HEAVY METAL ANALYSIS IN WASTE WATER
SAMPLES FROM VALEA ŞESEI TAILING POND
I. L. MELENTI , E. MAGYAR, T. RUSU
ABSTRACT. – Heavy metal analysis in waste water samples from Valea Şesei tailing
pond. The mining of ore deposits and the processing and smelting of copper at
Roşia Poieni have resulted in an increase of the toxic elements concentration
within all components of the environment in the area. Valea Şesei tailing pond
is a waste deposit for the Roşia Poieni open-pit and is the biggest tailing pond
in Romania. In October 2009, we determined 8 heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe,
Mn, Ni and Zn) in 10 waste water samples. This water flows under the tailing
dam, through the Valea Şesei stream, into the Arieş River, the water’s pH varies
between 3 and 4. The heavy metals concentration exceeds with orders of magnitude.
In the stream the concentrations are much lower, but still exceed the admitted
levels. The results show that the tailing pond is a pollution hot spot in the
area affecting the environment.
Keywords: heavy metals, tailings, waste water, mining, environment