Monitoring of Soil Contamination in Vicinity of Lead-Zinc Smelter KCM SA, Bulgaria

Abstract

This study deals with the soil contamination as a reason of the emissions during 50 years work of lead, zinc and sulfuric acid plants of KCM SA. Based on results from 15 monitoring points can be concluded that highest values of the main pollutants are established in the soil from the forest-shelter belt which is very close to the Pb-Zn smelter. There is a tendency for decreasing of soil contamination in the area of KCM SA. It is very good expressed in the zone of maximum distribution of the powder emissions. The realized decreasing of powder emissions on the bases of investments made during past 20 years (more than USD 70 million) in ecological projects gives a very positive effect expressed to a limited soil contamination with heavy nonferrous metals and a tendency to its decreasing.