Chromium and nickel distribution in soils, active river, overbank sediments and dust around the Burrel chromium smelter (Albania) |
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| Authors: | A Shtiza R Swennen A Tashko |
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| Institution: | aKatholieke Universiteit Leuven, Fysico-chemische Geologie, Celestijnenlaan 200C, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium;bPolytechnic University Tirana, Faculty of Geology and Mining Rr. Elbasanit, Tirana, Albania |
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| Abstract: | Chromium ore was treated to produce ferrochromium from 1979 until 2000 in a smelter in Burrel, 35 km NE of Tirana (Albania). As a consequence, large amounts of solid waste, i.e. slags (about 9.106 m3) have been disposed next to the smelter, disfiguring the landscape. In an attempt to define contaminated sites, heavy metal content of the different sampling media have been compared with respective background samples.In the study area, the determination of background values in soil samples is complicated due to the different geological substrates. Cr and Ni background concentrations in serpentinite-derived soils, west of the smelting plant, are markedly higher than in the Pliocene gravel/sandy soils, where the smelter is situated (Cr 2147 and 193 mg/kg, respectively; Ni 2356 and 264 mg/kg). These values are clearly lower than those encountered around the smelter. Average total Cr and Ni concentrations in soils around the smelter are 3117 and 1243 mg/kg, respectively. The highest concentrations of Cr (up to 2.3 wt.%), were recorded in samples taken near the smelting compartment within the industrial plant and next to the slags clearly indicating that the smelter forms a point source of Cr contamination. The Cr / Fe ratio is the best indicator to differentiate non-polluted (Cr / Fe Serpentinite soil: 130–390; Pliocene soils: < 130) from polluted areas (> 390 smelting nearby of the slags).Cr and Ni values for local backgrounds in stream and overbank sediments were taken in the Mat river 6 km upstream and to the east of the smelter (268 and 430 mg/kg for Cr, and 306 and 604 mg/kg for Ni, respectively). Equivalent sediments taken from the Zalli i Germanit river, which drains the smelter area are respectively 816 and 1126 mg/kg for Cr and 1115 and 1185 mg/kg for Ni.Dust samples, taken from the lofts of houses up to 2 km from the smelter, display high concentrations of Cr, Ni and Zn (average contents of 2899, 436 and 902 mg/kg, respectively). The later concentrations in the dust samples have been confirmed by mineralogical analysis where Cr-bearing mineral phases such as ferrochromium and chromium oxides, clearly relate to the activity of the smelter. Consequently, atmospheric deposition of dust particles forms a serious problem and can also be responsible for the elevated contents encountered in soil samples around the smelter.All these data show that the degree of contamination caused by industrial activity of the Burrel Cr-smelter is severe, although no Cr(VI) was detected in soil water extractions nor in the surface or groundwater where concentrations were < 0.01 mg/kg. |
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| Keywords: | Smelter Chromium Slags Background Ophiolite Speciation Dust |
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