Environmental Impact of Sludge Dumps to the Quality of Agricultural Soils in Region Žiar Nad Hronom

Environmental Impact of Sludge Dumps to the Quality of Agricultural Soils in Region Žiar Nad Hronom Tomáš TÓTH1), Jozef KULICH2), Miriama KOPERNICKÁ3), Klaudia HALÁSOVÁ4), Lenka LACKÓOVÁ5) Doc. Ing. RNDr.; Slovak University of Agriculture, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Tr. A: Hlinku 2, 949 01 Nitra, Slovak Republic; email: 2) Prof. Ing.; Slovak University of Agriculture, Agricultural Expert Institute, Tr. A: Hlinku 2, 949 01 Nitra, Slovak Republic; email: 3) Mgr.; Slovak University of Agriculture, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Tr. A: Hlinku 2, 949 01 Nitra, Slovak Republic; email: 4) Slovak University of Agriculture, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Department of Landscape Planning and Ground Design, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 01 Nitra, Slovak Republic 5) Ing. Ph. D.; Slovak University of Agriculture, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Department of Landscape Planning and Ground Design, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 01 Nitra, Slovak Republic; email: 1) Summary In connection with the change of alluminum production technology has considerably changed the emission situation nearby source of the production at the processing plant (ZSNP a.s.). It was the reason, why the content of flourine compounds has dramatically changed in the air and and after then in the soil. Agroregion Žiar nad Hronom has been under negative pressure acting on the agro-ecosystem since 1953, when the operation of the company ZSNP increased from the original 48 thousand tonnes to 70 thousand tonnes by gradual intensification. Production of anode, electrode and ramming masses increased from 50 thousand tonnes to 100 thousand tonnes. Ecological status around the plant after reaching the designed production capacity (aluminium, aluminium oxide, anode mass) was disastrous in the 1960’s. State of the ecological production of ZSNP a.s. was the subject of the environmental audits since 1990. In the plant called SLOVAL a.s brought „B“ section to a standstill in 29th February 1996, where was realised the Soderberg’s technology and production of aluminium. This technology had been used for 43 years. Significant reduction of emissions was caused by implementation of new technology “HYDRO ALUMINIA”. Red and Brown sludge landfill capacity is located on an area of about 45 ha, weighted approximately 8,5 million tonnes. In the framework of the examination of the impact of the dump on the agricultural land, we carried out monitoring of the content of hazardous components in landfill. It was made at a distance of around 200, 300 and 500 metres from the front range of the landfill. Five soil samples were taken from a depth of 0,20 m in each distance (a total of 15 samples of the soil), as well as the sample was taken from the subsoil. Soil samples were analyzed in an accredited laboratory GEL, Turčianske Teplice. From the results of the determination is known that the content of Na is in the range of 78-5,270 mg.kg-1, Al 2,78-5,92 mg.kg-1, Pb 73-244 mg.kg-1, Zn 83-298 mg.kg-1, Cu 55-152 mg.kg-1, Cd 0,8-3,0 mg.kg-1. The total content of fluorine is a 1,965-2,217 mg.kg-1and with increasing distance from the landfill its content in soil decreases. The same result is applied in the case of the content of water-soluble F in the soil, the content of which is 28.0-46.3 mg.kg-1. Keywords: red sludge, brown sludge, heavy metals, soil contamination Introduction The territory around Alluminium Plant in Žiar nad Hronom has been often mentioned and evaluated in particular with regard to the contamination of soil - especially fluorine, entering the environment from the production of aluminum. It covered the period from 1953, when plant began to produce the first aluminum. Second series of electrolysis was put into processing in 1957 and and it also led to the first disastrous effects of fluorinated air pollutants to the natural surroundings. The ecological status of the biota in the vicinity of the plant after reaching the specified production capacity (aluminium, aluminium oxide, anode mass) was disastrous in the 1960s. Issued by high-risk pollutants accounted for approximately 23 000 tonnes per year in 1960, in 1970 about 20 000 tonnes per year, 12 500 tonnes in the year 1190 and 4505 tonnes in the year 2000 (Antalová, 1991). State of the ecology of the production ZSNP a. s. was the subject of environmental audits since 1990. In the years 1991 - 1992, the company Agiplan from Austria has carried out an audit under “Concept to improve the state of the environment of the regions of the upper Nitra (Žiarska kotlina)”. The company called Haskoning from Netherlands in 1993 and the company Iwaco in 1994 carried out an ecological audit on behalf of the European Bank for investment development. It was decided to modernise the electrolytic production of aluminum in advance burning anodes and air pollutants generated fluorine by dry absorption. The contract for the modernisation of production of aluminium was signed by Ardal company from Sundal and Verk a.s. This company took off and has teamed up with the company Hydro Aluminium. The amount of pollutants emitted and generated was reduced by 7613 tonnes, representing 62.8% and the volume of goods of primary production remained on a higher level than in 1990. The emission situation has changed significantly also in the issues, that had not yet entered into force in 1990. It is highlighted as in Table 1. The results of the transformation of the production technology of aluminium and implementation of greening Inżynieria Mineralna — LIPIEC-GRUDZIEŃ <2014> JULY-DECEMBER — Journal of the Polish Mineral Engineering Society 67 Tab. 1 The quantity of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere by the plant ZSNP in 1990 and 1996 [t.year-1] Tab. 1 Ilość zanieczyszczeń emitowanych do atmosfery przez elektrownie ZSNP w latach 1990 i 1996 [t.rok-1] project are very reflected on the reduction of emissions into the air, water and showed the reduction of waste. The development of pollution situation has very positive impact and improve the environment in Žiarska kotlina. Material and methods The monitored area surrounding Žiar nad Hronom is located on the middle reaches of the river Hron and subarea medium high valleys of Slovak highlands, specifically in Žiarska kotlina. Žiarska kotlina represents the tectonic depression between Vtáčnik, Kremnické and Štiavnické vrchy. Žiarska kotlina constitutes almost a closed basin, with ideal conditions for unwanted emission dispersion to the agricultural and forestry land, as well as villages. The territory, which is damages by the immediate effects of harmful substances leaking from ZSNP Žiar nad Hronom is located in the north narrowed and in the S-SW expanded, so has roughly triangular shape. Air masses containing waste gases mainly SO2 and HF is evidenced, in particular, to the south, in the municipalities situated in the immediate vicinity of the plant and a (...truncated)