Acta Musei Moraviae

Soil contamination in the area between Zastávka u Brna and Oslavany and their relationship to the exploitation of coal

Relatively high concentrations of As (up to 47 ppm), Mo (up to 26 ppm), Hg (up to 1.4 ppm) and S (0.2 wt. %) were found based on the study of the chemical composition of the topsoil (A-horizon). Areas with high concentrations of these elements are located along the western edge the Boskovice Furrow. The areal extent and degree of anthropogenic contamination of the topsoil by several potentially toxic elements As, Mo, Hg and S can be interpreted as result of a combination of long-term coal burning especially in the thermal power plant Oslavany (apparently together with local heating) and dust emissions from coal mining. Chemical composition of power plant slag and ash indicates that a significant holder of contamination (mainly As and Mo) was fly ash; however, high concentrations are also present in airborne dust generated from coal and coal claystone. Deposition of solid particles (ash and coal) were accompanied by aerosols and gaseous emissions.