Numéro
J. Phys. IV France
Volume 107, May 2003
Page(s) 757 - 760
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/jp4:20030411


J. Phys. IV France
107 (2003) 757
DOI: 10.1051/jp4:20030411

Exposure assessment of heavy metals on abandoned metal mine areas by ingestion of soil, crop plant and groundwater

J.-S. Lee and H.-T. Chon

School of Civil, Urban and Geosystem Engineering, College of Engineering, Seout National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea


Abstract
In order to assess the risk of adverse health effects on human exposure to arsenic and heavy metals influence by past mining activities, environmental geochemical survey was undertaken in the abandoned metal mine areas (Dongil Au-Ag-Cu-Zn mine, Okdong Cu-Pb-Zn mine, Myungbong Au-Ag mine). Arsenic and other heavy metals were highly elevated in the tailings from the Dongil mine (8,720 As mg/kg, 5.9 Cd mg/kg, 3,610 Cu mg/kg, 5,850 Pb mg/kg, 630 Zn mg/kg). Heavy metals except As from the Okdong mine (53.6 Cd mg/kg, 910 Cu mg/kg, 1,590 Pb mg/kg, 5,720 Zn mg/kg) and As from the Myungbong mine (5,810 As mg/kg) were also elevated. Elevated levels of As, Cd and Zn were also found in agricultural soils from these mine areas. The H.I. (hazard index) values of As and Cd from the Dongil, the Okdong and Myungbong mine areas are higher than 1.0. Therefore, toxic risk for As and Cd exist via exposure (ingestion) of contaminated soil, groundwater and rice grain in these mine areas.



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