Environmental geochemistry of mercury in the area of emissions of the Karabashmed copper smelter

Abstract

Mercury emissions during production of blister copper at the smelter Karabashmed are roughly estimated. The high mercury content in the atmospheric dust, soils, lake sediments of the Karabash geotechnogenic system shows that emissions of the plant are the main source of environmental contamination. The mercury content in soils of residential territory ranges within 0.2–11.4 mg/kg, reaching 15 mg/kg in soils of the impact zone. The maximum mercury content in the bottom sediments of Lake Serebry is 32 mg/kg. The high degree of contamination by other elements of emissions (Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Cd) is also demonstrated. Obtained results justify the need for the instrumental control of mercury in emissions.