genetic mutation expressed in morphological deformations. Infiltration of the high TDS swamp water into ground waters was detected by vertical electric sounding. Contouring of settler volume and preliminary estimation of useful component resources were done. The settler could be considered as a secondary deposit. Extraction of some metals from solutions and sediments can decrease costs on area remediation.