Research on underground water quality from Almașu Mare area

Abstract

Environmental contamination with heavy metals is one of the major problems all over the world. In most cases the heavy metals are presents in the environment as a consequence of human activities. Romania is known for intense mining activities for centuries. The impact of nonferrous metal extraction from underground caused a major imbalance on the environment such as: residual water, destruction of soil quality, fertile soil layer, agricultural terrains and changes in the flow groundwater, air pollution and mine wastes with a negative effect on the environmental and human health. Past mining activities represents a negative impact on the environment, due to continuous leakages of mine and large quantities of waste deposited. In Almașu Mare mining area, the exploitation activity has a long history with a important impact on water pollution. Water pollution with heavy metals in Almașu Mare area is mainly due to leakages of mine. Haneș mine from Almașu Mare is a significant problem, representing a serious risk to human health and the environment. These issues require effective solutions, but at a reduced cost. The study consists in water quality assessment in the Haneș mine area and proposing optimal solution for remediation and stabilization of the situation in the studied area. Water quality assessment consists in the determination of the heavy metals concentration from underground water and to compare analyses results to the admissible limits concentration regarding the content of the heavy metals in the surface waters.

Keywords

• undergound water
• Almașu Mare
• mining activities
• Haneș mine
• heavy metals