Technogenic magnetic particles in soils as evidence of historical mining and smelting activity: A case of the Brynica River Valley, Poland

Magiera, Tadeusz; Mendakiewicz, Maria; Szuszkiewicz, Μ.; Jabłońska, Mariola; Chróst, Leszek

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.05.126

Cited by 20 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…The obtained results, i.e. the age-depth model as well as the trace elements concentrations, can prove that in the Olkusz Ore-Bearing region mining and metallurgy industry had an impact over the centuries, starting at least in the 9 th century, which confirms former investigations (Chróst, 2013;Godzik and Woch, 2015;Magiera et al, 2016). The maximum of trace elements concentration occurs partially in a time period, for which the time scale is not precise (10-13 cm depth).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Radiocarbon and lead-210 age-depth model and trace elements concentration in the Wolbrom fen (S Poland)

Pawełczyk

Chróst²,

Magiera

et al. 2017

Geochronometria

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A one-meter long peat core was taken from the peatland in Wolbrom (Silesian-Cracovian Upland, southern Poland). The analysis of the botanical composition showed that Wolbrom is a fen. Vegetation species such as Carex rostrata and Phragmites australis have been found. An age-depth model was constructed using 12 conventional radiocarbon dates and 13 lead-210 dates from the upper part of the deposit. In this work, the results of radiocarbon dating are presented. According to the model, we can estimate the age of the fen. The oldest part comes from a depth of 1.05 meter and its conventional age is 5940 ± 95 BP (modelled date 5000-4790 BC, 68.2% probability interval). The accumulation rate varies between approximately 0.53 mm·yr -1 and 6.48 mm·yr -1 .The core has been also tested for the presence of trace elements (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) using ICP-OES. There are considerable variations in the concentrations of the tested metals -in many cases the concentration starts to rise at about 40 cm and may be connected with the human activity. This depth corresponds to the modelled age intervals 355-300 BC (17.4%) and 205-45 BC (50.7%).

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Radiocarbon and lead-210 age-depth model and trace elements concentration in the Wolbrom fen (S Poland)

Pawełczyk

Chróst²,

Magiera

et al. 2017

Geochronometria

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“…Subsequently, the surface was levelled, restored to the previous condition, and returned to the owner. It has been assumed that, due to several years of archaeological investigation and the subsequent backfilling of the sediment layer on the excavation site, it would be possible to analyse the surface material for mineral grains originating in furnace batch materials, slags, or even the final products of the metallurgical processes undertaken there.The geochemical investigation of metallurgical slags can be the source of important data for archaeometallurgy, knowledge of historical environmental pollution and regional geology [6][7][8][9]. The historical metallurgical slags are good materials for providing information on former metal smelting methods and their contemporary mining ore quality [10][11][12][13][14].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The geochemical investigation of metallurgical slags can be the source of important data for archaeometallurgy, knowledge of historical environmental pollution and regional geology [6][7][8][9]. The historical metallurgical slags are good materials for providing information on former metal smelting methods and their contemporary mining ore quality [10][11][12][13][14].…”

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confidence: 99%

Pb-Rich Slags, Minerals, and Pollution Resulted from a Medieval Ag-Pb Smelting and Mining Operation in the Silesian-Cracovian Region (Southern Poland)

