Investigation of heavy metal concentrations in the Kelmend tailings landfill and ecological assessment of pollution

Abstract

Purpose.The research purpose is to determine the heavy metal concentrations in the Kelmend tailings landfill, an active landfill of Pb-Zn flotation waste from the Trepça mine located in the Stan Tërg district in northern Kosovo, as well as to assess the soil pollution level. Methods. The data is based on two sampling profiles: profile P1 in the south-west of the tailings landfill with 7 samples and profile P2 in the north-east of the tailings landfill with 5 samples within the framework of the project “Environmental geochemical research of the tailings landfill in Kelmend”, funded by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of the Republic of Kosovo. Each sample was taken according to standards and was analyzed to determine the Pb, Zn, and Mn concentration, as well as pH value. Chemical analyses were performed in the ECCAT-certified laboratory in Tirana, Albania, using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) equipment. Findings. The average concentrations of Pb, Zn and Mn in profile P1 were 1374.27, 564.7 and 1145.71 mg/kg, while in profile P2 – 796.68, 4510.0 and 14396.2 mg/kg. This significantly exceeds the limits of soil contamination according to Administrative Instruction (GRK), as well as the permissible limits for heavy metal content in soil by WHO and EU Directives. The studied samples clearly show a change in pH values in both profiles. In profile P1 the values are lower with an ave-rage value of 3.08 than in profile P2 with an average value of 6.48. This explains the importance and influence of pH on the mobility of heavy metals, especially in soil with acidic pH. Originality. The originality of the research consists of taking 12 samples from two profiles in the Kelmend tailings landfill, chemical analyses to determine heavy metal concentrations in the ECCAT-certified laboratory in Tirana, Albania, and followed by the statistical interpretation of the results. Practical implications.The tailings landfill in Kelmend is located near residential areas and is part of the amazing landscape of Shala of Bajgora. On a regional and local scale, the anthropogenic impact from this landfill remains may have already penetrated deeply into the natural material of the surrounding environment. This work highlights the importance of understan-ding the distribution and risk of toxic metals in sensitive ecosystems.