ASSESSMENT OF Co, Cu, Zn, As AND Cd BIOAVAILABILITY AT SELECTED EUROPEAN Cu-DEPOSITS, COMPARATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND GEOCHEMICAL STUDY

The article presents the results of a study of the contamination of heaps with potentially toxic elements, focused on Co, Cu, Zn, As, and Cd, their bioavailability in the area at selected European abandoned Cu-deposits: Špania Dolina (Slovakia), Libiola, Caporciano (Italy), and São Domingos (Portugal). The content of studied metals at selected heaps often exceeds the limits of national and EU legislation. The bioavailability was studied using three-step sequential extraction, using distilled water (step I), ammonium acetate (step II) and citric acid (step III). The best bioavailable elements are Cu, Cd, and Zn. Cobalt and As are less released during the leaching into the solution. The article discusses also the main environmental problems at the individual deposits and suggests possible solutions.