The aim of this study was to evaluate the geochemical background and spatial distribution patterns of selected trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, U and Zn) in 62 surface soil samples collected in the historic Cu mining area (Miedzianka Mt., Holy Cross Mountains, south-central Poland). In the study area the mining activity dates back to the fourteenth century. After the shutdown of mining operations in 1953, the soil was not remediated and neither its mineralogy nor chemistry was examined. The examined soils showed a high variability in the element concentrations. The threshold values defined as the upper limits of geochemical background range (mg kg -1 in parentheses) were Cr (63), Mn (2156), Ni (39), Cu (52), Zn (175), As (36), Cd (2), Pb (73) and U (1.9). A high percentage of the samples exhibited trace element concentrations above the upper limit of the geochemical background range. The threshold values were evaluated in this study with application of the iterative 2r-technique. All of these values exceeded the standards recommended for soils in protected areas of Poland. The sampling points with anomalous concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements were located mostly in southern and western parts of the study area close to the sites of former mining activities. Very high concentrations of As, Cr and Ni at several sites may adversely influence the environment. High positive correlations between all the determined elements may be indicative of a common geogenic source of these elements and their geochemical affinity.

Spatial distribution patterns of As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, U and Zn were determined in topsoil samples collected after 40 years of chemical remediation conducted in the inoperative ''Staszic'' pyrite-uranium mine in the Holy Cross Mountains, south-central Poland. Soil samples were taken from 58 sites using a systematic random sampling design. Selected samples were subjected to an X-ray diffractometry analysis on bulk soils and separated clay fractions. Hematite, goethite and gypsum are common mineral phases in soil samples. Technogenic soils developed on reclaimed mine spoils show uniform spatial element distribution patterns and additionally a distinct enrichment in As, Pb, Mn, U and Zn. Mineral and chemical composition of soils vs. rocks points to the lithogenic source of the determined elements. The results of chemical analysis have been used for evaluation of geochemical background of trace elements in the study area with the iterative 2r-technique. This investigation shows that using mean crustal element concentrations (Clarke values) as proxies of threshold values in soils are not useful for determination of strongly positive geochemical anomalies. A modified enrichment factor, i.e. a local enrichment factor, is proposed for identification of sites where soils are contaminated.

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A suc ces sion of stacked palaeosol pro files was rec og nized in open pits in the west ern Wielkopolska re gion (Po land). Field ob ser va tions and micromorphological stud ies made it pos si ble to dis tin guish the fol low ing pedostructures, formed in contrast ing en vi ron ments: soil ho ri zons, crystallaria, con cre tions, redoximorphic struc tures, Fe-Mn globulae and slick en sides. In both soils (Ho lo cene) and palaeosols (Pleis to cene or/and Plio cene?), sur face ho ri zons are pres ent (ho ri zon A), marked by rhizocretions. There are two sep a rate car bon ate soils. One of them con tains cal cite con cre tions and gyp sum pedofeatures, pre sum ably formed in arid or semi-arid con di tions. Two of the soil pro files are prob a bly trun cated, and only subsurface ho rizons are pres ent (ho ri zon B). In some cases, palaeosols are sep a rated by sed i ment lay ers slightly in flu enced by pedogenesis (ho ri zon BC). Car bon ate soils (Bk) in di cate wa ter def i cit dur ing their for ma tion. The pres ence of ho ri zons with slick en sides (Bss) in di cates in ter vals with con trast ing sea sonal cli mates (wet and dry cy cles). The pro files were in flu enced by gleying pro cesses which caused re dis tri bu tion of iron ox ides and for ma tion of iron and iron-man ga nese con cre tions. The pedostructures recognized re flect dif fer ent cli ma tic con di tions as well as hu mid ity changes dur ing the time of their for ma tion.

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Purpose is prediction of the prospective areas within the Syrymbet deposit basing on the systematization and complementing of the ore-controlling factors of ore localization and predictive-prospecting criteria. Methods. The methodology of carrying out the research in terms of the indicated problem involves complex application of empiric, theoretical, and logical techniques of a general-purpose method of scientific knowledge. To model the ore bodies and distribution of ore content in them in the 3D format, the computer modelling (GIS-Micromine) methods were used; 2D modelling of a temperature field of the ore-bearing Syrymbet mass involved methods of mathematical modelling (Maple 10). The main conclusions were drawn by means of analysis and synthesis of the results obtained by the indicated methods. Findings.. The ore-controlling factors of the localization of rare metal ores were systematized and complemented by synthesizing the results of the analysis of 3D models of the deposit under consideration with the visualization of ore component contents within the ore bodies and their 2D sections in terms of the survey profiles where spatial distribution of tin content in the vertical section of this deposit was obtained. The factors were also updated by analyzing the thermodynamic conditions of the formation of ore stockworks where temperature conditions of the enclosing media in the area of ore formation were considered along with the intervals of the ore deposition temperatures. Originality. The results of scientific studies (computer and mathematical modelling) based on the empiric geological data helped solve not only the problems of ore formation theory but also the practical tasks concerning the improvement of methods for predicting the prospective areas within the deposit. Practical implications. The methodology of scientific study dealing with systematization of ore-controlling factors can be also used for other endogenous ore objects.

This study, carried out in Radzimowice, a historical As mining site, analyzed the speciation and mineralogical As forms in soils, in different locations, as related to rock weathering processes and associated environmental risk. Four soil groups, including those on mine dumps, and in the stream valley, as well as stream sediments, were examined. The screening performed on 52 samples showed an extremely low actual As solubility, except for soils at reducing conditions. Nine samples were subjected to mineralogical analysis by microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and sequential extraction according to Wenzel. The results indicated that in all samples, As was associated mainly with amorphous Fe oxides, that constituted up to 66% of total As. Scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analysis performed on 3 representative samples revealed that the dump material contained the grains of primary As minerals, mainly arsenopyrite and loelingite, rimmed and encrusted with goethite. Stream sediments and the alluvial soil contained large amounts of (hydroxy)Fe-oxides, in which As was present in sparse scorodite grains and in highly dispersed forms associated with goethite and amorphous compounds of various compositions. The diversity of As species makes forecasting of its environmental fate difficult, therefore further research should focus on As transformations, particularly under reducing conditions.

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