Cabała

Warchulski

Rozmus³

et al. 2019

Minerals

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Since the 12th century in the Silesian-Cracovian area, lead, litharge, and silver have been produced by the pyrometallurgical processing of Pb-Ag-Zn ore. Slags and soils contaminated with heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd, Fe, Mn, As) were the subject of this research. Samples were collected during archaeological works in the area of early medieval metallurgical settlement. The main goals of the analyses (Scanning Electron Miscroscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Electron Probe Microanalyzer (EPMA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)) were the determination of the mineralogical composition of furnace batches and smelting temperatures and conditions. In soils, the anthropogenic phases enriched in Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn, P, and primary minerals like goethite, ferrihydrite, sphalerite, galena, smithsonite, minrecordite, cerussite, gypsum, anglesite, jarosite, and hemimorphite were identified. The soil from former metallurgical settlements contained up to 1106 mg·kg −1 Pb, 782 mg·kg −1 Zn, 4.7 mg·kg −1 Cd in the fine fraction. Much higher heavy metal concentrations were observed in the waste products of ore rinsing, up to 49,282 mg·kg −1 Pb, 64,408 mg·kg −1 Zn, and 287 mg·kg −1 Cd. The medieval smelting industry and Pb-Ag-Zn ore processing are marked by highly anomalous geochemical pollution (Pb, Zn, Cd, Fe, Mn, Ba) in the topsoil. The methods of mineralogical investigation, such as SEM-EDS or EMPA, can be used to identify mineralogical phases formed during metallurgical processes or ore processing. Based on these methods, the characteristic primary assemblage and synthetic phases were identified in the area polluted by medieval metallurgy and mining of Pb-Ag-Zn ores, including MVT (Mississippi Valley Type) deposits. The minerals distinguished in slags and the structural features of metal-bearing aggregates allow us to conclude that batches have included mostly oxidised minerals (PbCO 3 , ZnCO 3 , CaZn(CO 3 ) 2 , FeOOH), sulfides (PbS and ZnS) and quartz (SiO 2 ). The laboratory experiment of high-temperature heating of the examined slags showed that smelting temperatures used in the second half of 13th century were very high and could have reached up to 1550 • C. The results indicate, that geochemical and mineralogical methods can be used to obtain important information from archaeological sites, even after archaeological work has long ceased.Minerals 2020, 10, 28 2 of 16 mining and metallurgy centres since Roman times. In the period between the 10th and 12th centuries, iron, lead, tin, silver, and gold had become more important for the development of civilization in Central and Eastern European countries. Since the beginning of the 10th century in medieval Europe, in areas where ores of Ag-Pb, Au, As-Au, Cu, Sn and Fe occurr, mining centres have appeared, such as at the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge), Harz Mountains, and Sudetes.One of Europe's largest Zn-Pb, MVT (Mississippi Valley) type ore deposits can be found in the Silesian-Cracow area (southern Poland) [1]. Shallow deposits are represented...

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“…In turn, in area B, apart from power station PS-b, there are also other significant emitters of the elements. The sharp-edged grains of magnetite, containing admixtures of the elements, occurring in horizon O and Ah (Figure 4, see Table S3), prove it; such grains of magnetite in the topsoil are considered to be products of ironworks and possibly of nonferrous smelters in area B [153,154].…”

Section: Distribution and Mode Of Occurrence Of The Elements In Topsoil And Rootsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Distribution and Mode of Occurrence of Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Cd, Sb, Pb in the Feed Coal, Fly Ash, Slag, in the Topsoil and in the Roots of Trees and Undergrowth Downwind of Three Power Stations in Poland

Parzentny

Róg

2021

Minerals

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It is supposed that the determination of the content and the mode of occurrence of ecotoxic elements (EE) in feed coal play the most significant role in forecasting distribution of EE in the soil and plants in the vicinity of power stations. Hence, the aim of the work was to analyze the properties of the feed coal, the combustion residues, and the topsoil which are reached by EE together with dust from power stations. The mineral and organic phases, which are the main hosts of EE, were identified by microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, and scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive X-ray methods. The highest content of elements was observed in the Oi and Oe subhorizons of the topsoil. Their hosts are various types of microspheres and char, emitted by power stations. In the areas of long-term industrial activity, there are also sharp-edged grains of magnetite emitted in the past by zinc, lead, and ironworks. The enrichment of the topsoil with these elements resulted in the increase in the content of EE, by between 0.2 times for Co; and 41.0 times for Cd in the roots of Scots pine, common oak and undergrowth, especially in the rhizodermis and the primary cortex and, more seldom, in the axle roller and cortex cells.

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Technogenic magnetic particles in soils as evidence of historical mining and smelting activity: A case of the Brynica River Valley, Poland

Cited by 20 publications

References 55 publications

Radiocarbon and lead-210 age-depth model and trace elements concentration in the Wolbrom fen (S Poland)

Radiocarbon and lead-210 age-depth model and trace elements concentration in the Wolbrom fen (S Poland)

Pb-Rich Slags, Minerals, and Pollution Resulted from a Medieval Ag-Pb Smelting and Mining Operation in the Silesian-Cracovian Region (Southern Poland)

Distribution and Mode of Occurrence of Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Cd, Sb, Pb in the Feed Coal, Fly Ash, Slag, in the Topsoil and in the Roots of Trees and Undergrowth Downwind of Three Power Stations in Poland

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