In the past centuries significant and now closed Libiola copper deposit in Liguria (Northern Italy) can be considered one of the most important mining areas of the Apennine Peninsula. The environmental risk is caused by the character of the dump matter, whose average pH is 4.03 and whose shows a high proportion of sulphidic sulphur (in average 0.30 %) in comparison with sulphate sulphur (in average of 0.10 %), so it has still great potential to create acidity and release potentially to the country components (soil, water, atmosphere, and biota) potentially toxic elements. The average concentrations of these elements are: Fe 16.37 %, Cu 3.753, Ni 771, Pb 35, As 12, and Cd 1.5 mgkg(-1). To characterize the mineralogical composition of the dump matter was used X-ray diffraction analyses. The risk is increased by the absence of carbonates, which could neutralize the acidity. On the other hand, the soil colloids have negative surface charge which facilitates the sorption of metals released into the solution and thus cause their partial immobilization. This article also presents the potential distribution of main potentially toxic elements, processed as an interpolation model in GIS.

The article presents the results of a study of the contamination of heaps with potentially toxic elements, focused on Co, Cu, Zn, As, and Cd, their bioavailability in the area at selected European abandoned Cu-deposits: Špania Dolina (Slovakia), Libiola, Caporciano (Italy), and São Domingos (Portugal). The content of studied metals at selected heaps often exceeds the limits of national and EU legislation. The bioavailability was studied using three-step sequential extraction, using distilled water (step I), ammonium acetate (step II) and citric acid (step III). The best bioavailable elements are Cu, Cd, and Zn. Cobalt and As are less released during the leaching into the solution. The article discusses also the main environmental problems at the individual deposits and suggests possible solutions.

This study provides the first historical reconstruction of metal and metalloid deposition in Slovakia using bryophyte herbarium specimens. By integrating archival and contemporary data, we established a dataset for Bratislava spanning 1912-2023, enabling evaluation of temporal and spatial pollution trends, emission sources, and comparisons with European patterns. The investigation covers three major periods (1900-1945, 1946-1989, 1990-2023), reflecting key stages in industrial and transportation development. Concentrations of 22 elements, measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), revealed distinct temporal trends. Metal and metalloid levels were generally low before 1945, followed by increases in As, Cd, Bi, and Pb during World War II and peak accumulation during the industrialization of 1946-1989. A marked decline in Pb, Cd, As, Tl, and Ba after 1990 indicates industrial downturn and the effectiveness of environmental regulations, consistent with European trends. In contrast, recent samples showed elevated Cr, Ni, Mo, and Cu, linked to traffic and ongoing industrial emissions. Statistical analyses identified six groups of elements associated with distinct anthropogenic sources. Spatial patterns indicated that the highest concentrations occurred near historical and current point sources, with proximity to emissions and prevailing wind direction significantly influencing distributions. The use of herbarium specimens allowed reconstruction of the long-term environmental impacts of industrialization and urbanization in a Central European capital. The results establish a historical baseline for assessing ecosystem recovery and provide valuable data to support future environmental management and public health policies.

Technosols from the heap of the abandoned Italian Cu deposit Caporciano contain important amounts of potentially toxic elements (Crtot., Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb). Copper contents exceed the Italian law limits for industrial/commercial sites. The studied metals in Pinus sylvestris and Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. show strategy of excluders (bioconcentration factor < 1.0) except Ni and Pb (calculated for branches and leaves in Pinus sylvestris) while the translocation factor indicates preferential metal accumulation to leaves/needles (translocation factor > 1.0) in both plant speciments.At the heap the contents of the chlorophyll in leaves in the photosynthetic tissues of Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. (8.56 CCI—chlorophyll content index) are significantly lower as those measured at reference area (17.71 CCI). The goal of the study is to use a modified methodology for the fractional analysis of soils for the determination of the potential bioavailability of potentially toxic elements in six steps. The innovative steps of sequential analysis are adapted with respect to the release of PTEs from the clay mineral surfaces. (fraction I: 1 M ammonium acetate at pH 7; fraction II: ammonium acetate at pH 5; fraction III: H2O2 in ammonium acetate buffer solution; fraction IV: acidic 0.2 M ammonium oxalate (pH 3.2); fraction V: 0.2 M ammonium oxalate and 0.1 M ascorbic acid mixture; fraction VI: 0.5 M ammonium acetate; pH 6). The best bioavailable metals are Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb. The obtained results enable international comparison with similar Cu-deposits.

