Geochemical hunting of lithogenic and anthropogenic impacts on polymetallic distribution (Bregalnica river basin, Republic of Macedonia)

Abstract

The main subject of this investigation was the assessment of the lithogenic and anthropogenic distribution of 69 elements in the sediments and fluvisol in the Bregalnica river basin. Alluvial soil and fluvisol samples were collected from the total of eighteen locations along the course of the Bregalnica river and additional thirteen samples were collected from its tributaries. The matrix elements accumulation patterns followed the order: Fe > Na > Al > Ca > Mg > K > Ti > P. The potentially toxic elements, such as As, Cd, Pb, and Zn, have enriched content in the sediments in the medium course of the river, where the main anthropogenic introduction activities occurred. By multivariate analysis the dominant geochemical associations were extracted, as follows: F1: Y-Eu-Lu-Cr-V-La-Gd-Nb-Co-Hf-Zr-Ga-Mg-Fe-Sr-Ta-Sn-Li-Na-RbNi-Ge-Be-Cs; F2: As-W-Ba-Ag-Cu-Tl-Zn-Sb-Mo-In-Cd-Te-Bi-Pb and F3: I-Sc-Br-K. Lead and zinc contents were strongly correlated with the hydrothermal exploitations, especially in the area of Neogene clastite and vulcanite. These elements occur as dominant geochemical markers of the anthropogenic impacts of polymetallic enrichments due to the hydrothermal ore exploitation (Factor 2). The impact of Oligocene volcanism (Kratovo-Zletovo region) was observed in the lithological enrichments of Pb, Zn, Cu, As, Sb, Mo and Bi. Despite the natural distribution along the course of the Bregalnica river, an exceptional anomaly in the iron distribution of the old polymetallic unused mineralization was detected in Zone 1 (Berovo region).

Carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur isotope analysis of the Padanian Plain sediments: Backgrounds and provenance indication of the alluvial components

“…However, geochemical signatures are often complex to be interpreted because distinct rivers (and tributaries) drain geologically different sub-basins, sometimes conveying different sediments in the same alluvial plain. In general, major and trace elements are used to trace the sediments' provenance as they reflect the source rock composition (Bianchini et al, 2012;Balabanova et al, 2016;Nyobe et al, 2018;Salomão et al, 2020;Vicente et al, 2021). However, secondary pedological processes, related to the local climatic conditions could affect the primary signature (Costantini et al, 2002;Caporale and Violante, 2016).…”

Pedogenic influence on profile distribution of total and DTPA - extractable micronutrients in rice growing hydric soils of Majuli river island, Assam, India

“…The flood pulse concept (FPC) suggested the pulsing of river discharge to be a major driving force that determines trace metal distribution across riverfloodplain gradients (Junk 2004;Thorp et al 2006;Schulz-Zunkel and Krueger 2009;Tockner et al 2000). The flood plains of Brahmaputra river are crucial because of the complex mosaic of habitat patches differing in productivity, soil organic matter and seasonal heterogeneity of sinks and sources of micronutrients (Eisenmann 2002;Balabanova et al 2016). So far random surveys mostly confined to to upper 30 cm were reported but vertical distribution of micronutrient status is poorly documented and understood with respect to climate and vegetation.…”

Distribution of Pb, Zn and Cd in stream and alluvial sediments in the area with past Zn smelting operations

“…Huang et al 46 confirmed that the sediments from Huixian wetlands are 11% more polluted than nearby soils, the reason for this is the soil wash-out from contaminated site, transportation and sedimentation in wetlands downstream. The study of Balabanova et al 47 reported that particles originating from contaminated soil that enter the Zletovska River due to the nearby Pb–Zn mine, can also be detected several tens of km downstream of the Bregalnica River.…”