The potential impact of geological environment on health status of residents of the Slovak Republic

Abstract

In order to assess the potential impact of the geological environment on the health of the population of the Slovak Republic, the geological environment was divided into eight major units: Paleozoic, Crystalline, Carbonatic Mesozoic and basal Paleogene, Carbonatic-silicate Mesozoic and Paleogene, Paleogene Flysch, Neovolcanics, Neogene and Quaternary sediments. Based on these geological units, the databases of environmental indicators (chemical elements/parameters in groundwater and soils) and health indicators (concerning health status and demographic development of the population) were compiled. The geological environment of the Neogene volcanics (andesites and basalts) has been clearly documented as having the least favourable impact on the health of Slovak population, while Paleogene Flysch geological environment (sandstones, shales, claystones) has the most favourable impact. The most significant differences between these two geological environments were observed, especially for the following health indicators: SMRI6364 (cerebral infarction and strokes) more than 70 %, SMRK (digestive system) 55 %, REI (circulatory system) and REE (endocrine and metabolic system) almost 40 % and REC (malignant neoplasms) more than 30 %. These results can likely be associated with deficit contents of Ca and Mg in groundwater from the Neogene volcanics that are only about half the level of Ca and Mg in groundwater of the Paleogene sediments.

Impact of Calcium and Magnesium in Groundwater and Drinking Water on the Health of Inhabitants of the Slovak Republic

“…The data source for groundwater chemical composition comes from national geochemical databases for Slovak groundwater, including the analyses carried out since 1991, when the modern environmental geochemical mapping of the Slovak Republic started [32,33]. Our database includes virtually all sources of groundwater used for bulk supply of drinking water for the country.…”

“…The EI set of evaluated chemicals in the groundwater with respective mean values for the Slovak Republic is reviewed in Table 1 [33]. …”

“…The geological structure of the Slovak Republic has been divided into eight main units, which are ordered according to their influence on the health of Slovak residents (from the most favorable to the most unfavorable) [33] as follows: Paleogene Flysch: mainly sandstones, shales, and claystonesCarbonate-Silicate Mesozoic and Paleogene: mainly marl, marly limestones, dolomites, sandstones, and shalesCarbonate Mesozoic and Basal Paleogene: mainly limestones, dolomites, and carboniferous conglomeratesNeogene: mainly clays, claystones, conglomerates, sands, and gravelsQuaternary: mainly gravel, sand, clay, and rock fragmentsCrystalline: mostly granites, gneisses, and migmatitesPaleozoic: mostly metasediments, and metavolcanicsNeovolcanic rocks: mainly andesites, basalts, and their volcanoclastics …”

Historical Mining Areas and Their Influence on Human Health

“…The connection between the contaminated geological environment in the selected historical mining sites and the health status of the local population has been assessed based on the data from national databases of environmental and health indicators [7].…”

“…The environmental indicators are the contents of chemical elements, components or values of chemical parameters analysed and measured in the environment [7]. In this study we evaluate environmental indicators in groundwater and soils as these components of geological environment definitely show the most significant connection with human health [8].…”