The historical town hall of Banská Bystrica was rebuilt in the second half of the 16th century from a medieval town mansion that had traditionally been owned by the town’s high-ranking citizens. As the building was an important structure, there is an extraordinary record of written sources depicting its history. However, there is almost no information before the year 1500 due to the fire that destroyed the town archives. Just as the fire obliterated the written record, modern construction activities severely damaged the archaeological record. The archaeological survey at the historical town hall of Banská Bystrica conducted between 2008 and 2009 could be considered a prime example of a rescue event. The small assemblage of artefacts dated shortly before and after the great fire was complemented by animal bones, water-preserved wooden planks, and archaeobotanical material. These finds underwent dendrochronological and radiocarbon dating, providing clues for assessing settlement continuity from the pre-colonisation period. By applying an interdisciplinary approach, which included the analysis of pottery, chemical analysis, DNA sampling, archaeobotanical and archaeozoological analysis, it became possible to reconstruct certain aspects of everyday life as well as the environment in the town and its surroundings.

The study explored the post-wildfire elemental composition of parts (wood, bark, branch, cone, trunk, litter, twig, needle, sward, fallow, sapling, etc.) and by-products (biomass ashes, partly burnt parts, and char) of different woody species in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic, and considered their effects on soils. Multi-elemental analysis of the fire by-products of the woody species was determined with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and mass spectrometry and compared with control biomass samples unaffected by wildfire. Most fire by-products were slightly alkaline, with acidic ashes obtained from blueberry wood. The by-products of the wildfire were characterized by varied total contents of macro (P, Ca, K, Mg, and S), micro (Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn), and other elements (B, Co, Mo, and V) vital to soil fertility and plant growth. The mean content of macro elements in the biomass ashes was up to 4.16 P, 23.5 Ca, 2.48 Mg, 63 K, and 5.57 S g kg−1. These values were comparatively lower than published data for ashes obtained under optimized conditions, e.g., those combusted in power generation facilities. Conversely, partly burnt parts—an indication of incomplete combustion—had higher 9.22 P, 79 Ca, and 5.99 Mg g kg−1 contents in spruce needles than in biomass ashes and the control. Variations in woody species and anthropogenic activities in areas of wildfires produced varied As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb contents above EU fertilizer regulation. Caution in applying biomass ashes from wildfires on fields is required due to risk/toxic elements input from anthropogenic activities. Wildfire effects on the elemental composition of woody species can provide information on plant parts most suitable for biomass ashes for soil and ecosystem safety.

Occurrence, distribution, and toxicity assessment of 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) prioritized by the US Environmental Protection Agency in pyrolysis products – pyrolysis oil and pyrolysis wax – of different plastics are characterized. PP, HDPE, LDPE, PVC, PS (respectively, polypropylene, high- and low-density polyethylene, polyvinylchloride and polystyrene) and their mixture named 5P are chosen as a feed material for pyrolysis. Pyrolysis process is carried out in a custom-built laboratory batch reactor with the pyrolysis temperature of 450 °C for PP, PVC, PS and 500 °C for HDPE and LDPE. 5P mixture is pyrolyzed at 500 and 700 °C. PAHs quantification is used to determine the toxicity equivalency quantity TEQ(BaP) for each pyrolysis product and to establish the degree of toxicity. The highest total concentration of 16 PAHs in pyrolysis oil is found to decrease in the order of PVC > PP > PS > LDPE > HDPE. According to TEQ(BaP), the toxicity of the most toxic pyrolysis oils correlates with the aforementioned order of the total concentration, i.e., being lowest for HPDE and highest for PVC. For pyrolysis wax, the highest total concentration of 16 PAHs is for PVC > PS > LDPE > PP > HDPE, while TEQ(BaP) value decreases as PVC > LDPE > PP > PS > HDPE. The PAHs concentration and TEQ(BaP) values of 5P mixture show similar trends in both products (oil, wax), i.e., they both increase with increasing pyrolysis temperature.

