State of elements of the environment in the broader area of former uranium mines in the catchment of the Trgoviski Timok

Abstract

Mineral field ”Janja” extends over the Southwest slope of Stara Planina Mt., eastward from the village of Kalna in the belt of beech-fir forests. Exploitation of uranium used to be performed in three mines within this area, i.e. ”Mezdreja”, ”Gabrovnica”, and ”Srneći Do”, which are now closed down. One of the consequences of mining around these mines is partial degradation of natural balance. The greatest part of the terrain consists of granite, whereas metamorphic rocks are at the periphery. A geological survey with respect to the concentration of natural radioactive elements in the soil within the area of aforementioned mines has been conducted once so far. Alluvial sediment, ground and surface waters, as well as disposal were also examined. During the field study, radioactivity was measured and the methods of emanation and hydro-geochemical assessment were used, which was followed by collecting of samples for laboratory examination. The state of elements of the environment within the surveyed area is presented hereinafter on the basis of the existing data, having in mind that exploitation of uranium may disrupt natural balance in the long run. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 37008: Održivo gazdovanje ukupnim potencijalima šuma u Republici Srbiji]

Keywords

• closed mines
• uranium
• environment
• water
• land
• air
• the Trgoviški Timok River