International Journal of Environmental Protection Sep. 2013, Vol. 3 Iss. 9, PP. 1-9 - 1 - Spatial Distribution and Characterization of Some Toxic Metals and Lithogenic Elements in Topsoil and Subsoil from Copper Mine Environs Soil Monitoring for Anthropogenic and Lithogenic Elements Distribution Biljana Balabanova 1 , Trajče Stafilov 2* , Robert Šajn 3 , Katerina Bačeva 2 1 Faculty of Agriculture, Goce Delčev University, POB 201, 2000 Štip, Macedonia 2 Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Sts. Cyril and Methodius University, POB 162, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia 3 Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia * trajcest@pmf.ukim.mk Abstract- Monitoring using soil samples (topsoil-TS and subsoil-SS) was conducted in area where copper minerals are intensively exploited. Characterization was conducted based on 18 elements: Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Ga, Li, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn. The main pollutant was Cu (average value 190 mg kg -1 ; max. value 1200 mg kg -1 and the enrichment factor of TS/SS of ~10). The lithogenic elements (Al, Ga, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Sr) showed stability in the vertical direction (TS/SS); but in a across direction the element concentrations fluctuated according to the geology of the region. The element contents were also characterized according to land use. Maximum values for Cr, Ni and Pb were found in cultivated area (290 mg kg -1 , 190 mg kg -1 and 130 mg kg -1 , respectively). Using factor analysis, the distribution was reduced to three synthetic variables, which showed linkage in terms of geochemical similarities: F1 (Al-Ca-Cr-Fe-Mg-Mo), F2 (Li-Mn-Na-Ni-Pb) and F3 (Ba-Sr), accounting for 77% of the variability of analyzed elements. Spatial distribution of As, Cu, Pb, V and Zn showed that these elements are preferentially deposited in mine vicinity; due to dust deposition from ore and flotation tailings. Keywords- Copper Mine; Toxic Metals; Spatial Distribution; Soil Pollution I. INTRODUCTION Toxic metals are introduced into the terrestrial environment from different sources such as industrial and municipal waste, automobile emissions and mining activities. Distribution and deposition of some heavy metals is the most evident characteristic and an inevitable process in areas where a copper mine with open ore pit is presented [1]. The main sources for releasing the pollutants are the extraction, concentration and separation of waste at the open pit. The level of the environmental pollution depends on proper control of anthropogenic activities in the mentioned processes [2]. Fine dust generated during blasts and excavation of mining minerals is distributed by the wind. These dust particles vary in size and density, which may deposit in the ground or may be retained in the atmosphere. The rate of deposition is faster for particles of larger size [3, 4]. Deposition (dry and wet) of fine dust prevails close to the emission source or (depending from intensity of wind and rain frequency) from distant sources. Rains also contribute to the erosion processes of opencast surfaces and ore tailings: the effect known as “natural rinsing” [5, 6]. Such erosion processes contribute to the increasing content of certain toxic metals from ore minerals into the soil. Some potentially risk toxic metals contained in the surface layers of soil are carried by the wind as fine dust. On the other hand, soil is the medium for the production of food, where indirect risk impact on human health occurs [7]. In order to assess the potential health risks, this study focuses on the monitoring of distribution and characterization of metals and some lithogenic elements in soil in the copper mine environs for a long period of time. The results quantified the effects on topsoil pollution and possible land degradation in vertical order from enrichment factors for top and subsoil (TS/SS). Higher contents of certain toxic metals such as Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn [8] in the topsoil r (TS) in cultivated areas indicate pollution not only in the soil but also in a potential risk of contamination of the food produced [8]. Thus, using a data processing model for spatial distribution areas where food cannot be grown and it is undesirable for consumption can be narrowed down. The investigated area was previously monitored for atmospheric pollution (higher contents of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) using cross moss and lichens [9, 10]. Their results exposed the need of a soil pollution study that would focus on certain toxic metals, as well as on the distribution of lithogenic elements as a function of the emission source. II. STUDY AREA A total of 400 km 2 (20 km West–East direction × 20 km South–North direction), was used as monitored area, located in the eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia, and constrained by coordinates N: 41°32' – 41°44' and E: 22°15' – 22°30' (Fig. 1). The region is characterized by moderate continental climate. The average annual temperature is around 10°C. The average annual rainfall amounts to 563 mm with large variations from year to year. Prevailing winds in the region are those from the west with frequency of 199‰ and 2.7 m s –1 speed, and winds from the east with frequency of 124‰ and 2.0 m s –1 speed [11] . The Bucim copper mine is located in the north-west part of the study area. The mine environs encompasses ten villages and it