Pyrolysis represents one of the most convenient technologies for the chemical transformation of waste. The exposure to corrosion products and high temperatures does, however, require chemically resistant construction materials. This study was carried out to analyze the corrosion behavior of 1.4571 (AISI 316Ti) and 1.4305 (AISI 303) stainless steels machined with wire electric discharge machining (WEDM) in a pyrolysis environment. Different machining parameters were used for both materials tested to examine the influence of WEDM machining. The total testing time in the pyrolysis environment was 28 days, with the testing chamber being refilled 12 times. The surface topography was analyzed following the WEDM, cleaning, and corrosion test. The surface morphology and cross-section analyses were carried out using electron microscopy at all three stages of the process. An analysis of the chemical composition of the surfaces was carried out as well as of the pyrolysis environment to which the samples were exposed. It was established that the organic acids found in the pyrolysis chamber did not degrade the tested stainless steels to a meaningful degree. Minor fissures, that is, fine precipitated carbides, were observed on the surface of both the steel types and in their subsurface layer, as well as a significant presence of carbon. This presence was directly connected to the impurities found on the surface after the removal from the test furnace that were probably of a protective or passivation nature.

The study is focused on Hg content in topsoil of dump-field Veľká Studňa, nearby former mining area Malachov and its accumulation by selected plants, which consisted of the local representatives of grass, herb, and wood species. The study area was divided into several parcels, based on physiognomic features of plant communities. In the order to predict the Hg distribution for the whole study area, the interpolation methods were used in GIS. The plant material consists of 4 plant species: Calamagrostis epigejos, Lotus corniculatus, Leontodon hispidus and Picea abies. The samples were dried, grained, dissolved in HNO3 and HCl solution and consequently measured by inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Hg content. The results show a mass contamination of the dump top-soil horizon by mercury. The values in soil variable from 16 to 910 mg kg-1. The bioaccumulation potential of some investigated plant species can be considered as significant as well. The highest concentration of Hg was found in Picea abies ─ 24 mg kg-1. With the regard to presented data, the dump-field could be assigned as the risk enclave for the local environment and therefore its study is demanding. Applying proper techniques for investigations of bioavailable forms of mercury in the topsoil samples should be also considered.

The main aim of the article is to investigate the content of nutrients and potentially toxic elements in individual parts of the plant body using the analytical method of energy dispersive micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μXRF). As the model species, silver birch (Betula pendula) and European spruce (Picea abies) were selected and sampled at the abandoned Hg-ore deposit Veľká Studňa on the well-known mining territory of Malachov (Central Slovakia). In order to investigate the bioaccumulation mechanism and test the efficiency of the method, the analyses were focused on the several parts of the plant body individually: roots, stems, branches, leaves/needles. Among all elements, Ca was contained in the highest concentrations in all samples. The concentrations of essential elements decreased as follows: Ca > Si > Mg > P > S > Mn; and of potentially toxic elements in order: Zn > Fe > Al > Hg > As > Cu. The article evaluates the efficiency of the presented analytical method for application in plant matrices.

Ore-mining industry produces a waste, which belongs to the main sources of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). One of the initial steps necessary for remediation project of contaminated sites is the research of PTEs mobile forms that are very capable to enter trophic chain mainly through plants. Great abandoned copper deposit São Domingos (Portugal) was selected as a representative area since the presence of high PTEs contents was proved there in previous research activities. The presented work is focused on efficiency of natural sorbents on the immobilisation of PTEs in copper-polluted soil developed on tailings taken from the mine district, and to compare the treated soils as habitats of vascular plants. Several natural sorbents were selected for the adequate realization of experimental part: bentonite, charcoal, calcium carbonate, phosphate, chicken manure, and organo-zeolitic substrate (mixture of perlite, chicken manure, and calcium carbonate; 5:1:3). From the whole area of the mine-dump, 10 sites were chosen as the representatives of not-so-heterogenic soil conditions, where the sampling itself was realized. As the representative PTEs; Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Sb were chosen. The sorbents were added to composite soil sample. Ex situ experiments were realized from 1st of June to 30th of September 2020. At the end of experiments, a soil sample from each pot were taken, dried and grained into the fine powder. For assessment of total concentration of elements, microwave digestion was performed, with 100 mg of grained powder dissolution in aqua regia. For the purpose to assess the forms of PTEs with the ability to be assimilated by plant roots, the extraction from 1 g of sample was executed in the sequence: I. deionized water; II. 1M ammonium acetate solution by pH 7 (both mixed for 12 hours); 0.01M citric acid solution (mixed for 2 hours). First two fractions can be referred as mobile / exchangeable. The prcessed soil solutions were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The technosol was contamined mainly by As, Cu, and Zn. Obtained results show that neither As nor Sb are present in inverstigated francions, whereas the concentrations of Cr is also very low. The other PTEs are contained in significat concentrations, mostly in mobile fraction, especially Co (36 %); Mn (27 %); Cu (25 %); and Cd (15 %). Among the natural sorbents, the only ones efficient in reducting the mobile forms were charcoal and organo-zeolitic substrate. These pots were also the only suitable habitats for mixture of grass species. In both cases, the mobile contents of Ni, Cu, and Zn were practically reduced to zero since the mobile contents of Co, Mn and Cd decreased to minimum. For better understanding of habitat-suitability after application of those sorbents, the plant-nutrient characterisation should be included in further research. Based on those results, both natural sorbents could be considered for application in remediation techniques aimed on those PTEs.

