Co-operation between Czech and Slovak Republic in the area of environmental geology

Project „Environmental research and characteristics of environmental loads within Outer Flysh Belt of Western Carpathians: area Jablunkov furrow (Czech Republic) – Kysucké Beskydy (Slovak Republic)“ have been implemented in co-operation with State Geological Institute of Dionyz Stur, Bratislava. Project was sponsored by Ministries of Environment of both countries and executed in years 2007 – 2010. The main goals of project were as follows:

To specify intensity and extend of mercury and selected pollutants anomalies and to determine their possible source
To define possible ways of elements transport and transfer from anomalous zones into the individual components of environment and to assess possible impact to the ecosystems and human health

To achieve project goals set of geochemical and geophysical methods have been applied – soil geochemistry, alluvial sampling, base of slope sampling, mercurimetry, hydrogeochemistry, biogeochemistry, γ-spectrometry, magnetic susceptibility measurements and capametry.

Geochemical sampling and geophysical measurements have been carried out on two regional profiles (total profile length 135,5 km, of it 89 in the Czech Republic and 46,5 km in Slovak Republic) and within selected area (total surface 439 km², of it 95 km² in the Czech Republic and 344 km² in Slovak Republic).

On the basis of statistical evaluation of sample analyses and geophysical measurements following results have been achieved:

Stream sediments

Based on results group of elements of very probably anthropogenic origin have been defined. It concerns mainly Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn a Cu, Sb a Sn, partly also As, Mn, Co and Ni. Anomalies are situated mostly in the Czech territory and only in some cases overlap Slovak territory. Geomorphological barrier, following European water divide Danube – Odra rivers plays very important role there.

Soils

Surface huminous horizons are mostly enriched in a big number of elements as Pb, Cd, Hg, Sb, Cu, Zn, Bi, Se, S, Ag, W, Mo, having source in industrial emissions, whereas element abundance and association (Ni, Co, Cr, V, La, Au, Th, Sc, Mg, A) in lower soil horizon suggest their geogene origin.

In total ten stretches polluted in different degree have been identified, showing anomalous contents of number of elements mostly accompanied by higher values of magnetic susceptibility.

Water samples

No anomalous element concentrations exceeding pollution standards have been found. However permanent monitoring is recommended.

γ-spectrometry

Measured out values of K, eTh a eU correspond to common values characteristic for flysh units. Surface activity of ¹³⁷Cs radionuclide found in area represents relic after Tchernobyl disaster. Highest values were found in forested areas, however these values are not high enough to be dangerous for human health.

Plants

What concerns samples of plants collected from meadows and pasturelands no high values exceeding pollution standards have been found. Special case represent mushrooms, well known as „ metal collectors“. Mainly anomalous contents of Pb a Cd, Cu, Zn and Hg have been identified enhanced by activity of toxic radionuclide ¹³⁷Cs. Considering this fact excess consummation of mushrooms should be avoided by people.

Conclusion

Although environmental risk is not critical within the area under study it is not possible to consider it as negligible. Among the most dangerous elements we can mention Cd and Pb and when supported by further elements it can become real risk.