The aim of the presented article was to determine the Hg content in the fruiting bodies of 13 generally consumed mushroom species (Boletus reticulatus, Clitocybe nebularis, Lactarius deliciosus, Macrolepiota procera, Russula spp., Suillus grevillei, Tricholoma spp.) growing at the area of abandoned mercury deposit Malachov. The Hg concentrations were analyzed by thermal decomposition-gold amalgamation atomic absorption spectroscopy, using AMA-254 Advanced Mercury Analyzer. The Hg concentrations in soil varied widely (ranging from 0.01 to 2.44mg·kg-1), furthermore, they were particularly depended on the mushroom species. The fruiting bodies of Russula ochroleuca contained the highest concentrations of Hg (up to 16.69mg·kg-1). The lowest concentrations were detected in Russula aeruginea (from 0.04 to 0.06 in stipe stems and from 0.05 to 0.06mg·kg-1 in pileus) and in Russula vesca (0.05 in stipe stems; 0.09mg·kg-1 in pileus). Mercury is preferentially accumulated in the mushroom pileus (ranging from 0.05 in Russula vesca to 16.69mg·kg-1 in Russula ochroleuca). The bioconcentration factor was calculated for the rate of the Hg content in soil substrate vs. its concentration in the mushroom pileus (ranging from 0.03 to 29.22). The results indicate that some investigated mushroom species can be referred as Hg excluders (e.g. Russula vesca) whereas some other species as accumulators (e.g. Russula ochroleuca or Tricholoma portentosum). The obtained results were compared with the Government Decrees of Slovak Republic, showing that the substantial part of the studied mushroom species exceed the legal tolerance limit (0.25 mg kg-1) suggested for Hg in plant food and therefore they can be considered as inappropriate for human consumption.

This article reports the results of a study concerning contamination of the dump-fields by potentially toxic elements at five abandoned copper mines: Ľubietová, Špania Dolina (Slovakia), Libiola, Caporciano (Italy) and São Domingos (Portugal). This paper offers an updated description of soil contamination at the individual deposits and indicates a possible solution of the derived environmental problems. Contamination of technosoils by PTEs at the dump-fields shows an irregular spatial distribution of Fe, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sb and Pb. Contents of PTEs often exceed both national and EU law limits. Whereas at Ľubietová, Špania Dolina and Caporciano the environmental risk is limited, at Libiola and São Domingos it seems to be very heavy. The technosoil (slag) of the dump-fields is not well aerated and the soil colloids have (except for Špania Dolina) negative surface charge, so they are suitable for PTEs sorption. The main environmental risk in the mining area of Sao Domingos district is the long time formation of acid mine drainage water and the high Zn, As and Pb contents. The release of PTEs to the environmental components may be limited by phytostabilization and immobilization of metals, by suitable admixtures into the technosoil/slag. The environmental situation at Caporciano is not so compromised as at São Domingos mining area. Phytostabilization will be able to stop erosion, and installation of wetlands under the dump will stop the release of Cu to the environment.

The article is focused on the application of Energy dispersive micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy as a specific method to determine the contents of potentially toxic elements and its spread in plant tissues. As a model species, Quercus spp. were selected. In order to compare the obtained results with previous research, four well-described abandoned Cu-deposits were selected for sampling: Ľubietová (Slovakia), Libiola and Caporciano (Italy), and São Domingos (Portugal). The results of micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry confirm the irregular contamination of Quercus spp. by potentially toxic elements. The level of contamination is the highest predominantly in the root cortex, where is also the highest Ca contents (with exception of São Domingos). At Ľubietová and Caporciano, high Ni content was described in branches cortex, in branches mesoderm also Fe, Cu and Zn. At the same time, the inhibition influence of Ca was also confirmed regarding the input of these elements into plants.

The abandoned Malachov deposit belongs among the most important historic Hg deposits in the world. The soil, groundwater, surface water, plants, and animals are still heavily contaminated by potentially toxic elements such as As and Cd, but mainly by Hg. This article is focused on the Hg contamination of aquatic plants and animals in the Malachov creek. Mercury concentrations were measured in fresh water (on average 3 mu g L-1), in the zoobenthos (on average 362.47 mu g kg(-1)), and in the phytobenthos (on average 578.36 mu g kg(-1)). Higher Hg concentrations were determined in the muscles of Salmo trutta morpha fario (on average 362.47 mu g kg(-1)) and lower in Cottus poecilopus (on average 352.75 mu g kg(-1)). The Hg concentrations were higher in the internal tissues (578.36-1185.75 mu g kg(-1)) than in the muscles of the fish. The Hg content in fresh water exceeded Regulation of the Slovak Government No. 269/2010, which stipulates the criteria for achieving a proper water balance, but the Hg content in the fish muscles of both fish species was below the specified limit of the Food Code of Governmental Regulation of the Slovak Republic No. 608/3/2004-100. The Hg contamination in fishes is controlled by their weight and age. The presented data may be used as the base information for future studies in order to be able to estimate consumption recommendations and warnings.

Old environmental burdens, such as the area of Airport Sliac-South, are a source of multiple contaminants which are able to transfer to the surrounded environment and, therefore, pose a serious risk for the environment itself and human health. Among the group of contaminants polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are also classify and determined in the groundwater within the after-remediation monitoring from 2015 to 2020. In total, 7 sampling spots were chosen at the southern area of the airport. Groundwater samples were taken twice a year into prepared sample boxes. The samples were delivered to the State Geological Institute of DionATIN SMALL LETTER Y WITH ACUTEz Stur laboratory in Spisska Nova Ves within 24 hours after collection Major part of PAHs in all the samples and throughout the period of measurements was represented mostly by naphthalene. The relationship between the concentrations of PAHs and TOC as well as between the concentrations of PAHs and NES was studied. Positive correlation was proved in the relationship between the concentration of PAHs and NES. The result of the afterremediation monitoring of studied locality results into the conclusion that the extent of pollution is decreasing. Concentrations of NES and TOC exceeding the limits (Directive of the Ministry of the Environment SR 1 / 2015-7 for risk analysis) can be still found in the samples of groundwater from the bores within the source locality of environmental burden. Up to 2016, the concentrations of PAHs were exceeding the limits as well. Generally cited guidelines indicate that the groundwater samples manifest poor quality of the groundwater and refer to the importance of after-remediation monitoring of sanitized environmental burdens.

This article presents two methods of digitisation, digital data processing and digital localisation applied in field ethnography. The Atlas.ti tool was used as an example of analyses of digitised textual, numerical, audio and visual data for subsequent coding in programmes (CAQDAS). The authors focus on coding and the creation of coding sheets. Through the examples from research conducted in the Northern Malohont region, they present the possibilities and limits of the use of coding in computer interfaces. The links between ethnographic findings and field localisation are presented through the application of geographical information systems (GIS). Cultural configurations and diffusions are illustrated at precise geographic locations of the region being explored. Many of the current limitations in the dissemination of these techniques can be overcome by a wider use of digital technologies, the creation of common digital ethnographic databases and by projects support.

Exploitation of ores has surely represented a risk for contamination of environmental matrices for a long time. This paper reports the results of a study concerning soil contamination by heavy metals at Libiola abandoned copper mine (Italy). This deposit has surely got special importance in Italy because of its historical, environmental and mining features. From a historical viewpoint, Libiola deposit was known since Copper Age, with maximum exploitation at the end of the 19th century. Our investigation plan was elaborated in order to characterize the environmental matrices there, and it provided for inspection of the zones (included in the valley of Gromolo stream) which, according to our preliminary studies and according to literature, could be most affected by past mining activity. Within our selected zones, some soils (even cultivated) were collected in order to check their contamination by heavy metals. Results from the analysis of the collected soil samples showed that the content of heavy metals often exceeds limits provided by the Italian Law 152/06. The knowledge of situation concerning pollution can give useful indications about the influence of mining activities on the surrounding environment, and it can also be valid support in order to organize an optimal future use of the studied mining area, which has been abandoned since its closure (1962).